Entry 001

[chippedsoul]

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!]

Comments

[chippedsoul]

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.

[decryptic]

[ 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.

[chippedsoul]

[Oh, that's a neat trick. Though it bums him out since he just tore it off. Then again, that kind of self repair means he could keep ripping him apart, over and over. He laughs at the idea.]

So you're willing to go that far? Protector of humanity indeed- [He wince, turning to his head to one side like he was in pain.] Ugh... you don't give the orders around here. [His head rolls back, letting out some air, like a long sigh of relief. He's not resisting against the shadows as much as before.]

...You can let me go. [His voice was calmer when he spoke.]

[decryptic]

[ Feeling the Disciple's lack of resistance, the shadow obediently lets up but doesn't let go. Meanwhile, 9S looks at the Disciple skeptically, which is about the same look as usual with the visor on. He retrieves his candelabra and registers it to his NFCS. ]

... Disciple?

[ He needs to hear a little more before he can believe this isn't Hyde trying to pull a fast one. ]

[chippedsoul]

[He looks to 9S in response, well, more like a glare. His eyes were more of the familiar dull brown then the glaring yellow from before.] It's fine.

[decryptic]

[... Welp, that seems in character. Better than some desperate plea. He addresses his shadow. ]

Let him go.

[ The shadow lingers for a moment longer before melting off the Disciple. It unfolds and splays at 9S's feet, back to mirroring him fivefold. ]

Welcome back. Sorry for the bump on your head.

[chippedsoul]

[His legs wobble as his feet touch the ground again. He puts a hand to his head that was still pounding. Someone screaming at him to strike now, while the opportunity is there.] It'll pass. [He shakes his head.] Your arm.

[decryptic]

[ 9S moves closer, offering a shoulder for support... or ready to catch the Disciple, if it comes down to that. He forces some lightness in his tone. ]

It's okay. Nothing that won't buff out.

[ He might have to hunt down special tooling, but he isn't especially worried. Androids aren't attached to their bodies in the same way humans are. ]

Not to rush you, but we should head back before these grunts wise up and start attacking again.

[chippedsoul]

Right. [The shoulder support is appreciated, but he's going to decline. He can take care of himself...!! Look, he's walking. Slowly. Where did they need to go? He has no sense of where he actually is right now.]

[decryptic]

[ 9S walks in... the correct direction and trusts that the Disciple will get the hint to go that way too. ]

So... do you remember everything? How conscious are you when that happens?

[chippedsoul]

[Following he can do.] Vaguely. I'm aware enough that I'm fighting, but...my mind gets lost in the chaos. [He rubs his head. He didn't openly admit it, but he...he really enjoyed the rush he felt, and it disturbs him that he does.] Eventually, I gain enough awareness to fight back.

[decryptic]

So it's only a matter of time, huh? Any objections if we tie you up and lock you away somewhere the next time he tries to pull any weird stunts?

[chippedsoul]

Hah. [That managed to get a small laugh from him.] None at all. Let's hope he keeps his attention on the enemies.

[decryptic]

Sounds like a game plan.

[ One he'd rather avoid, but at least there's an option. ]

Does he come out every time you start fighting?

[chippedsoul]

That seems to be the case. [Hopefully the only time. There's a small part of him that is concern he could show up elsewhere. He certainly hears the temptations from him.] Hyde from the story was known to be a violent individual. Not surprising he thrives in combat.

[decryptic]

[ He nods slowly. ]

Has he tried to hurt anyone aside from me?

[chippedsoul]

. . .No. [There was one other instance, but he was stopped long before those thoughts turned into action.] Is there anything I can do for your arm?

[decryptic]

That's good.

[ He's pretty sure he's hardier than most humans, so better him than them. ]

If you really want to help, I might need an extra hand tinkering some parts back into shape. But before that, I'll need a precision tool kit. That'll be the real stickler.

[chippedsoul]

I'll do what I can. [He glances around the town.] We may have better luck finding something when we can return to the Index.

[decryptic]

There's no rush. It doesn't hurt or anything. My grip strength and mobility have taken a hit, but I haven't exactly done any heavy lifting since we got here.

[ He looks askance at the Disciple. ]

You put on a stoic face, but you actually feel pretty bad about it, huh?

[chippedsoul]

...I'm quite certain there was a strong reaction from you when your arm was torn away. [Ignoring that second question, or maybe this is his roundabout way of saying yes.]

[decryptic]

[ Oh, that old tactic. 9S has spent his fair share of time with people who don't like to admit that they care. He shrugs an exasperated shrug. ]

Yeah, yeah... Of course it hurts getting my arm ripped off, but it's fine now. I adjusted my sensory processor to turn off any residual pain I might've felt from my parts not meshing together. If I may toot my own horn, it's a pretty simple process for a state-of-the-art Scanner model like me.

[chippedsoul]

...Right. [Some of that tech talk goes over his head, but he gets the idea that 9S can handle this. He huffs, crossing his arms.] I just don't like leaving a mess that I was responsible for.

[decryptic]

Don't worry about it. It was technically the other guy, anyway.

[ And just in case the Disciple insists on taking responsibility, 9S swiftly moves the topic along. ]

By the way, I like your sword. Where'd you get it?

[chippedsoul]

Hm? [He looks to the sword currently in it's sheathe at his side.] ...From a rundown smith shop I found. [He shrugs.] It gets the job done for now. [He glances at the candelabra on 9S back.] Thinking to get a weapon change?