realmofstories | [Open] A poisonous feast

[It's okay, bro, Eugene isn't too much of a possessive type. Of course if Dojima had been younger then maybe he would have snatched this cape, but given the situation, he'll allow it.

Eugene will glance at Rapunzel for a second before he nods at Dojima's request.]

All right. We'll try and follow just in case, but we'll leave it to you. [Man, too bad they don't have Max. But the detective has a point on them since they don't have horses. They could always steal one, of course, but this is the best they can do.

And without much else to add, Eugene will take point to lead them through the corridors.]

[Since it's Adachi's castle, he is well aware of there being people that shouldn't be here. The mirrors aren't only a decoration. Even if the image isn't all clear and even if he doesn't see much, he can recognize Dojima anywhere.

It's only a matter of time before they find the place he's at. He definitely needed to escape before that.

Adachi faces a mirror and says, in a commanding tone.]

Mirror Mirror on the wall.
Who is the fairest of them all.
O Magic Mirror, stall them now.
Let the route here change somehow.

[He's not sure if it will work, but at least he gave it a try at least, before heading out the backway. Good thing he had multiple escape routes in his castle.

And yes, his quirk made him say the first one.]

[Eugene had been deftly leading their little ragtag group, skillfully guiding them through the corridors and making them duck into rooms to avoid any patrols. Perhaps it's a good thing they're in a room when he suddenly winces, a hand going to his head when he hears a loud ringing sound before he hears Adachi's voice in his head.]

What the hell—!?

[That's all he manages to say before he receives the order and his body shudders as if shocked. Oh no.

No.

Nope nope nope THIS IS NOT COOL THIS IS NOT COOL AT ALL!?

While Eugene is going through this internal struggle, what Rapunzel and Dojima see is the man making rather strange facial expressions followed by jerking body movements and muttering:]

Like I hell I'd follow that!? Stupid mirror—queen—essence—grah!!

[And then when he does face them and try to tell them, his mouth clamps shut and he then proceeds to mumble and just flail his arms furiously.

Well. Although not intended he is kind of doing exactly as Adachi wanted, at least in the stalling part.]

[She watches when Eugene stops and starts to freak out - there's no other way to put it, really. There's clear concern on her face, which will likely let Dojima know that is far from normal behavior, if the behavior itself didn't already get that across. Some of the words get mutters out when talking to "himself" give her a vague idea of what's going on... And it's not good.]

Eugene, it's okay. [She nears him, cautiously, to put a hand on his shoulder.] Try to shake it off, Eugene. Draw on how strong you are.

[She's not sure that'll be enough, though. In fact, she hates to say it but, she doubts it. The essence powers and quirks are very strong. So she glanced at Dojima.]

I think we've been caught.

What the-

[ Dojima stopped when Eugene suddenly held his head, eyes narrowing as he watched the man's odd reactions. A glance to Rapunzel told him quickly this wasn't usual for the other man... And Eugene's mutters and Rapunzel's words told him the rest. ]

[ Goddamn it, Adachi-- still using others for your dirty work? ]

No kidding. If he's the mirror and Adachi's the queen--

[ That would mean Adachi had some Authority over the other man, as terrifying as that thought was. ]

...Listen. Eugene, just point out the quickest path for me to take out of the castle. [ Careful not to mention it was to follow Adachi, just an exit ] Rapunzel--

[ Dojima reached into the satchel on his side, pulling out a pair of leather gloves and a bag, handing them to her. ]

Once Eugene's chilled out, have him take you to where ever Adachi's been making all his poisons. I need you both to collect as many samples as you can safely and bring them to Naomi Kimishima and Ana Amari. They're the ones making antidotes for everyone poisoned. You should be able to contact them via your journals.

[There's a steely determination in her expression as Rapunzel listens to Dojima, though her eyes stay on Eugene the whole time. She won't let him be hurt.

When Dojima hands her the items, though, she does spare him a glance. A single nod of understanding.]

We'll be sure to do that... And be safe getting out.

[Although still in a weird state of agony, Eugene just grimaces as he looks over at Dojima and Rapunzel. Ugh, to think he'd end up being the weakest link in the group.]

Just—[Winces as he hears a weird ringing in his head, as if trying to stop him from telling Dojima anything. But Adachi only told him to stall, not say anything at all. He's quick-witted enough to work around this.]—go down the corridor and enter the room on your left. Should be able to leave through the window and circle around the castle.

[Ow ow ow ow. He holds his head before shaking it.]

Sorry, that's the best I can do.

Edited 2020-11-19 04:49 (UTC)

It's alright, I understand better than you'd know. You got us this far.

[ Seriously, being stalled out by something you can't help at the most critical moment... he definitely understood.

Nodding to both of them, he moved ahead, though he... pressed his hand on Eugene's shoulder for a moment, in an attempt to reassure him. ]

Thanks, take care, both of you.

[ Down the corridor, room on your left-- Ah, there it was. The window was easy enough to creek open, but before he left, Dojima glanced around--

...A used coffee mug? It'll have to do... Grabbing it up and putting it in on of his pouches, Dojima climbed carefully out the window, dropping to the castle grounds. ]

[ Crouching down, he made his way back to the woods-- he could've whistled for Llamrei and Cavall to come to him, but that would've spooked Adachi even more. Better to keep the element of surprise as much as he could.

Both were waiting for him- Cavall jumped up, but didn't bark-- could he tell Dojima's mood already? Kneeling down, Dojima held out the coffee mug for the dog to sniff. ]

--Sorry it's not much to go on, but I'm pretty sure this was Adachi's.

[ Hopefully the dog could separate the smell of coffee from the smell of cheap aftershave and cabbage. Cavall whined, sniffing the cup intently-- before beginning to move-- towards the castle. Okay, so he got part of the scent at least. Putting the mug in Llamrei's side satchel, Dojima pulled himself up, pulling on the reins to guide the horse. ]

Track him, Cavall-- Llamrei-- follow Cavall, don't lose sight of him... We need to hunt Adachi down.

[ The Hunt was on. ]

[Adachi's traveling on foot, so he hasn't really made it that far. Mostly, he's trying to find his way back to town, maybe disguise himself in a safe place and hope that no one's given a detailed description to Dojima himself (he... is pretty sure someone has, to be honest). A better option would be to find a horse or some other form of travel.

Not that he holds onto much hope, but he isn't the type to just sit around and wait to be captured when he can at least try to avoid it. He doesn't know anything about any dogs that could track him down.

He really wished he had his gun to maybe shoot at Dojima when they did end up meeting. Stupid storyteller and leaving the important items out of his inventory...]

[ Adachi would hear barking first, from a long ways away. Cavall got his scent, and started chasing his prey.

Dojima pushed Llamrei to go faster, keeping his eyes on the dog, his thoughts going quickly-- too quick for him to keep pace with them, to truly let them register consciously, but the emotion behind them kept building-- ]

Coming here, threatening this world for no good reason other than he could. Other than he was bored. Given undeserved freedom, a second chance to do better, and what does he do?

Poison innocent people. Just for fun, right Adachi? Just to see if you could? Just to know you hurt other people? Kill other people?

[ Gritting his teeth as Llamrei road into a rougher part of the forest terrain, jumping logs, galloping, Dojima unconsciously drew his spear, gripping it tightly in his hand. ]

Was that how it was, with using Namatame? To pull in all those innocent victims after you killed Yamano and Saki Konishi? Did you enjoy watching their humiliation and suffering?

[ A dark, spiraling fog began to seep off the spear, coiling along Dojima's arm, around his body and head... around his horses body, before billowing back into a long, black cape... building behind him, like a howling windstorm-- ]

Did you enjoy watching Nanako DIE--

[ A clap of thunder rolled through the forest, the one dog's barking becoming many, howling in a growing wind--

And all one could see in the black storm cloud racing along the woods-- ]

[ Was two yellow glowing eyes. ]

Edited 2020-11-22 13:47 (UTC)

[The thunder is very easy to hear, as well as the dog barking. Someone was coming, but who was it? Adachi wasn't sure but he started traveling faster. He looked behind his shoulder, trying to see who it was.

Other than a weird storm.

He had a bad feeling about this.]

[ You should have a bad feeling about this, Adachi.

Out of the storm, billowing black clouds and wailing wind gave way to a man riding a dark horse, wearing black armor and a thorn crown-- glowing yellow eyes meeting with Adachi's own. In one of his hands he wielded a heavy, unwieldy spear that all the same looked deadly.

Behind him, other riders could be seen, their faces pale and sunken, but certainly familiar to Adachi.

...The King raised his spear, eyes alight with unnatural fire as the storm cloud grew larger, and larger.

He'd found his prey. ]

[Oh.

Oh shit.

Of course it was Dojima with his essence powers, looking like he's out for murder. Of course he would be able to create faces of the people Adachi's gotten killed.

He should have paid more attention to what Dojima's essence was. A fool he was.

Adachi continues to run, but he knows inside that it's futile. Dojima wanted him caught no matter what.

And somehow... it was okay with him. To be caught by Dojima. Not that he'd ever surrender willingly, but it felt appropriate. ]

[ Oh, that's almost cute, Adachi.

You think you'll be able to run away from him? ]

[ Well, it was true that it was difficult to keep you in line of sight. All these trees were in the way, making Dojima and Llamrei need to constantly dodge them in their chase.

But there was an easy solution to that. ]

[ Right in his hand... ]

[ Lightning surged as Dojima lifted the spears into the air, wind and dark energy swirling around the spears tip as it spiraled and grew, larger, larger-- ]

RHONGO-- [Boiling, writhing, wailing-- thunder rolling along the forest, until--] MYRIAD---!!

[ The Wild Hunt itself, the manifestation of storms-- crashed through the trees and underbrush, uprooting and destroying everything in sight, a making a long stretch of the forest into a blasted heath of charged wood- ]

[He was hoping the forest would slow him down and give him at least some chance, but well.

That spear sure is something.

Adachi is lucky enough to dodge most of the coming debris and the attack's power, but he's unlucky enough to actually get hit by the spear when if finally reaches him.

The spear his his leg, stopping him right there and pinning him down. He screams because of the agony and once he recovers from the worst of the shock, he tries to remove the spear, wincing as he moves.]

[ The destruction Dojima caused--

Doesn't even register consciously to him. ]

[ Other than now he had a straight shot to his prey. ]

[ How quickly did he actually get to Adachi? It's hard for Dojima to know-- time is meaningless right now, but as the man struggled to free himself, Dojima was suddenly overtop of him, grasping the spear and pushing down-- pinning Adachi where he was. ]

[ Black armor, black cape-- cold yellow eyes glaring down at Adachi from his position. ]

...So how does it feel to be the helpless one, Adachi?

[ ...His voice wasn't normal. Even Dojima could tell that. It was cold... darker, angry. Bitter. ]

Are you-- [ He pushed his boot down onto Adachi's chest, putting his weight on it-- ] 'enjoying' it?

[Adachi lets out another scream. Well this was certainly lovely. If he was one to admit it, he would say he was scared of Dojima even more right now. But he was stubbornly staring straight at Dojima, even when he was pushing him down with his boot.]

Well, it's a first time for everything... though I never thought I'd see the day you stooped down to my level.

To your level?

[ He pulled back his boot from Adachi's chest... only to kick Adachi hard in the stomach-- ]

Don't make me laugh, you piece of shit--

[ Adachi wouldn't get much time to recover, before Dojima was ontop of him-- heavy black armor weighing him down more, grabbing the collar of Adachi's shirt, shoving him into the ground. ]

You think this somehow equals your level of pathetic?

[ Dojima drew his fist back-- ]

You murdered two innocent women --

[ And slammed it into Adachi's face. ]

You just sat back and laughed while the whole town suffered--

[ Another punch-- ]

While Yu and his friends put themselves in danger--

[ Another-- ]

While NANAKO WAS DYING, just because you could--

[ This time-- the punch didn't connect, instead, hitting the ground just besides Adachi's head-- ]

BECAUSE YOU WERE BORED, RIGHT, ADACHI?!

Edited 2020-11-27 18:17 (UTC)

[The kick hurts quite a bit as do the punches. Not as much as the pain radiating from his leg though. But still quite a bit he has to admit.

The words? They don't hurt. Or so he tells himself. It's mostly true. The thing that actually hurts is that Dojima's acting like this. It's not the Dojima he knew.

This is not who he's supposed to be. He may be violent and hit him for saying stupid things, but this? This was beyond that.

And he was to blame. He guesses he should proud.

He's not.]

It's not just boredom, but since it's a pain to explain I'll take my right to be silent.

[Yeah he's not making things better, but he doubts he has the power to make things do.]

[ For a moment-- for an eternity--

All Dojima could do was loom over Adachi, his fist still at the side of his head, cratered into the ground, his other hand still gripping Adachi's collar tight. ]

[ ... Maybe Adachi would feel it on his cheek. A drop falling of something wet. Rain? But it was warm-- ]

...What... could I have have done to help you?

[ If he looked up, he'd see.

Still glowing yellow eyes staring down at him. But the rage was slowly vanishing and pooling and dripping down along Dojima's cheeks--

Were tears. ]

What could I have said to stop you?

[ The cold edge to his voice had given way to something else. ]

If I had known, you needed help...

[ If the Shadow is the True Self, then the Truth was...

For as much as Dojima was enraged by Adachi--

For as much as he wanted Adachi to be punished--

...He blamed himself more for not being the partner Adachi needed. ]

Edited 2020-12-03 18:35 (UTC)

[Adachi's eyes widened for a moment when the tears hit his face. He looked up to see Dojima crying and made sure to dial back his expression.

Of course.

Of course this idiot would blame himself.

And all of this was how he was truly feeling, no doubt.]

Idiot.

[He's kind of getting weak, but he huffs in an arrogant tone anyway.]

If you think it's all on you to change people's minds, stop it. I was me before we even met. Nothing you could do about it.

[He groans.] So stop the self-pity and just arrest me already you jackass.

[Once Dojima has parted ways with them, she can focus entirely on Eugene. She puts a hand on his shoulder. The touch is light but the concern in her eyes is strong.]

Are you going to be okay?

Ugh...

[Just a small groan as he tries to shake his head as if to clear it.]

Yeah...I think so. It's starting to wear off, so that guy might have made his escape already. [He clenches his teeth as he closes his eyes.] Damn, I can't believe I was used like that!

[Open] A poisonous feast

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CW: blood

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