[LOGS] Dundee Game: Day Five (2/3)
* Shuri sighs, and makes sure the door is shut. "How much do you know about that guy anyway?"
Lucia raises an eyebrow. "Basically everything there is to know."
So you know that he's some kind of demon Prince of Hell and he's maybe been killing people and he brought David here and he's sucking his energy and he's maybe draining your energy too or something like that??
Lucia freezes. ". . . what . . . David . . . what do you know about David?"
He's... he's still alive or something, right, but he's also some kind of monster...
Kazuki, has been talking to him...
Lucia has frozen up almost entirely, eyes wide. ". . . no."
A-Are you okay?
"My brother's dead. There's no way--"
H-He's not, I mean, they went to go talk to him just now.
And I talked to him too a little bit, back at the other house--
Lucia laughs. It's not a happy sound. "You're crazy--"
I, I can go take you there...
"Where?"
The closet, they went to try to talk to him in the closet. I mean I don't know if they actually are talking to him but at least Kazuki can explain, right--
Lucia is seriously looking at him like he's crazy.
I just, I mean I just wanted to make sure you know all of this stuff!
Lucia . . . swallows, then slowly, looks down at her feet. ". . . you're not lying . . .?"
I don't know how much of it is true for real since a lot of it I just heard from other people, but I wouldn't just make up something like that on my own, you know...!
Everyone thinks it's all Mr. Sidney's fault.
"It?" Lucia echoes. "What is . . . it, exactly?"
What happened to David, and these people who are dying, and he's even doing something to you, apparently, and...
* Shuri looks a little helpless. "I don't know everything."
"He's not doing anything to me," Lucia says sharply. "I'm his master."
What does being his master mean? Where did you meet him anyway?
Lucia sits on the edge of her bed, slowly. ". . . isn't that something you all should have figured out, if you're suspicious of us?"
I'm trying to figure it out by talking to you, obviously.
And who's suspicious of you?
"That's one way to go about it," Lucia shrugs. "Did the others send you?"
* Shuri looks sort of annoyed. "They were talking about all this stuff and I asked if anyone had bothered to tell you yet and apparently no one had."
Lucia looks up at him quickly, expression a little vulnerable. ". . . ah."
...I wanted to hear your opinion on things!
Lucia touches her necklace, then pulls up the chain, letting Shuri see the heavy silver amulet at the end. "It's because of this," she says. "That I have my demons. That I have Sidney. It binds them all."
* Shuri ... goes closer to look at it. "So did you just find the amulet?"
"David and I found it . . . when we were in Egypt."
So you both met him then...?
Lucia grips the necklace tighter. ". . . something bad happened."
* Shuri looks sort of anxious... "If you could tell us, it might... be helpful..."
". . . helpful?"
* Shuri shakes his head--"We're trying to figure out what happened to David, a-and bring him back to normal, right..."
Lucia has frozen up again. ". . . he's gone . . ."
Apparently... he can't be anywhere that Mr. Sidney is. So...
Lucia covers her ears with her hands. "I don't want to hear it!"
* Shuri ...sits down next to Lucia and... hugs her
Lucia . . . blinks. And blinks again. ". . . a-ah."
* Shuri sort of awkward. "Um, I don't really understand what's wrong... But, everyone is pretty worried."
". . . about . . . me?" Lucia asks softly.
Ehhh, of course.
Lucia . . . laughs, a bit helplessly, and leans against Shuri. "I hardly believe that. It's nice. But I think you're the only one that even likes me at all. Sera doesn't trust me, not anymore. And Risa probably hates me. I make you all do things . . . "
* Shuri sadface :( "I really don't think that's true! I mean, everyone's sort of confused about why you needed us to do things, but everyone's only doing all this stuff because they're worried that you're not safe, or... I mean, Risa still helped me out, and Sera I talked to just earlier and she was really worried about you."
There's a knocking at the door.
* Shuri looks up...
Lucia pauses, in the midst of looking up at Shuri, and looks at the door.
She makes sure to pull back before calling out, "Come in!"
* Shuri staaands up
Jez dashes in and leaps onto the bed, landing on Lucia.
--Wah!
Lucia squeaks, falling backwards. "J-jez!"
"Master," she says. "They've made holy water."
". . . what?" Lucia stares up at her.
...Ah, they did...
She gives Shuri a look. "Him and Mr. Brown and Kazuki and the others."
Lucia gives Shuri a /look./
I didn't do it!
"But you knew!"
I was just there--yes, of course I knew, which is why I was asking them things and then I came to talk to you!!
"Brown says it's just in case," Jez says, but she doesn't sound happy.
"In case of what??" Lucia demands.
"I don't know."
* Shuri looks uncomfortable...
"They were talking about killing someone."
Lucia pushes Jez off of her, sitting up. "Shuri!"
I don't know--I don't know why they have to kill him!
"Who?!"
Sidney!
There's a knock at the door. "Hello? Lucia?"
--Eh?!
Vaan comes in just in time to see Lucia stand up and slap Shuri across the face.
* Vaan opens the door.
--Shuri!
* Shuri OW ow ow.
V... Vaan??
Lucia looks up angrily.
* Vaan smiles weakly.
What is it??
I....uh....
......
* Vaan is trying to think of a legitimate reason to be in here.
* Vaan looks around to see if he can see the bell.
* Shuri ... LOOKS AT LUCIA UNCOMFORTABLY
"What?" Lucia prompts Vaan, hands clenched into fists.
Was the piece of the rock enough?
* Vaan is still looking....
"Go away! I'm busy!"
....
* Vaan looks at Shuri.
"Jez!" Lucia points a finger at Vaan.
* Shuri ... looks at Vaan. "What?"
A-ah...
Jez sits upright, growling.
* Vaan mouths, "the bell!"
LUCIA IS NOT BLIND.
"SIC."
* Shuri ...ping of recognition...
Jez leaps on Vaan, breathing fire as she does so.
* Vaan RUNS OUT
L-Lucia--!
Jez chases.
#chaseyouVaanchaseyouchaseyou
* Shuri feels this is an AWKWAAAAARD situation
Lucia glares at him.
* Shuri ...shakes his head. "So OBVIOUSLY this is why I came to talk to you."
Lucia is shaking, twisting her hands in her nightgown.
...So what are you going to do about it?!
Lucia jerks her head up to look at him. ". . . what?"
They're all out trying to talk to David and trying to find ways to defeat that butler, and there's really no reason to hide that anymore, so--what?
"Defeat-- oh, for . . ." Lucia grabs Shuri by the wrist. "Come on, you idiot." She drags him out the door.
* Shuri FOLLOWS!!!1
#putyourdemoninatube
"Okay," Elli says, finally. "We can't act on that but maybe we can go after the sword if someone's capable of tracking demonic energy."
I can see and sense chakra, but that's not necessarily the same, and I'm not a tracker.
I'd only be able to track using non-demonic methods. It's necessary in a hitman's line of work.
Some of my more beastlike demons are decent trackers, and Agathion is good at finding hidden things in a specific location, but I'm limited to being able to sense "living" spirits and the like.
Elli considers this. "...Itachi, what's chakra, exactly? Life energy?"
Yes.
She thinks about this more, starting to look a little excited.
* Itachi raises an eyebrow, curious.
"What if," she says, "we combine our skills. Madison can predict things to some extent--" He looks uncomfortable at being pointed out. "We can detect demonic energy to an extent."
"The sword's been killing -- chakra should be released when that happens, right? And blood, which has a scent. And Belphegor ... Well when we're on the scene, he's got some tracking skills too, right?"
* Belphegor grins at that. "That's right."
Hm. Yes.
* Raidou nods slowly.
"We should try it," she says, and rises. "Before more people die. Do you think you could take on someone who's possessed by that -- by an evil sword? Without getting possessed yourself?"
How is the possession achieved? By contact with the sword?
"Contact," she agrees. "If you cut yourself on it that's almost definite -- it's a demon, so it'd take a blood offering." She bites her lower lip. "I'm immune."
* Raidou thinks about this for a moment. "Distance attacks, maybe. What about the current host?"
I'm a distance fighter. Knives, wires, and dying will flames. I do better indoors since I'm good at wire traps. You're all screwed if I bleed, though.
I'm trained to use swords and revolvers. Most of the demons have distance attacks.
"I don't know who the current host is," she says. "If possible we want to save him or her."
I use genjutsu...illusions, and fire. And the sharingan makes it easy for me to evade attacks as long as I'm faster than the attacker.
A few of mine have sleep spells. Lilith can't be harmed by most physical attacks.
I've also got my storm mink.
"Let's head outside," Elli says. "And get all our senses open, see what we can find out."
* Itachi stands and nods, "All right."
You have been talking a long time; dawn is breaking. As you step out, Madison sways and almost falls, letting out a soft cry.
* Raidou moves to steady him.
Madison smacks Raidou's hands, flailing and half-stumbling, half-skipping away.
* Raidou hastily moves back. "Sorry.
* Itachi reaches for him, "Madison."
Hm?
Madison sways and lets Itachi catch him, shaking his head. "Bad," he says in a small voice. "Bad, bad, it'll happen in a church. *Soon*." We don't have much time."
* Itachi keeps a steadying hand on Madison's shoulder, "No time to waste, then."
"Right," Elli says, a little shakily. "So something bad's going to happen... in a church. So let's find where the last killings were and then find the nearest church."
It should be in the newspaper, shouldn't it? Then all we'd need from there is a map.
Yes.
"It depends how recent they were. If there's any last night they may not be reported yet--"
she is cut off by the sound of police sirens.
* Belphegor listens for the direction the sirens are coming from.
* Raidou reaches for a confinement tube and summons a demon. "Metatron. Can you see anything from the air?"
Metatron goes on an investigation!
Metatron reports its findings to Raidou.
Police cars are gathering around a prison.
Bel, it sounds off to the east.
* Belphegor motions eastward. "The sirens are off that way."
They're at a prison.
"A prison to the east? Hang on!" Elli dashes back into the hotel.
* Itachi looks to the east and focuses his ninja senses that way.
Metatron continues to survey from the air.
* Belphegor just waits, hands shoved in his pockets, as there's little for him to do at the moment.
Elli comes back with a local area map!
"Right, a prison's here, so the nearest church..." she searches, then points at a cross.
* Belphegor looks at the map, and the streets that go between the hotel and the church.
Looks like a ten minute drive.
If time is of the essence, I might be able to get us there faster, assuming no one has any objections to riding dragonback.
That way, we wouldn't have to worry about traffic.
Dragonback, huh? That would be fast...
"Fast is best," Elli agrees.
I don't object.
* Raidou looks questioningly at Madison.
"I'll stay," Madison says, softly. "I think you're right. I can't--"
By yourself? Are you sure?
"I'll head over to Kieran's place," Madison says. "...Thanks."
...All right. Be careful.
Elli turns to Raidou. "It's all yours," she says.
* Raidou nods, then recalls Metatron for Great Kohyru. The dragon looks vaguely amused; "Perhaps I should start charging fares," he rumbles.
Luka puts a hand on the dragon's side, intrigued; then he and Elli get on.
* Itachi follows suit.
* Belphegor gets on as well.
And they're off, flying towards the prison...
(You could have waited for me to get on. =()
(I'm kidding.)
#highwaytohell
#omnomnom
You walk into the kitchen -- and Mr. Sidney walks in a moment later, actually. "Ah, good morning, ladies."
--ah... good morning.
"I apologize for the lateness of the hour, but I'm afraid I haven't been able to start breakfast yet. Do you have any requests?"
I don't really have any preference except coffee...
"I'll get coffee started immediately." he does so.
John enters as well. "Good morning, Mr. Brown," Sidney greets. He is preparing coffee.
... Good morning Sidney.
* Robin^Sena glances at John, relieved that he is not mauled.
He begins to prepare breakfast, cracking eggs into a pan.
* Robin^Sena looks around anxiously.
"Is there something wrong?"
Just... wondering where the others are.
"Well, Mr. Oak was in Miss Lucia's bedroom the last I saw him. As for the others, they were talking to David in the closet, so I assume they'll return soon."
... David?
... in a closet?
Is it the closet that had...
* Robin^Sena shuts up. :x
"That was the one," Sidney agrees.
I see...
"Is there a problem?"
Um, no, not really.
I was just wondering about a few things.
"Yes, Miss Robin?"
* Robin^Sena hesitates. "That file on the computers... ghast.exe. I've never heard of a demon entering through a program before. How did you get it?"
... did someone open the file?
No, not that I know of.
It's just been stuck in my brain.
Ah...
"A computer program?" Sidney tilts his head. "I'm sorry. That's probably Miss Lucia's. You'd be better off asking her."
* Robin^Sena glances aside. "I don't think I'd want to disturb her..."
"My apologies, then."
It's fine.
* Robin^Sena fidgets.
You guys hear yelling from upstairs, John, Risa, Robin.
W-what was that?
* Robin^Sena winces.
It sounds like Lucia blowing a gasket. Sidney puts down the frying pan and turns the heat off.
U-um.
S-should we go...
#chaseyouVaanchaseyouchaseyou
* Vaan ahhhhhhhhh.
* Vaan run run run
Jez chases Vaan down the hall away from Lucia's room, breathing fire.
* Sera ...blinks.
* Vaan CASTS BLIZZAGA OR SOMETHING.
S-Sera?
* Kazuki ...also blinks.
Kazuki?
This... um, what...
Jez transforms into a dog to run faster, aiming to jump onto Vaan.
.........
AHHHHH
HELP ME
* Sera ...tries to block Jez? "What happened?!"
W-what exactly did you do?!
* Kazuki tackles Vaan out of the way, sure.
Jez snarls at them, barking madly.
I was looking for something in Lucia's room
!!!
* Kazuki gives Vaan a sideways look, "What exactly would you be looking for--!?"
...without her there...?
............
No she was in there...
Shuri was too...
...um...
Risa and Robin wanted to look at something
......
I.........thought I would be able to get it, even if there were people inside.
But I couldn't find it!
Jez spits fire again.
* Vaan (WHY IS HE TALKING SO MUCH WITH A CRAZY DOG AFTER THEM)
AAAAAAH--
* Kazuki ...lets Vaan go and turns to Jez, "I know you're angry, but could you calm down and explain your side of the story, without-- doing that!?"
What was it? Jez, are you supposed to kill him, or just hold him? Because we have him--
She changes back, still breathing fire. "'Sic'" she repeats.
Y-yeah.....
No she just...wanted me out.
And probably mauled by a hellhound
...he's out now, Jez. I think it's okay.
He won't go back in.
Right?
Jez plants herself down in the middle of the hallway, still growling.
No.....
Vaan, maybe you'd better leave... um, what were you looking for?
A bell...
Is it okay to say?
O-oh...
It was something that...Risa found
* Kazuki doesn't get the significance, really, "You could've asked."
I.....
It sounded important.
Lucia comes down the hallway, in her nightgown and housecoat, hair half-pinned up, dragging Shuri behind her.
And um...like Lucia wouldn't want--
Eh.
* Vaan shuts up.
...What's going on?
"What wouldn't I want!?" If Lucia could breathe fire, she probably would.
...I'm not sure, honestly...
N-nothing.
* Vaan IS VERY STILL AND VERY INNOCENT.
Dropping Shuri's wrist, Lucia marches up and smacks Vaan with the heel of her hand.
* Sera JUST LOOKS CONFUSED.
O-OW.
* Shuri winces slightly.
Then, she turns to Kazuki and smiles disarmingly.
...
* Kazuki feels kind of in danger
Yeah, she's going for a knee to the balls.
Lucia--!!
* Kazuki can block that, at least.
That's low!
Lucia punches him in the face.
You could at least listen to him first--!
* Kazuki tries to tilt his head out of the way, but she gets him in the cheek!
Jez looks impressed.
* Vaan pft.
* Sera just... stands back against the wall and blinks at this whole thing.
"They never even try to listen to ME!" Lucia yells at Shuri.
We asked someone you liked to TALK to you!
Becausr the one time I tried to talk to you, you screamed at me! Way back! IN CASE YOU FORGOT!
* Vaan is totally oblivious.
"Everybody goes behind my back, anyway!"
* Shuri ... IS STAYING OUT OF THIS NOW...
Behind your back doing what? Would you like me to tell you what I've been doing?! Because I will, all of it, if you promise not to freak out!
* Vaan mutters "....This wasn't even my idea....."
"I hate my brother!" Lucia yells. "If any part of him is still around--I don't want to know! And if any of you try to lay a hand on Sidney, I'll kill you!"
* Kazuki gives Vaan a dirty look, "I didn't even know you were going to try and steal something from a girl's room. I know I've been low, but not as low as THAT."
EH??
It wasn't that sort of thing
* Vaan ISN'T A PERV OR ANYTHING SERIOUSLY.
* Kazuki shrugs and turns to Lucia. "Fine, Then kill me."
* Sera ...goes very still, watching.
Lucia ignores Vaan. ". . . what?" she demands of Kazuki.
* Shuri aaaahhhh what is going on aaaaahhhh.
Kill. Me.
* Vaan .......
Lucia's eyes narrow. "I said, if you try to hurt him."
* Kazuki raises a challenging eyebrow back, "What do you think I've been trying? I've been pretty obvious."
"Why?" Lucia demands.
* Kazuki doesn't answer the demand straight away, "I told you, if you promise not to freak out, I'd tell you everything."
Sidney walks upstairs with Robin, John, and Risa.
* Vaan makes a sad face at Robin.
* Shuri ahahahaaaa eek.
* Kazuki doesn't look at them, just keeping focused on Lucia.
* Robin^Sena makes a "god why" face at... well, everything.
Lucia and Kazuki are facing off! with the others sort of . . . freaking out generally around them o_o
* Vaan makes a sadface at Risa too.
Kazuki!
Uh... what happened?
"Miss Lucia?"
What's happening?
Lucia glances up as the others come in, then back at Kazuki. "Tell me everything, then!" she says, flatly.
#highwaytohell
Konatsu, you make it to the church. Services have just started and you wait outside, drawing a deep breath, a thrum of bloodlust starting when ... a dragon comes flying up with Elli, Raidou, Belphegor, and Itachi on its back.
Elli, Raidou, Belphegor, Itachi, you come flying in -- and see Konatsu standing, clothes completely soaked with blood and a sword in one hand, outside the doors of a church.
#Konatsumakesthebestdecisions
(Damn! Of all the times-!)
(We can kill them too. We'll take them down as well)
(We can't waste the energy. If we blow it now we'll take too long to recharge.) It sounds disgusted.
(But we don't have enough, we need more.)
(Better to go after Him now, while we have what we have, than risk it. At least this way we have the advantage of surprise...)
#highwaytohell
* Itachi raises an eyebrow, "Konatsu."
* Konatsu steps back, regarding them all with a drawn frown. "What are you doing here?"
* Belphegor releases his mink from its box, flaming away.
A foolish question, considering the state you're in.
"That's the sword," Elli says.
I am making preparations. I was unaware you were in this world.
* Belphegor storm mink chills on Bel's shoulder. It growls at Konatsu.
* Konatsu narrows his eyes as he looks to Elli, hand tightening on the sword's hilt.
* Raidou palms two confinement tubes. "Preparations for what?"
She glares back, furious, spots of colour high in her cheeks.
I don't believe it's a matter of your concern until you answer my question.
I would imagine the two are related.
Then since I asked first it would only be polite for you to answer first, wouldn't you agree?
#konatsumakesthebestdecicions
(Then we go for Him now?)
(Better than this. I can't take the book's host.)
(We're balanced forces and she's prepared.)
(We escape then?)
(Let's hear what they have to say, then drive as fast as we can. Back to the manor.)
(Understood.)
#highwaytohell
Elli says, "Did you kill them?"
That doesn't sound like an answer now does it?
Intervention, Konatsu. I should think it obvious.
#konatsumakesthebestdecicions
You feel an anxious amusement at the exchange.
(Get ready to go. Now. Move towards the bike casually.)
#highwaytohell
"Exactly what manner of intervention?" Konatsu asks, stepping away from the church, moving to sheath his sword as he does.
No, no. Your question was answered, now you can answer Raidou's or Elli's.
While it's your turn to answer, why do you have that sword, hm?
If you answer me in vague terms I see no reason why I should afford you any greater courtesy. It is unfortunate that Miss Elli did not think to specify who she thinks that I have killed. Of course I have killed before, I am a soldier.
"The question's obvious," Elli says. "Don't play dumb, Konatsu Warren!"
You're making excuses.
So avoidant, isn't he?
Yes, very.
#konatsumakesthebestdecicions
(Let's ditch these do-gooders.)
#highwaytohell
* Konatsu gives Elli a sharp look, having now made his way to the motorcycle parked nearby, resting one hand on the handlebar. "I like to believe that I am merely being just. I'm giving you what you've asked for in the terms you've asked for it."
"It's not you," she says. "That sword is *making* you kill. You're just like my brother!"
#konatsumakesthebestdecicions
A laugh.
#highwaytohell
* Belphegor 's mink gives a low growl once more.
"If you insist on insulting me in such a way, I do not believe that I have anything more to say to you." He scoffs lightly, mounting the motorcycle and starting it in nearly one motion, immediately tearing into a sharp U-turn to speed away from the church.
#konatsumakesthebestdecicions
(Fast, fast, *fast*!)
(I'm going! I hear you!)
(Don't do us the humiliation of being caught! Let's break into that manor and rend and tear everyone in it!)
(Him first, if we can't get Him then it's all for nothing!)
(And whatever gets between us and Him?)
(Obstructions must be dealt with in a suitable manner)
(Yes!!)
(Only not--) he pauses, a strange sense of disorientation as he tries to recall names, faces. (There were some--but if they move to stop us their lives will be forfeit.)
(Yes. *Yes*.)
(We'll slaughter Him, rend Him to bits. Make that foolish girl who calls Him her pet moan with anguish and pain as well. They will watch each other in death.)
(Glorious!)
* Konatsu a giddy surge of glee sweeps through Konatsu's mind as he pushes the bike faster still. (And then the rest! The pitiful excuses for demons she calls pets! We would not want to leave them abandoned without their master, would we?)
(Let's take them all!)
(Tear them all to pieces! Listen to their pleading howls! It will make music!)
#highwaytohell
"After him!" Elli shouts.
He's going fast; faster than a normal motorcycle should be able to go, tearing up the ground as he travels.
(Everyone back on the dragon?)
Elli flings herself onto the dragon again.
* Itachi is also back on the dragon.
* Raidou reaches to give Belphegor a hand back up.
* Belphegor grabs his hand, his other hand already reaching for knives.
Once we get close enough I can have the mink block his exits with fire.
As the dragon starts to take flight again Elli gets a text message. She checks it and then shows it to the others on the dragon.
"Kaname said to pass the message on. Apparently Asmodeus's weakness is the smoke from burned fish -- sheatfish?) and maybe water. If that's true. - Kieran."
The dragon's having trouble gaining on Konatsu going that supernaturally fast, but it can at least keep pace. He's tearing out of the city, up along the country road...
* Belphegor spends the ride readying knives and wires, the mink digging its claws firmly into his shoulder to hold on tight.
(How far behind is the dragon?)
(around forty feet)
The motorcycle roars up to a counry manor -- and then into it, crashing through the front door.
Lucia raises an eyebrow. "Basically everything there is to know."
So you know that he's some kind of demon Prince of Hell and he's maybe been killing people and he brought David here and he's sucking his energy and he's maybe draining your energy too or something like that??
Lucia freezes. ". . . what . . . David . . . what do you know about David?"
He's... he's still alive or something, right, but he's also some kind of monster...
Kazuki, has been talking to him...
Lucia has frozen up almost entirely, eyes wide. ". . . no."
A-Are you okay?
"My brother's dead. There's no way--"
H-He's not, I mean, they went to go talk to him just now.
And I talked to him too a little bit, back at the other house--
Lucia laughs. It's not a happy sound. "You're crazy--"
I, I can go take you there...
"Where?"
The closet, they went to try to talk to him in the closet. I mean I don't know if they actually are talking to him but at least Kazuki can explain, right--
Lucia is seriously looking at him like he's crazy.
I just, I mean I just wanted to make sure you know all of this stuff!
Lucia . . . swallows, then slowly, looks down at her feet. ". . . you're not lying . . .?"
I don't know how much of it is true for real since a lot of it I just heard from other people, but I wouldn't just make up something like that on my own, you know...!
Everyone thinks it's all Mr. Sidney's fault.
"It?" Lucia echoes. "What is . . . it, exactly?"
What happened to David, and these people who are dying, and he's even doing something to you, apparently, and...
* Shuri looks a little helpless. "I don't know everything."
"He's not doing anything to me," Lucia says sharply. "I'm his master."
What does being his master mean? Where did you meet him anyway?
Lucia sits on the edge of her bed, slowly. ". . . isn't that something you all should have figured out, if you're suspicious of us?"
I'm trying to figure it out by talking to you, obviously.
And who's suspicious of you?
"That's one way to go about it," Lucia shrugs. "Did the others send you?"
* Shuri looks sort of annoyed. "They were talking about all this stuff and I asked if anyone had bothered to tell you yet and apparently no one had."
Lucia looks up at him quickly, expression a little vulnerable. ". . . ah."
...I wanted to hear your opinion on things!
Lucia touches her necklace, then pulls up the chain, letting Shuri see the heavy silver amulet at the end. "It's because of this," she says. "That I have my demons. That I have Sidney. It binds them all."
* Shuri ... goes closer to look at it. "So did you just find the amulet?"
"David and I found it . . . when we were in Egypt."
So you both met him then...?
Lucia grips the necklace tighter. ". . . something bad happened."
* Shuri looks sort of anxious... "If you could tell us, it might... be helpful..."
". . . helpful?"
* Shuri shakes his head--"We're trying to figure out what happened to David, a-and bring him back to normal, right..."
Lucia has frozen up again. ". . . he's gone . . ."
Apparently... he can't be anywhere that Mr. Sidney is. So...
Lucia covers her ears with her hands. "I don't want to hear it!"
* Shuri ...sits down next to Lucia and... hugs her
Lucia . . . blinks. And blinks again. ". . . a-ah."
* Shuri sort of awkward. "Um, I don't really understand what's wrong... But, everyone is pretty worried."
". . . about . . . me?" Lucia asks softly.
Ehhh, of course.
Lucia . . . laughs, a bit helplessly, and leans against Shuri. "I hardly believe that. It's nice. But I think you're the only one that even likes me at all. Sera doesn't trust me, not anymore. And Risa probably hates me. I make you all do things . . . "
* Shuri sadface :( "I really don't think that's true! I mean, everyone's sort of confused about why you needed us to do things, but everyone's only doing all this stuff because they're worried that you're not safe, or... I mean, Risa still helped me out, and Sera I talked to just earlier and she was really worried about you."
There's a knocking at the door.
* Shuri looks up...
Lucia pauses, in the midst of looking up at Shuri, and looks at the door.
She makes sure to pull back before calling out, "Come in!"
* Shuri staaands up
Jez dashes in and leaps onto the bed, landing on Lucia.
--Wah!
Lucia squeaks, falling backwards. "J-jez!"
"Master," she says. "They've made holy water."
". . . what?" Lucia stares up at her.
...Ah, they did...
She gives Shuri a look. "Him and Mr. Brown and Kazuki and the others."
Lucia gives Shuri a /look./
I didn't do it!
"But you knew!"
I was just there--yes, of course I knew, which is why I was asking them things and then I came to talk to you!!
"Brown says it's just in case," Jez says, but she doesn't sound happy.
"In case of what??" Lucia demands.
"I don't know."
* Shuri looks uncomfortable...
"They were talking about killing someone."
Lucia pushes Jez off of her, sitting up. "Shuri!"
I don't know--I don't know why they have to kill him!
"Who?!"
Sidney!
There's a knock at the door. "Hello? Lucia?"
--Eh?!
Vaan comes in just in time to see Lucia stand up and slap Shuri across the face.
* Vaan opens the door.
--Shuri!
* Shuri OW ow ow.
V... Vaan??
Lucia looks up angrily.
* Vaan smiles weakly.
What is it??
I....uh....
......
* Vaan is trying to think of a legitimate reason to be in here.
* Vaan looks around to see if he can see the bell.
* Shuri ... LOOKS AT LUCIA UNCOMFORTABLY
"What?" Lucia prompts Vaan, hands clenched into fists.
Was the piece of the rock enough?
* Vaan is still looking....
"Go away! I'm busy!"
....
* Vaan looks at Shuri.
"Jez!" Lucia points a finger at Vaan.
* Shuri ... looks at Vaan. "What?"
A-ah...
Jez sits upright, growling.
* Vaan mouths, "the bell!"
LUCIA IS NOT BLIND.
"SIC."
* Shuri ...ping of recognition...
Jez leaps on Vaan, breathing fire as she does so.
* Vaan RUNS OUT
L-Lucia--!
Jez chases.
#chaseyouVaanchaseyouchaseyou
* Shuri feels this is an AWKWAAAAARD situation
Lucia glares at him.
* Shuri ...shakes his head. "So OBVIOUSLY this is why I came to talk to you."
Lucia is shaking, twisting her hands in her nightgown.
...So what are you going to do about it?!
Lucia jerks her head up to look at him. ". . . what?"
They're all out trying to talk to David and trying to find ways to defeat that butler, and there's really no reason to hide that anymore, so--what?
"Defeat-- oh, for . . ." Lucia grabs Shuri by the wrist. "Come on, you idiot." She drags him out the door.
* Shuri FOLLOWS!!!1
#putyourdemoninatube
"Okay," Elli says, finally. "We can't act on that but maybe we can go after the sword if someone's capable of tracking demonic energy."
I can see and sense chakra, but that's not necessarily the same, and I'm not a tracker.
I'd only be able to track using non-demonic methods. It's necessary in a hitman's line of work.
Some of my more beastlike demons are decent trackers, and Agathion is good at finding hidden things in a specific location, but I'm limited to being able to sense "living" spirits and the like.
Elli considers this. "...Itachi, what's chakra, exactly? Life energy?"
Yes.
She thinks about this more, starting to look a little excited.
* Itachi raises an eyebrow, curious.
"What if," she says, "we combine our skills. Madison can predict things to some extent--" He looks uncomfortable at being pointed out. "We can detect demonic energy to an extent."
"The sword's been killing -- chakra should be released when that happens, right? And blood, which has a scent. And Belphegor ... Well when we're on the scene, he's got some tracking skills too, right?"
* Belphegor grins at that. "That's right."
Hm. Yes.
* Raidou nods slowly.
"We should try it," she says, and rises. "Before more people die. Do you think you could take on someone who's possessed by that -- by an evil sword? Without getting possessed yourself?"
How is the possession achieved? By contact with the sword?
"Contact," she agrees. "If you cut yourself on it that's almost definite -- it's a demon, so it'd take a blood offering." She bites her lower lip. "I'm immune."
* Raidou thinks about this for a moment. "Distance attacks, maybe. What about the current host?"
I'm a distance fighter. Knives, wires, and dying will flames. I do better indoors since I'm good at wire traps. You're all screwed if I bleed, though.
I'm trained to use swords and revolvers. Most of the demons have distance attacks.
"I don't know who the current host is," she says. "If possible we want to save him or her."
I use genjutsu...illusions, and fire. And the sharingan makes it easy for me to evade attacks as long as I'm faster than the attacker.
A few of mine have sleep spells. Lilith can't be harmed by most physical attacks.
I've also got my storm mink.
"Let's head outside," Elli says. "And get all our senses open, see what we can find out."
* Itachi stands and nods, "All right."
You have been talking a long time; dawn is breaking. As you step out, Madison sways and almost falls, letting out a soft cry.
* Raidou moves to steady him.
Madison smacks Raidou's hands, flailing and half-stumbling, half-skipping away.
* Raidou hastily moves back. "Sorry.
* Itachi reaches for him, "Madison."
Hm?
Madison sways and lets Itachi catch him, shaking his head. "Bad," he says in a small voice. "Bad, bad, it'll happen in a church. *Soon*." We don't have much time."
* Itachi keeps a steadying hand on Madison's shoulder, "No time to waste, then."
"Right," Elli says, a little shakily. "So something bad's going to happen... in a church. So let's find where the last killings were and then find the nearest church."
It should be in the newspaper, shouldn't it? Then all we'd need from there is a map.
Yes.
"It depends how recent they were. If there's any last night they may not be reported yet--"
she is cut off by the sound of police sirens.
* Belphegor listens for the direction the sirens are coming from.
* Raidou reaches for a confinement tube and summons a demon. "Metatron. Can you see anything from the air?"
Metatron goes on an investigation!
Metatron reports its findings to Raidou.
Police cars are gathering around a prison.
Bel, it sounds off to the east.
* Belphegor motions eastward. "The sirens are off that way."
They're at a prison.
"A prison to the east? Hang on!" Elli dashes back into the hotel.
* Itachi looks to the east and focuses his ninja senses that way.
Metatron continues to survey from the air.
* Belphegor just waits, hands shoved in his pockets, as there's little for him to do at the moment.
Elli comes back with a local area map!
"Right, a prison's here, so the nearest church..." she searches, then points at a cross.
* Belphegor looks at the map, and the streets that go between the hotel and the church.
Looks like a ten minute drive.
If time is of the essence, I might be able to get us there faster, assuming no one has any objections to riding dragonback.
That way, we wouldn't have to worry about traffic.
Dragonback, huh? That would be fast...
"Fast is best," Elli agrees.
I don't object.
* Raidou looks questioningly at Madison.
"I'll stay," Madison says, softly. "I think you're right. I can't--"
By yourself? Are you sure?
"I'll head over to Kieran's place," Madison says. "...Thanks."
...All right. Be careful.
Elli turns to Raidou. "It's all yours," she says.
* Raidou nods, then recalls Metatron for Great Kohyru. The dragon looks vaguely amused; "Perhaps I should start charging fares," he rumbles.
Luka puts a hand on the dragon's side, intrigued; then he and Elli get on.
* Itachi follows suit.
* Belphegor gets on as well.
And they're off, flying towards the prison...
(You could have waited for me to get on. =()
(I'm kidding.)
#highwaytohell
#omnomnom
You walk into the kitchen -- and Mr. Sidney walks in a moment later, actually. "Ah, good morning, ladies."
--ah... good morning.
"I apologize for the lateness of the hour, but I'm afraid I haven't been able to start breakfast yet. Do you have any requests?"
I don't really have any preference except coffee...
"I'll get coffee started immediately." he does so.
John enters as well. "Good morning, Mr. Brown," Sidney greets. He is preparing coffee.
... Good morning Sidney.
* Robin^Sena glances at John, relieved that he is not mauled.
He begins to prepare breakfast, cracking eggs into a pan.
* Robin^Sena looks around anxiously.
"Is there something wrong?"
Just... wondering where the others are.
"Well, Mr. Oak was in Miss Lucia's bedroom the last I saw him. As for the others, they were talking to David in the closet, so I assume they'll return soon."
... David?
... in a closet?
Is it the closet that had...
* Robin^Sena shuts up. :x
"That was the one," Sidney agrees.
I see...
"Is there a problem?"
Um, no, not really.
I was just wondering about a few things.
"Yes, Miss Robin?"
* Robin^Sena hesitates. "That file on the computers... ghast.exe. I've never heard of a demon entering through a program before. How did you get it?"
... did someone open the file?
No, not that I know of.
It's just been stuck in my brain.
Ah...
"A computer program?" Sidney tilts his head. "I'm sorry. That's probably Miss Lucia's. You'd be better off asking her."
* Robin^Sena glances aside. "I don't think I'd want to disturb her..."
"My apologies, then."
It's fine.
* Robin^Sena fidgets.
You guys hear yelling from upstairs, John, Risa, Robin.
W-what was that?
* Robin^Sena winces.
It sounds like Lucia blowing a gasket. Sidney puts down the frying pan and turns the heat off.
U-um.
S-should we go...
#chaseyouVaanchaseyouchaseyou
* Vaan ahhhhhhhhh.
* Vaan run run run
Jez chases Vaan down the hall away from Lucia's room, breathing fire.
* Sera ...blinks.
* Vaan CASTS BLIZZAGA OR SOMETHING.
S-Sera?
* Kazuki ...also blinks.
Kazuki?
This... um, what...
Jez transforms into a dog to run faster, aiming to jump onto Vaan.
.........
AHHHHH
HELP ME
* Sera ...tries to block Jez? "What happened?!"
W-what exactly did you do?!
* Kazuki tackles Vaan out of the way, sure.
Jez snarls at them, barking madly.
I was looking for something in Lucia's room
!!!
* Kazuki gives Vaan a sideways look, "What exactly would you be looking for--!?"
...without her there...?
............
No she was in there...
Shuri was too...
...um...
Risa and Robin wanted to look at something
......
I.........thought I would be able to get it, even if there were people inside.
But I couldn't find it!
Jez spits fire again.
* Vaan (WHY IS HE TALKING SO MUCH WITH A CRAZY DOG AFTER THEM)
AAAAAAH--
* Kazuki ...lets Vaan go and turns to Jez, "I know you're angry, but could you calm down and explain your side of the story, without-- doing that!?"
What was it? Jez, are you supposed to kill him, or just hold him? Because we have him--
She changes back, still breathing fire. "'Sic'" she repeats.
Y-yeah.....
No she just...wanted me out.
And probably mauled by a hellhound
...he's out now, Jez. I think it's okay.
He won't go back in.
Right?
Jez plants herself down in the middle of the hallway, still growling.
No.....
Vaan, maybe you'd better leave... um, what were you looking for?
A bell...
Is it okay to say?
O-oh...
It was something that...Risa found
* Kazuki doesn't get the significance, really, "You could've asked."
I.....
It sounded important.
Lucia comes down the hallway, in her nightgown and housecoat, hair half-pinned up, dragging Shuri behind her.
And um...like Lucia wouldn't want--
Eh.
* Vaan shuts up.
...What's going on?
"What wouldn't I want!?" If Lucia could breathe fire, she probably would.
...I'm not sure, honestly...
N-nothing.
* Vaan IS VERY STILL AND VERY INNOCENT.
Dropping Shuri's wrist, Lucia marches up and smacks Vaan with the heel of her hand.
* Sera JUST LOOKS CONFUSED.
O-OW.
* Shuri winces slightly.
Then, she turns to Kazuki and smiles disarmingly.
...
* Kazuki feels kind of in danger
Yeah, she's going for a knee to the balls.
Lucia--!!
* Kazuki can block that, at least.
That's low!
Lucia punches him in the face.
You could at least listen to him first--!
* Kazuki tries to tilt his head out of the way, but she gets him in the cheek!
Jez looks impressed.
* Vaan pft.
* Sera just... stands back against the wall and blinks at this whole thing.
"They never even try to listen to ME!" Lucia yells at Shuri.
We asked someone you liked to TALK to you!
Becausr the one time I tried to talk to you, you screamed at me! Way back! IN CASE YOU FORGOT!
* Vaan is totally oblivious.
"Everybody goes behind my back, anyway!"
* Shuri ... IS STAYING OUT OF THIS NOW...
Behind your back doing what? Would you like me to tell you what I've been doing?! Because I will, all of it, if you promise not to freak out!
* Vaan mutters "....This wasn't even my idea....."
"I hate my brother!" Lucia yells. "If any part of him is still around--I don't want to know! And if any of you try to lay a hand on Sidney, I'll kill you!"
* Kazuki gives Vaan a dirty look, "I didn't even know you were going to try and steal something from a girl's room. I know I've been low, but not as low as THAT."
EH??
It wasn't that sort of thing
* Vaan ISN'T A PERV OR ANYTHING SERIOUSLY.
* Kazuki shrugs and turns to Lucia. "Fine, Then kill me."
* Sera ...goes very still, watching.
Lucia ignores Vaan. ". . . what?" she demands of Kazuki.
* Shuri aaaahhhh what is going on aaaaahhhh.
Kill. Me.
* Vaan .......
Lucia's eyes narrow. "I said, if you try to hurt him."
* Kazuki raises a challenging eyebrow back, "What do you think I've been trying? I've been pretty obvious."
"Why?" Lucia demands.
* Kazuki doesn't answer the demand straight away, "I told you, if you promise not to freak out, I'd tell you everything."
Sidney walks upstairs with Robin, John, and Risa.
* Vaan makes a sad face at Robin.
* Shuri ahahahaaaa eek.
* Kazuki doesn't look at them, just keeping focused on Lucia.
* Robin^Sena makes a "god why" face at... well, everything.
Lucia and Kazuki are facing off! with the others sort of . . . freaking out generally around them o_o
* Vaan makes a sadface at Risa too.
Kazuki!
Uh... what happened?
"Miss Lucia?"
What's happening?
Lucia glances up as the others come in, then back at Kazuki. "Tell me everything, then!" she says, flatly.
#highwaytohell
Konatsu, you make it to the church. Services have just started and you wait outside, drawing a deep breath, a thrum of bloodlust starting when ... a dragon comes flying up with Elli, Raidou, Belphegor, and Itachi on its back.
Elli, Raidou, Belphegor, Itachi, you come flying in -- and see Konatsu standing, clothes completely soaked with blood and a sword in one hand, outside the doors of a church.
#Konatsumakesthebestdecisions
(Damn! Of all the times-!)
(We can kill them too. We'll take them down as well)
(We can't waste the energy. If we blow it now we'll take too long to recharge.) It sounds disgusted.
(But we don't have enough, we need more.)
(Better to go after Him now, while we have what we have, than risk it. At least this way we have the advantage of surprise...)
#highwaytohell
* Itachi raises an eyebrow, "Konatsu."
* Konatsu steps back, regarding them all with a drawn frown. "What are you doing here?"
* Belphegor releases his mink from its box, flaming away.
A foolish question, considering the state you're in.
"That's the sword," Elli says.
I am making preparations. I was unaware you were in this world.
* Belphegor storm mink chills on Bel's shoulder. It growls at Konatsu.
* Konatsu narrows his eyes as he looks to Elli, hand tightening on the sword's hilt.
* Raidou palms two confinement tubes. "Preparations for what?"
She glares back, furious, spots of colour high in her cheeks.
I don't believe it's a matter of your concern until you answer my question.
I would imagine the two are related.
Then since I asked first it would only be polite for you to answer first, wouldn't you agree?
#konatsumakesthebestdecicions
(Then we go for Him now?)
(Better than this. I can't take the book's host.)
(We're balanced forces and she's prepared.)
(We escape then?)
(Let's hear what they have to say, then drive as fast as we can. Back to the manor.)
(Understood.)
#highwaytohell
Elli says, "Did you kill them?"
That doesn't sound like an answer now does it?
Intervention, Konatsu. I should think it obvious.
#konatsumakesthebestdecicions
You feel an anxious amusement at the exchange.
(Get ready to go. Now. Move towards the bike casually.)
#highwaytohell
"Exactly what manner of intervention?" Konatsu asks, stepping away from the church, moving to sheath his sword as he does.
No, no. Your question was answered, now you can answer Raidou's or Elli's.
While it's your turn to answer, why do you have that sword, hm?
If you answer me in vague terms I see no reason why I should afford you any greater courtesy. It is unfortunate that Miss Elli did not think to specify who she thinks that I have killed. Of course I have killed before, I am a soldier.
"The question's obvious," Elli says. "Don't play dumb, Konatsu Warren!"
You're making excuses.
So avoidant, isn't he?
Yes, very.
#konatsumakesthebestdecicions
(Let's ditch these do-gooders.)
#highwaytohell
* Konatsu gives Elli a sharp look, having now made his way to the motorcycle parked nearby, resting one hand on the handlebar. "I like to believe that I am merely being just. I'm giving you what you've asked for in the terms you've asked for it."
"It's not you," she says. "That sword is *making* you kill. You're just like my brother!"
#konatsumakesthebestdecicions
A laugh.
#highwaytohell
* Belphegor 's mink gives a low growl once more.
"If you insist on insulting me in such a way, I do not believe that I have anything more to say to you." He scoffs lightly, mounting the motorcycle and starting it in nearly one motion, immediately tearing into a sharp U-turn to speed away from the church.
#konatsumakesthebestdecicions
(Fast, fast, *fast*!)
(I'm going! I hear you!)
(Don't do us the humiliation of being caught! Let's break into that manor and rend and tear everyone in it!)
(Him first, if we can't get Him then it's all for nothing!)
(And whatever gets between us and Him?)
(Obstructions must be dealt with in a suitable manner)
(Yes!!)
(Only not--) he pauses, a strange sense of disorientation as he tries to recall names, faces. (There were some--but if they move to stop us their lives will be forfeit.)
(Yes. *Yes*.)
(We'll slaughter Him, rend Him to bits. Make that foolish girl who calls Him her pet moan with anguish and pain as well. They will watch each other in death.)
(Glorious!)
* Konatsu a giddy surge of glee sweeps through Konatsu's mind as he pushes the bike faster still. (And then the rest! The pitiful excuses for demons she calls pets! We would not want to leave them abandoned without their master, would we?)
(Let's take them all!)
(Tear them all to pieces! Listen to their pleading howls! It will make music!)
#highwaytohell
"After him!" Elli shouts.
He's going fast; faster than a normal motorcycle should be able to go, tearing up the ground as he travels.
(Everyone back on the dragon?)
Elli flings herself onto the dragon again.
* Itachi is also back on the dragon.
* Raidou reaches to give Belphegor a hand back up.
* Belphegor grabs his hand, his other hand already reaching for knives.
Once we get close enough I can have the mink block his exits with fire.
As the dragon starts to take flight again Elli gets a text message. She checks it and then shows it to the others on the dragon.
"Kaname said to pass the message on. Apparently Asmodeus's weakness is the smoke from burned fish -- sheatfish?) and maybe water. If that's true. - Kieran."
The dragon's having trouble gaining on Konatsu going that supernaturally fast, but it can at least keep pace. He's tearing out of the city, up along the country road...
* Belphegor spends the ride readying knives and wires, the mink digging its claws firmly into his shoulder to hold on tight.
(How far behind is the dragon?)
(around forty feet)
The motorcycle roars up to a counry manor -- and then into it, crashing through the front door.