[ she can't remain detached when her companions die in front of her. the gore, the violence - there is a sickening familiarity to it all. for a second, baiken is completely still in shock. when she thinks to run to throné, she can already tell it's too late. she won't be able to staunch the bleeding, and ichiban was gone before they could even react. aya, too, was a lost cause, though that one doesn't quite hit as hard.
it can't be the same as before. it isn't going to be anger that she draws from, but from that sickening moment that this reminds her of. what set everything in motion, so long ago. her path of vengeance has led her here, and by god, she is going to complete this one, because there's no sense in bringing them back just to watch them get slaughtered again. ]
But this time, it's different. This time she feels that violent urge flooding her, but it's something that she can control; the straps restrain her somewhat, still, but instead of her body twisting and transforming into a grotesque weapon, she manifests one, a heavy metal ball on the end of a chain. Perfect for slamming into something again, and again, and again.
It fills her with rage and strength, propelling her forward to the source of that root: a golden fruit shaped monster, roots embedded deep into one of the containment cells just down the hall. A glow emanates from the Abnormality.
I am so behind your revenge but would you like to perhaps revive your friends for this boss, or are you going full Let Me Solo Her.]
[What 8. You have E.G.O., you don't need to roll for that.
I am going to instead use your 8 as a perception check to say the apple is the only thing in this room you are focusing on. Anything else in here she might wanna notice? Nah.
Baiken draws on the force of the Abnormality's power to 1v1 the Golden Apple, slamming the metal ball into it once, and again, and again, harder. The golden sheen coating it begins to wear off; with each slam of ringing metal against surprisingly hard golden skin, the apple dulls.
Until, finally, the last of its golden sheen cracks away, leaving what appears to be a giant, normal apple with a hole slammed into its side. It's hollow, seemingly, with a few limp vines draping out of the hole...
And a hint of a golden glow coming from inside.
So here's the thing, you were told the Golden Bough was probably at the bottom of the facility, but this little shit has all kinds of roots spreading down the halls. It's not impossible for it to have been relocated.
Is she going to investigate the apparent corpse of this apple.]
[ imagine i just finish this cyoa solo and flurry and andie just have to deal with me being an asshole.
anyway. I WANTED A 20. I WANTED A 20 TO COMPLETELY OBLITERATED THE APPLE INTO APPLESAUCE LET ME HAVE THIS but, in the end, she's able to bludgeon it to death (maybe) and that's all that matters. however, she is not the smart one, and has enough knowledge to know she isn't the smart one -- so when she no longer needs to bash the damned apple with a wrecking ball, she makes her way over to throné's corpse. ]
Sorry about this.
[ time to disrespect women and reach into her ladypocket for the watch. get back here you idiots. ]
[ WELCOME TO HELL! WELCOME TO HELL! WELCOME TO HELL!!
it's less jarring, though no less oppressive. it still takes her a moment to observe the door, before she's able to push forward to grab her companion's hands to pull them free. she has to do this one at a time, so whoever tags next has to help, it's the law. ]
she doesn't even really think about it, or have the chance to, she just grabs for baiken's hand when it's presented, and when she's back, when she's in one piece, she's so bluescreened at that she can really just be directed to do whatever. she'll help grab ichiban. that's okay. she can do that. one step at a time.
[ ichiban got to have his deda feelings already, he doesn't get shit this time around. he is somewhat more aware of the situation this revival, though, because he's not just a shredded up meat slurry—this time, he can see baiken and throné's hands, feel their warmth calling him back. he reaches out and grasps them both and returns once more. ]
Thanks...you two, again. [ he breathes in, out, in, out—then pauses. and frowns. ] ... Wait, did you guys see Aya-chan in there, too?
[i'm sorry to report that throné is in bad shape. not physically, mentally. hell is bad, guys, don't go there.
she doesn't answer at first, because she is contemplating going over and just yartzing into a corner. she doesn't! but boy does she think about doing it. but after a second, she tries to manually reboot, wrapping her arms around herself.]
... No. [she mumbles.] Do the two of you need healing?
[ very quickly, before he leaves it this time, ichiban bows his head in front of the door and observes a moment of silence for aya—but only a moment, because they still have a job to do. ]
I'm okay, Necchan. Let's get going. [ he turns to baiken. ] Did it leave behind any of that enkephalin stuff or anything?
[she says, through a wheezy breath. but she's going to wait, if they don't need it. because the last time she used it, ichiban immediately needed it and she doesn't want to fuck up like that again. so. deep breath, as much as she's able, and then she starts disconnecting. one by one she puts away the worst of the panic and fear, and evens out. it's alright. finish the job.
she glances at the other two briefly, and then at aya, before swallowing hard. carefully she's going to crouch down and close aya's eyes and cross her arms over her chest, and then:]
One of you go check the... the monster. Does it have anything on it?
[they are... very much on their own now, huh. they don't have any guides left, so they just have to figure this shit out on their own.]
[ baiken will go check it out, because at least these idiots are back now, even if they keep dying. "throné has died once" stop dying. she isn't entirely sure what it is that she saw - maybe it was nothing? maybe it's a second, smaller evil apple.
[ he nods to baiken as she goes forward, taking a moment to breathe and reorient himself. as selfish as it is . . . he has died twice at this point. maybe there is some wisdom in letting others shoulder the burden for once.
(huh... isn't that ironic.)
again, he very nearly just places his hand on throné's shoulder because it's just such an automatic response for him, it's how he shows support because how better to relieve somebody than to give them undeniable proof that you are here with them—but he has learned. he successfully fights the urge and, instead, offers his hand. she's free to say no if she wants. ]
[WELL DICEBOT HAS DECREED EMPHATICALLY THAT BAIKEN GETS A 10
On entering the room-- she isn't immediately attacked. Things look pretty much the same, initially. However-
The glow within the apple has faded a bit, largely because something seems to be blocking it. What she missed in this room the first time were the bodies.
One body has just been pulled fully into the apple's core. Its roots are wrapped around two more, dragging them to itself... and from the apple, a stalk emerges.
At the end is the head of a man, grinning down at her.]
[he has learned! which is good, because she flinches, when he offers his hand. instinctive. but after a second, she takes a deep breath and takes his hand. it's nice to have something to center herself with. you know, until she realizes what's going on with that fucking apple monster.
she assumes baiken will shout to them to tell them what's up with that. haha.]
[ cute that you think baiken is thinking of anything else in this moment.
her first reaction is abject horror. there's no hiding the tremble in her hand as she reaches to draw the katana - she almost forgot she had it. her stomach flips upside down, and she falters as she tries to find her voice, as well as her stance. it's hard with the roots to get the right footing.
whatever this thing is, it isn't him. ]
What the hell did you do to Anji?!
[ there's a waver in her voice, her typical growl softened by her fear. ]
[ >two more bodies >two more of us >hmmmmmmm nah its fine probably
with throné's hand in his, he gives her a little encouraging tug to get her going so they can catch up with baiken. though... well... once they do, he can immediately tell something is off. fear isn't something he'd ever think to associate with her.
he carefully treads over the roots, makes sure throné can safely traverse them too, before standing by baiken's side, glancing at the twisted face staring down at them now before focusing on her again. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
it can't be the same as before. it isn't going to be anger that she draws from, but from that sickening moment that this reminds her of. what set everything in motion, so long ago. her path of vengeance has led her here, and by god, she is going to complete this one, because there's no sense in bringing them back just to watch them get slaughtered again. ]
no subject
no subject
[Fills Throné's bar from death this is fine.
Baiken draws on her E.G.O. once again--
But this time, it's different. This time she feels that violent urge flooding her, but it's something that she can control; the straps restrain her somewhat, still, but instead of her body twisting and transforming into a grotesque weapon, she manifests one, a heavy metal ball on the end of a chain. Perfect for slamming into something again, and again, and again.
It fills her with rage and strength, propelling her forward to the source of that root: a golden fruit shaped monster, roots embedded deep into one of the containment cells just down the hall. A glow emanates from the Abnormality.
I am so behind your revenge but would you like to perhaps revive your friends for this boss, or are you going full Let Me Solo Her.]
no subject
no subject
with the power of control and vengeance, baiken is going to 1v1 this ridiculous apple.
unfortunately with the power of my 8, we still need to get things warmed up. she will beat this apple into submission one way or the other. ]
no subject
no subject
I am going to instead use your 8 as a perception check to say the apple is the only thing in this room you are focusing on. Anything else in here she might wanna notice? Nah.
Baiken draws on the force of the Abnormality's power to 1v1 the Golden Apple, slamming the metal ball into it once, and again, and again, harder. The golden sheen coating it begins to wear off; with each slam of ringing metal against surprisingly hard golden skin, the apple dulls.
Until, finally, the last of its golden sheen cracks away, leaving what appears to be a giant, normal apple with a hole slammed into its side. It's hollow, seemingly, with a few limp vines draping out of the hole...
And a hint of a golden glow coming from inside.
So here's the thing, you were told the Golden Bough was probably at the bottom of the facility, but this little shit has all kinds of roots spreading down the halls. It's not impossible for it to have been relocated.
Is she going to investigate the apparent corpse of this apple.]
no subject
no subject
anyway. I WANTED A 20. I WANTED A 20 TO COMPLETELY OBLITERATED THE APPLE INTO APPLESAUCE LET ME HAVE THIS but, in the end, she's able to bludgeon it to death (maybe) and that's all that matters. however, she is not the smart one, and has enough knowledge to know she isn't the smart one -- so when she no longer needs to bash the damned apple with a wrecking ball, she makes her way over to throné's corpse. ]
Sorry about this.
[ time to disrespect women and reach into her ladypocket for the watch. get back here you idiots. ]
no subject
no subject
[Look. You know how this sequence goes. We're speedrunning because we're a couple days in. MAN DOOR HELL BOOB WATCH DOOR]
no subject
it's less jarring, though no less oppressive. it still takes her a moment to observe the door, before she's able to push forward to grab her companion's hands to pull them free. she has to do this one at a time, so whoever tags next has to help, it's the law. ]
no subject
she doesn't even really think about it, or have the chance to, she just grabs for baiken's hand when it's presented, and when she's back, when she's in one piece, she's so bluescreened at that she can really just be directed to do whatever. she'll help grab ichiban. that's okay. she can do that. one step at a time.
which she can do! because she has both legs!
for now.]
no subject
Thanks...you two, again. [ he breathes in, out, in, out—then pauses. and frowns. ] ... Wait, did you guys see Aya-chan in there, too?
no subject
she doesn't answer at first, because she is contemplating going over and just yartzing into a corner. she doesn't! but boy does she think about doing it. but after a second, she tries to manually reboot, wrapping her arms around herself.]
... No. [she mumbles.] Do the two of you need healing?
no subject
but she isn't there. goodbye, aya. you were a real one.
she's quiet a moment longer, with a solemn nod in response to ichiban's thanks. ]
...I'm fine. The thing that got you has been dealt with.
[ she is covered in apple goo. ]
no subject
[ very quickly, before he leaves it this time, ichiban bows his head in front of the door and observes a moment of silence for aya—but only a moment, because they still have a job to do. ]
I'm okay, Necchan. Let's get going. [ he turns to baiken. ] Did it leave behind any of that enkephalin stuff or anything?
no subject
no subject
[she says, through a wheezy breath. but she's going to wait, if they don't need it. because the last time she used it, ichiban immediately needed it and she doesn't want to fuck up like that again. so. deep breath, as much as she's able, and then she starts disconnecting. one by one she puts away the worst of the panic and fear, and evens out. it's alright. finish the job.
she glances at the other two briefly, and then at aya, before swallowing hard. carefully she's going to crouch down and close aya's eyes and cross her arms over her chest, and then:]
One of you go check the... the monster. Does it have anything on it?
[they are... very much on their own now, huh. they don't have any guides left, so they just have to figure this shit out on their own.]
no subject
[ baiken will go check it out, because at least these idiots are back now, even if they keep dying. "throné has died once" stop dying. she isn't entirely sure what it is that she saw - maybe it was nothing? maybe it's a second, smaller evil apple.
she is going to find out. ]
no subject
(huh... isn't that ironic.)
again, he very nearly just places his hand on throné's shoulder because it's just such an automatic response for him, it's how he shows support because how better to relieve somebody than to give them undeniable proof that you are here with them—but he has learned. he successfully fights the urge and, instead, offers his hand. she's free to say no if she wants. ]
no subject
On entering the room-- she isn't immediately attacked. Things look pretty much the same, initially. However-
The glow within the apple has faded a bit, largely because something seems to be blocking it. What she missed in this room the first time were the bodies.
One body has just been pulled fully into the apple's core. Its roots are wrapped around two more, dragging them to itself... and from the apple, a stalk emerges.
At the end is the head of a man, grinning down at her.]
no subject
she assumes baiken will shout to them to tell them what's up with that. haha.]
no subject
her first reaction is abject horror. there's no hiding the tremble in her hand as she reaches to draw the katana - she almost forgot she had it. her stomach flips upside down, and she falters as she tries to find her voice, as well as her stance. it's hard with the roots to get the right footing.
whatever this thing is, it isn't him. ]
What the hell did you do to Anji?!
[ there's a waver in her voice, her typical growl softened by her fear. ]
no subject
>two more of us
>hmmmmmmm nah its fine probably
with throné's hand in his, he gives her a little encouraging tug to get her going so they can catch up with baiken. though... well... once they do, he can immediately tell something is off. fear isn't something he'd ever think to associate with her.
he carefully treads over the roots, makes sure throné can safely traverse them too, before standing by baiken's side, glancing at the twisted face staring down at them now before focusing on her again. ]
Baiken-san... you know that guy?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)