(Untitled)

[howarewefortime]

T H I N G S   F A L L   A P A R T

T H E   C E N T R E   C A N N O T   H O L D

Comments

Re: -03 HRS

[mogget_cat]

It's not noticeable at first with everything else going on - there is something missing from the great din that howls through the end of the universe. The bar creaks and groans on its foundations, the battle rages both by the lake and among the dying stars...

...but the lightning has stopped.

Suddenly, with a flash brighter than the hidden sun, a sound rises through the red-tinted tumult of battle. An indescribable shout of triumph, greed, and fury that seems to go beyond sound, piercing into the very heart of those who hear.

And with that shout, the silver hemispheres come together, sending a thick, malevolent column of fire boiling up into the sky, burning away the surrounding gloom with its heat.

The triumphant voice of Orannis the Destroyer howls across the landscape of Milliways like a great wind, echoing against the distant mountains.

Freeeeeeeeee!!!

Re: -03 HRS

[hadyougoing]

You know, Ava's not into protecting people as a general rule, but she really doesn't like Orannis. And there's something uncomplicated about it-- a game with one rule: keep the bad guys away from Sam.

Smack! She doesn’t pack enough force to take these guys out, of course-but she can stun them or surprise them long enough for one of her unwilling demon friends to take them out.

(God, her head hurts.)

One down, two down-it’s easier to do this, for instance, than to consider what the fuck she’s going to do if her headband doesn’t start working soon.

Three down, four-five.

Six.

Look Sameth, she likes you and all, but if Orannis gets the upper hand, Ava’s diving headfirst into the freaking Lost and Found box and she’s not looking back.

Re: -03 HRS

[makesthings]

The first diamond of protection is complete and now Sam's working on the next as the lines of Charter become a wall around Orannis.

It will hold, it will be enough, he will not let Milliways fall.

Re: -03 HRS

[hadyougoing]

A creature like a wisp of dark smoke is sliding for Sameth's flank, silent as it wends between combatants. Ava narrows her eyes.

It slows-- but it doesn't entirely stop.

Uh-oh.

Re: -03 HRS

[makesthings]

Sam's head is full of the Charter, there's no space for anything else.

As the creature brushes up against the Charter around him, it fizzles but doesn't stop.

Re: -03 HRS

[hadyougoing]

It's at this moment that all those nights of getting thrown against walls in her bedroom by angry demons seems ...

If not 'worth it,' then at least 'relevant.'

For instance: Her powers have always been a force of will. How bad do you want to win? How bad do you want to live? Sometimes, if you don't succeed ...

Just get a little madder.

With a snarl, Ava flings out her arm-- the non-tired one, the one not currently holding the Moon Scepter-- in a very emphatic stop sign.

This time, the thing does stop.

And turns its attention not to Sameth, but to Ava.

Re: -03 HRS

[makesthings]

As it turns away, Sameth finishes the second diamond and starts on the third.

There's only the Charter and the spicy, sweet smell of it fights with the ozone of Orannis.

Re: -03 HRS

[hadyougoing]

Of course, there's an easy way to distract a demon who's too tough for you.

Ava's got friends in low places.

She hesitates a moment, pitting her will against the elusive wisp. It occurs to her that in the midst of all this static, if she lets those switches go flip in her brain ... she could flip a little too much.

Ava scowls, fingers clutching the scepter tight--

Come on up.

The little girl, Ava's first and favorite demon from Cold Oak, materializes in front of her.

With a hiss, it darts for the wisp.

... Yeah, it's not at all a fair fight, but Ava's okay with that!

Suddenly, she's feeling pretty good.

Re: -03 HRS

[makesthings]

As Ava calls up her demon, the wall of Charter gathers itself into being, a glowing gold creation that pulses.

Sam stands at the tip where he began, channeling his energy into constantly strengthening it and manages a grateful nod to Ava.

Re: -03 HRS

[wordofa_sayre]

Nick's too still, paralyzed with the magic warring within him, and can't manage to unlock a single muscle to move... but he manages to whisper.

"Ava. Sam will... you... safe with him."

Re: -03 HRS

[makesthings]

It takes effort but Sam creates around Nick a shield and says,

"Just stay there. We'll get through this."

Re: -03 HRS

[hadyougoing]

... Oh God it's Captain Possession.

But you know what? Even he can't throw Ava off tonight.

"Uhhh," she says, amused.

(Unbeknownst to her, her eyes turn jet black for a moment before shifting back to blue.)

"Sam's safe with me."

Re: -03 HRS

[wordofa_sayre]

It takes a moment to come, but there's no mistaking it: the wheezing sound Nick's making is laughter.

"Just like... last time."

Re: -03 HRS

[makesthings]

Sam doesn't have the energy for this, "Ava, keep them off me. Nick, just stay there."

Re: -03 HRS

[hadyougoing]

Ava grins.

"Sam, you are totally making my day."

She turns sharply to the nearest wave of demons, who immediately turn on each other.

Finally! That pesky headache's gone.

To Nick, "Is this like is a regular thing for you?"

Re: -03 HRS

[wordofa_sayre]

"Sincerely ... hope not."

A tremor runs through him as he struggles to make his body unlock, and fails. The lines of the new Charter Mark on his forehead gleam faintly.

"Just twice."