Bloody Remnants @kxllerclaws - Tumblr Blog

Sam could relate heavily to this helpless puddle of self-loathing that Chorizo made for himself, he really could. Seeing yourself within such a wince-worthy display did provoke a bit of an eye twitch from the dog... but he digressed. Now, something that kind of threw the detective off was the topic of choice.

This was... about Max?

Looking back... and up... at his husband, Max really didn't appear all too bothered by most of these situations, honestly. Although that might just be due to the lagomorph's uncanny ability to... well, appear completely unbothered by most situations. In fact, Max is casually lounging in the spot he plopped down in previously, and picking things out of his bellybutton to eat them as per usual. Perhaps unordinary behavior for some but nothing out of the ordinary for Max.

Although the mention of his name several times would eventually make the lagomorph perk up and tune back into everyone's conversation. Why this was suddenly about him now, he had no ide--oh, wait. Right. The "giant horrific monster" thing.

Yeaaah, the agony of having your own spine tear through your skin wasn't par-tic-ularly pleasant, but overall, it was "pain of merely existing" he could handle. His body having been forcefully put through the proverbial torture contraption outside of his choice (aww...), his pain was strictly physical. Perhaps due to the lack of proper psychic powers on his part, it spared him of the "completely losing it and eventually doomed to explode via bad brain" thing...?

Yeaaah... at the mention of being able to return to his cute little rabbity self, Max emitted a small, purr-like grumble. While being taller was a more subdued dream nowadays for this exact same reason, he'd spare himself from being THIS tall. How's a lagomorph supposed to be charmingly funny and naturally good-looking like this?

Nevertheless... Max would profoundly shake his head. He's not about to blame anyone here for anything... well, except Sam for being a dope, maybe. That's his husband; he can bully his husband for being an idiot and blame him for causing this all he wanted.

"Ahem... the HOST says... that he does not BLAAAME... anyone here~." Ah, there's. Another Max spore. Slooowly spinning onto screen above Sam's head before going off-screen on the other side. "...Except Sam, because he's an idiot."

"...Gee, thanks, Max." Not that the dog could deny the claim, which he would not even attempt. "See? If anyone here is going to feel the wrath of a thousand paper cuts via a thousand divorce papers later, it's me."

...

"...Oh, yeah. Max uncontrollably generates spores of himself while he's like this. They're annoyingly harmless."

At least, they should be. No reason to bore anyone to sleep, and Max hasn't willed them to do anything nefarious... yet.

@kxllerclaws

#rcyalpains #emptyzone #[ e; Harrowing Haze ]#[ Special Feature ; Event Thread ]#[ Grandfather. ; Vesper ]#(( ouhhhh my heart......... ))

If you are unlovable, then why is she taking it upon herself to reassure you?

Bitterly, cracked optics disparaged his internal monologue. “A-As I said… it could have been anyone.” Nothing Jae brought up seemed to dig its heels in as he shuddered, “And how can we be certain this isn’t permanent?” Such a magnanimous transformation being reversible must be impossible.

If you are wretched, then why are they so insistent on countering your doubts?

Suppressing a growl, Chimizo stammered, “B-But it was my idea to…” He trailed, his retort drowned under what was undeniably true. How could he be at fault, if the villain was to blame for Max’s ails? “I still could have—”

And if you are worthless, then why are they singing your praises at every turn?

His irregular breaths quieted. “Di… Did I. Honestly make that much of a…” The specter clammed up as his feverish self-belittlements crumbled, granting him the clarity to absorb the facts. Very slightly, his invisible neck craned to regard the colossal Max.

While his appearance may have changed, he was acting very much like himself. Seated behind his husband, docile to those he treasured most. He was not rampaging, nor was he targeting them in any manner. Combatting the odds by his exemplary will, he was still with them, part of the team.

That is because you are none of those things.

As Jae embraced him fully, Chimizo choked a gasp. Even if he could not appreciate her warmth in its entirety, it was vaguely there. He slanted towards her, ignorant of the dazzling red sphere shining in his chest.

Thus, they are willing to make sacrifices to hold you close.

Her vow jolted him slightly. Wincing, the very notion of her evoked a gruesome image of steely claws stained with blood, with a body once full of life pallid and withered beneath him.

History could not repeat itself. He would not be able to forgive himself if it did. Digits twitching, he lethargically lugged his wilted arm and raised it to clasp a hand over Jae’s shoulder. Airily, he rasped a laugh, glancing over to her.

“Ha… since you’re too stubborn to heed this geezer’s warning… then you truly must be my granddaughter.” The phantom mustered a proud grin, patting her affectionately. His attention was then drawn to the couple, cartoonish antics and all.

Even those two, who have only known the real you for less than a day, do not detest you. They likely wish for you to keep going alongside them, as well.

Emitting a second, albeit wheezier chuckle, he bowed to them. “I… I see.” On every count of what was explained. “Th-Then I suppose… I shouldn’t let myself… fall apart at the seams.” He dryly coughed. “I-If it means I… can continue to fight by your sides, and… take part in… a more peaceful future.”

So, I have to try. Try and free myself of these shackles once more.

His heavy hand lifted, taking solace in Jae’s support as it ascended to reach above them. Spreading his talons wide, he focused on prodding their tips at the tainted atmosphere. Even if it was less dense, thanks to the mechanic’s efforts, it should suffice just as well.

I won’t ask nicely. You will leave me alone, and let me have this!

The sharp points connected with their target. As it had every other time, the foreign substance swam across the length of the metal and streamed down into the cuff of his sleeve.

He watched in anxious anticipation, features wavering.

It slipped through. Streaks upon streaks of the smog coursed into his arm, travelling towards the glowing centerpiece which had yet to fade into obscurity once more. Like a vacuum, it swept the foggy veins in, gravitating them to its white middle.

As relief washed over him, a telepathic voice chimed in his mental space.

\ You have humbled yourself to a satisfactory result. I shall relinquish my influence… until an exceptionally stimulating trial manifests. /

Internally, he snorted.

‘And I will be ready for you. No matter what this trial will entail.’

Chimizo eased, settling in Jae’s hold. He was not as limp, though his strength had yet to restore in full.

“…finally.” He sighed. “It’s working. I’ll need a fair amount of this in order to function, but my personal crisis has been averted.”

Scanning the faces of everyone, he seemed to frown for a moment. “I apologize if I frightened any of you. This isn’t… typical of me. It may have been a combination of the smoke’s intensity and my hunger causing the issue.” The third piece of the puzzle was not worth acknowledging.

“And, of course, I.” Sitting upright, he exhaustedly smiled. “I appreciate your kindness. Each and every one of you.” He tipped his cap with his other hand, no longer requiring it to suspend himself. “Thank you for giving me the encouragement I needed to snap out of it. I know it… might have been difficult to witness, but I’m grateful you didn’t… you know.”

Leave me, as I had foolishly implored of you.

@emptyzone

Jae was doing her best not to breathe heavily, but disconnecting the power there took a bit out of her. She could feel the mist clinging onto her throat. The only ones who didn't have lungs still had some issue looking through the fog. Cough, cough. Hopefully that would wean it down, but... Then came the question of Sam & Max. It would make sense for them to wait to see if they would arrive here, but given the circumstance... She...

...Her gaze turns towards Bitz who made a light motion with his head as he approached her former workstation.

"I think... Something's. Getting to Chimizo." He said in a hushed whisper, "I'm worried it may be a side-effect of... Something, involving all of this. I don't wish to make any abrupt moves."

"Ah..." Jae dejectedly said, still trying to be careful as she got up properly. The tiredness in her tone was clear, all of this was so.. "Well, I guess we do have some time to kill, uh..." She takes a few steps in the spirit's general direction, as Zammy also rolled slightly closer to the specter, confused. "Everything alright, Chimiz--"

Only to be pretty violently jumpscared by that roar. All three of them looked towards the sound, shuddering at the aftershocks. Jae's immediate reaction was to go to Chimizo's side, finally realizing the state he was in through the diminishing haze.

"Oh-- Oh dear--..." She stammered, coughing out a bit more as her lungs finally got some better air. Okay, you know what, later, questioning whatever THAT was later. He could tell she is genuinely exhausted as she tries to place a hand on his back-- Somewhere on his form, really. "What's happening..? What's going o--"

Her gaze followed his when the bigger elephant in the room approching. She turned paler than usual, her ribbon lowering like a distressed animal's ears.

Bitz and Zammy had a joint reaction of putting their hands on their heads at the sight. Bitz's LED eyes widened considerably more as the two stood in front of Jae and Chimizo, covering them... The only thing that didn't make Bitz just kind of wrench the three away in any way he could was the fact that his sights immediately locked onto Sam, who was on uh... The beast's shoulder. Unharmed. Well, hatless, but unharmed. He looked between those two and the two behind him, before stepping forward.

"Okay," Bitz said as loudly as he possibly could, "There's. A lot happening around us right now." The matter-of-factness of that statement could kill a man, "But we got the power unplugged. Something's going on with our ghostly friend here though, as well. Uh." Bitz lets out a robotic sputter, "Uh. Hey Max. I am glad you're uh. Still with Sam. And us, of course."

"Jeez-louise! Okay! Okay." Zammy was sort of glad she didn't offer to put on one of Jae's Godzilla movies. Yeesh. "Hi boys! Uh..." Her eyes trailed over to Jae.

She seems despondent. She's more focused on the spirit than... The massive monster right now. It's too much to take in all at once, so she's focused more on him.

"..." She's so, so tired of seeing people around her hurt, especially... "Are we..." She wouldn't call the sound she let out an attempt at a small, lighthearted laugh, "...Switching roles, now, gramps..? Ah..." Jae shakes her head. "I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry about all of this... It's sooo..." She sucks in air through her teeth as she trails off.

@rcyalpains

Thankfully for their little group of unassuming champions here, Max's sudden... err, change of appearance seemed to generate a bit of leg room, here. Time to breathe, even--now that the fog was slooowly dissipating thanks to Jae's efforts. It's still present, of course... these things will take time; New York's proximity to the ocean will sway it away eventually.

For now, though... ah, this isn't good. Well, yeah, none of this is good--but the sheer heftiness of their conjoined bearings seemed to be taking its toll on not only the duo... but their friends as well. Nobody said this was going to be easy, of course, though... Sam and Max couldn't help but feel a twinge of what they could only assume was guilt at the sight of Chorizo.

Goes to show that not everyone could handle end-of-world scenarios on the daily.

Now that they'd located all of their friends though, Max felt comfortable enough to... well, get comfortable. Plopping down onto the grass of the park, generating quite the careless earthquake when doing so... and reaching an open palm upward towards his shoulder for Sam to climb into. Then, Max would place it into the grass for the opposite.

"Fiddlesticks..." Sam uttered under his breath as he carefully exited the lagomorph's palm. "I hate emotionally charged moments."

Large, already presently powerful ears now even more befitting of dominant adjectives meant Max could pick up on that, to which the lagomorph would emit a small noise in what Sam could only assume was agreement... alongside a shoulder roll of sorts.

In fact... um... sh-should they even be... intruding on this...? Jae certainly acquainted herself with him, but it's not like they knew this Chorizo fellow very...

...'Gramps'? Jae's gentle usage of the nickname did raise a brow... or two.

"Uh..." Nevertheless, Sam would carefully approach the two himself, though retained a fair distance as well--just as a precaution.

"...now, neither of us are that great at providing emotional comfort befitting... well, much of anyone who doesn't enjoy weird acts of physical violence turned affection, but. Max and I sure appreciate your help, mister; why, without your possibly demonic-in-nature magics we don't understand in the slightest, Max and I wouldn't be here right now, and the world would probably resemble a giant purple meatball. So..."

Mere 'work acquaintance' labels aside, at the end of the day, Chorizo did save not only Sam's life, but Max's life as well. Taking a small breath, a small smile would emerge.

"...Thank you. We sure are obliged; If I had access to a certain hat right now, I'd assuredly be tipping it to you."

Now that--that's agreement. Max nodded his head quite swiftly, and flashed a stupid fanged grin in everyone's general direction.

Taking a few steps back, fingers laced above his midsection... the dog would bow slightly and politely. "I'll, um... leave the rest up to Jaembo, though."

@kxllerclaws

#rcyalpains #emptyzone #[ e; Harrowing Haze ]#[ Special Feature ; Event Thread ]#(( teehees as well :) ))#(( but ouugughgh gramps............ ))

Dully, he registered her touch. How she stood beside him. If he could, he would have sharply turned away. Yet he could not. The terror in his features, brightening scarlet hues to a less intimidating shade, should say it all. He was mortified to be seen like this, and it would only worsen.

Jae, Bitz, Zammy, Sam and Max. Everyone could tell. He was weak. Emotionally frayed. Not the invincible wraith he made himself out to be.

Gramps. The title sparked a twinge of sorts. He heaved a shaky breath, sagging ashamedly as she went on about how ironic this was. Grimacing, he attempted to lift his claws to shield his face.

They were affixed to the floor.

“I… I’m sorry.” He hung his head. “I must look… pathetic, like this. I wish you didn’t… have to see me in such a state.” Briefly, the old spirit closed his eyes. “But. This isn’t your burden, you. Aren’t obligated. To tend to me.”

His vision returned as Sam intervened. A bewildered noise nearly weaseled its way through him, but was swallowed. “I… wh…” He struggled to understand. To accept what he was telling him. “But that’s not…”

Nearly lurching over, dark droplets seeped into his sights. “Anyone could have done that. If I really had any stakes in this, Max wouldn’t have wound up like this…!” The specks steadily trickled. “I could have cured him. I… I could have done better. I—Instead, I’m sitting here, wasting everyone’s precious time… because I couldn’t.” He inhaled, slacking lower. “Co—Couldn’t… just. Keep my composure. Like I ALWAYS do!” Anger briefly flashed, boring daggers into the grass.

Whether or not he regretted saying it, he could not take it back.

“And now, I…” Chimizo was starting to pant. “Now I’m becoming dead weight. For some reason, I haven’t been able to absorb any of the Dark Dimensional Energy, so. I’m. On the verge of collapse.”

A palm managed to support him as he staggered, close to falling flat yet holding himself aloft. “If I faint… I’ll become dangerous. So, it’s best if… best if everyone…”

Refusing to look at any of them, he finished.

“Leaves me behind.”

@emptyzone

Spongebob tricycle guy vc: Uhh. I can explain. :') || @kxllerclaws & @emptyzone

Their trek towards Battery Park could have taken the freelance duo quite some time. A reckless abandon trek towards the city's shoreline, even at their gloat-worthy fitness levels... could have eaten up precious time they'd never get back. However, with Max's newfound massiveness, a tiresome sprint could be satiated within a few giant steps, or so! How deliciously convenient!

"S... surely they'll recognize your adorable savageness, little buddy. I mean... it's not like much has REALLY changed if you squint and tilt your head about a clean 180 or so and permanently alter your neck and spine... right?"

Sam gave Max's cheek a tiny pat, to which he'd receive a low rumble in response.

If the distant uproar of massive wreckage, the spine-tingling initial roar that echoed and rattled through the very universe itself, and the incoming stomps of an imminent encounter were anything to go off of... Sam could assume that their friends were well and truly terrified, if they weren't at least mildly concerned.

But it's okay! They'll soon realize that it's just their good little pal Max! A very... very large and bloodcurdling version of Max, but... the same scamp they all knew and loved dearly nonetheless!

Their approach towards the large batteries proper was with that same strange waddle Max always possessed when he moseyed through life without a care... As for Sam, however, well... there was a bit of awkwardness that settled in. Here he was, riding in on Max's shoulder as if he were a high queen of sorts (Max would never let him be king)... and their poor friends were probably down there somewhere having to forcefully take this sight in without any sort of context.

"Gee, I sure hope they all recognize me without my hat..." Sam let out a solemn puff of air.

Nevertheless, he'd swiftly attempt to call for their friends. "Jae?! Chorizo?! Bitz, Zammy--?!"

Max seemed to let out a moderate reverb of sorts, all before remembering he couldn't aid in calling for them. Not quite wanting to take any further steps either as a precaution, well... Max stood his ground, and did what any giant scary lagomorph worried about his friends would do without any viable options at his disposal.

Whiiiiiiine.

@kxllerclaws

#rcyalpains #emptyzone #[ e; Harrowing Haze ]#[ Special Feature ; Event Thread ]#repetition tw #(( he's uh. <:') he might need a b ))

The signs were muted against the sheer magnitude of his duress. Crippling sadness, distress, demanding howls. Were he not choking under the overpowering inundation of his own meagerness, Chimizo would have acknowledged them.

He was in the throes of an immeasurable despair. What he feared most was confirmed to him by his most detested: Nobody needed him anymore. He deserved to be cast aside, forgotten. Who would miss him? They were better off if he was gone.

Disgusting, rancid tears stained his hands black. They were ceaseless in their flow, overflowing in his palms as they dribbled and dripped to the ground. Eventually, the detestable ooze’s continuous downpour brought him to the earth, tail crumpled under him.

It hurt. Not solely in his core, either.

Arms flopping to his sides, he began to realize he could not move. And in that moment, his senses cleared, just enough to behold a harrowing sound.

A roar, followed by distant aftershocks. Fear responses trickled in as his cognizance fully restored, although he was afraid it was much too late.

Uselessly, he sat there, chained by his deadening body. If he did not do anything soon, then he might become more of a problem than whatever this was. But why even bother if Vesper would steal his meals away from him? He had him cornered, leaving him to likely succumb to his enervation and…

The thumping drew closer. Louder. His breath hitched as the source neared, towering over New York City’s lofty buildings. Piercing pinpricks of pink pierced through what remained of the fog before the being sporting their light in his eyes came into full view.

Chimizo gawked in disbelief. Albeit tremendously altered, certain features on the beast were distinguishable. And if this did not clue him in on who this was, then the dog perched atop his gargantuan shoulder, missing a notable article from his person, would.

“Sss…Ss… Sam…?” He sputtered. “M…Mhhh… Max…?!”

Another pang sucker-punched him.

Max. Max, how had he become this?! The answer was obvious, though it hurt his head to think about. It was the disease. It consumed him, molding the lagomorph as it willed, tearing and reshaping to create this titan.

This was his fault. Max would still be himself had he not been so worthlessly unable to extract the virus. He would not have had to undergo such agony had I not failed to save him.

Failure. Failure. FAILURE. FAILURE. FAILURE!

I’M

NOTHING

BUT

FAILURE

Under the influence of his spiral, he could not see it. The positive factor which was staring him in the face. He shivered, gaze threatening to cloud over, but he had run out of ichor to cry. The specter was running on empty, and if he did not snap out of it soon, this may turn out uglier than it already was.

@emptyzone

(( With that post up, Chimizo's available to escort any of the raiders who need a means of escaping! Lmk in replies if anyone is interested, and I'll send an ask for that. Feel free to answer it whenever your muse(s) have taken care of their business! ))

#[ e; Remedial Retribution ]#[ Prowling ; Inbox Call ]

The area was bare. Stripped of its assets. Chimizo’s stroll through its labyrinthian halls went uninterrupted, for the personnel stationed about its every nook had perished beforehand. Although he did perceive movement on occasion, whatever its origin, it paid him no mind.

Part of him wondered if it was due to his repugnant vibes. This form tended to repel others, primarily due to its adverse effects. Lingering around him would invoke undesirable emotions, from paranoia to melancholy. The sludge inspired worse symptoms. That specific scientist he interrogated was wise to spit the grime out, because ingesting it might have sent him over the edge.

Nevertheless, his search was fruitless thus far. While there was still plenty of ground to cover, he was beginning to worry. What if he was too late? If a complete and total stranger found them first, then they could be…

His horrified inferences were blocked out by a welcome commotion. Up ahead, radiant flickers of rosy light danced about, flashing through the darkness and fading just as fast. Distant roars were cut off by their appearance, and the echoing of footfalls glided towards him.

To be safe, Chimizo hunched into a battle stance, anticipating the arrival of a monster. As the human-sounding steps neared, however, their source was identified before he could visibly discern her.

Shining cerulean eyes met his scorching scarlet ones.

“Chimizo?”

“Adeline?”

#[ e; Remedial Retribution ]#[ Idle Chatter ; IC ]#[ True Self ; Chimizo ]#[ Special Guest. ; Adeline ]#(( girl safe :) ))

Compared to the dullness of the repetitive levels above, this particular one was most familiar to him. Nostalgic, despite the state it was currently in. How amusing it was, to bypass security by possessing one of their own. Of course, that was not a viable option this time, for a plethora of reasons. But it was a joy to reminisce nonetheless.

This trip down memory lane spurred him to advance. Even if he would not be the one to secure those two in reality, he needed the assurance.

For them to be safe. To be rescued by the proper person.

Even if he did not accomplish as much as his vengeful soul would have preferred, that mattered more than anything else.

And his loathsome, intrusive thoughts would not have a say in it. In this form, they were especially gnawing at him, but he did not come this far just to let them sway his convictions.

Sticky claws brushed over his chest. His core, typically a void under his negative power’s influence, had glinted as they skimmed across it.

“Regardless of this… I must convince myself.”

Proceeding in his exploration of Level 10, Chimizo ignored the gory stains and focused on the energies surrounding him. Stunningly, there were several strong signatures he could recognize.

“Everything will be alright in the end. Even if we must struggle to make it there.”

Those who had come to ransack the establishment would not be here if this were not the case.

#[ e; Remedial Retribution ]#[ True Self ; Chimizo ]#blood tw #(( killing me how these events tie in together so well holy dang ))

Shadow merely nods at Chimizo. It’s been making its rounds, dispensing weapons and supplies to the raid party… but Chimizo has things under control, clearly. It tilts its head as he draws near, whether or not Chimizo meant to approach it, or if he’d simply been heading that way… and it silently raises one of its many hands to point further down the hall.

You’re getting closer to those you seek…

But you didn’t need Shadow to tell you that, did you?

It can’t offer its encouragement directly – well, aside from the gurgles no one can understand – but it does take a moment to give him a thumbs-up.

Then, it’s gone.

Deep, yet deeper still. Each floor had become a monotonous routine: remove the threats, claim a key, and press onward. He needed to be quick if those two were to be secured. Who knew if they were in danger during a tumultuous time like this?

Level 9. Almost there. The enemies had become sparse, yet Chimizo was on his guard. Anything could leap out at him, including—whatever this was.

He froze as it appeared to him. It was a creature unlike any he had encountered thus far. But it was sentient, gesturing with purpose. Curiously, he watched as it lifted a hand to direct him.

Somehow, its message was clear. Was it aware of what he sought?

Before he could ask, it made a recognizable sign and vanished. He blinked, mystified by the interaction. If he could even call it that. Whatever that was, he doubted it could have been one of the bioweapons. Bitter Fox and Lost Scientist were the only sentient ones left. And if there were others, Taro would have revealed this by now.

Taking a silent breath, he gazed forward. Clasped in hand was the final card he needed.

For a while, he had sensed a compelling darkness lingering beneath. It had since depleted. Please, let it be for the right reasons.

“…let us see if what you told me was true.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Vesper.”

#thetravelershub #[ ; answers ]#[ e; Remedial Retribution ]#(( SHADOWWWWW OUR FRIEND SHADOWWWW ))#(( its encouragement is appreciated :) ))#(( I still have that other ask from it but. Saving it for After the numerous hells are over (and before one of my own making) ))

His mind would not stop racing.

If he was any bit useful, Sam and Max would not have had to separate from them. And if he was more capable, Max could have been cured before they stormed the city to thwart Charlie Ho-Tep’s plans. Why, oh why could he not siphon the toxins ailing his body without stabbing into its source? Had he inherited the proper psychic abilities, then he could have harmlessly removed it with a wave of his hand.

Even as he defended his team from the tendrils which dared to come close during their trip to Battery Park, the inadequacies increased. His strikes were losing speed, and the number of enemies he felled began to lag behind compared to everyone else. Warily, he observed his robotic allies and the cannon sheathing Jae’s hand as they blasted the threats with precision.

Chimizo still thrusted at those which drew near, albeit halfheartedly. Numbness was eating at his arms.

Nothing improved when they reached their destination. He took it upon himself to occupy a vantage point Bitz and Zammy did not claim for the sake of guarding their mechanic, glumly gazing into the abyssal landscape. High-pitched shrieks wailed in the background, accompanying a mass firing of beams which eradicated those accursed tentacles in rapid succession.

Between those shots, he could hear the buzzing of machines being tinkered with. Jae was hard at work, vying to cut the connection between the city’s power grid and the Devil’s Toybox.

He slumped. Any of the appendages he could see, they were vaporized before he could even blink. Lower and lower, the wraith’s eyes drooped.

“Why… am I even here?”

#[ e; Harrowing Haze ]#[ A Story to Tell ; Drabble ]#[ True Self ; Chimizo ]#[ Grandfather. ; Vesper ]#(( guys I cried when I thought this out :( ))

Descending the floors had become a joke to him. While the guards were certainly more fortified and the nameless bioweapons were stronger, the wounds they inflicted healed almost immediately and they were no match for his boldened form. Another card was snatched from a dispatched unit to gain access not only to the levels below, but the surrounding labs as well.

He intended to scour those for information, once he was confident in the twins’ safety. Then, if he could find him, he would love to pay Wesker another visit.

For now, he resumed his trek, leaving the petrified scientists to gawk at him as he went. As it was for the subjects, some of them may have been whisked off from their homes and forced to do their work. Even if he could not categorize each and every one of them by their morals, he would grant them the mercy the innocent ones deserved.

If all went well for them, they would jump at the opportunity to escape when it arose.

#[ e; Remedial Retribution ]#[ Idle Chatter ; IC ]#[ True Self ; Chimizo ]

The fragmenting husk of a wandering beast was unceremoniously tossed aside. This would be a welcoming sight for a fellow raider, but to a fretful scientist’s misfortune, he was the one to witness the lab-made monster’s effortless decimation. Its slayer locked eyes with him, emitting a guttural growl as he stalked towards him. The man shrieked, scrambling to run, but was snagged by the shirt before he could turn tail down the corridor.

Tarlike ooze stained his flawless coat. A smothering aura evoked paranoia and dread, flooding his mental space with unpleasant images and thoughts. Shakily, he swallowed.

“P-P-Please don’t—“

“Silence.” Chimizo glowered. “If you wish to live, then tell me: Where is the one you call Bitter Fox?”

His quarry’s teeth chattered. “Sh-She’s u-usually on the l-l-lower floors,” shallow breaths picked up as he elaborated, “w-w-we’ve been avoiding them s-s-since she’s been a-a-acting up… I w-wouldn’t mess with her if I were y-y-y…GHCK!”

#[ e; Remedial Retribution ]#[ Idle Chatter ; IC ]#[ True Self ; Chimizo ]#death tw #body horror tw #guns tw #impalement tw #(( yeaaa gonna need to read more these a bunch because uhhhh this event is gonna be very trigger heavy. ))#(( side note: no he is not aware of what Gold is doing! But he will stay to uh. Yeah. :) ))

Jae stuck to Sam's side as it seemed like only he and Chimizo had any sort of... Game plan, past 'then I started blastin'. She adjusted the blaster in her arm. She did experiment with Gunner movesets before, honest! It was just one of those things where she uh. Didn't like it as much as punching people. Uh. Wait, wow, that sounds bad even if she's just thinking it rather, uh. Wait.

She can't really focus when Max falls into another coughing fit. The woman is very much sticking to Sam's side now, bounding after him like a lost cat as she readies her blaster and fires off a few beams at tentacles that are nearby. A more self-deprecating, selfish part of her asked if she would even be needed, despite covering for Sam & Max right now.

Her lungs waver a bit as she holds back the urge to take deeper breaths.

"I'll cover you, Sam." A few more blasts at anything that Zammy was missing, at this point. "Do you think there would be someplace where the air's a little better underground or indoors... Or... I donno, maybe he's at the Statue of Liber--" Small cough. "I don't know, I'm spitballing here," Poor Max...

...You could practically hear the stone grinding sfx as Jae heard a particular soundbyte come from the ever-rampaging Zammy. Maybe she would've laughed had the stakes been lower, but at least Zammy is indeed pushing back against what was holding onto the city. Her little orb self had her mechanical heart in the right place, at least.

A large laser is shot down at the rest of the congested path that Chimizo had been hacking away at. While Bitz clearly didn't know the full length of Chimizo's turmoil, he could tell there was something vaguely... Off, as he hovered nearby. But what mattered right now was clearing the way and finding that god forsaken toybox.

"I say we try to go towards where everything is the most congested. It's not like he would just have what we're looking for right out in the open..." Bitz managed, his screen still visible through the haze, "I'm sure we'll be able to find obvious tell-tale signs of activity from the bugger if we move in a certain direction long enough."

@rcyalpains

They could stand here, shoot tentacles, and make gibes on plans all they wanted. But they were never going to be getting much of anywhere in this dreadful haze. That much was blatant--it's like a crowded shoulder-to-shoulder airport in a hundred degree heat. It's toxic, and even if Max was the one suffering the most from it, it couldn't be good for anyone in their party to not only be breathing in, but to merely exist within it.

No amount of immunity to toxic waste that Max had shed off onto Sam over the years was going to make this any easier.

As Sam cradled Max's feeble form once more, his mind wracked feverishly. Desperately. Something--anything to better their situation would do...! Max always said that he was good at, quote, "figuring the hard stuff out"... and for the love of Mike, he needed to prove his ailing husband right. Right now.

The first order of business... m... maybe figuring out how to air things out a little bit. Around when the city had gotten worse, so much worse... he and Zammy were on the outskirts of town. The city blacked out entirely. That's... also when the hazardous fog began rolling in.

Charlie was... quite interested in Battery Park before then... and he didn't require Sam to further plunge the city into chaos then. He must have cut the city's power to further power the toybox...!

"...Jae," Sam began, firmly but quite gently as his weary gaze met hers.

"...I want you to take our gaggle of goons to Battery Park. Zammy will know where it is; we were there recently. I think when the power surged, he redirected the energy to head towards the toybox instead, and that's when things got much, much worse. If we cut it entirely, that might help in reducing the overall ick factor."

It wouldn't cut the power to the box completely, but it certainly would help their efforts to get to that point.

"I... I have to get Max to shelter, like you said. And of course, I need to lay low myself... But I promise we'll meet back up to you as soon as we can. Okay, sweetheart...?"

There's a soft smile to go with those words, that promise. It's undeniably stressed, but genuine just as so. And, if Jae required any further reaffirmation... Max had reached out a paw, and would come to rest it against whatever he could reach of her.

"I'll... be okay, honey." There are a few weak coughs to pepper those words, but there's inevitably another smile for you, Jae. "ABC ya soon, okay~...?"

@kxllerclaws

#rcyalpains #emptyzone #[ e; Harrowing Haze ]#[ Special Feature ; Event Thread ]#(( we all feeling good everyone because I'm (CRIES) ))

The throng of otherworldly appendages surrounding him were decimated. Wearily, Chimizo looked to the one responsible: Bitz, who may have caught on to his trepidation. To his inward relief, the robot was more focused on their mission, so it would likely not be addressed. Tensely rubbing his arm, he returned to their group as well, albeit gradually. His adrenaline had worn off considerably quickly.

As everyone became clearer, his spirit waned. Max’s condition was not improving. This toxic smog could not be fought, unfortunately. He almost wanted to apologize for assuming, but kept his remorse to himself.

“Battery… Park…” He repeated lowly. Right, that was where Charles had found Sam, Zammy, and Charlie initially. So there really was a motive concerning that place. He honestly thought it was a diversion, and nothing more. Though with this city being Sam’s home, of course he would understand how its power grid worked, to a degree.

Jolting somewhat, a wave of concern washed over him when it became clear Sam was suggesting they split up. He did not interrupt, since Jae deserved the encouragement, though he could not resist piping up after both detectives had spoken.

“A—Are you sure you want to go through with this? I… I could possibly—” A hand raised, seeming to grasp for something, only to drop like lead.

Absorb the smoke, which would be utterly useless given how much of it there is, and supplying him with more? Are you daft? What is wrong with you?

“—ah. Ne-Never mind. You’re right. It would be best to take Max someplace safer.” Almost shamefacedly shifting to their co-leader, he bowed. “I’ll… cover you from behind, Jae. They know what they’re doing.”

Why was he so rattled all of a sudden? This was not like him in the slightest. Mentally reprimanding himself, he forced a determined façade. Its effectiveness was menial at best, for his beastly mitts were quaking.

Maybe it was just the atmosphere. It could be exacerbating his emotions. Besides, what did he have to fear, when everyone else had this handled? It would be fine. Everything would be perfectly and utterly okay. They just had to press on, cut the box’s power source, destroy it, and they would win.

It was simple. And would not require extraneous effort.

@emptyzone

Plunging towards the bottommost levels, an apparitional funnel corkscrewed through the underground complex. By design, it was supposed to burrow past the extensive security measures its infamous organizer machinated, eluding not only its surveillance tech, but humans and bioweapons alike. All personnel would carry out their duties as usual, unaware of the supernatural infiltrator in their midst. Those who were already raiding its interior would provide the disruptions required to rescue the creations who had been suffering within the confines of this prison for over a year.

It was a foolproof scheme. To our intrepid antihero’s detriment, however, his smooth ride to the base of the facility was rocked by a confounding tremor. His vehicle discordantly oscillated, its even foundation distorting as it erratically began to gyrate, bending into a zigzagging tube which threatened to wallop its architect with its winding walls. This put him at an extreme disadvantage, hurdling him left and right until his disoriented body was unceremoniously spat out onto glossy sheet metal.

Incandescent bulbs droned overhead. With a groan, the spirit pressed against the floor and pushed, toting his heft above its surface to rise. Levitation was engaged, hoisting his bedraggled frame to inspect his surroundings.

The wormhole had gone. While it displeased him to lose it, he could proceed on his own. Moreover, there should be a sign denoting his location, which would be useful for navigation. Woozily, he scanned for it, pausing when a plaque came into sight. What it read was consternating.

LEVEL 5.

“This can’t be.” He griped under his breath. “I’d willed it to deposit me at Level Ten. How could it have terminated at the halfway point?” Ghostly brows creased as his clothlike fibers stood on end. “Unless…”

His speculation drew to a close as stars pranced at the edge of his view. A bluish tint doused the section in twilit tones, consuming the sterile lighting and exposing it to an otherworldly, imperishable night. Lustrous speckles of softer shades manifested, phasing in and out as they wafted about.

Seething, the phantom growled. “You couldn’t leave this alone either, could you? Must you interfere with everything I—”

#[ e; Remedial Retribution ]#[ Scripted ; Plot ]#[ True Self ; Chimizo ]#[ Grandfather. ; Vesper ]#guns tw #burns tw #blood tw #stabbing tw #death tw #body horror tw #gore tw #broken bones tw #(( nobody has to read the broad chunk of this to the song if it makes it difficult to focus on what's happening but ))#(( I think I was a fun challenge to try and make it match to the music! Not sure how it looks/feels to others but ))#(( It works the way I intended for me and I think that's what matters. ))#(( Anyway gramps is here :) Extra Spooky Edition. ))

“…this is my divine punishment, isn’t it?”

His solidity became fickle. Freezers could only remedy this for so long.

“They all must have felt this way, because of me.”

The craven hooligans he was appointed to fed him nary a scrap of sin.

“I get it, now. I get it. So, please…”

Liquescent fingers scrabbled at the adjacent wall.

“…please, wake me up from this nightmare.”

#[ Scripted ; Plot ]#[ Demon Lord. ; Maxim ]#starvation tw

It was miniscule at first. Mere trickles of a forbidden ambrosia filtered through the divide between realms. Albeit potent, a generous supply was required to satisfy a grander purpose.

Patience rewards those who wait. And the outcome was rewarding indeed.

Turbulent violet gusts perforated the divide between realms, gravitating towards a purer celestial mass of astronomical verve. Their corrosive properties distilled upon entry, feeding into the incongruous physique of an amorphous entity. As the jets of tainted ether twined into the intergalactic bulk, it gradually expanded and coagulated. Forged stars pulsed, ravenously lapping at the illimitable banquet cycling through.

\ Such an imprudent inquiry. /

Coldly, pallid blues disparaged the wraith who was flabbergasted at the phenomenon unraveling before him. His blackened claws stabbed into caustic tentacles, aspiring to drain the impediments and attain a secure route for his comrades. To his dismay, the leeching process was obstructed midway, for the substance within petered out as it coursed up his sleeve.

Each repetition was met with a consistent result. The tendrils would evaporate as their essence dissipated. It was an inexplainable abnormality, yet he astutely distinguished the cause. Chimizo hid his astonishment and telepathically barked with disconcerted rage:

‘What could you possibly need this for?!’

He was robbed of his worth. This task was meant to benefit his allies and augment his faculties for the inconsequential conflict brewing below. Yet the extracted repast was pilfered directly under his skin, betwixt a scant slit in dimensions. Devastation sullied his pride.

Comfortable where he sat in the depths of space, Vesper refrained from responding and avowed,

\ My resurrection fast approaches. Await the fated night, and the answers shall come. /

#[ e; Harrowing Haze ]#[ Scripted ; Plot ]#[ Grandfather. ; Vesper ]#[ True Self ; Chimizo ]

... Woof.

With Jae being the only one with actual lungs among her trio, she warily steadied her breathing, her eyes squinting into that haze... Jae had hopped in immediately after the two, Bitz and Zammy practically clung onto her back as they also entered and surveyed the area. They adjusted the brightness of their screens so they could still be seen relatively well in the purple mist.

"Jeez..." Bitz managed to cut through the silence after Chimizo spoke up, "We've got to put a cork in this. Fast... My only suggested course of action is we try to go to that building again... Where it all started, but I don't know. Do you think he's expecting us..?" He begins to look over to Sam & Max, "Where do you think Charlie would want a villain finale--"

"Ahhhhh..." Zammy casually cut him off. A deep, robotic breath. "Free... At last."

"..." Bitz seemed to realize something that Jae clearly didn't. "Zammy, let's approach this with--"

"JUDGEMENT."

With a firm spin dash, Zammy jetted forward at high speeds, jumping off of the ground and doing a mid-air twirl as her eyes fired off, immediately locking on and aiming for each tentacle she could see and then some as she repeated the process to clear... Was that even the right way? Didn't seem to matter to the orb that was clearly harming the dark dimensional intruders.

"..." Bitz let out a sigh, "Well I guess that's a start. Let's get rid of some of these weeds."

Bitz quickly rose to the air to avoid hitting anyone in the little gaggle of fools. This is quite literally the first time he's using this, so... The sound of something charging was quickly heard, and as soon as it began...

He immediately fired a beam from the entirety of his face, down at multiple tentacles. Bitz's laser was notably different as it was both larger and persisted, moving across multiple infested areas for a moment before stopping. He immediately began to recharge to continue the process.

Despite the haze mostly cascading their vision, Jae can tell the ongoing attacks from both of her bots is doing... Something. So naturally, she keeps her composure, upon seeing both of her creations--

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S WORKING!? ...I THINK!!!" Thanks, Jae.

@rcyalpains

It's quite the marvelous sight! The two comically advanced-for-the-time robots mowing down these grotesque creatures like summer foam flip flops... Sam almost wished there were people still ignorant enough to be around the city right now if not to only be unwilling witnesses to this carnage.

"DEATH FROM ABOOOOVE!!!!!! And, uh. BELOOOOW!!!!!!" Hell, even Max popped a few in the residual excitement generated from... well, mostly Zammy--rushing off to gun down a few alongside their mechanical friends.

...Give the lagomorph a few moments or so--he might remember that he and Sam are supposed to be keeping things """lowkey""". You know. As lowkey as these two can be, anyway.

Nevertheless, Sam's attention gravitated towards Chorizo eventually. Where should they start looking... now that was a million dollar question, wasn't it. The obvious choice would probably be the menacing tower... but it begged the question. Would Charlie really put it there of all places when its the most discernable spot in all of New York? And do they dare take the risk of going anywhere near it when Charlie's sights were set on securing... well, him?

There's a rather casual shift to one side, a paw sliding into a pocket, and gun carefully fiddled with in the other... it's in vivid thought, these small actions...

"Mm... my only concern is that if we head up there, there may just be an ambush of sorts awaiting to fulfill its only purpose in life." Ambushes were usually fun and humorous to trigger, but in this instance... well... "And even with our little set-up that Jae was oh so gracious to give us... III'm afraid Charlie still has the higher ground on us overall. Literally."

There's no denying that they had to be courteous with every action they take right now. Someone could end up like Max right now, or... even worse off if they unfortunately weren't forced to practice the non-art of caution, here. Sam's gaze had wandered skyward... up towards that ugliness that could be a beautiful dawn breaking right now...

They had... just about the entire city to look for this one goddamn toybox. They could certainly begin by listing off more relevant locations, though.

But, as Sam opened his mouth to speak... a sudden chorus of coughing would promptly end all efforts. An alarmed set of eyes immediately darted towards the undeniable source--Max.

Of course. Of course this environment would have awful, negative effects on him... and it was something Sam regrettably saw coming at the very sight of their fair city. Such did not take away from his instantaneous fear, though.

"Max--!" Once again, Sam found himself wildly sprinting to his little buddy's side, and yanking him into his arms extremely protectively.

"I--" Cough. "I--I'm fine, Sam--I just--" Cough, cough...

@kxllerclaws

#rcyalpains #emptyzone #[ e; Harrowing Haze ]#[ Special Feature ; Event Thread ]#(( oouUAUAAAAAA ))

The proceeding events were a bit of a blur. Bitz suggesting the tower, Zammy blitzing into action with her brother paralleling her example, Max being inspired by their terrific display of their power, Sam denying the proposed idea, and… Max collapsing under the strain of his disease, his husband dashing to his aid.

It had stunned Chimizo. In his hesitance to move forward immediately, everything was passing him by, both the good and the bad. If he did not pull his weight, he was going to be left behind. Not just physically, either.

A snarl loosed from the wraith. Sluggishly pushing past the clouds which hindered him, his pace increased as he braved the storm. Once beside the married pair, he crouched down beside them and gave Max a pat on the back. He might not be experiencing the exact same symptoms as him, but he understood. This atmosphere was suffocating. And if he was to muster the strength to keep going, inspiration was a partial remedy.

“Take it easy,” he cautioned. “Let out whatever you need wherever it strikes you. You’ll make it, so long as your will to live holds strong.”

And, removing his hand, he raised, glaring towards the mass of tentacles he had missed in his sweep of the streets due to poor visibility. The siblings could not be the only ones carrying them – he had to provide his services, as well. Eyes slitting, both sets of claws became wreathed in astral shadow, deeper than the purple haze which obstructed his vision.

No more. Unleashing a bellowing roar, he launched himself, sailing in an arch to lunge at the nearest tendril, ignoring the murky mass which buffeted against him. His talons successfully plunged into it, emboldened by the might of the cosmos.

That was the decisive factor which propelled his talons through their thick hide. Oh, if only he had known sooner.

Regardless, this was no time for regrets. Leering at the eldritch obstacle, Chimizo leeched off of its forbidden essence and willed it to flow into him, spiraling up his blades and into his arm. Glancing towards the swirling, viscous substance, he anticipated the rush of dopamine its ingestion would supply. More than anything, he needed this to support his most cherished friends.

Then he noticed it. His dead heart sank at the harrowing sight which accosted him.

As it had previously, the material dissipated before it could reach his system. The beastly coil he struck was shriveling up, draining of its fluid like it was supposed to, and yet, he did not acquire a taste of it. Every last drop of ooze had vanished, and his target crumbled into nothingness.

The impression of being watched pierced his skull. It was intensifying.

No.

No…

NO!

Frantically, he dove for the next tentacle and speared it. Again, its coagulated blood had slipped away. Then he stabbed at another, only to achieve the same result.

Over, and over, and over. He charged, he jabbed, and he turned up empty each time.

This should not be. He was certain of it now.

Once he had felled a slew of them, Chimizo slacked, dismally glowering towards the congested path ahead of them. His unneeded breaths were hoarse, haunted.

He realized what this was. Wincing, he projected an exasperated telepathic message to the great beyond.

‘What could you possibly need this for?!’

Heaving, his fists tremulously cracked.

‘Vesper. ANSWER ME!’

But no answer came.

@emptyzone

"EEK!"

...Oh, pardon that squeak-yell that escaped from Jae, as her face turned slightly pink from embarrassment when she realized she had let that slip out instead of just being... Quietly stunned as she tends to be. That uh, embrace sort of lowered her guard in a way that she couldn't even really process... Jae slowly places a hand on her head for a moment, looking at the blaster she was currently equipped with.

"...At least it works..?" Jae awkwardly manages to look on the bright side. A gentle sigh as she adjusts and readjusts her weapon a bit. Antsy. Maybe that was the word. She liked those candles, too...

"Well, that's enough motivation for me to come back home in one piece," Bitz dusted himself off a bit, "I've ought to clean that later..."

"I'm actually kind of shocked it wasn't me who blasted something on accident..." Zammy quietly muttered to herself.

The three watched as Chimizo worked his 'magic', though. That... Certainly was New York. Under a fog that probably did indeed get worse. Bitz whirred to life a bit more as he prepared himself... He was ready to fly if need be, and his new battery modifications admittedly got him raring to go. A firmly determined look shifted onto his features as he prepped to enter.

"I think... I'm as ready as I'll ever be." Jae took a deep breath, "I don't think I'd be able to rest if I just stayed behind." Another light fiddling with the weapon. "I'll cover whoever enters first."

"Me and Zammy's batteries are full. We are prepared." Bitz nodded, "I'll take to the sky if need be. Our main goal is to keep the way clear, Zammy. Don't be brash."

"Oh I'm gonna be brash to anything that isn't dog, lagomorph, roomba, woman, or spirit shaped, I think." Zammy tapped her foot rapidly, staring into the purple haze that was New York, "If nobody else goes in first, I will. I'm going to pull a Ghostbusters finale on whatever's ahead faster than you can say 'gee Zammy, I didn't realize that the Lego Movie was absolute cinema before now'!"

...Once again, it's a comfort to know that Zammy & Bitz's personalities remained in-tact for Jae, despite everything else weighing heavy on her at this moment.

@rcyalpains

As that portal to what was practically now a topside version of hell opened in front of their determined little group of vigilantes... everything would truly sink in for Sam. Not the direness of their situation, not the acceptance of what they had to inevitably do, or the extent of their miracles to perform... no.

That this was truly... it. For their group. No more running with their tails in-between their legs. No more possible preparation of any sort to grasp at. There was no more going back.

However... their friends seemed genuinely unswayed by what stood before them. Not everyone can gaze the pits of the nethers in the eye and spit in its direction quite like this. Why, they'd have to be freelance police themselves to have that kind of blind, ignorant, yet oddly blissful determination.

...He'll place a pin in that train of thought like a poor substitute teacher's buttocks after an unfortunate tack incident.

As they all prepped to enter, a worried gaze admittedly fell to Max. He was beaming quite wildly, the reckless abandon already taking over his little goblin form as beady little shark eyes gazed out into that portal's reveal... While the couple did agree that they would stay out of as much trouble as they could initially, a promise that Sam was going to keep... Sam still couldn't shake his particular fret for his beloved.

...It's... all coming back to him. And, while Max was decent at hiding his own anguish, he knew deep down that this had to be affecting him the same way. Even so, Sam couldn't let it sway his own sets of permeating guts, here. Stare at the abyss, and beat it back with a fizzball stick--the crannies of what was left of the initial incident, they would have to be dug up like stiffs, and laid to proper rest once and for all. This case... it was just like any other. Something they had to deal with like another day outside the office.

Something... he and Max... had to do. No matter what that entailed.

...

"You ready to address some demons, little buddy?" A proper, fiery question for his partner.

"Readier than you'll EVER legally know, Sam!!!" To which Max would rather happily reply.

"Alright. Well... here's to seeing if that therapy stuff is really all talk." ...As opposed to it being anything e... never mind.

"LET'S MAKE A MESS N' BLAME IT ON THE DOG!!!" But... but his husband is a... you know what. Whatever. I don't get paid for this hobby.

Without so much as another beat missed, the two freelance policemen both leapt with faith and fever into that portal, guns both properly pointed and prepped for their inevitable survey around their landing point as they waited for everyone else's charge-in.

It's... bad. Real bad. Like gas station bathroom kind of bad. But such a detail is unfortunately understandable... the city had been slowly succumbing to this influence for an entire day, now--no wrenches to wedge in-between productive gears. The city is practically shrouded in this deep, dark, humid fog... it'd be enough to choke you if you inhaled too deep. There are slimy, horned tentacles just about everywhere you looked...

"Jeez, and I thought New York's smoke n' fume problem couldn't get any worse!" Thank you, Max.

@kxllerclaws

#rcyalpains #emptyzone #[ e; Harrowing Haze ]#[ Special Feature ; Event Thread ]#(( WE GOTTA BALL!!!! ))#(( even though grandpa is very much not balling. ))

Chimizo was uncharacteristically silent while everyone hyped themselves up to barge in. He did nod at the claims Bitz and Zammy made about their intentions, but had not uttered a word. There was this tension building up inside he could not explain, and he would rather not make it overtly obvious. What else needed to be said, anyway? They were in this together. That much would not change.

With false fortitude, he watched Sam and Max hop through. He did not follow until the Iffanys did the same, and if any of them had any comments to make about his behavior, he would shake his head and state, “I didn’t wish to steal the spotlight from anyone. Let’s end this.”

Upon entry, the wraith grimaced. New York City was in a horrific state, which was to be expected. What he did not expect was how potent the miasma was. Had he any lungs, it would have choked him. Instead, it exerted substantial pressure, as if he were submerged underwater. People stayed hydrated to keep alive, and he drank negativity to survive. Too much of a beneficial substance could overwhelm those who depended on it.

“It’s… terrible, alright.” He reciprocated, sluggishly wiping the portal away. It was almost as if he was swimming in it, when he considered how it hampered his movements. Why on Earth was it like this now?

Retracting his palm from the erased gate, Chimizo grunted to himself. ‘I promised to be by their sides and I intend to keep it. This will not stop me.’ He scowled, clenching a fist and igniting it. If he pressed onwards, it was possible he could adapt to these conditions and not have to worry anyone.

As he faced forwards, his scarlet eyes, burning through the haze, scanned for potential threats. None were present thus far, but if Charlie Ho-Tep was as powerful as Sam and Max made him out to be, then it would not last. He might already be aware of their presence.

“So. Where should we take this venture of ours?” He did not outright address the toybox in case they were being eavesdropped. It was a circumstance he was regrettably conditioned to. “Has anything stood out as a likely candidate for our goal?”

Narrowing it down was likely not that simple. Not only was it perpetually dark, but they had no clues about their target’s whereabouts. They might be wandering around for a while, and that would only make it easier for them to be ambushed.

If only it could be tracked. They were pretty well-equipped for such a job.

@emptyzone

Jae couldn't help but rub her eyes a bit. She was basically always passively exhausted-- As is the life of an introvert, but. Woof. She's done more mechanical work today than she usually does within like... A few months. Truth be told. She runs a hand through her own hair as Chimizo makes his own comments as the two fawn over the weapons she created.

Though, she wasn't sure if she was expecting the embrace or not expecting it-- She visibly perks up when the two freelance police officers approach her rather than the weapons she specifically made for them to defend themselves from the dark dimensional dipshit™️... To this day, she had a hard time reading people, didn't she?

And Jae! You're early

Bitz took a small step back as it played out. Jae blinking rapidly when both Sam and Max embraced her.

Your life's work is dirtied by the Fools Who adore you Only to find, only to find you out

...The two would feel her sinking into their embrace, if even by a that. She... Wasn't sure about that 'man-eating tank' idea... She's pretty sure she's seen one of those in Canada, already, Max, maybe she'd foolishly point you in that direction sometime. But it's not like she could focus on that right now. This... Was nice. It always was. She feels a small lump in her throat as for that moment, all of her concerns melted away.

"...Me?" Bitz perked up a little but at Chimizo's words, turning towards him as he held those two blasters in his arms. "Quite alright... All of my systems are functioning as expected. I understand that I already had combat capabilities, but..."

"It's like a shockingly influential fighting game buff, Bitz!" Zammy wagged her finger as she approached her taller sibling, "We both got this specific buff to counter the goosebumps villain wannabe! Be thankful!"

"...W. Whatever she said." The larger robot shook his head. Do you see what he deals with every day, Chimizo? "I'm fully prepared to hold my own in New York if need be, however."

@rcyalpains

Once again, from the top... Jae always had that ooone perpetual look of horror fixated onto her mug that both freelancers were oh so numb to by now. And as such, said "horror" deluged into her movements as well--her demeanor, her vibe... she always seemed skittish. On-edge. Perhaps not as paranoid as Bosco, but she definitely gave off the impression that someone was allllways out to get her.

But no worries, dear Jae. You'll always be safe with them. A silent promise, and a strong devotion.

Gently parting from the girl, Sam would once again give her a gentle pat on the head, grin from floppy ear to the other. As for Max's parting gift, it would be... an affectionate hold and squeeze of her hand... before letting go just as swiftly.

And as fast as that embrace happened, the inevitable eager-as-anything yanking of those guns from Bitz's possession would follow in that very same footstep carved into the Earth's excrement. The two instantaneously tested the aim of their new guns, prepping as if to shoot them willy-nilly around the house... but of course, even Sam and Max had some twisted form of "morals". They wouldn't shoot their new guns around Jae's house...

"Yeah, these babies are going to fly smoother than cream-n'-lard-filled butter!" They may appear rough around the edges... but hey, that's what gives 'em character! And what's a gun without a little trauma?

"Yeah! I can't WAIT to--"

Oop. Before the lagomorph could even finish the thought, his little gun had... haphazardly fired off. Max recoiled quite heavily, and as if it had never existed, Jae's cute little beach-themed candle set would cease to exist. And as he slowly perked back up... staring at whatever he seemed to hit, as all that was left was a tiny black spot on the table...

"...Whoaaaa, BITCHIN'!!!" The amount of joy would prove absolutely immeasurable on the little guy's beaming face. Although, there is an awkward side-glance towards Jae. "Oh, uh... sorry, Jae; I didn't even press it. Honest!!!"

Max... hadn't even pressed the trigger. In fact, his finger wasn't even hovering over it at the time.

Sam winced quite heavily; he'd reacted to the initial shot with alarm as well of course, but... as he also joined in staring at what remained of the candle set, words would eventually form. "You... didn't press the trigger, Max?"

"Uhhhh nope! Did it alllll by itself, and I'm inclined to be a proud mother. Maybe it's excited to kick bad guy butt, too!"

@kxllerclaws