Black Knight

"Want to talk about right and wrong? Maybe in your next life, you can become a priest." Affiliated with Città Alveare.

[sorelais]

[ Σ ]—— Liu’s gesture prompts Hibiki to touch his own ear and indeed feel his skin brush against metal. “Well, that’s news. I knew you guys got powered up by the peeps at FORT, but such method is quite…” How can he define it? He thinks for a moment. “Dangerous. And hardcore, in a smaller part.” The description of the ‘ritual’ frankly sends shivers to his spine, but eventually he wouldn’t let that stop him if and when he was mentally empowered enough to withstand the challenge.

      The lighter shift in topic has him smirk. “What, are you afraid I’m going to suddenly pick you up and carry you to places?” He teases, a bit forced due to the need to feel better about this stupid situation, somehow find something remotely positive among the pile of crap they’re in right now. 

      “Don’t think I feel so good about being in your body, either. Being so tall gives me a headache. I can also feel the old man wrinkles all over my face, especially the spots where you constantly frown.”

[heidun]

“I’ll just pretend ‘dangerous’ is all you said.” 

Being this close didn’t bother him as much in this body. Rather than think about it, Liu leaned in closer in hopes of it having the opposite effect on the one in his body. “Sorry, but I can’t see any wrinkles. I can tell you’re ecstatic over being so handsome. Too bad it’s temporary, and you’ll have to go back to this soon.”

There was no proof it was only temporary, but enough had been transitory in this city that it seemed safe to expect the same of this event. God, he hoped so. “I guess being this small might have its uses. I bet you could crawl into a suitcase for easy travel.”

[heidun]

✧ shield

[sorelais]

[ Σ ]—— Hibiki’s control over sudden dire situation has been better lately than when he first stepped into the city. When the earthquake hit and claimed his surroundings, he brought all the iron in his system to avoid panic and stand by Liu’s side. He cannot fight those putrid creatures, but he still has two hands and feet. Helping people with that much is more than enough.

      It is sadly not enough to face an enemy whose power is way beyond his management– a punch would definitely break his hand if he tried fighting a Pariah– but Liu’s fast reflexes and capabilities make up for Hibiki’s uselessness. Gritting his teeth, he tries to hold back from breathing quickly and let any hint of panic break through his cool character. They can survive this, too.

      “Yeah. They must have a shelter somewhere.” He tails behind Liu, not exactly brimming with hope. “I don’t think our own home is any safer at this point.”

[heidun]

“It’s safer than being out in the open,” Liu replied as he briskly continued along the street. “We just have to find something worth hiding in.” A building already damaged, either by looters or the Pariah themselves, wouldn’t keep them safe for long. Neither would standing out on the sidewalk.

Although focused intently on every aspect of their surroundings, he cut away his attention long enough to glance back at Hibiki. “Are you all right?” he asked with a level voice. His eyes went back to scanning the area for signs of any approaching enemies. “I should be enough protection for the two of us. But if you’re injured, they’re not like the usual ‘zombie’. You won’t turn into one of them.”

He would have preferred being able to look out for more of the citizens, but the tight leash on his mental abilities and lack of infinite physical stamina were too much to allow that. He could only do what he able to.

[heidun]

✧ escape

[sulagana-blog]

O’Brien was not about to quit complaining. He wanted to complain more now, just out of spite, but that attitude never got him anywhere. He kept his mouth shut, but just barely. He knew he’d be in a bad spot if this guy took off and abandoned him.

It was harder to keep quiet every second. O’Brien wanted to scold him for not calling the cops like a normal person, but it’s not like he would’ve followed his own advice. He always took things into his own hands too, and he didn’t have the energy to say something unnecessary that they’d both know is bullshit.

“Wh– What makes you think I would kill anyone?” O’Brien blurted out. Did this stranger know something? Was he some spooky mind reader who could tell all the terrible things O’Brien had ever done? “I’m just a normal guy, back off. I was having a perfectly normal night before you wrecked it. What makes you think I would even tell you if I was feeling murderous?”

[heidun]

“People don’t stab strangers at random where I come from. Premeditated murder is one thing, and acting on sudden violent impulses is another. Usually, the people in the second category are infected with a specific parasite.” After so long being away from FORT’s reach, he’d started caring less about what information he let loose. He wasn’t going to stand on a rooftop and shout it, but one person wasn’t going to affect an organization in a completely separate world.

“Not everyone in contact with an infectee is infected, or we’d have to quarantine the entire area and anywhere he’s been. But it’s possible any one person has, so that’s what you have to keep in mind. If you suddenly feel like killing someone, contact me before this situation starts again.”

[sorelais]

[ Σ ]—— At least he can agree with the fact he would feel quite uncomfortable meeting the woman who most likely slept with Liu behind his back. Hibiki’s not even sure why that fact bothers him so much, but even being reassured it was ‘nothing special’ doesn’t make him feel better.

      It’s petty and irrational, yet he can’t stop these stupid feelings bubbling inside him.

      “So I take it she was just a one-night stand.” The wording leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. “I’m impressed, old man. I never thought for a second you needed that kind of company.” An idea makes room in his head, and somehow his own pettiness pushes him to form the words in spite of himself, accompanying them with a smirk of his own.

      “How disappointing. I was sure I was already a good company for you.”

[heidun]

As opposed to another round of ‘What does that mean’ that would wind up just as unanswered, Liu ignored the impressed comment. 

“You annoying me is not the same kind of company,” he said instead, running a hand over his hair. “But I guess that’s the kind of thing someone so inexperienced would say.” He had no evidence to back that up, but he was pretty convinced by his guess.

[sorelais]

[ Σ ]—— The abrupt truth coupled with such revelation force Hibiki to reel back, eyes narrowed as a mix of emotions bursts out full force. His lips line together, and quickly recomposing himself, he crosses his arms and fixes Liu with a stare.

      “I never pegged you as the type to invite ladies over.” He fights back the weird eruption in his chest, choosing the teasing route to prick at the old man. “Is she your girlfriend? You could have introduced me to her.”

[heidun]

His eyes narrowed at both the sheer surprise on Hibiki’s face and his admission. “I don’t know what that means, but as you can see, it doesn’t happen often.”

“It wasn’t anything special for either of us. Getting her to meet you would have just made everyone uncomfortable.” It’s okay, just Liu being Liu makes things uncomfortable. “Don’t worry about it. There won’t be anyone around tomorrow.” 

[heidun]

✧ shield

A mysterious earthquake one moment, and then the return of a nightmare the next: this span of time really was a gift. Liu had been out with Hibiki surveying the damage and attempting to help others when the change settled in, bringing back an intact city and a hoard of enemies. He was used to this by now, but that didn’t make him any happier to face it.

“Don’t worry,” he told Hibiki as one of the disjointed Pariah approached. Its deathly pale skin was dotted with red, remnants of those it had torn apart before. Hiding hadn’t helped at all, but he’d make sure his temporary partner would stay safe. 

Putting full force behind his kicks and dodging when necessary took out the first Pariah. No more were around at the moment, but Liu was sure another would appear soon. They had to get somewhere else---somewhere like home.

“Let’s get moving while we can.”

@sorelais

[ginnotkin]

“If this was a video game, we’d have gone way past a reasonable budget by now. Most games don’t even make it past 72 hours of game time, let alone 5 years. If anything this is more like an anime or a reality tv show. We’d call it: Gintoki’s adventures on tumblr.”

No one would watch that kind of thing.

“How do we know if they’re important or not? Have any of you ever even spoken to them? They might have something interesting to say, you know?”

[heidun]

“What do drinking glasses have to do with this.” 

“I’ve spoken to them when I need to. Store associates have name tags, even if I don’t really pay attention to what they say. They’re only interesting when they’re doing something dangerous.” Speaking in riddles, like the man he was speaking to right now, was more annoying than ‘interesting’.

[ginnotkin]

“Has anyone actually named any of these NPC’s and background characters? Don’t you think it’s sad that no one cares about them? Don’t you think it means? It is, isn’t it? Well then, from now on. Every background character in this city is called Bob.”

[heidun]

“They don’t need names if they’re not important.”

“...Are you referring to the people around here in video game terminology?”

[heidun]

✧ escape

[sulagana-blog]

For some reason, O’Brien was expecting this guy to argue with him more. He actually set off towards… wherever. O’Brien was so surprised he didn’t move at first. Then he quickly hurried to catch up.

“I don’t live in this neighborhood, I don’t know where to go for help,” O’Brien said. “You got me into this so you have to fix it.” O’Brien wouldn’t take anything else as an answer.

“Why were you chasing that guy anyway?”

[heidun]

“Did I say I wasn’t going to lead you there?” Liu retorted, eyes narrowed as he glanced back at his unpleasant company. It crossed his mind that he could make a break for it, but he preferred not earning swaths of attention. Someone would wind up noticing if he started sprinting down the sidewalk, a bloody guy chasing after him. “Just follow me and quit complaining.”

He kept his gaze ahead after that. “He stabbed someone else before you. I tried preventing anything else.” Clearly, that hadn’t worked---but at least he dealt with one Silent infectee before he got to attack or infect anyone else. Speaking of, Liu supposed he should keep an eye on this man just in case.

“If you start feeling any unusual emotions, you need to contact me. I’ll take care of it before you kill anyone, if you get back to me fast enough.”

[heidun]

✧ starry night

[sorelais]

[ Σ ]—— Hibiki gives him a ‘ha ha funny’ look, boredom briefly displayed across his eyes. Those jokes are getting old, just like the geezer in front of him. “Though I am a genius, I still wished to have fun like an actual twelve years old boy. The idea spurred me years later.” Step by step, he merely uses the music as a means too keep himself going, matching with Liu.

      A hand sneaks into his hair, and he nearly startles before realizing his partner is the one who got the idea of suddenly making that move. Dark eyes dart to meet the other man’s gaze with confusion and a bit of flustering wonder, although the heat over his cheeks delays to deliver once the insult reaches his ears. “At least yours looks stupider,” he retorts childishly, not above resuming the back-and-forth banter. Except it seems their brief moment is being interrupted by the very reason why Liu agreed too come along.

      “Let’s go. Lead the way.” Aware of the plan to check if the person Liu suspects will follow them, Hibiki tugs at the sleeve of his partner’s suit, not turning or throwing any hint that he had noticed anything.

[heidun]

At the confirmation, Liu nodded and carefully detached from Hibiki. He didn’t glance at the lurker again as they began to move through the crowd, but kept his guard up. He’d look again once they stopped, as otherwise they’d catch on to the plan. Liu moved casually, expecting the same of Hibiki. Hopefully he could at least do that much without being told. 

Spotting the drinks station, Liu shifted his trajectory to meet it. “Might as well get something to drink. A glass of champagne or something.” He shifted his gaze to Hibiki. “I don’t think they ID here unless you look ten, so your choice whether you try to get something or not.” 

“Champagne. Brut,” he told the bartender, not caring what else happened to be on the label aside from that. It took a few moments, but he held a plastic flute in his hand soon enough. As he lifted it to his lips to test, he watched Hibiki. He half expected the kid to order a glass of water.

[sorelais]

[ Σ ]—— A wave of uneasiness floods his mind, as if the tension he’d felt until now wasn’t enough. He scowls harder, escaping Liu’s gaze and focusing his eyes somewhere else in the room. His elbow against the couch’s armrest, Hibiki covers his mouth with a hand and seems to give it a deep thought about the possibility of possessing a power that could let him kill again. The thought of repeating that mistake renders his blood colder with fear.

      “I don’t know,” he mutters, ignoring the previous comment, and trying to keep anxiety at arm’s distance. Being reminded of his past mistakes was the very last thing he needed right now, and all because he made an off-handed reply. He glares at the ground instead of Liu.

      “What I meant was that I would have preferred a different context. Surely not like this, trapped in another body, with powers shoved on me against my will.” He makes a nervous attempt to save himself from confrontation. “Of course I regret what I’ve done, so if I ever wanted a power like yours I’d first make sure I’m ready for the responsibility to handle it.”

[heidun]

That answer pleased him. “Heh. Maybe you’d be all right after all. In reality, you’re not likely to get that kind of power again unless someone like Steiner tricks you again. That, or... getting one of these.” Liu lifted his hand to his left ear lobe, visibly tapping at it. Although there was nothing there for him, Lancelot was attached to Hibiki’s ear for the moment. “Lux Pains can give or amplify power, but they test their wearer to see if they’re worthy. If not, you die.”

Following that very calm explanation of death, he stood and casually walked closer to where Hibiki, in his body, sat. Liu leaned on the armrest and peered at him. “I’m so much smaller than you like this. It’s annoying.” 

[sorelais]

@heidun

[ Σ ]—— “Hey, old man. Don’t you think there’s something off about the house today? It feels like something, or someone had been here without our knowledge.” He may not exactly intend to speak in plurals, suspicion rising with each gaze he exchanges with Liu.

      “Do you know anything about that?”

[heidun]

“Just your knowledge,” Liu answered curtly, somehow a little more offended that Hibiki would suggest anyone could break in without him knowing. 

“There was a woman here. She wasn’t here for long.” He sighed. “If there’s a mess somewhere, I’ll deal with it.”

[thatsnotforkids-blog]

Hit It and Quit It | Semi-Open

[thatsnotforkids-blog]

“Yeah, alright. Thaaanks.”

Misato dismissively waved at him as he left, not too sad to see him leave so quickly. It was clear enough that the person she wound up with wasn’t the clingy type – all the better for her. No worries about emotional vulnerability. Just stupid sex and it was over.

Once she had the bare minimum of clothes on not to be exposing anything, she stumbled down the stairs with all the grace of a bag of rocks. She wasn’t too worried about making a good impression, either. Still not full making use of her eyes, she yawned again, heading in the general direction of what she assumed as the food area.

“You wouldn’t happen to be a cook or anything, would you? I’m kinda craving eggs… or, like, fish, or something.”

[heidun]

Downstairs, Liu was eying the selection in the fridge to decide on what to make. His mind was set on simple and quick---he had no reason to impress her, or make her stick around for too long. He wasn’t sure how good she was at idle conversation, but it wasn’t one of his skills. Besides, the intent hadn’t been to spark a romance, or even really a friendship. Friends and romances were impossible to handle.

By the time Misato showed up, he already had his hands washed, sleeves rolled up, and had a container of rice flour sitting on the counter (but nothing else with it). He glanced back at her when she spoke, and although he looked vaguely annoyed, the specifics gave him something to work with. “I can make what I need when other options aren’t available,” he explained as he filled the counter with an assortment of other things: a cutting board, a knife, several eggs, a mixing bowl... “Street vendors are more common in some places than others.”

As he started chopping up green onions, he said, “If you’re allergic to onions or anything, now would be the time to mention it.” He didn’t sound particularly concerned, but he also wasn’t going to shove something she couldn’t stand down her throat. “Otherwise, I’ll have this done in a few minutes.”

[thatsnotforkids-blog]

Hit It and Quit It | Semi-Open

[A note before we get into the thread – I’d really prefer if you checked with me before replying to this one! Thank you!]

—-

Misato yawned and rolled onto her side to look at the clock, wherever it was. She wasn’t sure what time it was, or whose place she was at, but it was a bed of some sort. Unfortunately for whoever it was that she wound up with, she hogged all the blankets over the night, making some sort of cocoon with them.

“Mghhmm… hey, wake up. Make me some food, okay? I don’t cook or anything, so, you need to do it.”

She nudged her partner, whoever it was, her voice still laden with sleep. As for whether they regretted bringing her home or not, she didn’t care. All she really cared about at the moment was getting some food in her stomach and stealing some of their drinks.

“Actually… can you hand me that bra first?”

[heidun]

Liu was a light sleeper, and her mumbling was enough to kick him awake after an already troubled sleep. A few words in, he had his eyes open and narrowed. He hoped food was all that she planned on taking---though, once he gave it some thought, there weren’t really any valuables there aside from one expensive tie. He already reached up to touch his ear, confirming that Lancelot was still with him. There was nothing to worry about, really; mistrust simply came with the work.

The young woman (Misato?) nudged his hip as if he was still fast asleep beside her. “I’m awake,” Liu said simply, glancing around for her request. He spotted the tangle of fabric as he slid out of bed, gathering some of his own clothes before jumping to assist her. Once one of the buttons of his shirt was buttoned, he leaned over, picked up the bra, and tossed it underhand onto the bed beside her. “There.” He didn’t sound particularly agitated, but his tone suggested detachment as usual. Of course, that might not last all that long.

He faced the door while nudging the rest of the shirt’s buttons into place. At least he probably had the place to himself. “I’ll make something simple. come down when you’re sure you won’t fall down the stairs,” he told her, breezing his way out the bedroom door. Someone dying in his house wouldn’t be the best way to start the day.

[heidun]

✧ escape

[sulagana-blog]

This was unbelievable. O’Brien was bleeding all over, blood on his shirt, on the sidewalk, on his shoes, and this guy was acting like it was no big deal. O’Brien didn’t know how he’d subdued the man without touching him, and he probably should’ve been cautious, but he was too angry to think things through.

“Are you serious?” O’Brien asked. “That’s all you have to say? I just got stabbed because of you!”

“Help me find a clinic! And thank me! I could’ve gotten killed!” O’Brien wasn’t letting this guy get away. He’d tackle him if he tried to run, or maybe he’d trip him. Either way, he was going to apologize or show some sort of gratitude, or anything other than indifference.

[heidun]

“Fine. Come with me.” At a natural quick pace, Liu started walking back toward the main street. He just left the target there, completely unconcerned with whatever happened to the man next. When he woke up, his expected Silent should no longer be there, reducing his chances of being a danger to someone. How exactly he would get to a hospital himself was beyond Liu’s sympathy.

Without making sure the loud bystander was following him, he said curtly, “I don’t know what you need me for, but I guess I can make sure you don’t die along the way.” Sorry O’Brien, you’re still getting indifference.

[heidun]

✧ bound

[sorelais]

[ Σ ]—— Three enemies, one of which is armed and already holding them at gun point. Hibiki sweats cold, and he has no time to calculate what to do when Liu acts before him, and easily knocks the woman unconscious. With the only gun wielder out of the way, handling the rest should be easier, and the young man can feel the blood rushing to his free hand. It curls into a fist, and with a swing it strikes one of the men right on the nose, just as he was about to leap at them.

      He’s somehow thankful for the close ranged combat because he doesn’t have to get dragged around by the handcuffs. They can take care of things on the spot. “I’ll handle this guy,” he signals to Liu after seeing his opponent recover from the punch. The counter strike doesn’t delay coming, and Hibiki narrowly dodges it with a harsh move of his head. A sting of pain caused by the remains of his headache rushes through his throbbing brain, and a hiss escapes his lips, but he endures it.

      Hibiki avoids another swing at his stomach, before realizing the man is now holding a knife and attempting to slash at him. Another swing causes a cut on the sleeve of his trenchcoat, but fortunately it only brushes his skin. Survival instinct kicks in as he quickly raises a leg and manages to kick the weapon out of the thug’s hand. He takes advantage of the split second surprise to charge a punch into the man’s gut, and then hammer him with the same fist over the back of his neck, a strike that is meant to knock out. It connects, and one more enemy joins the floor at their feet.

      He lets out a long breath, eyes directed to the exit Liu also looked at earlier. A tug on his companion’s cuffed hand should tell him that they should hurry and check it out before more enemy back-up arrives.

[heidun]

Hibiki announced his intent to fend off the second enemy, and Liu left him to it. He focused on moving his body with his partner’s movements and avoiding the target’s strike zone. His mind shifted to the last man, and a swift strike through his temple assured that he was on the ground within seconds. 

The fight ended with the three thugs on the ground. Though the second man to face his mental attack didn’t seem completely knocked out, he was unable to move much. Liu left him and charged for the door. It didn’t budge when pushed, so he stepped back to deliver another rough kick. It swung outward just after his foot met the wood.

A dark night sky waited past the door frame. Liu hurried out, dragging Hibiki along if necessary. His breath crystallized in the cold air, but at least it wasn’t the dusty stale air from inside. “Must’ve been an emergency exit,” he muttered. He hadn’t heard an alarm go off, but he expected a group of thugs to disable it. 

“That wasn’t half bad,” he told Hibiki, a little more approval in his voice than on his face. “But we should hurry, before any others find us. Hope you can still run.”

[sorelais]

✦ backstreet’s back, alright

[sorelais]

[ Σ ]—— He’s sure the old man is not commenting about their situation a lot because he’s the one who also agreed to such madness. Hibiki would have an excuse to shift his responsibilities around if it ever came to pointing fingers, but what’s more important now ios to find water. “It’s in times like these I wish jellyfishes were like cockroaches. No annoying issues like having to avoid radioactive sites.” A beat, then he shakes his head, the tentacles rustling along. “Okay, no, I wouldn’t like being compared to a cockroach after all.”

      Talking means wasting breath and throat drying, but he’d rather face that than spend this aimless journey in silence. If they can’t find anything to talk about at all, he might as well keep complaining. He turns his head to Liu as another bat stupidly flies into them and, just like the other half dozen before it, drops to the ground with few spasms. Lovely.

      “I would like to change sectors if we didn’t get lost into this one in the first place.” It’s pitch black, and at times foggy, but mostly dark like a badly lit cave full of bats. The stink is not the usual coming from a place fllled with pollution, and it didn’t make him realize they ended up in Sector Two until they were already deep into the mess. “It would be great if we found the station, but for that there should be more light– and actually someone we could ask for directions, preferably.” He rambles on and on, not surprised if the old man ends up not listening.

      His feet are aching, and his costume’s weight is starting to affect him uncomfortably, but he’s forced to set those feelings aside the moment a faint noise that he doesn’t recognize as anything related to bats reaches his ears. Hibiki quickly scoots closer to Liu, despite their tentacles getting in the way, and touches his arm to get his attention. Thankfully, jellyfishes don’t sting each other when they’re in groups which is relieving when you can’t have anyone else touch you. Even just the two of them are enough.

      “… I’m hearing footsteps.”

[heidun]

Liu fell into a steady silence at about the same time Hibiki made his observation. Within the darkness, his eyes weren’t perfect, but he was better able to navigate and pick out silhouettes than most. There were a pair of women striding fluidly along the pavement ahead. The bats circled around them about as attentively as they did the walking jellyfish. 

He had already stopped in his tracks, but now he moved slightly in front of Hibiki. On reflex, he was trying to guard his “partner”. That thought occurred to him, but he didn’t have time to scowl over it. This was an opportunity, either to get assistance or strike first. “Hey,” he called out to grab their attention. The women were still moving in his and Hibiki’s direction, but paused at the sound of his voice. He was calm but characteristically suspicious. 

“Do you know where the station is? Or the nearest road out. That’s what we’re looking for.” 

The shorter woman appeared to size them up before answering. “No. We’re just as lost as you. But maybe we can look together?” Her smile caught the light, simultaneously disarming and disquieting.

Liu pursed his lips in response. His disapproval was written on his face, but for the moment he had no confirmation that the two were planning to pose a danger to them. The two pairs were at a standstill. With a questioning glance at Hibiki through the tentacles, he waited for the other’s words or opinion.