shapeshifter
Fulsi
scout
INVENTORY Skills Empathy, Chempathy
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Post by Ray "East" Kraus on Jun 11, 2013 16:49:32 GMT -5
THE BEST OFTEN DIE BY THEIR OWN HANDS AND THOSE LEFT BEHIND CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND
East had gotten lost.
It was kind of a sad fact, considering that he'd been in Fulsi for a while. But he hadn't ever had a need to go to Baranova farms, except for the fact that that night they'd run out of some vegetables, and East had just happened to be standing there when a few cooks were preparing dinner. Waiting, quite excitedly (he'd learned all about "simple pleasures in the Menagerie, to his dismay) for a couple bites of food and to hit the sack.
Fifteen minutes later, he was ambling down the streets of the city, trying to remember the directions that Tora had given him. It's west of the rest of the Complex. Not that hard to find, I swear! He'd taken a wrong turn somewhere, ended up in the back of an alley, and it had taken even longer to amble back into out into the open streets, where a few Fulsi were heading to bed or to receive evening rations. He asked for some directions, and an exasperated Hunter sent him in the right way. The opposite direction he had been going originally.
That was some twenty minutes ago, and East had just now found the farms. He tried to commit the path to memory, but it was dark and he was tired, and just about ready to pick a couple veggies and go to his room, cooks' be damned. Of course, he'd heard all about Ira Baranov, and he wasn't exactly keen on getting on his bad side. He stepped into a line of plants, keeping his eye open for someone, but it was quiet--
"Ow! Christ!" East stopped, and contemplated. It would be easy to turn around. He heard the sound of some scuffling, the hard impact of punches, and then a grunt--yeah, so much for quiet. He edged in that direction, growing more and more bitter with each step. I have to run into a couple of Fulsi getting into it, of course. Can't just come and pick up that stuff and leave, no! He wouldn't admit it aloud, but he was a little curious alongside being upset.
East thread through a mess of gravestones, before the group came into sight. He noticed that there were three Fulsi, Scouts he knew, and two of them had a girl restrained. The third Scout, a girl named Lotte, was wiping the blood of a busted lip off on the back of her hand. Now that the danger seemed quite pointedly contained, East gave a smile and walked closer. "What's going on?"
"Trespasser," Jameson, one of the Scouts, said with disgust. "She was trying to steal some food." At first East didn't think he recognized the girl. But then she raised her face, and he did. He knew her. The encounter came to the forefront of his mind, back in the winter. She was the girl that had jacked his supplies. He felt a little indignant, and two things crossed his mind. Let her get what was coming to her for trespassing a second time, or... help her out. East weighed his options, only half-listening as Lotte explained the circumstances.
He went with the second option, because he felt like they had some unfinished business. His jaw went slack, his eyes wide with recognition. Hardly a breath had past between him seeing her and his reaction. "My God, Mia, is that you?" Lotte stopped whatever she had been saying, bewildered. East hoped that the Fallen girl played along, otherwise they'd both be in some deep shit. He stepped closer, under the pretense of getting a closer look. "I... I never thought I'd see you again." His tone was raw. He moved forward, his eyes disbelieving.
The other Scouts looked thoroughly bewildered. He tried to explain, hesitating, apparently taking in the sight of her. "I... we knew each other outside of the M." His tone was soft. It left no doubts about how they "knew" each other. There was a dark show of mischief in his eyes, one that he kept well hidden, save for when he met Riley's gaze. He figured that the last little tidbit would get a rise out of her, if his ridiculous ploy worked.
But he could already see Jameson' and Grants' hands loosening on Riley's arms. Lotte glanced at East, sharply, and said, "What? You know her?"
East smiled. "Yeah. I know her."
WHAT ANYONE WOULD WANT TO GET AWAY FROM
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shapeshifter
Siberian Tiger + Cheetah
Fallen
scout
INVENTORY Skills Radiation, Cheetah mutation
Weapons Quarterstaff, compound bow, combat knife
Items Gloves, backpack, camp blanket, strike fire starter, water bottle, tool kit, med kit
pets Jonah Salvatici
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Post by Riley Salvatici on Jun 11, 2013 18:45:21 GMT -5
THE PAST AND THE CHASE
Spring was progressing at a rapid pace, but the food supply wasn’t as quick to rebound from winter’s grip. The Fallen were living on the remnants of preserved stocks, and while game was easier to come by, they were in desperate need of fresh produce. Thus, Riley took a little jaunt over the Fulsi border, trying to see if there was a way they could get ahold of some greenery.
She wasn’t supposed to act, not really, but when opportunity presented itself, it was too good to pass up.
It was a calm, peaceful evening, and the Fulsi’s guard was down. The cemetery itself was deserted, and the two sentries posted at the gate were chatting amongst themselves. It was an easy matter to pad across the cracked street from her hiding spot in an abandoned building, scale the iron fence, and drop quietly to the other side in the gathering dark. She was pacing up and down the rows, looking for early vegetables, when there was movement at the gate.
Riley froze, trusting stillness, distance, and the darkness to hide her from view, as a girl came up to the pair of sentries. She exchanged a few words with them, gaze sweeping past them to scan the cemetery. Contrary to Riley’s expectation, that gaze paused, and she swore silently, because - “HEY!”
She bolted for the fence as a jumble of exclamations broke out behind her. The head start served her well - a jump, hands circling the bars as she hauled herself up - but not well enough, and a hand grabbed her calf, yanking her back down. She spun instinctively, knocking one of the original sentries back, and connected a solid punch to the girl’s mouth. The third grabbed her arm, twisting it behind her back, and slammed her a large gravestone. The air was driven out of her chest, and before she had a chance to recover, the other sentry had hold of her as well.
They yanked her away from the unforgiving surface, turning her roughly to face the girl, who was wiping the blood from her lip. Riley gave a low, almost silent growl, testing lightly against the hold on her arms, then stilled as someone spoke up from the sidelines. "What's going on?" She knew that voice. Bloody hell.
She looked up, and she saw the expected recognition on his face, except after a pause, it kept going, becoming something shocked. "My God, Mia, is that you?" The other Fulsi looked as perplexed as she felt, but she had enough sense to keep it off her face. She settled for a glare instead. The bastard. Riley doubted he was actually trying to help her - there had to be some ulterior motive. She wasn’t fool enough to blow a possible chance, so she’d play along, but damned if she would do so the way he intended.
“Yeah, knew,” she agreed scathingly. “As in past tense. You left.” She held herself stiffly, exuding restrained anger and resentment, while hopefully giving the impression that she wasn’t capable of escape. A tingle spread under the skin of her fingertips, and she tamped it down firmly. While she had the radiation well contained, it was still difficult to contain the intensity when she let it go. She didn’t want to kill the Fulsi, and risk war, over a few vegetables.
ooc: lemme know if you want more content to reply to, I feel as though I didn't give you much <<
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shapeshifter
Fulsi
scout
INVENTORY Skills Empathy, Chempathy
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Post by Ray "East" Kraus on Jun 11, 2013 19:36:27 GMT -5
THE BEST OFTEN DIE BY THEIR OWN HANDS AND THOSE LEFT BEHIND CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND
East knew that alienation and confusion did wonders to put people's defenses down. At least in some circumstances. Other times, it only made them more hostile--but not now. He watched as Jameson and Grant grew increasingly bemused, regarding the girl as less of a threat and as more of a sitcom. But Lotte seemed to be catching on, as her expression hardened. She was still wiping blood from her face.
His expression hardened at Riley's words. He was mentally telling her, Good job!, the overenthusiastic praise that he would give a dog. You didn't completely blow the act! "I didn't mean to! I thought you were dead, for Christ's sake!" He paused, seemingly grappling for words. His eyes rose; pleaded for forgiveness. "I'll make it up to you."
East turned to the Scouts abruptly, gesturing with his hands. "Let her go. Please. I'll make sure she leaves without any of our food. I just... we have some catching up." Lotte looked at him incredulously. "We aren't allowed to do that, East!" His expression fell, and his eyes went back to the Fallen, who probably hated his guts and was certainly good at acting like it. "C'mon, Lotte. I'll owe you." She didn't think much of that idea. "Any favor you want. And I swear I'm not going to let her cause trouble. But she is--was--someone I was real close to, and I don't want her getting executed."
"Lotte, there wasn't any harm done." This was Jameson, who was beginning to let his grip on Riley loosen. "Why don't you just let it be? Think about if it was someone you knew?" East registered that they were talking over the Fallen girl like she wasn't there, but he didn't make any effort to change that. "Please?" He implored, still looking like he was half in shock, his gaze flicking from Lotte to Riley, and back again.
Lotte relented. "Fine! But you definitely owe me, East." She gestured for Grant and Jameson to release the Fallen, and East raised his eyes to meet hers, warning her not to make any abrupt motions. Her trying to escape? Yeah, that would do a whole lot of good for the ruse, and one thing that East hated was an act that didn't play out right. He waited for the group of Scouts to get out of hearing distance, Grant sending a few questioning glances as he went. He knew that he would have hell to pay when they saw him again.
"So how do I make it up to you, baby?" His tone was humorously light. He wasn't particularly pleased with her, but then he remembered that he was always playing a part, and he might as well continue it. After all, he had left, pretending to be on good terms. So now he offered her a crooked, easy smile. "You owe me twice over now, I think, Fallen."
WHAT ANYONE WOULD WANT TO GET AWAY FROM
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shapeshifter
Siberian Tiger + Cheetah
Fallen
scout
INVENTORY Skills Radiation, Cheetah mutation
Weapons Quarterstaff, compound bow, combat knife
Items Gloves, backpack, camp blanket, strike fire starter, water bottle, tool kit, med kit
pets Jonah Salvatici
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Post by Riley Salvatici on Jun 11, 2013 20:49:42 GMT -5
THE PAST AND THE CHASE
Riley sneered elegantly at him, unfazed by his telegraphed smooth! He should be thankful she caught on quick enough, or he would’ve been screwed ten ways to Sunday. “Good luck with that.” After that, she fell quiet, not drawing unnecessary attention to herself. She didn’t need the look sent her way to know it was best to keep still. When they released her, her only move was to rub at the shoulder that had been wrenched. She was suspicious of the fact that the ruse was actually working, but not stupid enough to ruin it.
She watched the Fulsi walk away, then switched a wary look onto her dubious savior, crossing her arms. East, was apparently his name. “By following your friends, there, so I can be on my way.” She gestured toward the gate with a tilt of her jaw, but made no move to leave. After that show they’d just put on, it would be strange if she rushed off, and she had no doubt the Fulsi were loitering near the gate. Better yet, where they could watch the ‘reunited’ pair to see if they were genuine.
“And as I recall, I would’ve gutted you like a fish after you tried to roofie me, but let you get away instead, so now we’re even.” She kept her voice low to prevent eavesdropping, but didn’t bother to sugarcoat. It wasn’t her problem that he’d failed to get the supply drop, and she felt perfectly justified in her reaction to being doped up on attraction. “Though I’m not sure why you bothered - got a soft spot for blonde Fallens who can kick your ass, huh?” She favored him with a razor smile.
ooc: figured shortposts will work best for this? <<
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shapeshifter
Fulsi
scout
INVENTORY Skills Empathy, Chempathy
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Post by Ray "East" Kraus on Jun 11, 2013 21:07:58 GMT -5
THE BEST OFTEN DIE BY THEIR OWN HANDS AND THOSE LEFT BEHIND CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND
East didn't give her a sharper expression, really. Just a more amused one. "Yeah, that would work real well. They aren't idiots. They're probably waiting to see how this goes, Fallen." They might have had a good glimpse of the two of them, from where they were standing. East didn't know for certain. For the sake of the ruse though, he edged closer to her, staging a whisper and moving his hands, as though trying to convey a point.
"I could have been holding back," he replied. "I'm a good actor." It almost gave East a thrill to admit it. Outside of the Menagerie, he had kept this a fiercely guarded secret. He played out countless different lies, and he never admitted to any of them being less than the truth. Of course, that was just another empty threat--he couldn't fight worth a damn.
"Ow, when you say it like that it stings a little. But that means you've got to have got to like handsome Fulsi named East, huh? You didn't kill me, which seems a little strange, looking back. I don't think you would have been all that guilty afterward." He could practically feel the eyes of the other Scouts on them. He closed the distance, moving slowly and cautiously, trying to prevent her from "gutting him like a fish". "We better get you out of here. I think I'm going to escort you." He didn't mean it so much as an "I think" as he did a "I am". He raised a brow, waiting for her to challenge him. "We don't want your sticky fingers getting stuck on the way out, do we?"
WHAT ANYONE WOULD WANT TO GET AWAY FROM
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shapeshifter
Siberian Tiger + Cheetah
Fallen
scout
INVENTORY Skills Radiation, Cheetah mutation
Weapons Quarterstaff, compound bow, combat knife
Items Gloves, backpack, camp blanket, strike fire starter, water bottle, tool kit, med kit
pets Jonah Salvatici
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Post by Riley Salvatici on Jun 11, 2013 21:44:54 GMT -5
THE PAST AND THE CHASE
She had to snort at that. “Yeah, right. Are you also a skilled ballerina?” Acting skills or no, she had a practiced eye for movement, and no way in hell was this guy anything resembling a combat specialist. “As for me, I felt that washing off the slime was a higher priority.” That, and she tried not to go around killing people when her alpha didn’t want her to. But he was right when he guessed that she wouldn’t have felt any guilt. She really didn’t like people screwing with her emotions.
He edged closer, and she eyed the movement. She was wary of his control over emotions, and of whatever underlying reason led him to intervene. Did he think she hadn’t noticed that he’d dodged the question? Her impulse was to move away, away from any mind-tricks he might try, but with the attention on them, there wasn’t much she could do to establish distance. Might as well work with it instead.
“Escort me, hm?” Riley leaned close, close enough that she felt the heat radiating from him, the stir of his breath. “The way I see it,” she murmured, “they’re going to be expecting one of two things, after your little show. That I’m going to fall into your arms, that we’ll kiss, maybe a few tears. And then we’ll leave holding hands. Or -” She cracked the flat of her hand across his cheek. Not as hard as she could have, but certainly enough to sting a bit.
“That doesn’t change anything!” she snapped, making sure to raise her voice so it carried. Then she spun and stalked away, jumping to grab the fence, hauling herself up, swinging over the top, and dropping to the other side. She stalked off without waiting to see if he was going to scramble after her or stand there with a perfected crushed expression. Hopefully it would be the former, otherwise the Fulsi were likely to follow, and that was a hassle she didn’t want to deal with. She liked her odds one to one, rather than one to three.
ooc: oops? /death
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shapeshifter
Fulsi
scout
INVENTORY Skills Empathy, Chempathy
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Post by Ray "East" Kraus on Jun 12, 2013 1:25:23 GMT -5
THE BEST OFTEN DIE BY THEIR OWN HANDS AND THOSE LEFT BEHIND CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND
She didn't believe him, and East probably should have seen that coming. "You don't know what I do in my freetime!" He replied with a raised brow and a sarcastic tone. "Slime? That's a little harsh. I would at least go with 'dirt.'" She didn't disagree with the whole "guilty" statement, which made East feel like it was true. Which was fine, he supposed. He knew his fair share of killers--it was just an adaption in the Menagerie. He didn't exactly feel threatened, though. She had had plenty of chances to kill him.
As soon as she closed the distance further, East was on his toes. He may have been intrigued by her... but he sure as hell didn't trust her. He wasn't fool enough to think that she would kiss him, and as soon as he heard the or East--
Crack. His head snapped to the side, and he raised a hand to rub at his stinging cheek. “That doesn’t change anything!” The act was getting a little personal, wasn't it? He was figuring that she had liked slapping him way too much. "Christ, Mia! Wait!" For the sake of the ruse, his voice raised, full of frustration. East followed her without thinking, beginning to grow a little frustrated. If he wasn't East Kraus, his pride might have been stinging a little bit.
He cleared the gate, landed, and quickened his pace so that they were walking side by side. "Should have let them rip you to pieces," he said pleasantly, a note of jovialness in his tone. "Sure would have made this easier for me."
His eyes slid to her. He didn't wait for a breath to pass. "I've got two questions for you. First of all, do you dislike me just because of the whole Chempathy thing? I wasn't trying to roofie you or whatever you think. I'm not a chauvinistic, opportunistic pig. I can get plenty without manipulating people, and I guarantee they enjoy it." He arched a brow at her. "Secondly, is there a red handprint on my face?"
He gave her a smile, lopsided. He had to give himself props on this one. He hadn't once lost his sense of humor. Yet, he amended himself. The girl was doing wonders to deflect his apparent "kindness".
WHAT ANYONE WOULD WANT TO GET AWAY FROM
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shapeshifter
Siberian Tiger + Cheetah
Fallen
scout
INVENTORY Skills Radiation, Cheetah mutation
Weapons Quarterstaff, compound bow, combat knife
Items Gloves, backpack, camp blanket, strike fire starter, water bottle, tool kit, med kit
pets Jonah Salvatici
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Post by Riley Salvatici on Jun 12, 2013 11:05:38 GMT -5
THE PAST AND THE CHASE
He could joke about it all he wanted, but 'slime' was the most accurate way she could find to describe the sensation. Bad enough to have her emotions messed with, but to be made to want someone.... It made her want to shudder, and left an unclean, violated feeling on skin.
It was hard to reconcile the man that left her with that feeling with the one who was supposedly helping her out of a tight spot.
Letting the Fulsi go about their business certainly would have made his life easier, which was why she was suspicious. She couldn’t figure out why he was doing this, and it bothered her. It was dangerous to not know what drove people. It made it difficult to predict their actions. Riley wanted to press him for answers, but he breezed on without giving her a pause to interject.
“So you say,” she pointed out. “You’re a self-proclaimed ‘good actor,’ so why should I believe anything you say? Maybe you’re just some creep looking to get laid by any means necessary.” He didn’t give off a predatory vibe, but she tended to err on side of caution. No one had ever accused her of being gullible. And while she would never admit it to him, it was... unnerving, to lose control of her emotions. That control was her greatest strength, and it shook the foundation under her feet to have it disrupted.
“And there’s not at the moment, but I’d be happy to hit you again to make sure you get a good one,” she replied helpfully. “Is it my turn to ask the questions, now?” Angling her path slightly, she herded him in that direction. It would look strange to make a beeline for Fallen border. Best to approach it at a slight angle so it wasn’t blatantly obvious she was a Fallen, in case the other Fulsi hadn’t caught the faint scent that clung to her.
“If, as you claim, you’re not a chauvinistic, opportunistic pig, then why are you doing this? What’s in it for you?” She certainly hadn’t done him any favors during their last encounter. Perhaps he was feeling guilty about the whole debacle? He didn’t strike her as the guilty type, though.
ooc:
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shapeshifter
Fulsi
scout
INVENTORY Skills Empathy, Chempathy
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Post by Ray "East" Kraus on Jun 12, 2013 19:49:07 GMT -5
THE BEST OFTEN DIE BY THEIR OWN HANDS AND THOSE LEFT BEHIND CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND
East had a feeling that it was going to take a lot of effort to get her rethink the whole "creep" thing. He generally enjoyed preaching the motto "forgive and forget", at least to other people. It had always made his life considerably easier. After all, becoming a con-artist didn't come with a manual. It was a live and learn experience.
"Am I trying to get laid right now?" He didn't contradict any of her other statements. He stuffed his hands into his back pockets as he walked; a trick to relax someone else's guard, to leave himself exposed and calm. "Yep, definitely trying to get laid. I'm intending to have you ravaging me by pure use of my wit and charms." He couldn't help the sarcasm that came on next. "If I remember right,I was just trying to get supplies. I wouldn't make yourself seem so important."
"I'll pass on that offer! Maybe another time you could be leaving other marks." He knew he was being a contradiction, going from sardonic to flirtatious. He didn't like being predictable with this girl. He didn't think he would get anywhere by it, and so he just stopped trying to. He said what came to mind.
He turned with her, keeping an eye on the Fallen, more out of distrust then interest, but he managed to make each sidelong glance seem curious. "What's in it for me?" he repeated. It took a split second for East to come up with a lie. He didn't even blink. "Nothing but a clear conscious. I felt bad taking your control away the last time we met, and I figured I'd at least try to make amendments." He shrugged, and offered her a smile. "I've learned to control it better. The Chempathy, I mean." It was a simple lie, something that would be easy to believe, and he knew it.
His real reasoning? East thought she was interesting, and he was bored. She had a pretty face and a quick wit, and he had no doubt that lying to her had its risks--really, though, what would it matter if she figured out most of what he was saying was some half-truth? He'd just get another slap on the cheek, and next time she came around and tried to steal from them, he'd just watch her execution.
Shamelessly, he might add.
"My turn. Why didn't you kill me, last time around?" East was honestly curious about that. She could have.
WHAT ANYONE WOULD WANT TO GET AWAY FROM
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shapeshifter
Siberian Tiger + Cheetah
Fallen
scout
INVENTORY Skills Radiation, Cheetah mutation
Weapons Quarterstaff, compound bow, combat knife
Items Gloves, backpack, camp blanket, strike fire starter, water bottle, tool kit, med kit
pets Jonah Salvatici
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Post by Riley Salvatici on Jun 18, 2013 12:20:13 GMT -5
THE PAST AND THE CHASE
Riley sighed, and rubbed idly at her forehead with a gloved hand. She was tiring of this game. Generally a straightforward person, she appreciated when people returned the favor. While she could hold entire conversations in subtle insinuations, double meanings, lies, and backhanded answers, it didn’t mean she had to like it. It was tempting to take the gloves off, if only to give the Fulsi a better slap across the face, but in the darkness, even with the rising moon, that would be an exceptionally bad idea. “Perhaps. Who knows what goes on in that head of yours. I don’t get it, Fulsi - what do you want from me? My trust? I can guarantee that’s the one thing you’re not getting. You want to flirt with me? Fine, go ahead, I’ll continue to come up with properly witty retorts to shoot you down with.”
She didn’t believe the ‘clear conscience’ bull for a second, but there was little point in arguing about it with him. With a mental shrug, she resigned herself letting it go - perhaps East just liked to harass people. She had plenty of experience with that - I’m looking at you, brother ‘o mine. He would do as he pleased, and she would keep on as she intended. If he tried to mess with her head again, she would give him a taste of the radiation, and see how he felt about that. They were on their way out of the city, and thus out of danger. He would be the one at risk, now, if anyone found out what he’d done. She would stay wary, as she always did, but there was no pressing threat.
Satisfied with this conclusion, she shrugged easily in response to his question. “I try not to go around starting Ring conflicts unless I can help it. Plus, I told you, washing the slime off was higher priority.” There was also the fact that she’d been told distance mattered with the Chempathy deal. She hadn’t wanted to get close to the Fulsi without knowing more about it, without being better prepared to throw off the effects. Since the encounter, she’d done her research.
“Mine, now. Aren’t you concerned that your Ringmates will find out about your charade? Clear conscience or not, that’s a lot to risk. Or do you like taking risks, if it means you get to put on a show?” She could empathize with that, somewhat, except she liked risks for the adrenaline rush, and the satisfaction of a difficult job well done.
ooc: it's raining, it's pouring, the old Ru is pooooosting 8D
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shapeshifter
Fulsi
scout
INVENTORY Skills Empathy, Chempathy
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Post by Ray "East" Kraus on Jun 18, 2013 18:47:21 GMT -5
THE BEST OFTEN DIE BY THEIR OWN HANDS AND THOSE LEFT BEHIND CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND
From her comment, East gathered that he wasn't going to get anywhere with this... with this whatever he was doing. But really, what had he been expecting? She wasn't thankful, exactly. And he figured he did deserve this. She wasn't stupid, either. Actually, she was quick. East wasn't used to it--how easily she caught on to the lies. He lost himself in musings as they walked, but that did not keep him from keeping his eyes opened. It would be hard to explain if they ran into a patrol. All nonchalance aside, he didn't want to cross that bridge unless he had to.
"And stealing doesn't count as a 'Ring conflict'?" He laughed. But then the conversation spiraled down a road that would require some honesty (if he wanted her to actually... well, he didn't know what he wanted), and East hesitated with his reply. "I was... kind of an actor, before the M. It got to be addicting, and sometimes I just get so used to the roles I used to play that I can't quit. I like it. Lying, I guess. And it doesn't hurt anyone." He shrugged. It wasn't a blatant lie.
East could see the Wall looming in the distance. It was hard to spot in the dark, but the reflective glint of it was just just visible. He steered her down another back alley, pausing to offer his hand to help her over a small barricade, although he doubted she needed it. East ran a hand over his jaw, thinking. "So, you asked what I want from you. Nothing, really." He offered her that crooked, boyish grin. "That whole 'feeling guilty" stuff with bullshit. I don't feel guilty about the Chempathy thing. It was a learning experience."
"Anyways, I think you're interesting. That isn't flirting, either." He said this dryly. He didn't want it to sound particularly serious, though, and so he continued. His tone remained dry and frank, but the nature of his words had changed. Obviously. "Besides. You and me. We would make a bad sit-com. You could be a feminist, and I could be your womanizing, chauvinistic suitor. By the end of season two, we'll have slept together, and you'll be smitten."
He loped ahead some, peering around the ally--the next road they would be taking was more traveled. After a pause, he continued, casting her a sidelong glance. "Just kidding."
WHAT ANYONE WOULD WANT TO GET AWAY FROM
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shapeshifter
Siberian Tiger + Cheetah
Fallen
scout
INVENTORY Skills Radiation, Cheetah mutation
Weapons Quarterstaff, compound bow, combat knife
Items Gloves, backpack, camp blanket, strike fire starter, water bottle, tool kit, med kit
pets Jonah Salvatici
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Post by Riley Salvatici on Jun 18, 2013 20:42:05 GMT -5
THE PAST AND THE CHASE
A disagreeing hum accompanied a dismissive flick of Riley’s fingers. “Everyone steals here, even when they’re on good terms,” she pointed out. “Murder is another matter.” Her gaze slide sideways to the Fulsi when he admitted to getting caught up in lies. She doubted that he never truly hurt anyone, but she knew how it went - deep cover, aliases have a way of pulling you in. However, she’d never lost sight of reality, it had always been easy to pull herself back. But perhaps without Jo there, it wouldn’t have been so simple.
Although she eyed his proffered hand, she took it without hesitating. Her hand was gloved, so it wasn’t like he could use the contact to mess with her emotions. It provided an opportunity to send a covert glance behind them. It was impossible to tell for sure in the dark, but there seemed to be a flicker of motion at the end of the alley. She frowned, only to snort at his next admission. “Somehow, I’m not entirely surprised. Did you ‘learn’ that Fallen girls aren’t gonna put up with your shit? ‘Cause that’s the message I would like to impress.”
It sure sounded like flirting, but she wasn’t going to argue with him - the statement was in keeping with her theory that he liked to pester people. Still, that didn’t respond her from retorting with the promised witty comeback. “No, no, don’t take it back, I agree, that would be a terrible sit-com. Horrible plot, terrible characterization. Sounds like something my brother would watch.” She caught up to him at the corner as she spoke, and used the pause to inform him, “Don’t look now - seriously, don’t look - but I think your Fulsi friends are following us.”
That said, she continued on, keeping her pose casual. Riley mulled over the situation as they walked. It would be poor repayment to let East get caught in his lie. They’d made a scene in the cemetery, but over the past few minutes they’d been walking companionably enough. There were several different ways they could handle things, but she didn’t know the Fulsi, and it was East’s show, so.... With a mental shrug, she asked, “How do you want to work this?” She would follow his lead, as his one and only thanks for helping her out. He was the actor, after all.
ooc:
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shapeshifter
Fulsi
scout
INVENTORY Skills Empathy, Chempathy
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Post by Ray "East" Kraus on Jun 18, 2013 21:16:39 GMT -5
THE BEST OFTEN DIE BY THEIR OWN HANDS AND THOSE LEFT BEHIND CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND
Ah, murder. That seems to be the topic of conversation for me, here in the M, he thought, rather ruefully. East almost said what was on his mind. I've never killed anyone. But he didn't know if she would believe him, and just offered a short bark of laughter instead. "I'll agree with that one." It was better to be vague, anyways.
He noted the gloves, and wondered if they were a precaution because of him, or if she had been wearing them the entire time. East couldn't remember if when he had first seen her they had been on--not that it really mattered, either way. "No," he replied, cheerfully. "I learned that you won't put up with my shit." If it wasn't dark, he would have winked. Rather, he gave her a genuine grin.
She had a brother? He hadn't known that, but the information intrigued him some. Was in the M? Or was he outside of it? Was he in Fallen? East realized it didn't really matter. Instead of giving away his thoughts, though, he gave an idle retort. "The worst shows get the best ratings half the time, though. We'd be a hit."
What he hadn't anticipated was her warning--but he reacted quickly enough. East turned to glance at her with a half-smile, as though she'd told him something amusing, before continuing. “How do you want to work this?” He mentally paged through the options. They could have played several rolls, but the hostile one wasn't going to cut it anymore--thank God; he wanted to avoid another slap--so what was the alternative? They had been having relatively normal conversation for the duration of the walk.
He slowed his walk once they had passed by the busier road and were beginning down another alleyway. He was keeping his ears open for sounds of pursuit. East reached out a hand to grasp hers. "Mia. I really am glad I found you again. Slapping aside." His voice was a little louder than it had been. And there. He heard a choked-off cough behind him, and didn't doubt the fact they were being followed. They're sloppy.
They would lose interest, he thought. They just thought I was lying. Distrustful sons' of bitches that they were. "So are you over all that now? I've apologized enough. I looked for you. I looked for you for a long time, baby." He was quieter now. And it was easy to imagine him in the role; he spoke with genuine emotion, and when he stopped completely to look at her, there was no doubt that he regretted it.
And then, because it was the act he decided on playing (more for shits and giggles than anything else), East pinned her against the alleyway wall. It wasn't aggressive, particularly, nor violent. In all actuality it was more of sensual motion, and they were suddenly very close together, their bodies almost touching. East's mouth was by her ear. "This is when you act like you've forgiven me," his tone was playful. He kissed her--an actual kiss, that made him feel like laughing just because of who he was kissing.
There was no Empathy or Chempathy involved. Just East, kissing her like she really was his long lost lover, a smile on his mouth despite it all. She's going to kill me. But it sure as hell would be worth it, and he was pretty sure it would make their tail lose interest.
WHAT ANYONE WOULD WANT TO GET AWAY FROM
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shapeshifter
Siberian Tiger + Cheetah
Fallen
scout
INVENTORY Skills Radiation, Cheetah mutation
Weapons Quarterstaff, compound bow, combat knife
Items Gloves, backpack, camp blanket, strike fire starter, water bottle, tool kit, med kit
pets Jonah Salvatici
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Post by Riley Salvatici on Jun 18, 2013 22:30:50 GMT -5
THE PAST AND THE CHASE
When East caught her hand, Riley linked their fingers obligingly, unsure of what he wanted. She cast an inquisitive glance at him, eyebrow arched. He was already pulling her to a stop, voice rising slightly for the benefit of their tail. Her fingers flexed against his when she heard a faint cough, and she had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. Amateurs. Seen and heard. It was tempting to ditch them, circle around, and scare some sense into them. Not her responsibility, though. Actually, she apparently had very little responsibility for this part, which suited her just fine.
That changed, however, when East took two steps and backed her into the wall. She narrowed her eyes at him - it was too dark for anyone to see such detail in her expression from a distance - and curled her fingers in his shirt, keeping to her agreement to follow his lead, even though she hadn’t expected him to be brave enough to try this. “You’re doing this because I enjoyed slapping you, aren’t you?” she asked in reply, and then his mouth was pressing against hers.
He was taking this far too seriously, considering the fact that it was dark, despite the moon, and detail would be hard to make out. Still, pulling away too soon would be a red flag, since this was apparently their ‘reunion kiss,’ so she played along. Rising onto her tiptoes to meet him, she slid her hands into his hair, letting him lead. Throughout, she kept close watch on her emotions, eventually pulling away, one set of fingers sliding to his jaw. “My name is Riley, you ass,” she whispered, amused. After pressing a few more quick, light kisses to his lips, she buried her face against his neck, arms wrapping around him tightly, fingers pressed into the backs of his shoulders.
She sure as hell didn’t want the Fulsi to think they were going to get a show. Hugging was not nearly so interesting, and it would encourage them to scram if they’d had different ideas. She broke away when it seemed natural to do so, and tugged at East’s arm. “We should keep moving, we’re not at the border yet. Would be awkward for a patrol to come by right now, wouldn’t it?” she asked, raising her eyebrows. It was unlikely that anyone was close enough to overhear, but the phrasing fit both reality and the act, just in case.
ooc: /death
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shapeshifter
Fulsi
scout
INVENTORY Skills Empathy, Chempathy
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Post by Ray "East" Kraus on Jun 19, 2013 1:27:56 GMT -5
THE BEST OFTEN DIE BY THEIR OWN HANDS AND THOSE LEFT BEHIND CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND
She's actually playing along with this. East hadn't expected that--but then again, what other choice did she have? She wasn't safe yet--although East thought that they might have been followed by some of the most ill-trained Fulsi in the whole damned Ring, and that she was more than capable of losing them by herself, if she had been alone. He figured she would have even preferred that.
His reply came in-between light kisses. "I'm doing it because I love beautiful women--" East broke off, laughed softly. "--no, wait. I'm doing it for the slap." He had to compliment her on her acting. Er, no. He didn't have to. East was perfectly content to think, damn, this girl is good, as her fingers slid into his hair and their kissing melted into a hug. For a brief moment, he entertained the idea of her having been a partner of his in the past--they would have been able to make bank, if they had wanted. Of course, that would have never happened. "Riley, huh?" So, he finally knew her name. It could have easily been a lie, but East didn't think it was one.
As she pulled away, East caught the sight of something--or rather, someone--in his peripheral. He listened to her, and nodded (although he was a bit reluctant to let up on the act so soon; he was having fun, even if it was just because he had a chance to terrorize her without being socked in the jaw). However, he hesitated when Riley began to lead him away. East turned to glance into the dark.
Christ. "What the hell are you doing, Grant, snooping around in the dark?" From the lack of humor in East's voice, it was apparent he knew exactly what he had been doing. Internally, he was amused by the whole thing. He brought Riley up under his arm, holding her close. "Jameson? You too? Really?
He snorted as the men neared them. "Good to know you guys have so much faith. Do I need to prove my affections again?" East's tone had taken on a dry note, and his arm slid from around Riley's shoulders to her waist. He leaned in close to her, under the pretense of being protective, but what he really did was murmur something in her ear. "Is this when I get to cop a feel?" His tone was light with humor, but Grant heard his voice, if not the words.
"What did you say to her?" East raised his eyes. "I said, 'My Ring is full of idiots.' We heard the two of you an alleyway back." Jameson seemed surprised. Grant coughed, and East knew that the pair wouldn't hear the end of that from Lotte. "For Christ's sake, she doesn't have any tomatoes stashed in her shirt, or cucumbers. You want me to check?"
East knew they were just making excuses to be nuisances now. He meant it as a joke, but Jameson nodded. "Yeah, why don't you do that, Kraus?" East shook his head in disbelief. "You're unbelievable." There was a tenor of agitation, now (as fake as it was), and East had a staring match with the two of them. Eventually he relented, and turned his gaze to Riley again. "I'm sorry, honey." But he was struggling to keep a straight face.
WHAT ANYONE WOULD WANT TO GET AWAY FROM
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shapeshifter
Siberian Tiger + Cheetah
Fallen
scout
INVENTORY Skills Radiation, Cheetah mutation
Weapons Quarterstaff, compound bow, combat knife
Items Gloves, backpack, camp blanket, strike fire starter, water bottle, tool kit, med kit
pets Jonah Salvatici
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Post by Riley Salvatici on Jun 19, 2013 10:00:07 GMT -5
THE PAST AND THE CHASE
Riley stiffened, a faint growl humming in her throat, as East called out. She turned to face the approaching Fulsi, allowing herself to be tucked against his side. Following his lead, here, she reminded herself, sliding an arm around his waist. Even so, if he tried to ‘prove his affections again,’ she might bite him harder than is strictly polite. East’s arm dropped from her shoulders to waist, and in response to his question, she smiled up at him sweetly, even as, hidden by the folds of his clothing, she gave his side a hard pinch. It wasn’t her fault if he’d missed his opportunity while they were kissing.
Attention returning to the Fulsi, she glared at them, and then snarled at their exchange, pulling away from East to free her hands. “Sorry, my ass,” she hissed, too quietly for the Fulsi to hear the words. “You offered.” She knew he'd intended the question as a joke, but still. Like hell was she going to let him search her. Taking a step back for space, she began undoing the top buttons of her shirt, fixing East with a hard look in case he got it in mind to help. Thankfully, with the weather warming, she’d left her jacket at home, so it was an easy matter to yank the soft flannel over her head, leaving her in a black tank-top, skinny jeans, and boots.
Shirt fisted in one hand, she put her hands on her hips and turned toward the two Fulsi. “Satisfied?” she snapped. The clothes were close fitting, giving her a clear silhouette. The only thing to break the clean lines was her knife, in clear view on her hip. “I suppose,” one of the Fulsi grumbled. Riley didn’t like the way they looked at her, but her glare seemed to be deterrent enough. She huffed at them, and then pulled the shirt back over her head and began to redo the buttons. More so than her figure, she didn’t like baring the dog-tags she wore around her neck, and it gave her a mild sense of relief to cover them again.
Perhaps East would give her shit later, about her poor acting, but she felt that, even as a long-lost lover, she wouldn’t be pleased about a couple of Fulsi creeps demanding she be searched. She hadn’t broken character - she still leaned into him whenever he touched her, still kept a shoulder angled toward him, even when she didn’t face him directly. Despite what he might think, she wasn’t about to break what was now a well established cover.
Redressed, she reached out twist her fingers in his shirt at his lower back, resettling herself against his side to glare at the Fulsi again. “Are we done here?”
The taller one shrugged. “We were told to follow you to the border.”
Riley bared her teeth at him. “Well if you’re going to be obnoxious, do it from a distance.” Tugging at East’s arm, she pulled him back into motion, not having to feign the annoyance that kept her spine stiff and her strides long.
ooc: send me a message on Skype if you want anything changed!
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shapeshifter
Fulsi
scout
INVENTORY Skills Empathy, Chempathy
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Post by Ray "East" Kraus on Jun 19, 2013 11:46:19 GMT -5
THE BEST OFTEN DIE BY THEIR OWN HANDS AND THOSE LEFT BEHIND CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND
At her response, East raised his hands in a peaceful gesture. He flicked his gaze to the other Fulsi. "You're lucky she doesn't take your faces off. Girl doesn't like PDA when people can see it." East didn't know what she was doing, exactly, until she began to unbutton her shirt. He resisted the urge to let out a low whistle, not so much out of admiration as out of amusement. Her tight-fitting clothes, however, did not leave much for the imagination.
East was just looking for hidden tomatoes. Honestly.
He cleared his throat and met the eyes of Grant over Riley's head. His warning was clear. Stop looking at her, like that. East didn't particularly feel defensive of her, but she had continued the ruse (and East was thinking, now, that it had been on his behalf) and from the way she dealt with it all, she didn't deserve to be leered at.
As they broke away--he had let her doing the talking, playing the part of a vaguely amused... what? Lover? He figured so--East couldn't help but smirk. "Good job, honey." Their pace was quick, and his voice held a bit of a goad in it. The night had turned out to be good for a few laughs, even if he was currently starving. "That one almost stung your pride, I think."
He tried to keep his expression clear, but there was laughter again. He could hear Jameson and Grant mumbling behind them, and East placed an arm around her shoulders. They were getting closer to the border, now. "Have you changed your mind? Am I your type yet?" He spoke in a conversational voice, one that would not be easily overheard, in case Grant and Jameson were really listening in.
He playfully pinched her upper arm for some revenge. It had hurt, when she had done the same to him moment's ago. And he couldn't have exactly shifted his weight and let out an exclamation of ow, shit without earning a few raised brows from the other Fulsi.
WHAT ANYONE WOULD WANT TO GET AWAY FROM
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shapeshifter
Siberian Tiger + Cheetah
Fallen
scout
INVENTORY Skills Radiation, Cheetah mutation
Weapons Quarterstaff, compound bow, combat knife
Items Gloves, backpack, camp blanket, strike fire starter, water bottle, tool kit, med kit
pets Jonah Salvatici
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Post by Riley Salvatici on Jun 20, 2013 13:15:49 GMT -5
THE PAST AND THE CHASE
She snorted derisively, a response Riley felt suited all of the comments he’d made, but didn’t shake his arm from her shoulders. “Keep dreaming, Fulsi.” He was endearing in an obnoxious way, but she knew better than to fool herself. Plus, he sounded like a chronic liar, even if said lies were mostly for his own amusement. To emphasize her point, she ‘accidentally’ kicked his ankle as they walked, not hard enough to cause any serious pain. Besides, he was the one who plastered himself against her side, making such things easy.
Their pace slowed as they reached the highways that marked the edge of Fulsi territory, eventually coming to a stop beside an overpass. As she’d fully expected, East turned and pressed her up against a concrete pillar - the ‘reunited couple’ certainly wouldn’t part without a goodbye kiss. Still, was it really necessary for him to keep backing her into things? She quirked an eyebrow at him. “Could you be any more stereotypical? No, don’t answer that.” She made certain that he couldn’t by pulling him into the kiss with a hand on the back of his head, the other settling at his waist.
When Riley pulled away to take a proper breath, pressing a quick kiss to the side of his neck, she took the opportunity to ask, “Think they’re gone yet?” Turning her head to cast a casual glance to the left, back the way they’d come, she froze as a faint click of stone on stone echoed from the other side. “They wouldn’t’ve -” The statement cut off abruptly as she spun them to the side, and a length of metal pipe whipped through the space where East’s head had been, to strike the concrete with a resounding clang. The owner of the pipe swore as it jarred his hands, and Riley snarled in reply, letting go of East to strike out with a kick that sent the assailant stumbling back.
In the next moment she had the pipe out of his hands, and he ducked the pass aimed at his head, scrambling back out of reach as he fumbled a knife from his belt. A second figure prowled closer, hovering at the edge of the darkness under the overpass, a blade glinting in hand. Riley bared her teeth in an unfriendly smile, as she spun the pipe through her hands in a satisfied gesture. It wasn’t as long as she’d like, only three feet or so, but staff work was her favorite. She edged sideways, putting her side closer to East and their backs against the pillar. “Are you armed? And are your friends cowards or simply deaf?” They might have left already, but it would be convenient if they hadn’t. Her gaze stayed fixed on the two attackers circling them warily, unwavering, trying to convince them to find easier prey elsewhere.
ooc: PLOT TWIST, DUN DUN DUNNNN
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shapeshifter
Fulsi
scout
INVENTORY Skills Empathy, Chempathy
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Post by Ray "East" Kraus on Jun 20, 2013 16:11:30 GMT -5
THE BEST OFTEN DIE BY THEIR OWN HANDS AND THOSE LEFT BEHIND CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND
East was beginning to think that it would be safer for his health if he kept himself at a polite distance. "Is it stereotypical when most girls think its romantic? You're just different from the norm." His comment was cut off by her kiss.
And then the pipe was blurring towards his head (he heard the whistle of it, and it froze him to the quick) and all he had time to think was oh shit. Things progressed very quickly, and very violently. East was still reeling by the time Riley had kicked back their first attacker, and the second one came into view. His mouth went dry at the sight of the knives the two men held. He edged backward, glancing at Riley sidelong. "No. And they probably left--only said they were following us to make us think they were." And that was the sad truth of it. He was sure that Grant would give him hell later--
If there is a later. At that moment, their two assailants made a move--the first one feinted at Riley, and East realized that it was just a ploy to draw her attention. The problem? He realized it too late, and the other man slammed into him--a knife was drawn against his ribs in a threat, but East's first reaction was to thrash before the attacker could even say what he wanted. He felt the sharp bite of the knife as it ripped through his clothes and drew a narrow gash on his side--East's got an elbow edged between his chest and that of his attacker, and jerked it up unceremoniously into the man's jaw.
"Jesus," he exclaimed, as the rogue--was he a rogue?--jerked away from him, snarling. "What do we do? Christ, what do they want?" The two questions were delivered breathlessly, as he sent a glance at Riley. A mistake. The same attacker slammed into him again, this time with the knife pinned to East's throat.
He panicked. He knew better than to lash out, the bare skin of the other man was pressed to the line of East's neck, and he impulsively responded by lashing out with a blast of Empathy--the emotion was simple, clear, maybe a bit of his own feeling transmitted into it. Helpless. He did not hinder it, or try to control it--East took the chance to punch the sonuva bitch in the face.
Ow. He felt his knuckles pop, but he didn't abate. He twisted the hand that held the knife and proceeded to hit him, again and again. His lip cracked, and East The two of them stumbled, lost their balance, and hit the ground--the knife went flying, and there was a stalemate in which each of them stared at the blade, some distance away. But then the asshole punched East, first in the face, and then in the ribs.
He was shocked for a second, pinned under the weight of the rogue, who was glaring down at him with dark eyes. "You don't have to make this so hard," he snarled, and struck East again. This time his lip broke, and there was blood dripping down his face--Christ, it hurt. He struggled to get at least one arm free as the rogue rained down blows, and eventually (he was a little larger than the other man, and a little stronger) he dislodged the rogue enough to get an arm free of his grip and grab his throat, using it to twist him to the side. Where was Riley?
East kept his grip. He didn't realize, as the two of them rolled on the ground, that the rogue had reached for the knife.
It made a wet, ripping sound as it slid into his thigh. He let out a pained groan and released his hold. His attacker stood unsteadily, gazing down at him. East rolled to his knees, trying to avoid looking at the damn knife sticking out of his leg. Or... shit. It wasn't in his leg anymore, which was worse, because the rogue was holding it. He swallowed, glanced up--the rogue had stepped closer, a little unsteadily, after wiping the blood off his mouth. He gripped East by the hair, forcing his head up. The knife glinted like a promise at the stranger's side.
"You shoulda just stopped," the rogue's voice was thick. East saw the knife. Panic filled him.
He shifted; a sudden change that almost made him stagger, but instead he lunged upward--his paws braced against the rogue's shoulders for a split second before the momentum sent them downward. East saw his surprise, and then his teeth tore a savage hole in his jugular. Blood filled his mouth, a foreign, violent taste.
The knife of the rogue had been aiming for him again--it slid a gash along East's ribs, but then the life faded from his eyes, and East tore away abruptly. His leg was bleeding, and so was his side. His body throbbed. I just killed a man. He turned to look at Riley, then, to see how she had fared. His face was strangely expressionless as he shifted back into a man, and there was something grotesque about the way blood coated his lower jaw. "Riley?" He tried to keep his voice stable, but it cracked.
WHAT ANYONE WOULD WANT TO GET AWAY FROM
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shapeshifter
Siberian Tiger + Cheetah
Fallen
scout
INVENTORY Skills Radiation, Cheetah mutation
Weapons Quarterstaff, compound bow, combat knife
Items Gloves, backpack, camp blanket, strike fire starter, water bottle, tool kit, med kit
pets Jonah Salvatici
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Post by Riley Salvatici on Jun 26, 2013 12:26:05 GMT -5
THE PAST AND THE CHASE
Wait just a minute. “And you still let me-” The outraged statement was abruptly cut off as one of the men feinted to her right, then lunged at her left, even as the second slammed into East. She was ready for him, though, and swept the pipe at him. He dodged back, and hovered at the edge of her range, clearly frustrated that he’d let her get ahold of the weapon in the first place. “Try not to die,” she suggested tersely. She wasn’t sure on the why, yet - it wasn’t like there was much point to rob them, when all they had were the clothes on their backs.
Her attacked sheathed his knife and lunged again, only to duck under swing and grab the pipe with both hands, using his greater weight to wrestle her to the ground with it held between them. Riley snarled, half in annoyance, half because rolling around on gravel hurt. He was pressing the pipe toward her throat, and though she strained upward against it, she would guess he outweighed her by 60 pounds of muscle, and it inched inexorably closer.
Abruptly, she threw her head forward, bashing it into his nose, and he startled back with a yelp. Riley took the opportunity to pull in one knee and kick the jackass hard in the center of his chest, sending him tumbling onto his back. She wasted no time in rolling to her feet - the Fulsi wasn’t faring well - and trying to skirt around him, but he was faster than expected, and tackled her behind the knees.
Riley hit the ground hard, letting go of the pipe to catch herself and scraping what felt like half the skin off her palms, even through the gloves. Before she could suck the air back into her lungs, there was a weight on her back and an arm circling her throat, yanking her head back and cutting off her airway. Turning her head, she managed to sink her teeth into his arm, but though he swore, his grip didn’t slacken. A fist cracked into her cheekbone, and the gasp of pain made her release him. “Lie still, girly.” The prick of a knife against her ribs encouraged her to stillness. The arm around her neck loosened, and before he could retighten it, she slammed her head back into his already broken nose. He howled, and the painful distraction allowed Riley to throw him aside and shove to her feet, backing away to give herself room to maneuver, drawing her knife.
The attention was no longer on her, though, as East had just torn out the other man’s throat. “Kev!” Lurching to his feet, Riley’s attacker lunged toward the Fulsi. A flick of her wrist sent her knife flying after him, the blade sliding home into his back with a soft thud. He toppled forward, and lay still.
Riley stood for a moment, setting her hands on her hips, catching her breath. Satisfied that neither of the rogues were moving, she crossed to the one she’d killed to pull her knife out, wiping it clean on his shirt before sheathing it. She straightened, gaze softening slightly as East said her name. “Aw, hell, Fulsi.” Kneeling, she tore strips from the hem of the rogue’s shirt, then stepped around the body to lay a steadying hand on East’s shoulder. “Try not to fall over, okay? I need to stop the bleeding.” She knelt again, binding the wound on his thigh before rising, the rest of the fabric folded into a pad. Carefully, she wiped the blood from his face, then tucked herself against his uninjured side, pulling his arm over her shoulders to take some of his weight. With the arm she put around his waist, she held the wad of fabric against the gash on his ribs.
“Come on, let’s go.” She tugged him gently onward, under the overpass and out of Fulsi territory. They could cut through the park - the Studio was closest, and it was safe. It was a haven cherished by rouges and loners, and to break the unspoken truce was to risk the wrath of the entire dome. It would be a good place to hide until she could make sure East wasn’t going to faint from blood loss or shock.
The walk was uneventful, thankfully, though she kept alert. If there was one pair of hoodlums that close to the border, there could easily be others. It was a relief to heave open the Studio door and haul the Fulsi inside. A low murmur of voices could be heard, but she avoided them, ducking into an unoccupied side room with a few beds and enough unboarded windows to let in the moonlight. After kicking the door shut, she settled East onto the cot furthest from it. "Stay, I'll be back." She slipped out of the room, returning almost immediately with a lit lantern and a jug of water she had procured from the building's other occupants.
ooc: could've kept going, but it was getting long o3o
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