[open-ish]

[lunardialled]

WHO: Mayfield's Scarlet Devil Mansion and Friends
WHAT: What is this large amount of fecal matter going towards the air-circulation device?
WHERE: around Albright Lane
WHEN: Throughout the Peace, Harmony, Tranquility and Union event.
WARNINGS: Violence, bloodshed, Reavers cannibals, likely gore, probable character death, acres of angst, and a white

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[notsogreatwall]

[ A ninja, Meiling is not. But in order to prevent herself from drawing unwanted attention during the night raid for supplies, she's taken to tying her hair into a bun and tucking all of it into a dark green kerchief wrapped over her head. She doesn't exactly blend in, but as long as she sticks to shadows and keeps the cans in the bag slung across her shoulder from rattling too much, she should be fine, right?

That was the plan, at least. But it's getting to be obvious that those seemingly random sounds some distance behind them are not so random after all.

She ducks down behind the remains of a wall and tries to calm down her rapid breathing. When her silver-haired partner joins her, she looks quite concerned. ] ...do you think they saw us?

[lunardialled]

[It's easier for Sakuya to stay quiet, to be still and calm her breathing. It's a skill that came from her years before entering Remilia's service. One had to be silent, blend into the shadows, and patient.

Even still, it's not going to work against every kind of enemy and Sakuya knows this. As prepared as she is, or tries to be, even she could step on a stray twig or trip over a piece of debris. The rattling might be faint, but it's still enough to attract attention.]

Saw us, no. But the noises are getting closer. I think they can hear even if they can't see.

[Her voice is a whisper, but it still seems loud.]

[notsogreatwall]

[ It's that experience that comforts her, but that doesn't seem to be doing them both a lot of good right now. She risks a quick glance over the barrier, but sees nothing. ] Should we wait them out?

[lunardialled]

No. The longer we stay in one place away from the others, the more likely they are to worry. There's enough on their plates without that.

[Sakuya stands, looking around.]

Let's go. Quick and quiet.

[notsogreatwall]

[ A swift nod. The absolute last thing they need is to needlessly worry others. ] Right.

[ She straightens up and secures the bag. ] I'll be right behind you.

[lunardialled]

No, I'll take the back. You take front.

[One more look around and then she nods.]

Now.

[With Meiling looking forward, Sakuya can cover their backs. And so she does, keeping an eye on things. It's after a moment she realizes that some of those creatures are definitely tailing them.]

[notsogreatwall]

[ There is surprise on her face, but she smooths it away in an instant because she trusts Sakuya. ] Okay.

[ Off they go, then. Past the break in the walls, along the still-smoldering remains of cars, vaulting over the collapsed piles of what used to be tall trees.

But the problem is ahead of them -- they have to cross the ruined street at some point, and there is nothing on the cracked pavement that can qualify as cover. ]

[lunardialled]

[But it's better not to wait to do it. If the inevitable is in front of them, Sakuya is ready to push past it as far as she can. She gives Meiling a sharp nod, then begins to run, trying to ignore the growling, snarling noises behind her.

Nothing matters besides getting there, being safe, all of it. ]

[notsogreatwall]

[ She can't ignore the sounds and, what's worse, because of their current states, the pair doesn't have the land speed they are normally used to. For those... things already being so used to the terrain, they have a tremendous advantage in navigating it.

The gap between them is only narrowed when Meiling steps into a weak patch of dirt -- maybe it was a molehill at one point -- and her foot sinks, causing her to faceplant straight into the dirt. Inertia flings a few cans in the bag free, one beaning her right upside the head on its way out. ] Ah--!

[lunardialled]

[Sakuya reaches down, pulling Meiling to her feet. She's not going to worry about picking up the cans - that doesn't matter now. They still have enough.

When she sees the gap narrow, she stops, eyes flashing red briefly as she analyzes the situation. Meiling is closer to safety and to everyone else. She's the stronger one, physically, of the two of them. That's her decision made, then, as these ghouls approach.]

Get inside. Be with everyone else. I'll hold them back long enough.

[It's suicide and Sakuya knows it, but she's seen Meiling too affected and too hurt. It's time for her to step up, protect everyone how she's promised.]

[notsogreatwall]

[ Meiling clamps her other hand down over Sakuya's, looking first down at her in confusion, and then at the movement in the shadows leading to the street. ] What? No! There aren't that many, we can... we can stop them. [ Knock them out like they've had to do on a few in order to even secure these supplies. That's probably where they were spotted, come to think of it... ]

[lunardialled]

There are more than it looks like. The shadows -- [The shadows are closing in. They're closing in faster than Sakuya had expected. Definitely faster than she had wanted.]

Meiling. Get inside. I'll be there as soon as I can, but if you listen to me once, do it now. I want you to protect everyone. Keep them safe. You'll all get through this as long as you stay together. I'll come find you as soon as I can.

[notsogreatwall]

[ Creasing her brow. ] I can't just-- [ She doesn't budge, but she takes a deep breath. ] I owe you my life, that's the truth. [ Is that a hatchet whizzing through the air near them? Meiling doesn't so much as flinch, because it was a wild throw, intended to frighten them. ]

...you'd better be back in time for dinner. [ She steps back and away, adjusting the bag again. ] Or we'll finish all these off without you!

[ Then, despite every bone in her body telling her this was a terrible idea, she turns to start off toward the direction of their shelter, only at an angle so she could still try to lose anyone who followed.

...even if she doesn't necessarily get all that far away. ]

[lunardialled]

You can and you have to. Don't wait for me outside, either. If you make them worry, I'll have to do something about it later.

[That wild throw tells her how bad things are. All she can do is nod once at Meiling, and then run forward, knives out and slashing away. One of them sticks in one of the creatures' throats, giving another a chance to swipe at her side with a sickle. But there's no scream, just more fighting on her end.]

[notsogreatwall]

[ She stops after a minute or so of running, ducking behind a mound of dirt to catch her breath. Meiling listens for all sounds; any sounds that could clue her in as to how Sakuya was doing back there, or if any broke off from the main pack and were tailing her. If it was just one or two, she could make short work of them without losing much time.

But even after that short time... she doesn't really hear anything, and nothing appears to be moving between the shadows. She bites her lip, genuinely worried, and peeks out further over her cover. ] Come on, Sakuya... please

[lunardialled]

[If Sakuya had realized Meiling was still there, she would have screamed at her to get away. As she is, she assumes the guard is safe and sound. She's too focused on the fight to get away and by now, she knows she won't make it back. She won't make it back, but she's not showing her fear.

Instead, she looks like a whirling dervish in the center of it all. She moves with her usual grace, a stab here, a slice there, but the fact is, no matter how good a killing doll she is, she won't survive this. There are too many of them, and she knows it.

Whirling around, she catches that familiar red hair.]

Goddammit, Meiling, if you stay out here they're going to follow you back in there! I need you to be there. Please.