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Entry tags:
- !event,
- baroque: koriel xii (dextera),
- bastard!!: dark schneider,
- black butler: sebastian michaelis,
- ennead: set,
- expanse (the): amos burton,
- fire emblem: byleth eisner,
- fire emblem: claude von riegan,
- fire emblem: dimitri a. blaiddyd,
- genshin impact: tartaglia (childe),
- genshin impact: zhongli,
- granblue fantasy: eustace,
- jinba: hayame,
- legend of zelda (the): link,
- made in abyss: bondrewd,
- magnus archives (the): the archivist,
- marvel: gamora,
- oc: liem talbott,
- star wars: cassian andor,
- star wars: jyn erso,
- trigun maximum: vash the stampede
The Seeds of Unrest: the Iconoclast Oracle
RUNNING OUT THE CLOCK
The situation is bleak.
The Blight - and the massive labyrinth of roots tearing both cities asunder, spreading deadly flowers wherever they penetrate - have progressed to a point beyond catastrophe. People are dying in rapid numbers. Bearers are having difficulty keeping up with the spread of infection - even among one another. The collapse of Kenos seems inevitable; a cure will not come in time. You can do nothing but watch as each new day brings further disaster, ticking down the seconds until it all falls apart.
And then, you feel something seize your Shard. As if physical fingers have wrapped around it, as if it is being clutched through you by invisible hands, you feel invaded. You feel wronged. But before you can panic, a voice enters your mind through Communion.
“Excuse the dramatics, but there isn’t much time for pleasantries. The Trees are about to hit the point of no return. But there's still work to be done. The Tree of Life will take you where you can find it: the Oracle and the creature causing all this mess. Fix this when you find them. However you'd like.”
Have you heard Aetos’ voice before? Perhaps it is the first time; perhaps it is familiar to you. Either way, the last thing you will remember is a confusing jumble: a spell of immense and incredible power, one utilizing the Tree’s strength to shelter you. The sensation of every cell in your body coming alive, yet seeming to break apart and render you into billions and billions of tiny pieces, all hovering in different times and places across all the different iterations, timelines, and realities in which you have ever existed. A voice that speaks not through words asking your forgiveness, unspeakably sad.
And then, there is nothing.
The Blight - and the massive labyrinth of roots tearing both cities asunder, spreading deadly flowers wherever they penetrate - have progressed to a point beyond catastrophe. People are dying in rapid numbers. Bearers are having difficulty keeping up with the spread of infection - even among one another. The collapse of Kenos seems inevitable; a cure will not come in time. You can do nothing but watch as each new day brings further disaster, ticking down the seconds until it all falls apart.
And then, you feel something seize your Shard. As if physical fingers have wrapped around it, as if it is being clutched through you by invisible hands, you feel invaded. You feel wronged. But before you can panic, a voice enters your mind through Communion.
“Excuse the dramatics, but there isn’t much time for pleasantries. The Trees are about to hit the point of no return. But there's still work to be done. The Tree of Life will take you where you can find it: the Oracle and the creature causing all this mess. Fix this when you find them. However you'd like.”
Have you heard Aetos’ voice before? Perhaps it is the first time; perhaps it is familiar to you. Either way, the last thing you will remember is a confusing jumble: a spell of immense and incredible power, one utilizing the Tree’s strength to shelter you. The sensation of every cell in your body coming alive, yet seeming to break apart and render you into billions and billions of tiny pieces, all hovering in different times and places across all the different iterations, timelines, and realities in which you have ever existed. A voice that speaks not through words asking your forgiveness, unspeakably sad.
And then, there is nothing.
AWAKENING
Your eyes open, gritty with the feeling of a long, deep slumber.
Perhaps it takes a moment to shake off the heavy veil of exhaustion, to recollect what you were doing before you fell into this state of hibernation - but as soon as you do, you feel an immediate sense of foreboding around you. It is thick in the air, oppressive and pervasive, and you aren’t left long to wonder at its source. You lay beneath the branches of the Tree of Life, but as your bleary eyes focus… you see it. The Tree is all but bereft of life. Its bark has withered down to gnarled wood, the soft lichen dried up, and the grass that should be alive beneath you is long dead and gone. There is not so much as a single leaf on its decaying branches.
It has been this way for a long, long time... you realize this with a feeling of intense dread as you see it - the beautiful expanse of stars, of the cosmos, of universes scattered like starlight above the tree's boughs, gone. In its place hangs a sickly, ominously low-hanging, and dying sun ready to sing the end of everything.
You can't help but wonder how long Kenos has been in this state, but a sense of gratitude fills you as you realize that the Tree expended the last of its energies to protect you, the Bearers, during your state of rest. Had Aetos worked with the tree to see you sent here?
The next question comes quickly: how much time do you have left…? And can you find the Oracle before that time expires?
Perhaps it takes a moment to shake off the heavy veil of exhaustion, to recollect what you were doing before you fell into this state of hibernation - but as soon as you do, you feel an immediate sense of foreboding around you. It is thick in the air, oppressive and pervasive, and you aren’t left long to wonder at its source. You lay beneath the branches of the Tree of Life, but as your bleary eyes focus… you see it. The Tree is all but bereft of life. Its bark has withered down to gnarled wood, the soft lichen dried up, and the grass that should be alive beneath you is long dead and gone. There is not so much as a single leaf on its decaying branches.
It has been this way for a long, long time... you realize this with a feeling of intense dread as you see it - the beautiful expanse of stars, of the cosmos, of universes scattered like starlight above the tree's boughs, gone. In its place hangs a sickly, ominously low-hanging, and dying sun ready to sing the end of everything.
You can't help but wonder how long Kenos has been in this state, but a sense of gratitude fills you as you realize that the Tree expended the last of its energies to protect you, the Bearers, during your state of rest. Had Aetos worked with the tree to see you sent here?
The next question comes quickly: how much time do you have left…? And can you find the Oracle before that time expires?
ABANDON HOPE (DAYS 1 & 2)
The cornerstones are still active and will take you to whichever city you wish to see.
Highstorm and Springstar sit like empty monuments to the cities that were once filled with life - yet the first thing you will notice is they are strangely absent the signs of the Tree’s overgrown roots, the Blight, the catastrophic damage that you can recall all too easily. Instead, each city sits as those they were summarily abandoned overnight, leaving nothing but their shells behind. There is a stillness in the air that is unnatural and unsettling. Despite the lack of any sign of the citizens of either city, you cannot help but feel… watched.
Something terrible happened here. Best you find the Oracle before something terrible finds you, instead.
The burning of a dying sun beats down on you wherever you go, unbearable heat sending waves off the aged cobblestone streets. Perhaps it is your instinct to seek refuge in the shade - but linger too long about the shadows and that feeling of eyes on your back, of being unable to breathe, of your world closing in around you will grow untenable and drive you back into the light. If you hope to explore the ghostly shell of your city in search of the Oracle - or to sate your curiosity, some problem-solving might be in order.
And while you acclimate yourself to your circumstances, you cannot help but note you feel wrong inside, somehow…
Highstorm and Springstar sit like empty monuments to the cities that were once filled with life - yet the first thing you will notice is they are strangely absent the signs of the Tree’s overgrown roots, the Blight, the catastrophic damage that you can recall all too easily. Instead, each city sits as those they were summarily abandoned overnight, leaving nothing but their shells behind. There is a stillness in the air that is unnatural and unsettling. Despite the lack of any sign of the citizens of either city, you cannot help but feel… watched.
Something terrible happened here. Best you find the Oracle before something terrible finds you, instead.
The burning of a dying sun beats down on you wherever you go, unbearable heat sending waves off the aged cobblestone streets. Perhaps it is your instinct to seek refuge in the shade - but linger too long about the shadows and that feeling of eyes on your back, of being unable to breathe, of your world closing in around you will grow untenable and drive you back into the light. If you hope to explore the ghostly shell of your city in search of the Oracle - or to sate your curiosity, some problem-solving might be in order.
And while you acclimate yourself to your circumstances, you cannot help but note you feel wrong inside, somehow…
EXPLORATION
- If your characters choose to explore previously unreachable areas, please use THIS TOPLEVEL to report when they get there in the thread! We will get back to you with what is discoverable in that location.
- The following areas are off limits for exploration: below Yima’s Manor; below the Church of Heliopolis; Alenroux; Kowloon.
- The Great Trees of both Highstorm and Springstar are in a similar state to the Tree of Life and will not respond to Communion.
- Generally speaking, items will be of poor quality. Most will look as though they’ve aged thousands of years. Others will be in half-decent shape, but sparingly so. Oddly enough, it doesn’t seem like the whole city has aged at the same rate, so especially diligent rummagers can find worthwhile supplies. Please consider this should be rare and don’t go overboard!
NOTES
Here are some prompt reminders - see the full thing at the OOC Summary!- Characters will have a diluted connection to the Zenith or Meridian.
- There will be periods powers are weakened or non-functional during days 1-2 (up to player discretion).
- The sunlight results in scorching; the shadows cause claustrophobia and fear while outdoors.
THE RITUAL (DAYS 2+)
The place you started your journey to Kenos is also where it seems it will end. As soon as the first Bearer makes contact with the Iconoclast effigy, you are collectively drawn to the roots beneath the Tree - like a pang sent through your Shard. Your objective has been found. The Oracle awaits.
Trusting Aetos seems like a fool's errand, but you must put your hope in the Tree. What choice do you have left? It's time to find what lies at the end of this.
Bearers descend, your steps echoing in the dark, cavernous space. Once brimming with life and vitality, the roots are now dried and brittle like the bones of some ancient leviathan that died long ago. As you make their way deeper into the earth, the deadened roots twist, leading you to a vast chamber deep within it; the air here is thick with the smell of decay, and the faint glow of luminescent fungi and mosses barely illuminates the space.
To your left, the Bearers will notice what has drawn them here - and the object of their search.
An effigy sits on the ground between two darkened tunnels. The effigy is made of gnarled, dead branches woven together in a humanoid shape; its hollow, empty eyes are sightless, yet you cannot help but feel it is watching your every move. Branded on its forehead is the Iconoclast symbol carved into the rough wood.
Once all Bearers are present, the Ritual will begin. Your means of exit have been sealed off, and you are trapped, slowly deteriorating together…
Trusting Aetos seems like a fool's errand, but you must put your hope in the Tree. What choice do you have left? It's time to find what lies at the end of this.
Bearers descend, your steps echoing in the dark, cavernous space. Once brimming with life and vitality, the roots are now dried and brittle like the bones of some ancient leviathan that died long ago. As you make their way deeper into the earth, the deadened roots twist, leading you to a vast chamber deep within it; the air here is thick with the smell of decay, and the faint glow of luminescent fungi and mosses barely illuminates the space.
To your left, the Bearers will notice what has drawn them here - and the object of their search.
An effigy sits on the ground between two darkened tunnels. The effigy is made of gnarled, dead branches woven together in a humanoid shape; its hollow, empty eyes are sightless, yet you cannot help but feel it is watching your every move. Branded on its forehead is the Iconoclast symbol carved into the rough wood.
Once all Bearers are present, the Ritual will begin. Your means of exit have been sealed off, and you are trapped, slowly deteriorating together…
NOTES
- Bearers will have access to the Ritual Chamber which is a very wide, open space with the effigy situated against the far wall from the entrance. Several smaller tunnels off-shoot from the Ritual Chamber. They all run to dead ends; some are very small or narrow. This may afford you meager privacy away from the group.
- Once a Bearer steps into the Chamber, they can no longer head back out the way they came. They’ll find themselves automatically walking back into the Chamber as if of their own volition.
- For brevity’s sake we won’t list them out again here, but the complete description of effects Bearers will experience days 2+ is available in the OOC Summary.
- The effigy is impervious to damage.
- It Is Watching You.
- In a dead-end root tunnel attached to the Iconoclast’s Chamber is the Blighted statue of an Otter that may be familiar to some… Please see THIS TOPLEVEL for more information!
THE PURGE (DAYS 5+)
The sap has festered in your veins for what feels like days. It’s impossible to tell how much time has passed; this place has no sunlight. The effigy watches as you remain trapped, huddled together around it, unable to leave as you find yourself sick with the affliction of the Meridian, Zenith - or both.
And then… something finally gives.
Though it does not move and speaks no words, you feel the effigy offering you guidance. Knowledge. Much like the Tree speaks to you in impressions and feelings, you are conveyed wisdom you did not have before: a way to take what you want and rid yourself of what you do not. A way to make your convictions known to all who would hear them. A way to be known. To write your path in blood, be it yours… or theirs.
When all is said and done, only one force - Zenith or Meridian - will gain its favor.
Show it who you are. Show it what resolve looks like to you - and what you are willing to do to attain it.
And then… something finally gives.
Though it does not move and speaks no words, you feel the effigy offering you guidance. Knowledge. Much like the Tree speaks to you in impressions and feelings, you are conveyed wisdom you did not have before: a way to take what you want and rid yourself of what you do not. A way to make your convictions known to all who would hear them. A way to be known. To write your path in blood, be it yours… or theirs.
When all is said and done, only one force - Zenith or Meridian - will gain its favor.
Show it who you are. Show it what resolve looks like to you - and what you are willing to do to attain it.
NOTES
Here are some prompt reminders - see the full thing at the OOC Summary!- You can Purge your alignment through various methods: Trading, Corrupting, or using the Effigy itself.
- All characters will understand the end goal is for everyone to Harmonize; the alignment with the higher rate of Harmonized Bearers alive when time’s up wins the Oracle’s favor.
NOTES
- A reminder that the Harmonization tally will take place on Friday, the 19th and be open through Monday, the 29th. The results will be released on Wednesday, the 31st OOCly.
- Don’t forget to submit any deaths to the Death Tracker, with a gentle reminder characters will remain dead until the event conclusion!
- Reminder to fill out the SETTING POLL ASAP if you haven't already!
- Have some MUSIC if you'd like. LYRICS here!
- HAVE FUN!!
DIMITRI & GEN █
if it weren't for the state of the Communion bond at the moment, maybe Ruby would have been able to get by unnoticed. as it is, though, there's no hiding the high-pitched terror that rings in her mind when she stumbles across Dimitri after slipping out of her hiding place, nor the reason for it: that he is Meridian, and she is not anymore.
they had a pleasant conversation at the masquerade. she portrayed herself well, she made promises for the future, she even made a point of revealing her identity so that it might help in situations like this. looking at him right now, she already knows it won't be enough. ]
Signore. [ her voice comes out small. ] I... I-I'm not going to cause any trouble. I just want to wait for this all to be over. Please.
[ ahh, this is her fault. she should have tried harder – been better, more likeable. this life is a failure yet again. ]
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The terrible thing is that he does remember her.
She was so pleasant.
He'd liked her. He still did. But what's a life compared to a world? ]
Why?
[ His voice comes out in a low growl, although it's almost plaintive. ]
Why turn your back on everything? Why condemn so many? At least tell me that?
[ His anger burns hot and bright through the Communion. There's no hiding it. ]
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[ even now – in a situation that cannot possibly get any worse, when she is already so certain she's going to die here – Rudbeckia can't bring herself to explain. while she usually skips ahead to accepting her punishment just to minimise the pain, knowing that she'll only suffer more if she's accused of lying or making excuses, that isn't what holds her tongue in place. she simply doesn't have the strength to cut herself open, to offer what honesty she can spare, only to have it disregarded as unimportant.
how could she possibly explain it? I really didn't mean to. there's no way anyone would believe her, even though it's the truth. I'm tired. they'll tell her to stop complaining, that she's not the only one who has it hard. I don't want to be afraid of that place anymore. she's nothing but a selfish coward, ruining the hope for everyone else. and so what if she is? why is it her responsibility? she didn't ask for any of this; she doesn't want it. she's tired of everyone being so hostile towards her for a meaningless ideal that she couldn't care less about.
despair rises in the Communion like a flooding room with no cracks to escape through, and Ruby makes no effort to stay afloat. it's a thick, bitter taste. ]
I just... gave up. I'm sorry.
[ that doesn't mean she wants to die like this. her body language and intentions both portray a prey animal preparing to run. ]
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But they're not in that situation.
Instead there's just anger. Anger and resentment and utter despair. ]
You're sorry.
[ The words tumble out. ]
Do you really think that will make up for the lives you're snuffing out by siding with them?
[ He can't let her run, some part of his brain screams at him. She has to pay. He takes a step forward. ]
If your ideals are so flimsy, then you have no place here-!
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Do you think I don't know that?! I don't belong anywhere!
[ she can see the ending she's inevitably running herself into. she ducks under and around roots, gasping for breath, but by the time one catches her foot and she trips sprawling into the dirt, she's already reached a dead end. the massive roots of the Tree behind her dig into her spine when she turns around to face Dimitri, a cornered animal on its last legs.
no one is going to save her. nobody would care one whit for her death. and she still just— she just wishes anyone— ]
I'm well aware of my place! So why can't you just leave me alone!
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Because I can't let you snuff out that life.
[ As if it's really her responsibility. It isn't, of course - but Dimitri has been stressed out. And he's a little lost in his own head. He slows a little as he approaches. There's no where for her to go, after all. Even if he has to duck slightly to avoid ramming her head into the packed earth of the chamber. ]
This is the path you've chosen.
[ He growls. ]
Accept it. Or run from it, if you can-!
[ He lunges. ]
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... so maybe it's just that days of shitty conditions have rubbed his nerves raw, and he's hardly in the mood to put up with Dimitri's sanctimonious growling. Maybe it's just that the Zenith in his veins renders him too restless to sit still, now that he's Harmonized once more. Or maybe it's that hearing Ruby's pathetic, pitiful whinging reminds him of many years back when he'd still bothered to play-act as the local hero once in a while, and he decides to relive those glory (ha!) days on a whim.
Whatever the reason is -- Dimitri's lunge is interrupted by a hard piece of tree root coming hurtling through the air to bean him right in the head.
Given what it was, that projectile won't be more than enough to startle him a little, hardly enough to cause any damage. But as long as it's halted Dimitri's immediate course of action, it's done its job. If Dimitri turns around to see the source of the disturbance, he'll spot Gen standing there, leering back; days of shitty living have rendered him bedraggled, but there's a manic look to his eyes, and there's a sliver of pale teeth visible past the curve of his lips. ]
Weren't you some noble fucker? S'that really what you should be doing, huh? Cornering poor, defenseless little girls and making to ravage them, ah? [ He laughs -- a short, sharp, grating bark. Gen's stance is held low, and it's obvious that he's prepared for a fight; he doesn't dare shift his attention away from Dimitri, even when he speaks at Ruby next. ] And how'd you get yourself caught up in this bullshit? Thought you'd always manage to worm your way outta these situation with your whole innocent act.
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she isn't someone that has the luxury of choice. when there's a lifeline available, she has to take it, even if it's one that might burn her hands in trying to grasp it. though—first, she has to get past the lion in the room. her eyes are similarly fixed on Dimitri as she slowly, carefully, attempts to crawl towards Gen. ]
I... I'm with Zenith right now, so... [ her end of the Communion is too dark and muddied to pick out any particular feeling on that, though it certainly isn't a statement that brings her any comfort. ] I-It's not something I can avoid.
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Innocent? Innocent? She's Zenith. She may as well be putting the dagger to their throats herself!
[ It's not meant to persuade. It's just anger and hurt, lashing out in an overwhelming wave. An expression of grief and guilt turned into something sharp and hurtful. ]
If you're going to stand in my way, you're no better.
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[ He'd been the one to demand answers, but he's just as quick to cut Dimitri off with that dismissive growl. It's not like he's really interested in talking, after all -- whatever sanctimonious answer Dimitri gives just gives him further excuse to escalate this to a fight.
So while he does slowly shift his weight on his feet, giving Ruby a languid come-here gesture with one hand to indicate that she can take shelter behind him, the entirety of his focus is on Dimitri. There's the quiet click of gears and the grind of metal cables when he flexes a gloved hand at his side, checking to make sure his prosthetic limb is working well. ]
And when did I ever say I was any better?
[ It's a challenge, a taunt, demanding that Dimitri attack him. Because Gen doesn't even care if he wins or not -- he's just hungry for that familiar rush of adrenline that comes with violence. Just something to distract him from his thoughts while he's trapped in this miserable place. ]
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still, he's all she has at the moment. so she stays where she is and waits. ]
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[ Dimitri's voice rushes out in a growl and he lunges. He's strong, even as weakened as he is by his time here, and he comes on in a ferocious rush, bearing down like a wild animal with bared teeth and bare hands. He intends to simply sweep him out of the way, to hurl him aside with his strength and make an end of it.
But things rarely work out the way people like. ]
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It's mostly adrenaline driving him when he throws his entire weight forward to catch Dimitri in a tackle, driving the point of his shoulder into the other's trunk, right at the sternum. Too bad he can immediately tell that he's easily outclassed in terms of physical strength -- it's like trying to tackle a boulder -- but that's no reason to back off.
Gen doesn't give the matter any thought before forming a knife-hand with his prosthetic arm and ramming his fingertips into whatever gap in Dimitri's armor he can find -- throat, beltline, junction of arm and chest. Whatever spot will let him drive the cold, unyielding metal of his artificial hand into more vulnerable, unprotected flesh. ]
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I'm not done yet. [ The taunt comes guttural and choked, but Gen doesn't wait for a response before looking to Ruby and snarling, ] You! Run!
[ It would be a lie to say he's worried for her. But if keeping her safe would spite this holier-than-thou motherfucker, then he'll fight tooth and nail to keep her from Dimitri's hands. ]
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Ruby is frozen, but it is not in fear of what is happening right in front of her.
if running was what she thought was the best course of action, she would have already done it. the only impulse that drives her at all is survival. she hasn't run because she has two decades of experience telling her that it won't protect her; the best way out, often the only way out, is through. it's gritting your teeth and enduring until the pain stops. she has to think further ahead than this moment. what happens next, if she runs away now? Dimitri might still chase her, once he and Gen are through. or will Gen resent her for it afterwards, despite telling her to do it? they're both Zenith, so she needs his favour.
no, she can't run away from this. not by herself, at least. ]
Come— Come with me! You're going to get hurt, I-I can't just...
[ but she doesn't make to intervene yet. she's hoping that Gen will see reason. ]
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Almost.
It's sheer, stubborn spite that instead has him lunging forth. His weight crashes heavily into Dimitri's back -- his balance still compromised as his breath comes uneven -- but at the same time, he jerks forth a fold of Dimitri's roomy cloak to snag over Dimitri's face. A dirty trick to be sure, but what else is he supposed to do when he doesn't have access to magic and he can't win by brute force? The metal of his prosthetic arm makes for a stronger, more unyielding grip when he coils it around Dimitri's neck from behind in an attempt at a chokehold. And while he knows it probably won't last long, he at least has to try.
Ruby's plea goes unfortunately unheard; even a glance makes it obvious that Gen's lost to the adrenaline rush at the moment, his eyes wild as he struggles to maintain a hold on Dimitri. ]
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Either way, Dimitri's determined to shake him off. ]
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Only to claw his fingers into that long, blonde hair on the way down.
A spiteful, breathless laugh escapes him between ragged gasps, and Gen abandons all pretense of dignity as he tries to claw at Dimitri, to inflict even a little more damage upon him while he can. ]
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Dimitri responds like a beast. He snarls and descends on him, not bothering to try and throttle, but lashing out with closed fists, trying to land hammer blows against Gen's body, his face, where ever he can reach to make him release him.
If he has to beat him to a bloody pulp, he'll do it. ]
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Then the next punch hits its target dead center.
Gen immediately staggers back, field of vision spinning and ears ringing with tinnitus. And while his fingers remain clawed into Dimitri's hair, the next punch that slams into his jaw solves that problem swiftly, anyway. A punch to the side finishes the job that slam against the wall had started, and Gen finds himself skidding across the ground as his ribs fracture.
It's mostly spiteful reflex that has him immediately staggering back to his feet, placing himself squarely between Ruby and Dimitri, throwing out an arm to make it clear he's still protecting her. But his balance is wobbly and his vision is shot; there's blood drooling down his jaw from where the punch has shredded the inside of his mouth against his teeth. ]
'm not dead yet ...
[ So he says, but dirt scuffs underfoot as he stumbles back a step, almost straight into Ruby. ]
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[ Dimitri's voice is low and menacing, his pupils dilated, his breathing heavy. he's seeing red and Gen is the target now. He has to pause to catch his breath, though. Days of hunger and exhaustion are taking their toll on him and he can't quite muster up the strength for another follow-up. Not just yet. ]
Let's finish this.
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Gen! [ not once has she used his name before, and now she snaps it, a sudden and harsh sound. ] He's going to kill you, for God's sake, just run!
[ she doesn't wait for his answer; she makes to break into a sprint herself with his arm still linked in hers, trying to spur him to the same. ]