realmofstories | Entry 001

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Entry 001

Characters: Kazuma Asougi | Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde and anyone!
Campaign: Hollow Christmas Carol, Act 2
Format: [ brackets ] preferred
Open
Summary: Parties suck. Doing other things instead.

[A - Gift giving from the not so jolly Disciple]
[Though his role in the story doesn't happen until much later on, a role he's not looking forward to, the Disciple chooses not to partake in the partying if he can avoid it. Instead, he spends his time outside, giving gifts to the people, or at least trying to. He must have had a scary face or something, because some were rather intimidated by him to even come up and accept the gifts.]

They're not boobied trapped or anything. [He just didn't have much enthusiasm passing these gifts out, practically just tossing them or dumping them into their hands when they refuse to come up to him. The gifts are being passed around, it's good enough.]

[B - Save the tree!]
[All right, so he does occasionally pop back into the mansion to grab a drink and something to eat, but that's about it. Avoiding everyone and any mistletoes ever. During one of his trips, he does make a stop when he felt something being tossed at him. Looking in the direction of where it came from, he sees a few kids playing around the Christmas tree. Seem harmless, except some of them have decided to climb up the tree as well. That...that didn't seem safe. With a sigh, he decides to come over and do something about it.

He tugs on the clothes of the nearest child.] Get off. [His oh so persuasive words only led to the child screaming. Who was this weird guy grabbing onto him!? That tree is wobbling dangerously now, as the child tries to wiggle free.]

[C - Protect the Mansion]
[While the Disciple may not be the best person at gift giving or dealing with children, fighting is a different story. He was honestly glad that these Erasers and Santa's helpers were trying to disrupt the party. It gave him something to let off some steam on, maybe a little too well. Each kill was messier than the last, splattering ink onto the mansion wall when they got too close. He's trying his best to keep them as far away from the mansion as possible but...it's just so much fun to tear into them. More and more would charge at him, trying to overwhelm him, but he easily slices and punches them back, tearing at their tender pages, throwing them into each other.

So pathetic. How is he suppose to know his limits with such weak enemies?] -Hnk! [He spoke too soon and gets rammed by a reindeer from behind. A loud "Ho Ho Ho" can be heard from somewhere nearby. The reindeer will turn itself back around and joined by another. Digging their hooves into the dirt, they come rushing toward the fallen man with the intention of trampling him.]

[D - If the dress fits]

[The big proposal is happening soon, and "Beltrina" seems to have gone missing. The Disciple had locked himself in one of the rooms in the mansion, mostly because he's fighting with the dress and also hiding.] This is ridiculous. [He knew his role once the scene had changed, but he still doesn't think this was actually happening. Surely there must have been some mistake!]

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[ 9S's indignant "Hey!" as his candelabra gets intercepted quickly dies as the Disciple gets to work on the reindeer. He decides that trying to complain at the Disciple is not only a lost cause, but an awful cause at the moment.

He quietly removes the candelabra from his Near Field Combat System, leaving it to the mercy of the Disciple. Then he focuses on few small, pointy-eared creatures creeping out of the woods. They look as if they want to try to get the jump on the Disciple while he's occupied with the (poor) reindeer, but 9S dashes to bar their way and box them aside. They're weaker beings than he's used to fighting; his punctuated punches splatter them into puddles of ink without much fuss. ]

Uh, Disciple? Are you feeling all right?!

[There's one final stab as the beaten deer finally dissipates into ink and parchment.] Fine. [He picks up his sword and then kicks the other deer into a nearby market stand. No one needed that right?] I'm feeling just fine. Thanks for asking. [He gives 9S an unsettling grin in his direction.] You weren't the one laughing just a moment ago, were you?

[ 9S startles when the nearby market stand crumples into a reindeer-induced mess. He whips around to face the Disciple. ]

Um... nnno? That was definitely you.

[ He is having a Concern, and it isn't about the Erasers starting to edge away from him and the Disciple. Even the creepy bearded guy in red that's been haunting the perimeter slips further into the night, presumably to hide for a while. ]

Listen, don't you think it's time for a break? You've been going at it for a while.

[He tilts his head to one side, looking irritable about something.] No, there was someone else here laughing too. I heard him. [He scans the area once more, what little light reflecting his yellow eyes in the darkness. The tip of his sword drags along in the dirt as he walks, hunting, still unsatisfied.]

[ ... Yeesh. No wonder the Disciple didn't want to talk about his essence. But there's no telling what kind of trouble he might get himself into out here, so 9S follows him, dialing up his brightness setting to better distingiush the dark shapes shuffling out of the Disciple's way.

9S will follow in silence for now, curious to see where the Disciple will take them. ]

[The longer the creatures kept to the shadows, the more irritable the Disciple got.] Where are you~? I just want to play! [He throws the candelabra he was still holding onto into an alleyway, causing a few of Santa's little helpers to come out of hiding. His eyes widen with glee as he waste no time grabbing one of the fleeing elves, lifting it off the ground by the neck to get a better look.] Where is he? I know he's still around.

[His tone was playful, deceitfully hiding the bloodlust coming from this guy. The elf doesn't answer, trying to claw itself free or bite his hand. The Disciple simply tilts his head with amusement of the little man's refusal to answer him.] Remaining silent then? I'll help. [He now had both hands around the elf's neck and squeezing the life out of it. It gags and chokes, causing the Disciple to smile even more, showing teeth as he laughs at it's suffering.]

[ Wow? That was 9S's candelabra (that he stole)?? But he leaves it to stare as the Disciple torments the elf. Inherently, 9S recognizes the cruelty in the Disciple's delight, but he also recognizes that the elf isn't a true person. There's no logical reason to stop the Disciple from his play, as it were, if no one is truly being hurt.

But a small lump of unease grows in 9S as the gap between the usual levelheaded Disciple and the possessed Disciple here seems to widen by the second. It was "Ebegeeser's" kindness they witnessed in the schoolhouse, but at the root of it all, it was the Disciple's goodness that came to light. That part of him would surely be disgusted to look back on himself strangling a defenseless creature. He should be stopped before things get any worse.

Well... there's nothing for it, then. 9S decides to intervene. He has a feeling it won't be easy. ]

Hey... Disciple? Let's head back now. I doubt it'll be worth chasing anything this far out.

Edited 2018-11-30 05:51 (UTC)

[Ink splatters everywhere as the elf burst in his hands.] You think so...? [He wipes the ink from his face, which is kind of pointless when you got ink on your hands too.] Tell me. [He turns around to face 9S with a look of murderous intent.] Do machines feel pain?

[ He tenses involuntarily at the Disciple's word choice, but now isn't the time to argue semantics. The look on the Disciple's face speaks loud and clear. ]

Let's not do anything stupid, now. I'm not your enemy.

Haha, of course not. I just want to discover the answer! [9S better do something, because he's lunging at him, ready to cut him with his blade.]

[ It's a good thing the Disciple made his intent so clear; 9S manages to dodge the blade, twisting to narrowly avoid it. But another problem immediately rears its head: he can't hurt the Disciple.

To be exact, he doesn't want to, and his programming screams against it. But here the Disciple is still too close, and if 9S does nothing, then he's bound to get stabbed eventually. He'll aim to disarm, then. He lunges to make a grab at the wrist of the Disciple's sword arm. ]

[When his arm is grabbed, he instinctively pulls back to bring 9S closer. If he can manage to do that, 9S is going to get a punch to the stomach region.]

Oof!

[ That hurts more than expected. He staggers back a half-step, but clings stubbornly to the Disciple's sword arm. Refusing to give up ground, he hops to try and headbutt the Disciple. ]

[He takes the hit, but rather than back off, he just laughs and press his head against 9S'. There was blood trickling down his face, but he didn't seem to care.] That actually hurt! Don't you have some kind of protocol against harming humans?! [He grabs his arm with his other hand.]

You should be punished. [He tugs at 9S arm, with the force of both of his.]

[ That pointed question actually makes 9S falter, and it costs him. Before he can react, his arm wrenches apart at the elbow, coming out of his sleeve with a flash of sparks and screech of metal.

He cries out in pain and staggers backward, clutching at his stump of an arm. Black oil begins to drip from the sagging sleeve. ]

Dammit, snap out of it!

[ The fact remains that 9S is afraid of hurting the Disciple. The Disciple's utter disregard for the headbutt tells 9S that nothing short of catastrophic damage will stop the man -- but harming the Disciple that much isn't an option for 9S, no matter what. He hesitates still more, unsure of what to do.

As if in answer, his shadow before him, multiplied fivefold under the surrounding streetlamps, lunges altogether over the Disciple like fingers making a fist. It squeezes over him, attempting to restrict him or, failing that, to suffocate. ]

[There's a surprised gasp from the Disciple when 9S suddenly cries in pain. He hadn't expected such a reaction, but he's thrilled all the same. He grins widely, showing teeth, but his pursuit is halted when something suddenly grabs a hold him, stopping him in his place.] What the- [9S' broken arm is dropped as it takes all his strength to keep these shadows from squeezing him.]

[ His shadow's initiative surprises 9S just as well, but his mouth quickly sets into a grim line as he processes what's happened: his shadow acted on its own, and grew in strength as well. While it's a lucky thing at the moment, he doesn't let himself find comfort in it. His shadow may not always act according to his wishes.

He doesn't move to retrieve his fallen forearm, maintaining his distance from the Disciple for now. ]

I can keep this up all night. [ He doesn't know that, but he's willing to try. ] Save us both the trouble and put yourself away, Mr. Hyde.

Edited 2018-12-01 05:02 (UTC)

[He blinks at being addressed as Hyde, but then laughs, though nothing as crazy as before.] Hyde? There is no Hyde. I am the Disciple! The part he doesn't want to admit-- [Ah, the shadows are getting closer.] Hmm~, this is a problem. . .

[ He watches his shadow creep up toward the Disciple's head and is careful not to let his growing anxiety show on his face. Better let Hyde(?) grow bored with the situation.

9S simply waits for the man to make up his mind, acutely aware of his aching, leaking elbow. ]

You aren't a very smart machine aren't you? [He pushes against the shadows, even as it was growing futile.] I can't "go away".

[ 9S is prideful enough for that to sting, but he remains where he is. ]

You aren't the same Disciple I talked to before. Say what you want about being the same person, but you're clearly out of your mind right now.

Ahah, that's not what I meant. [If he could, he'd wave a finger at him.] I'd like to live, you see. So I rather stay here until you call off your shadow friend. [He tilts his head.] That is, if you can.

[ 9S wishes he knew more. How long these transformations last, how to safely disable a human, what Hyde's limitations are. He's so used to being able to obtain information by force. Around them, seeing that the Disciple is no longer tormenting anyone, the blots and Erasers and elves lingering in the dark begin to creep back closer.

An idea forms. His programming is holding him back from hurting the Disciple to save himself, but it shouldn't hold him back from hurting the Disciple to save the Disciple.

Slowly, awkwardly, 9S rolls up the sleeve of his dismembered arm, exposing the jutting steel skeleton and frayed cabling beneath. As he moves to pick up his forearm, his shadow moves with him to keep the Disciple equidistant. ]

Worried about me? I'm touched. It's okay, though. I can wait.

Eh? [He scoffs, taking in little regard of 9S' injuries.] When did I say that? Let me spell it out for you. [He doesn't want to. That's one thing he and the Disciple seem to share, showing weakness.]

The only reason I can do what I can, the strength I've shown to keep these shadows from crushing me, is because of me. Now what would happen, if I suddenly "go away" as you demand? Believe me when I say you'll probably do more than just suffocate me at this rate.

[ He clenches his teeth and presses his forearm back to his elbow. They reconnect with another flash of sparks and a jolt of pain that he stifles. The ends of skin meld together, leaving only a faint, crooked outline at the seam. Instantly, he can tell that something was damaged; the joint feels a little ragged, probably some fine machinery bent slightly out of shape. He rotates and flexes his arm experimentally before rolling down his sleeve. 85% functionality restored. ]

Then my shadow will just have to adapt in time, won't it? You don't leave us much choice.

[ He trusts his shadow more than Hyde at the moment. As if responding to 9S's words, the shadow stops trying to crush the Disciple with quite so much finality. ]

This doesn't have to be so hard. Go to sleep, or whatever you want to call it, and you can have your fun another day.

Edited 2018-12-02 11:21 (UTC)

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