realmofstories | [Open] A poisonous feast

[30 seconds, a minute, a minute and a half--]

Rapunzel might be able to make out soft but distinct footsteps coming towards her. They're not even though-- not like a guard making a patrol. More like someone being as stealthy as possible-- but where was the sound coming from? No one was there--]

... Shit.

[Except, there was. A... head? Of an older man, floating in the air-- no, wait, you could also make out his torsoe-- and he was making his way to Rapunzel, concern obviously on his face--]

Miss, you need to leave, now. This place is dangerous--

[The man's voice was hushed, but stern, quickly pulling off the mantle he was wearing that revealed his armored form.]

Did Adachi bring you here--?

Edited 2020-10-29 00:58 (UTC)

[The noise caught Rapunzel's attention straightaway, and while she'd been given a weapon, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, with her essence... It was a frying pan in her bag that she reached for. There had been one in her new home, fortunately. While the young woman could fight with a sword; had some experience there, she was more used to (and more morally comfortable with) a frying pan. Some things just didn't change.]

I know it's dangerous. [She spoke slowly, evaluating the man who'd appeared.] I'm not leaving.

[At least not without a fight, judging by her holding up the pan like she was ready to strike if the wrong move was made...]

...

[ Dojima let out a deep sigh, running a hand down the front of his face. Was she for real? A frying pan? Not that it couldn't cause damage, but... ]

At least he didn't lure you here.

[ Dojima held up one hand defensively, his voice... trying to be calming. ]

I'm with the Index Guard, and I know Adachi from my world. He's a convicted murderer who's victims were both young women. You can hopefully understand my concern-- but I'm guessing you're an Aspect as well. And you're going to be stubborn about this, right?

[Rapunzel gave him a long look before lowering her frying pan, though she didn't return it to her bag, instead holding it at her side. She nodded, her expression stern.]

I understand why you're worried, and I'm sorry. But you're right. I am going to be stubborn about this. People are being hurt, and I can't just stand by.

[The fact that he's with the guards of the index inspire some confidence and hope in her, though, that they can work together. Her face softens just a little, a hint of a smile there, as she speaks on.]

My name is Rapunzel. We're both here to help, so let me help you. Please.

... Rapunzel?

[ Uh. Huh. Okay, that's a bit confusing-- ]

As in, you yourself are Rapunzel, or that's your As--...

[ A moment, and Dojima held his head, another sigh leaving him, more frustrated than before. ]

Okay, no. Nevermind. Listen, [ He looked up the young woman, before reaching back, pulling his Mantle and holding it out to her, a blue-silver shimmering piece of clothing for her to take. ]

If you're going to come with me, at least wear this. You'll be able to hide with it-- and get a surprise attack if it comes to it.

[ Dojima hoped it wouldn't come to that, but at least he could keep the young woman safe. ]

Edited 2020-10-29 02:05 (UTC)

[Speaking of surprise attacks.

As promised, Eugene made quick work in glancing through the various mirrors lining the hallways and a few nearby rooms. A good thing, too, as he had spotted where some guards were patrolling and figured out an alternative route, as well as potential hiding places should they need it. Damn, if only he could bring Rapunzel through the mirrors with him!

But as he makes his way back toward the mirror near Rapunzel, he hears another voice—a male voice.]

…Rapunzel!

[Yes he knows she can take care of herself, and yes he knows she could beat anyone down before he gets there. That doesn't stop the fear that grips his heart since as he told her before, they're in unknown territory with unfamiliar powers. So with his feet matching the racing beat of his heart, he rushes to the mirror.

As soon as he sees the man reaching for Rapunzel with something, he doesn't hesitate to leap through with a shout and slam his whole body into the man for a flying tackle.]

--?!

[ Okay, Dojima should've been more alert, it's true. He was so focused on the young woman that he didn't even hear the other man coming-- ]

[ But he sure FELT it, suddenly tackled onto the ground, the wind being knocked out of him-- ]

[ But years of police training kicked in, Dojima acting on instinct to grapple the other man, trying to wrestle control back-- ]

--The hell are you?!

[To be fair, since Eugene had started yelling from inside the mirror, it probably would have sounded odd or muted before he burst out seemingly out of nowhere.

As Eugene grappled with the man, he tries to keep some kind of grip to keep him down.]

Rapunzel, I got this! Just knock him out when you get an opening!

[While he can hold himself pretty well in a fight, he can tell this guy has some experience.]

Hrrgh--!!

[ Dojima's hearing the man speaking, but not processing it-- not when his heart is pounding, when his vision became tunneled. He gripped the other man's arm, all his focus and strength on flipping him over head-- ]

Haa-!

[ And getting the interloper face down, arm yanked back and torso pinned by the detective's thighs, his other hand pressing hard into the middle of the stranger's back. ]

Who the hell are you?!

Whoa—!

[AND HE IS SUDDENLY FLIPPED OVER AND KISSING COLD HARD STONE NOT GOOD ALSO OW.

In a muffled, strained voice:]

I may have to retract my earlier statement...

[The anxious feeling lingers even with the partial relief of seeing Sylvain come to. He doesn't yet know if Sylvain is okay. He lifts himself up a little more, giving Sylvain some space.]

Can you hear me? What happened to you? I saw you fall!

"D...did I...did I what...?"

[She kept her focus on the peach, though her face was a bright red. She didn't know what his own red face might mean; was he embarrassed that she'd kissed him? Maybe thought it was weird? Was he mad? Did he...not mind? Her thoughts swirled in her head. Why was it always a kiss in fairy tales?! Why it couldn't be a back slap or something?!]

His nose wrinkled, hidden as the movement was, the flick back of his ears were a little more noticeable. Had a feeling the number would likely grow before things could get a better handle.

"Be seeing me back here soon enough then." Would only take the time to get hat he needed to and nothing longer.

"...A-ah, nothing, it's--"

Considering what's already happened, he shouldn't be surprised? But uh, Fuuka was embarrassed, and even if she was always cute like that--

"Y-you were just, tryin' to help me out, right? After uh, messing up again..."

[It all happens very quickly, and Rapunzel hardly has time to react beyond a few sputtered protest... Until Eugene is flipped, and then any sense of diplomacy that might have been subconsciously holding her back goes out the window.]

HEY!

[She starts trying to pull Dojima back, away from Eugene, and while her expression is intense, she's more frustrated with the situation, not actually mad at him.]

Both of you, stop that! We're all here to do the same thing, it was a misunderstanding!

...Rip off your-- Okaaaay, that's. Something. You like, sentai heroes or something?

[ Wearing a mask would be cool though... ]

Yeah, dude, an evoker is like, a fake gun we gotta put to our heads and pull the trigger so it spooks us into summoning our Persona. [ Junpei lifted his hand up to mimic the action, holding his index and pointer finger against his temple ] Morbid, ri-- What do you mean you're like, a decade into the future?!

[ SERIOUSLY-- ]

Did Endless Reverie XIV come out?! You know, the MMORPG one?? Was it any good??

[ ...Junpei. Priorities. ]

[ Damn, Minako was strong. She could possibly lift Akihiko like this, yeah? Shinjiro? Maybe... maybe even Aigis?!

But regardless, even as she struggled, Junpei was completely dead weight, hanging forward wordlessly like a doll.

...Until she started doing ABDOMINAL THRUSTING. THEN he gagged out loud. ]

Gurghk--

[ Still didn't wake up, but. He felt that, at least? ]

Phantom Thieves actually.

[That makes him blink.] Huh.

[The last question makes him pause. He remembers hearing about that one, though he himself didn't play it. Futaba was more the video game nerd, not him.]

The original version? No, that one was really terrible. It had so many problems and people hated it so much, they actually apologized and had to scrap it and replace it with a new version. Which is not only much better, but I think it's still running in my time.

[ Well, she's not strong enough to unseat Dojima, but now that he's sure Eugene can't move-- he's able to actually process what just happened and was said-- ]

... So you're the one that brought her in here?

[ He looks back at Rapunzel, then at his current captive. Not letting go or releasing the pressure of his hold until he's absolutely sure of the situation. ]

I'm after Adachi. How'd you know about him?

[He should be grateful she didn't unleash her frying pan fu on him.

Personally he'd rather not have to say anything, but seeing how Rapunzel is sort of defending the old man, although wary he relaxes a little and stops struggling. And, well, he doesn't have much of a choice here. So in a somewhat aggravated voice.]

For the record I was against her coming along, but trust me, this was the better option. [Knowing she would just go off on her own instead? Yeah, no.]

And I only "know" the guy—[Even when pinned on the ground he manages to twitch his fingers for air quotes.]—because my essence thing is related to his so it was a pretty easy guess to know what's going on.

[A side-eye.]

So if we're really on the same team, mind getting off my back? [Both literally and figuratively.] Otherwise...well, I'm actually not the one you should be worried about restraining.

[She may look like sweet sunshine, but he knows better than anyone how strong she can be and he's so proud of that fact he has no shame in admitting it.]

"I don't know, I just got here," Minato replied, unhelpfully. Sorry bro, but he really doesn't know how long you were sleeping for. "Just groggy?"

[Now that there's a realy dialogue going, she steps back a little - but only a little, and in all honesty, just so she can hold up her frying pan. She would rather not have to use it against this man, since they are - as Eugene has said - on the same team! But she's not going to let Eugene get hurt, either.]

It's like I said, we're all here to do the same thing - to stop Adachi and make sure he doesn't hurt anyone else. And we're not going to get that done standing around here and fighting each other.

[ A glance behind him when Rapunzel's movement caught his eye, noting the frying pan. Well, weren't these two quite the pair? ]

--Don't sass me, kid, you were the one that jumped me out of no where.

[ And thinking on that, where DID this guy jump out of? But, Dojima let go of his arm and back, pulling away to let the other man get up. His expression was still stern, absolutely serious, but his voice had hushed, eyes straight on the interloper. ]

Look. Adachi murdered two women back in my--our world-- I wanted to make sure your-- partner didn't end up the same.

[ Wasn't sure if they were romantic quite yet, but it was obvious at least this guy had a thing for her. ]

...Regardless, he's more than likely heard us and is going to try to hide or escape.

[ Another glare at Eugene. Thanks for ruining the stealth mission, asshole. ]

So, any idea where in the castle that'd be? Because I'm guessing you were scouting ahead, and probably have an idea of the castle lay out.

[ Because why else would someone that attached to this girl leave her behind unless to be a scout? ]

[Rude. He slowly gets up, shaking his arm and brushing off the dust as he steps to be beside Rapunzel. Although his brows raise and he glances at Rapunzel at the new information, Eugene doesn't appear as concerned or worried as Dojima might have expected. It's not that he isn't, but after going everything they had? And knowing Rapunzel? He wouldn't underestimate the situation but he has a lot more confidence and faith in her that he can still stay calm and level headed about it.

Plus it just cements his own reasoning that they came together.

In any case, he doesn't feel like arguing or trying to defend their actions. He can understand the guy's point of view so can't blame him. Plus not exactly the time or place so—]

Fiancée. [Okay, he can take time for one cheeky remark, which might help Dojima understand their dynamic even more.]

And I would know if he moved, or at the very least be able to check sort of easily. In any case, the way you want to go is that way.

[A small nod of his head.]

We got some time, but guards are coming this way. We can duck in a few rooms along the way, and we'll have to take a few detours, but we should be able to get through without anyone noticing.

[Rapunzel sighs and shakes her head. There's a lot that's not great here: The underestimating of herself and Eugene, the poor communication, the tension... But most of all, she's worried by all the shifting focus. There's things she'd be fine with talking out were the situation different, but right now there's an immediate threat- Not just to the three of them, but to the entire Index.]

Well, even if we have some time, I think we should get going.

[A brief pause, before she speaks again, looking in the direction Eugene indicated.]

This is going to be dangerous, and clearly none of us are new to that. But we still need to work together, all three of us. We're a team now.

[Open] A poisonous feast

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