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Post by Licht on Aug 12, 2016 1:23:16 GMT -5
((The following is a story that has already taken place))
Faldr was fuming. Of all the insubordinance, all the insolence. He walked over and snatched the notebook out of the youth's hands, not even bothering to yell this time. He could have almost laughed at the incredulous look on the blonde's face, if the situation didn't make him want to rip his hair out. How in Krillia did his superiors expect him to put up with this?
He spared a glance downward at the book. He was sketching this time... a rock. And the sad part was, he still even managed to make a rock look unrecognizable. It looked like there were words scrawled alongside it, or what you might be able to call words if it didn't look like they'd been scratched onto the paper by a dying epileptic psychopath trying to write with his left foot. Honestly, he'd seen premods toddlers who haven't undergone their first tech modifications with better handwriting.
Faldr shook his head and tossed the notebook back to the boy "At least make and effort to keep up soldier." He spat as he turned on his heel. He thought the youth might have said something in response but didn't quite have the patience to try to understand his crazy talk anymore. Despite the hum of cooling and anti UV mechanisms that he could feel under his skin cells, the heat was still getting to him out here in this desolate plain. Yeah, it was the heat. That's what he would say if he were to snap. His fingers caressed the tip of his sword hilt lovingly at the thought but he immediately knew he would never resort to it, no matter what kind of annoying recruit they'd stuck him with. Despite his obvious flaws, this was still his man now. He might as well make the best of it.
"Captain Faldr, a report sir." He looked up. Baret, his best man. Faldr appreciated the fact that he had some level of competence out here with him. He noticed Baret glance over his shoulder and slightly incline an eyebrow. Faldr spared a glance and saw the boy was hanging there right behind him, watching curiously.
He repressed a sigh and decided to ignore him. Just get him back home safe, and maybe they'll take him off your hands, he told himself for the hundredth time. "Go ahead cadet." He nodded at Baret.
"Sir, Cadet Eris and I have completed our surveying of the surrounding area and report we are still an hour out from the ruins, with no sign of enemy movement."
"Any movement?"
"No one out here but us, sir." Baret seemed to be struggling to keep a straight face.
Faldr didn't think he'd ever had to fight to keep his sword sheathed harder than he did now. He started to turn and a hand pressed against his shoulder stopping him.
"Hold on, I'm trying to draw the design on your coat." Came the protest in that soft unmanly voice.
Faldr felt his controlled expression twitch. "Thank you cadet." He addressed Baret. "Inform the others we will be advancing to the ruins to proceed with the mission at once."
"Right away sir." Baret hurried away. Faldr considered it honorable that Baret had managed a semblance of seriousness.
Ignoring the restraining hand, he whirled and snatched the notebook again. He snapped it closed in his hand so he wouldn't have to see what mockery he had made of the Defense corp emblem. "I'll be confiscating this until we reach our destination. Then you may do with it what you wish, just do not leave the company and do NOT interfere with the mission. Now march, cadet." He glared at the boy, daring him to refuse.
The blonde haired boy just looked at him, politely puzzled.
Faldr turned on the spot and marched off, wondering who exactly he had pissed off to deserve this.
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Post by Stonelark on Aug 12, 2016 1:26:07 GMT -5
Maya walked alongside the company in a simple black cloth dress. In the back it fell to her ankles but in the front only reached just above her knees. She wore ankle high black leather low heeled boots and stockings that reached her knees with tiny bows and lace at the tops. Her hair was pulled back in a braid tied at the end with a big red bow and she wore light make up to soften her more masculine features. The red corset on her torso made her seemingly more curvy than her actual body was. There was a veil-like shaded visor over her eyes that blocked out most light and dust particles so that her vision wouldn't be impaired. It also allowed her to examine her surroundings without letting others know that she was.
She sighed dramatically and waved an antique paper fan in front of her face in attempt to cool down. Maya smiled when she saw one of the cadets handing over a report to Captain Arkon. She lowered the visor a bit to wink at the men following her and moved to follow him. He was storming away from an adorable little boy. She ruffled his hair as she passed him, her sight set on the delicious captain. She caught up to him and slipped an arm around his waist, whispering seductively in his ear, "Good morning, Captain. Any sign of danger?" She ran a finger down his arm playfully to grasp the notebook in his hand and tuck it away into her corset, then intertwined her fingers with his.
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Post by Licht on Aug 12, 2016 1:28:40 GMT -5
Licht stood where he'd been, trying to fathom why the captain had not given his notebook back this time. He stood slightly taller than some of the other soldiers sent on this mission, yet his undeveloped frame set him apart from the muscular toned build of most of the soldiers. He felt a light graceful touch ruffle his hair and watched as the woman walked by. Well, except for that one. He watched her gait. She was trained, no doubt, but compared to other female soldiers he'd seen like Eris, she was a royal princess from a fairy tale. She strolled up to the captain and put her arm around him. This looks like fun, Licht thought. He'd better take notes... wait. Damn. He glared at the captain. A sudden glint of light on metal caught his eye. Ooh, what was that?
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Post by Licht on Aug 12, 2016 1:37:12 GMT -5
Faldr's jaw clenched. He was apparently doomed to be surrounded by crazy today. "Special Operative Tor, must I remind you yet again that we are on assignment and you should act with such decorum? Kindly remove your hand from my- unhand me!" He shook his arm free, breathing heavily. He turned to look at his assailant as he regained his composure. He stared for a moment at just how gorgeous she looked even in this harsh light with the simple but elegant dress that complimented her figure, the light makeup casting a rosy glow on softened features. If he didn't know better...
He shook his head and immediately snapped around to face the front. "A-hem," he felt his cheeks slightly flushed "anyway, Tor, if you feel your capabilities are up to it, I would request a quick echogram of the surroundings once we enter the target area and of course I shall need your assistance should a combat situation arise..."
"Captain Faldr, sir!" Baret sounded out of breath. No good could come of this. "The new recruit, cadet Sieger has.. vanished! Again! Orders, sir?"
Faldr had to resist the urge to facepalm.
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Post by Stonelark on Aug 12, 2016 1:39:40 GMT -5
Maya giggled girlishly at Captain Faldr losing composure from a simple touch. "How many times have I told you to call me Mistress Tor when we're alone, Captain? I dislike the title Special Operative unless it's an especially formal occasion." Faldr shook his arm free and faced her, so she looked right at him and hummed disapprovingly. She lightly activated her core, causing it to glow faintly and now her humming caused slight discomfort. "We may be on assignment, but we're certainly not working." She nudged him with her hip when he faced the front and smirked, reaching her hand down and squeezing his bum.
"Yes, sir!" Maya said mockingly to his request. How quaint that he thought himself in charge. "Should combat arise? ...I do hope so. I'm rather bored." She asked with a wink, "Would you like to entertain me? Or shall I entertain you?" Without activating her core this time, she began humming an upbeat tune. The same cadet as before approached and she stared at him curiously. "Who is cadet Sieger?" She looked sideways at Faldr and teased, "Captain, have you been playing with someone else when I'm not looking?"
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Post by Licht on Aug 12, 2016 1:45:01 GMT -5
"And I believe I told you I am distinctly not comfortable calling you mistress at ANY time Tor. Also, quit using your core for amusement. Do you want it to malfunction at a critical point in the mission?" He gritted his teeth in discomfort. "And hands off! Especially there!!" His voice rose a half octive as he swatted her hand away and clenched his buttocks protectively.
He sighed and forced himself to nod at Baret's report. "Thank you cadet. I'll handle it. Dismissed." To Maya he replied "There may well be combat at this rate if I'm forced to keep putting up with these kinds of antics." He gave her a pointed look. "He's the blonde. From before. The..." he searched for a word "irrevocably loopy one. Cadet Sieger!" He called to the expanse of wasteland at large. "Cadet Licht Sieger! Report immediately!" Cursing, Faldr began to walk forward and promptly tripped over a large something. Catching himself he turned and saw the very same loopy blonde he had just mentioned rising from where he had apparently been crouched and attempting to give a salute, promptly smacking himself in the nose instead. Faldr narrowed his eyes. He was certain the boy hadn't been there a moment before.
"Aye-aye captain!" Licht chimed, rubbing his nose.
"Cadet, what on Krilia were you doing down there?"
"Observing, captain!"
"Observing...?" Morbid curiosity compelled him to ask. "Observing what?"
"The shine off this piece of buried metal. Since someone has my notebook I have to take perfect mental note of it instead." Licht tried to give him a serious look but it just came across as goofy to Faldr. "I had to make sure I was less visible so that I didn't scare it off!" He explained seriously.
"Scare off what? The metal? Oh why am I even asking. Cadet are you quite certain you are not equipped with a Kymere core?"
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Post by Licht on Aug 12, 2016 1:45:56 GMT -5
Licht paused at the captains question. He was starting to wonder if the captain was suspecting. He would have to be more careful. It was his own fault for tripping over him. He should have been more careful.
"Quite certain sir! You can check me yourself if you want!" Licht started to remove his clothing as a courtesy. While doing so, he decided to make conversation. It was never polite to strip without some background noise, and if not music then at least conversation.
"You know, I don't really think calling you captain all the time suits you captain. Makes you sound too inhuman. I'm just going to call you Faldr from now on, Faldr. See, it sounds so much better. After you check for that nonexistant core, can I have my notebook back? We're almost to that city place and I don't want to miss anything. Oh look, that metal moved. You must've scared it off."
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Post by Taliyah on Aug 12, 2016 1:47:59 GMT -5
Joka was perched on one of the city walls keeping an eye on the signal coming from one of the probes. They weren't far off. This was good.
Using binoculars she looked around the city where her team was busy putting the last touches on the trip wires and other pretty surprises she had planned. This morning she had worked to put prime pieces of metal in the path of the wires so that if they were moved or even touched it'd be set off.
It wasn't time for everyone to get in position yet but it would be soon. Joka smirked. It'd been a while since she'd had a chance to play.
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Post by Stonelark on Aug 12, 2016 1:55:57 GMT -5
"If my core malfunctions, it will get fixed, just like all the other times. I do go in for regular maintenance you know..."
Maya smirked when the captain covered his butt. His reaction to her advances never ceased to amuse her. She glanced over to the direction she saw the blonde boy wander earlier. Really, the captain does need to be more observant of his surroundings.
With crossed arms, Maya pouted at being abandoned. As Faldr stormed off she smiled over at Baret and squeezed his arm, pleased when his cheeks reddened. She stood back a bit as she watched Faldr interrogate the Cadet Seiger. Seiger was the cute boy that she passed earlier on the way to harass her captain. 'Hmm, I didn't know that was his name.' She really should probably pay more attention to the personnel files for these missions.
Her hand covered her mouth as she resisted the urge to laugh aloud at the exchange. Eyes widened as the cadet began disrobe. The boy was just too adorable, yammering away whilst removing his clothes. A glimmer of mischievousness struck and she marched up with a stern look on her face, eyes dark with what might be construed as anger. "Capitaine! What is going on here? What on Krillia are you doing to the recruits whilst on duty? You better have a good explanation for making this young man strip in the middle of the company. This behavior is entirely unbefitting of a commanding officer. If I hear this happens regularly you will receive an official reprimand!" She began to hum in condemnation, amplifying the sound in a way that would make the captain uncomfortable, but was also a preliminary scan of the area. She'd been doing it every half-hour or so to scout for any people or structures that might be in the area.
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Post by Licht on Aug 12, 2016 1:57:05 GMT -5
Licht cocked his head at the interesting woman's accusations. For some reason, the captain was spluttering and giving her a look of horror. He seemed to be growing steadily more red too. Poor man, must be sick. "Oh it was no trouble at all, don't worry." He smiled brightly at the woman. "Happy to oblige Faldr!. But if we're done here I think I'll be off." Shrugging back on his shirt he dismissed himself.
Walking forward, he finally took in the looming structure growing larger before them. This place was quite big, and dark too he thought uncomfortably, narrowing his eyes and peering at the dark spaces between ruined buildings.
He began walking forward and met the other cadet, Eris rounding a dune approaching the company. Surveying equipment was slung over her shoulder. "Cadet Eris." He smiled in greeting.
"Cadet Sieger... you... er... appear to have forgotten your pants, sir."
"Hmm, oh would you look at that? So I have."
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Post by Licht on Aug 12, 2016 1:58:01 GMT -5
"What on Krilia are you - Such insinuations! - I would NEVER - He started it - I had absolutely no - He just started - I DID NOT ASK THAT MAN TO GET NAKED!" Faldr sputtered. He felt himself distinctly on edge and then noticed Maya's core active as she appeared for every purpose to be humming happily. He gritted his teeth to try to attempt to keep from losing further composure.
"Baret!!" He whirled around, yearning for someone who took their mission seriously. He must have said it a bit to forcefully for the cadet seemed to jump out of his skin.
"Y-yes sir?"
"Ahem. Yes." He started again softer. "You and Eris are to start at the edge of the target's territory" he pointed at the close city structures rising just over the next ridge "and begin to take note of any buildings structurally sound enough to begin harvesting resources. Dismissed."
He turned and stalked towards Maya. "And I'd appreciate it," He hissed low enough so that only she could hear "that you would remember that even though you are not under my authority, I am the one who was put in charge of this mission, Rook."
Unfortunately, he added mentally as he turned towards the sound of conversation. "Cadet Eris! You are to join cadet Baret and begin detailed inspection of the target zone!" She saluted in response. "And- Cadet Sieger! Get back here and put your pants on!!"
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Post by Licht on Aug 12, 2016 1:59:06 GMT -5
"Aye-aye Faldr!" Licht called and promptly did a handstand in place of saluting. One should never salute while not fully clothed, it just wasn't done! He decided to see if he could cartwheel all the way back down the slight incline to the captain. And promptly fell on his face halfway down.
"Ow." He rubbed his nose and started to pick himself up. He was considering simply skipping down instead when something caught his eye. That shiny piece of metal again... Now he was certain it was moving without being touched. He had better warn the captain. Wait... what was that... was it... could it be?
"LIZARD!!!" He screamed as he pounced.
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Post by Stonelark on Aug 12, 2016 2:01:04 GMT -5
"You may be in charge of this mission, dear Capitaine," She narrowed her eyes and whispered dangerously, "But if this behavior reaches the ears of your superiors, you will find yourself demoted. Remember that I can spin this how I like. If I hear from the other cadets that you've been abusing your authority, you will find yourself deeply in trouble. Be assured that I will be keeping a closer eye on you, Captain Faldr Arkon." The completely serious expression on her face didn't match the inward cheering that in the same sentence she could both threaten someone and have an excuse to watch him in the showers. Not that she needed an excuse for that in the first place, but it always helped to have an explanation if caught.
She spun around and sauntered off happily after cadet Seiger, intent on giving him back his notebook and to reassure him that he could come to her with any complaints against Faldr. Not that she expected there to be any, she just wanted to cover all her bases and make the captain sweat a bit. Her face twisted in perverse delight. Perhaps if Faldr annoyed her, she could follow through on asking around about any...indecencies...on his part. She didn't want to do that just yet though. Even rumors of inappropriate behavior like this has caused mutiny in the past and Maya liked Faldr right where he was at, in those tight uniform pants thinking he was in charge. A serene smile returned as Maya approached the cadet. She shook her head fondly at Seiger's antics and approached the boy, not at all phased that he lacked pants. Hands clasped around her back, she bent slightly over where he was on the ground and asked innocently, "What's that you've got there, cadet?"
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Post by Licht on Aug 12, 2016 2:03:29 GMT -5
Licht looked up wide eyed, dust streaking his face contrasting with his pale skin and hair. "A lizard. White tailed one. They're quite rare, you know." He held up a still wriggling white tipped tail as proof.
And it's just Licht, please. I'm not really a cadet... Like you're not really." He arched an eyebrow, marking it as somewhere between a statement and a question. "I tried to get the captain to call me that, but he's quite formal."
Licht stood up to brush himself off. He sighed. "I wish the rest of it hadn't gotten away. If I could write it down before I forget what it looked like... but I don't have my... notebook?" As he finally noticed the object she was holding. "May I have it back?"
His thought was cut off by a pair of pants being thrown over his face. His pants, to be exact.
"Get dressed and let's move, cadet."
Faldr walked past intently without stopping pointedly not looking at either of them. "You too, special operative" the words practically dripped loathing. "I aim to be done with our mission and back in Cathedral before nightfall, and that won't happen if we leave Eris and Baret to do all the work." Despite their best efforts to the contrary, he would not have a buffoon and a pervert tarnish his hard-earned reputation. He paused to consider how either noun fit either of his antagonists at the moment and then continued on down the rise and into the city.
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Post by Stonelark on Aug 12, 2016 2:05:41 GMT -5
Maya leaned down further, studying the white tail curiously. "Interesting. I've never seen one with a white tail before. I wonder if there is some significance." She cocked her head in thought. "I wonder how they taste..."
She straightened up and crossed one arm in front of her and rested the elbow of the other on it, tapping her chin with a long, elegant finger "Licht? You're not a cadet? With the way the captain was acting. Hmm, he's a hard ass on the best of days," she declared, leering at said ass. "Takes things way to seriously. To him I'm 'Special Operative Tor,' she stood at attention and lowered her voice slightly to imitate Faldr when she said her own rank and then broke into giggles. "He takes things way too seriously sometimes." She pouted and jokingly whined, "Won't even call me Mistress. Pity."
When Licht mentioned the notebook, she glanced down at it still in her hand and smiled, holding it out to him. "I nicked it from Faldr, figured it had some importance to you for him to take it away so childishly." Pants were thrown over the Licht's face. She plucked them off and held them out to the boy, sighing. "Indeed we are approaching the target, we should be prepared for anything, dearest."
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Post by Licht on Aug 12, 2016 2:07:06 GMT -5
"Nope. I'm not even part of security. At least I don't think they've made me part of it. I'll have to ask..." He considered it thoughtfully, while tucking the lizard tail securely in a coat pocket. He pulled out a pair of gloves and began pulling them on so they fit snugly. "I just decided I wanted to come on this mission to get out of Cathedral. I don't think Faldr wanted me to come at first, for some strange reason" He confided "but Board Chairman Noah insisted." He mentioned the high ranking name very nonchalantly.
"Yay!" He took the proffered sketchbook gleefully and the pants regretfully. He immediately turned to a blank page and began to scribble notes about the lizard in a very childish scrawl. Suddenly thinking better on it, he slipped into his pants and fastened them. He continued by buttoning his high collar. Now the only exposed skin left was the top half of his face. Which seemed odd considering the heat in the wasteland.
"Do you really think there'll be any danger?" He asked, half worriedly, half distractedly as he was now in the progress of drawing what could be assumed to be a sketch of the lizard but looked much more like licorice. He glanced up as they walk and his eyes followed the disgruntled captain's progress as he entered the ruins between two buildings. "I hope not. I... can't fight."
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Post by Stonelark on Aug 12, 2016 2:11:56 GMT -5
Maya hummed thoughtfully as they entered the ruined city following Faldr at a distance. She frowned at the name that Licht mentioned. He must be of higher rank than she thought if he can just drop that name so simply. But what is his purpose here? There must be some reason Chairman Noah wanted him on this expedition. Or for the Chairman to go over Captain Faldr's head if Licht wanted to be on this expedition. Curious.
Maya smiled reassuringly patting him on the head. "There's always a possibility of battle. But don't worry sweetie, I'll stay nearby if you'd like." She continued humming, increasing the volume but lowering the tone as they entered the ruins. Her core glowed brightly as she sent sound waves to penetrate the buildings and ground to see any discrepancies within. Faldr was 20 meters ahead of her and Licht. He sent Baret and Eris ahead by at least 40 meters, but she could find no sign of them. They could be deeper in the ruins where there was more rubble to possibly interfere with her echo. She didn't think it was anything but she figured she should inform the captain. She grabbed Licht by the hand and quickened their pace to catch up to Faldr.
"Capitaine!" She called out seriously. "I cannot sense cadets Baret and Eris with my echo. There could be interference from the ruin but I know how you throw your tantrums if you don't know every little detail." Her expression brightened as she continued humming to detect any other abnormalities.
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Post by Licht on Aug 12, 2016 2:16:28 GMT -5
Licht pulled his coat around him more tightly as they entered the deep shadows between the buildings, as if to ward off a chill. His body tensed automatically. He paused for a moment as if listening to something before he was dragged forward by Maya.
His feelings of trepidation only rose as Maya called out her findings. He felt like he should be reassured by the captain there, waiting in front of them...
Except he wasn't waiting for them to catch up, Licht realized immediately as they drew up behind the captain.
"Faldr?" Licht asked hesitantly, worried at the look on the captain's face and how he had just stopped in his tracks. Licht followed his gaze forward and felt a similar mask of fear and horror creep across his face. "No. Nonononono...” he shrank back against the wall, away from the others. His notebook lay forgotten on the ground.
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Post by Taliyah on Aug 12, 2016 2:23:28 GMT -5
Joka watched with amusement as the two cadets had wandered straight into her territory. They observed the metal but to her disappointment didn't touch it to trip the wires. No matter it just meant she got to play more and less loud noise. She climbed down the wall and silently signaled her crew to start closing in until they were surrounded.
"Well well it's not often that we have visitors. Hello there. You're about to make my day. I just have some questions I'd like to ask you. You may want to stay awhile and don't even think about trying to leave. If you do I will be quite cross and well that might get messy." She strode out in front of them. Her Kymere core began to glow behind the eye patch and any metal on their clothing began to warp and tighten. Looks of panic and fear that came over their faces only made her giggle.
Both stubbornly refused to give her any information so to encourage them she started sending jagged rusted pieces of metal flying toward them and watched as they struggled to dodge like rats trying to escape a cat. Eris wasn't quick enough and a piece of metal slammed into her breaking through her knee caps. She crumpled to the ground crying out in pain. Joka only grinned and advanced toward her as she feebly tried to drag herself backwards.
Beret tried to reach Eris to help her but another piece of metal the size of a car hood sank deep into the ground by his feet blocking his path. Smaller pieces went whistling through the air and caught him in his upper back, two more in the middle back and two in the lower. They weren’t deep enough to kill him and they weren’t close to anything vital but they were enough to cause pain that would slow him down.
When Eris still wasn’t being helpful she allowed her to see Beret coming towards them. Joka crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot and just when he would be able to be in arms reach she caused the metal in his back to sink under the skin and wrap around his spine. Then with Eris watching Joka while manipulating the metal lifted the man off the ground and flung him around several times before wrenching his spine out of his body in a shower of blood and broken flesh. Then she let the corpse drop to the ground as if it were nothing more than a sack of flour instead of having been a man.
“Bored now. You see none of this would have happened if you had just been polite and answered my questions. I do despise bad manners.”
She began to laugh as terrified screams filled the air and a piece of metal shaped like a spike rose up off the ground and slowly began to float toward Eris picking up speed until it pierced the woman's skull like cracking an egg. Splatters of brain matter and blood scattered across the ground.
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Post by Licht on Aug 12, 2016 2:26:28 GMT -5
The screams had already long since ceased before Faldr came running up the abandoned street.
Some part of his brain took in and processed the scene before him. The laughing woman. The blood and gore littering the street. The completely decimated remains of two soldiers lying before him. His soldiers.
Eris. Baret. Oh gods. What had he last said to them? He had yelled at them. Ordered them to move into the area first. He had caused this. He had sent them to their deaths. He had never even gotten a chance to really thank them for their hard work. To tell them how proud he was to be their commanding officer. And now he never would. What about Baret's fiancé? Eris' husband and kid? This couldn't be happening.
And in some part of his brain, his training was trying to kick in, screaming at him, telling him to take charge of the situation, get a grip, do something! But somehow none of it was getting through. He was frozen, even as he heard the voices approaching from behind. His brain would not process as he heard their horrified reactions. His body would not respond as he saw the woman, grinning wildly, turn and notice him.
Somehow, the one thing that did respond was his Kymere core. Without a word, without a thought, his sword was already in his hand. It glowed at one with his core, with his will, its blade normally kept dulled for safety at once made infinitely sharp. He felt the metal implants within his bones shift, preparing to emerge should the need arise. The usual pain that accompanied this washed away in a flood of emotions.
Perhaps somehow his inability to process it all was his body's only way to handle the situation. He could only react. There would be time to think, and to grieve later. "Monster." He spat, and charged.
((give everyone a chance to respond if they want, I'm going to go ahead and open the combat board so we can get stuff like number of rounds straightened out. good job so far everyone!! even if you are a bit frightening Taliyah ))
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