VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Virtue's Last Dangan Ronpa

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Arcthurus » Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:43 am



The four of you are at the Metro. There is a train stopped on the station. A couple of men have just got done placing the Ark inside.

Outside, the four of you stand along with the red eyed woman, and Ace. He looks very happy.

"Well, you did it. And promise is a promise. From this day on, you are free. Where do you intend to go? ...Ah, no need to answer if you don't want. Just curiosity. I hope you do well in whatever it is."


Spoiler: Image

Art Count: 3
Spoiler: Cyrus & Horane

---
Aeolus & Phoenix

---
Xero & (Priest)
User avatar
Arcthurus
Mafioso
Mafioso
 
Posts: 1448
Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2014 6:41 pm
Location: (-03:00 UTC/GMT)

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Hawkwing425 » Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:48 am

D'pends. I'm still thinkin' on it. I thought I'd have made a d'cision faster than this, but guess not. Still ridin' th' high a' Richard bein' dead, though.
User avatar
Hawkwing425
Bodyguard
Bodyguard
 
Posts: 246
Joined: Fri May 27, 2016 10:20 pm
Location: Hawkwing425, the SHSL Forumronpa Player, has been found guilty. Time for the punishment!

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Schultz128 » Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:49 am

...somewhere alone, for a while.

I need a smoke.
User avatar
Schultz128
FM Awards: Creator
FM Awards: Creator
 
Posts: 391
Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2015 10:09 am

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Arcthurus » Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:51 am



Ace and the red eyed woman embark on the train. They wave you goodbye, and for the first time since meeting you the woman smiles, even if faintly.

As for you four? You walk back into the Miami streets, sunrise at the horizon. It's the beginning of the 90s. You are no longer bound to this city, for any reason. Today marks the beginning of a new morning -- the first of your new life.



Whichever you decide to do now... will be of your own free will.


Shut Up and Dance -- END
Last edited by Arcthurus on Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:59 am, edited 1 time in total.


Spoiler: Image

Art Count: 3
Spoiler: Cyrus & Horane

---
Aeolus & Phoenix

---
Xero & (Priest)
User avatar
Arcthurus
Mafioso
Mafioso
 
Posts: 1448
Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2014 6:41 pm
Location: (-03:00 UTC/GMT)

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Arcthurus » Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:55 am

Winners

Stanley Castillo - Ash Davis - Cyantic
Elizabeth Castillo - Alex Davis - Schultz
Ivy - Corey - Chemist
Azelf Long - Jake - Arckas
Belladona - Martin Brown - Hawk

Honorable mentions

I/O - Jacket - Munchlax
Edgar Porter - Tony - Polyester
Nolan Gears - The Henchman - Multiuniverse
Lester Fischer - Ritcher - Xerxes
Robin Fuchs - Biker - Renetear
Berry Wong - Evan Wright - TNO
Shino Thompson - Manny Pardo - Chubby

Roles

Spoiler:
Arcthurus wrote:
Jacket

"Do you enjoy hurting other people?"

Jacket's memory isn't the same since the incident. He's lost everything: his friend, his girl, his life. Now he kills without ever learning why. It strangely feels as if he's seen all this play out before, the same scenes with the same actors, like the longest dejavu...

Code: Select all
VIT: +0     |     END: +0      |    STR: +2
-------------------------------------------
AGL: +2     |     SKL: +0      |    CUN: +2



Identity Crisis
    Whenever you kill a protagonist, you will be given a short description of their archetype, and offered the option of taking their identity. You will acquire their stats, abilities, starting items if any, and wincon(s). This ability will be lost upon taking a new identity.

Job Savvy
    While Jacket, all your inventory slots are Hidden, weapons included.

Whack-a-Mole
    You start with a sturdy baseball bat.

Kill a protagonist and acquire their identity, then win as them. You cannot win as Jacket.


===

Tony

"I fucking hate these people."

It's hard getting used to civilian life again. Vets just don't receive the same respect they once did. Tony misses being respected, the fear in the enemy lines as his squad came closer. It's not exactly about killing, but simply to get the blood pumping.

Code: Select all
VIT: +0     |     END: +2      |    STR: +0
-------------------------------------------
AGL: -2     |     SKL: +0      |    CUN: +2



Fighting Trance
    Every consecutive melee attack action after your first will incur +1 STR and -1 VIT to yourself, with a +10/-10 cap. The modifiers reset once you perform a non-attack action (restraining, dodging, guarding, etc.), or the combat ends.

Fists of Fury
    You may chain multiple punches, to a max of 5, delivering them all simultaneously in a single flurry of blows. Each is rolled individually, but none count to increase Fighting Trance. Your next action will be delayed by however many blows you chained.

Hands Only
    You can't use any object as a weapon. Your fists are good enough.

Escape.


===

Martin Brown

"It's just a film."

That is what Martin Brown tells himself. This is all just a good dream, a recording session. He gets to play out his fantasy of being a brutal murderer, The Butcher, just like he does on the big screen. That is one way to look at it.

Code: Select all
VIT: +2     |     END: +2      |    STR: +0
-------------------------------------------
AGL: -2     |     SKL: +0      |    CUN: +0



The Shape
    The first two times you would die to a fatal roll, you instead survive. You will be told if this triggers.

Movie Magic
    You recover from injuries better and faster than a human should.

Safety Prop
    You start with a Kevlar vest hidden underneath your clothes.

Escape.


===

The Henchman

"I just want to go home, okay?"

The Henchman is simply one of the many gangsters caught in a war he doesn't belong in. A footsoldier trained to kill, but wising up to the fact he's no more than a pawn, and that is the first chess piece to fall whenever the king is in danger.

Code: Select all
VIT: +0     |     END: +0      |    STR: -2
-------------------------------------------
AGL: +2     |     SKL: +2      |    CUN: +0



On Track
    At the beginning of a Day or Night phase, choose a protagonist. You will know where they are for the remainder of the phase.

On Guard
    Unlike other protagonists, Night grants you +3 CUN, instead of the usual buff and debuff.

On Edge
    You start with a butterfly knife.

Escape.


===

Ritcher

"Let's get this over with."

Ritcher didn't want to be a part of this. His car was burned down when he ignored the increasingly threatening phonecalls, and the safety of his widowed ill mother was threatened. So he sneaks in the night like a rat, doing whatever he can to guarantee survival.

Code: Select all
VIT: -2     |     END: +0      |    STR: +0
-------------------------------------------
AGL: +2     |     SKL: +2      |    CUN: +0



Light Feet
    You may enter locations unannounced if you so wish. You may observe, listen, and even act without being noticed, but you may be spotted depending on what actions you perform.

Surprise Element
    Should you be concealed or undetected, you have advantage at the first three actions you perform when revealing yourself.

Escape Plan
    You start with a smoke bomb.

Escape.


===

Jake

"Show some goddamn respect."

Jake is in his own words a "true patriot", born in the south of the U.S.A. When the calls offered a chance to kill some ruskies, he was delighted. He was quite angry to learn the callers weren't american either, but some problems you can only solve one at a time.

Code: Select all
VIT: +0     |     END: +2      |    STR: +2
-------------------------------------------
AGL: +0     |     SKL: +0      |    CUN: -2



Chaos and Mayhem
    You will succeed in all actions that involve breaking, smashing or wrecking of objects and items.

Slippery Snake
    You cannot be restrained, e.g. being pinned against the wall, the ground, or simply having your arm held down.

Escape.


===

Biker

"You think I'm stupid? Huh? I look stupid to you?"

The tasks given by the early phonecalls weren't that bad. It was fun paid work. But once those got too boring to do, the callers seemed angry. The Biker is smart, and is not the type of person to be intimidated. Thus he falls in line, just long enough to teach those callers a lesson.

Code: Select all
VIT: +0     |     END: -2      |    STR: +0
-------------------------------------------
AGL: +2     |     SKL: +2      |    CUN: +0



Hacker
    You will be told of the upcoming MC Game Pairings. You may edit these pairings to your liking, up until they are revealed.

Rebel
    Twice, you may swap the points of any two protagonists. They will be notified of this.

Helmet
    You start with a helmet, and the keys to your motorcycle, of which the tank of it is full. It allows you to get to places faster than anybody else. You can scooch in and let a second person ride along.

Escape.


===

Evan Wright

"Somebody call an ambulance!"

Evan Wright once killed a mobster by accident, when on pursuit of a hot lead for the new book. Now he is blackmailed so word doesn't get out. Still a honest man, working for his wife and son, he refuses to let that mistake happen again -- Or worse, to give in to the rage against the world.

Code: Select all
VIT: +0     |     END: +2      |    STR: +0
-------------------------------------------
AGL: +2     |     SKL: +0      |    CUN: +2



Reflex Overdrive
    Whenever you submit an action meant to injure, you may submit a non-injuring action to be carried alongside it. The second will always succeed if the first does.

Avoiding Trouble
    You have +3 on all defensive rolls against protagonists who have killed at least one protagonist. You are not informed whenever this roll applies.

Painless, Harmless
    You start with a rag and ether. A knock-out with it takes a while.

Escape without being a killer. Failure willl engage Rage Mode.


===

Manny Pardo

"I was born with thick skin."

Manny Pardo: the cop who, in a solo mission, cleaned a dock full of more than 100 colombians, using only weapons he found along the way. Or maybe that only happened in his power fantasy daydreams. What he is for sure is the brutal serial killer he was assigned to investigate: The Miami Mutilator. That's the intel the callers have, so Pardo got no option but to obey, at least for now.

Code: Select all
VIT: +2     |     END: +0      |    STR: +2
-------------------------------------------
AGL: +0     |     SKL: +2      |    CUN: +0



The Miami Mutilator
    If someone injures you enough to draw blood, you will receive an advantage in ALL rolls against them so long as the injury is left untreated.

Cop Gut
    You can assess a protagonist to get a gut feeling about their behavior. This may include picking up on lies, on whether someone is a threat, and so on.

The Magnum
    You start with your very special Magnum pistol, loaded with a single bullet.

Kill at least one protagonist and escape, or be the sole leading cause of death.


===

Corey

"So we are actually doing this?"

Corey was never as enthusiastic as her friends when it came to being masked killers. They made it seem like good fun and roped her in. They ended up diving too deep and gotten themselves killed, and now Corey is all alone, no choice but to keep going from where her friends stopped.

Code: Select all
VIT: 0     |     END: +0      |    STR: +0
-------------------------------------------
AGL: +3     |     SKL: -2      |    CUN: +2



Roll Dodge
    You may spend an action to dodge towards a direction of your choice. This always succeeds. You are invulnerable to targeted actions during it.
    You cannot roll a second time within two actions since your last roll. You cannot roll if you are restrained.
    (Roll -> act -> act -> Roll)

Riposte
    For every two attacks you successfully avoid, you gain 1 riposte charge. You may spend a charge to guarantee your next attack will not miss, guns excluded. Charges last for a day/night cyle.

Escape.


===

Alex Davis

"What the fuck are you waiting for?"

Alex Davis wishes to replicate the glory and attention the masked killings first got. Those 15 minutes of fame are what she craves. Her brother is in it for the ride as well, and is possibly the only person Alex really cares about.

Code: Select all
VIT: +2     |     END: +2      |    STR: +2
-------------------------------------------
AGL: +0     |     SKL: +0      |    CUN: +0



Family Connection
    You are the sister of Ash Davis, and you are partners in crime.
    You start with a walkie-talkie. Your partner has the other one.

Fight Brawn
    You are Adept at brute strength melee combat.

Shared Fate
    Once, at any point, you may swap stats and abilities. This is done immediately and before all else. You may also do this if your partner is dead.

Escape with Ash Davis, or be the leading cause of death, killcount shared with Ash Davis.


===

Ash Davis

"Who invited all these morons?"

Ash Davis feels a certain attraction towards getting credit for the masked killings, getting a chance in the spotlight. Ash knows well enough that his sister is in it too, ride or die, but he's just smart enough to ponder that maybe they're both not ready for this.

Code: Select all
VIT: +0     |     END: +0      |    STR: +0
-------------------------------------------
AGL: +2     |     SKL: +2      |    CUN: +2



Family Connection
    You are the brother of Alex Davis, and you are partners in crime.
    You start with a walkie-talkie. Your partner has the other one.

Finessed Ranger
    You are Adept at ranged combat and combat that requires finesse.

Shared Fate
    Once, at any point, you may swap stats and abilities. This is done immediately and before all else. You may also do this if your partner is dead.

Escape with Alex Davis, or be the leading cause of death, killcount shared with Alex Davis.


========================

Evan Wright (Rage Mode)

"Just who are you, then?"

The blood of one more person on Evan's hands is just too much. He's nothing more than a killer, like the rest of them. And the worst is, he enjoyed it. For a few moments, all his concern and trouble was replaced by pure bliss. Evan Wright gives in to the rage.

Code: Select all
VIT: +3     |     END: +3      |    STR: +3
-------------------------------------------
AGL: -2     |     SKL: +0      |    CUN: -2



Pain Overdrive
    Knockback, stun and other effects are less effective against you. You are not immune to damage, but pain does not hold you back.

Blood Thirst
    You know where every bleeding protagonist is.

Painful, Harmful
    You have +2 on all attack rolls when using weapons. You may not carry or use items that aren't weapons.

Survive to see no other protagonist alive.
Alternative goals are unavailable to you.
No protagonist may escape before you either win or die.


Spoiler: Image

Art Count: 3
Spoiler: Cyrus & Horane

---
Aeolus & Phoenix

---
Xero & (Priest)
User avatar
Arcthurus
Mafioso
Mafioso
 
Posts: 1448
Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2014 6:41 pm
Location: (-03:00 UTC/GMT)

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Arcthurus » Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:58 am

Image

Password: Answers

You may now post.
Last edited by Arcthurus on Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:59 am, edited 1 time in total.


Spoiler: Image

Art Count: 3
Spoiler: Cyrus & Horane

---
Aeolus & Phoenix

---
Xero & (Priest)
User avatar
Arcthurus
Mafioso
Mafioso
 
Posts: 1448
Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2014 6:41 pm
Location: (-03:00 UTC/GMT)

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby ChubbyMooshroom9 » Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:58 am

bad end riza lived
Image

Hall of Fame
Spoiler:
Shino Thomson
Image
Federico Decandia
Image
Clayton (Briah)
Image
Gebura Briah
User avatar
ChubbyMooshroom9
FM Awards: Town
FM Awards: Town
 
Posts: 1376
Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Ethiopia

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Cyantic » Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:59 am

bad end riza lived
Spoiler: Image
Image
Image
User avatar
Cyantic
[Forum Mafia V] Winner
[Forum Mafia V] Winner
 
Posts: 601
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 6:36 pm

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby ChubbyMooshroom9 » Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:59 am

This is what you call synergy with a partner schultz

Image
Image

Hall of Fame
Spoiler:
Shino Thomson
Image
Federico Decandia
Image
Clayton (Briah)
Image
Gebura Briah
User avatar
ChubbyMooshroom9
FM Awards: Town
FM Awards: Town
 
Posts: 1376
Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Ethiopia

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Hawkwing425 » Sun Jan 26, 2020 1:01 am

HOLY FUCK.
That is all.
Quote wall will be posted when it's finished.
User avatar
Hawkwing425
Bodyguard
Bodyguard
 
Posts: 246
Joined: Fri May 27, 2016 10:20 pm
Location: Hawkwing425, the SHSL Forumronpa Player, has been found guilty. Time for the punishment!

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby PolyesterHomes » Sun Jan 26, 2020 1:01 am

Good Ending Ivy lived.
"Whisper in the dark. The battle may yet be won."
User avatar
PolyesterHomes
Veteran
Veteran
 
Posts: 443
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2015 4:08 pm
Location: This Post

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby PolyesterHomes » Sun Jan 26, 2020 1:04 am

In other news, congratulations to Bella for the

http://prntscr.com/qsyja4
"Whisper in the dark. The battle may yet be won."
User avatar
PolyesterHomes
Veteran
Veteran
 
Posts: 443
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2015 4:08 pm
Location: This Post

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby IAmAMunchlax » Sun Jan 26, 2020 1:05 am

User avatar
IAmAMunchlax
Halloween 2015 Winner
Halloween 2015 Winner
 
Posts: 1445
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2014 12:11 pm
Location: ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Schultz128 » Sun Jan 26, 2020 1:06 am

Get fucked Chubby.

Get fucked Cyan.
User avatar
Schultz128
FM Awards: Creator
FM Awards: Creator
 
Posts: 391
Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2015 10:09 am

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby ChubbyMooshroom9 » Sun Jan 26, 2020 1:08 am

Schultz128 wrote:Get fucked Chubby.

Get fucked Cyan.

you needed a shitty nat 20 to beat my chad ass
Image

Hall of Fame
Spoiler:
Shino Thomson
Image
Federico Decandia
Image
Clayton (Briah)
Image
Gebura Briah
User avatar
ChubbyMooshroom9
FM Awards: Town
FM Awards: Town
 
Posts: 1376
Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Ethiopia

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Cyantic » Sun Jan 26, 2020 1:08 am

smh the respect i get for bailing riza's ass out like, seven times
Spoiler: Image
Image
Image
User avatar
Cyantic
[Forum Mafia V] Winner
[Forum Mafia V] Winner
 
Posts: 601
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 6:36 pm

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby IAmAMunchlax » Sun Jan 26, 2020 1:09 am

Image
User avatar
IAmAMunchlax
Halloween 2015 Winner
Halloween 2015 Winner
 
Posts: 1445
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2014 12:11 pm
Location: ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby IAmAMunchlax » Sun Jan 26, 2020 1:15 am

Image
User avatar
IAmAMunchlax
Halloween 2015 Winner
Halloween 2015 Winner
 
Posts: 1445
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2014 12:11 pm
Location: ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby IAmAMunchlax » Sun Jan 26, 2020 1:15 am

anyway arc bb this was a fun game thanks for hosting it even though i died pretty early on but it's all good now i can go to sleep <3333
User avatar
IAmAMunchlax
Halloween 2015 Winner
Halloween 2015 Winner
 
Posts: 1445
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2014 12:11 pm
Location: ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Chemist1422 » Sun Jan 26, 2020 6:38 am

PolyesterHomes wrote:Good Ending Ivy lived.

awww thanks
mist ~ she/her

i guess this is goodbye?
(still here for danganronpa i guess)


stop sending reports to me i'm not a tos game moderator
User avatar
Chemist1422
FM Game Moderator
FM Game Moderator
 
Posts: 1026
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:39 pm
Location: on the beach at dusk (CST/CDT)

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Chemist1422 » Sun Jan 26, 2020 6:39 am

bad end arc made me stay up until 11:30 for this
mist ~ she/her

i guess this is goodbye?
(still here for danganronpa i guess)


stop sending reports to me i'm not a tos game moderator
User avatar
Chemist1422
FM Game Moderator
FM Game Moderator
 
Posts: 1026
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:39 pm
Location: on the beach at dusk (CST/CDT)

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Multiuniverse » Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:04 am

I was told that Hawk was persuaded not to kill me 5 mins before I sent in the bomb
Oh well

Gg thanks for hosting arc

Thanks parker for the gif and SuperDuper for suggesting rotational sig
User avatar
Multiuniverse
[Forum Mafia XVII] Winner
[Forum Mafia XVII] Winner
 
Posts: 479
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2016 2:15 am
Location: Everywhere yet nowhere, nowhere yet everywhere.

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Chemist1422 » Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:06 am

I literally would've fought Riza and Castillo if they had tried to kill you if you hadn't recreated what PKR tried to do in IIB
mist ~ she/her

i guess this is goodbye?
(still here for danganronpa i guess)


stop sending reports to me i'm not a tos game moderator
User avatar
Chemist1422
FM Game Moderator
FM Game Moderator
 
Posts: 1026
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:39 pm
Location: on the beach at dusk (CST/CDT)

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Multiuniverse » Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:38 am

Chemist1422 wrote:I literally would've fought Riza and Castillo if they had tried to kill you if you hadn't recreated what PKR tried to do in IIB


I didnt know though
Also it would also be Bella

Thanks parker for the gif and SuperDuper for suggesting rotational sig
User avatar
Multiuniverse
[Forum Mafia XVII] Winner
[Forum Mafia XVII] Winner
 
Posts: 479
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2016 2:15 am
Location: Everywhere yet nowhere, nowhere yet everywhere.

Re: VLDR - Shut Up and Dance

Postby Hawkwing425 » Sun Jan 26, 2020 1:50 pm

Really need to draft this thing ahead of time next VLDR I play in.
Well, that was fun, and Belladonna shouldn't have logically lived with her personality and behavior, but she did, and got a sick ass victory at the end to boot, all to the tune of a massive Jojo reference. Love it, 10/10

Telegraph documents:
Initial Signup Message
An Analysis of Stanley, Elizabeth, and Belladonna's Relationships
That Third Morning of the End (prompted by the first prophecy of the third dream)

Discord quote wall:
Spoiler: Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

PM quote wall:

Bella and Stanley's First Chat
Spoiler:
Arcthurus wrote:Castillo enters Belladona's room.

Cyantic wrote:Hey, um. I didn't mean to intrude, so if you want me out, tell me. But... you okay? I'm sure this is a lot for you at the moment, and considering the stakes, real or imaginary...

Yeah.

Hawkwing425 wrote:FUCK!
She slams her fists into the mattress, turned away from Castillo.
God- god damn it, what do you want?

Cyantic wrote:Woah. Hey. Just... wanted to make sure you were alright, you know? Guess it's a bit of a thing, I get that. But we're in this together, yeah? Whether we like it or not... so.

Do you need to talk? About any of this? I can try to help, keep things... stable.

Hawkwing425 wrote:She exhales. It's a rather drawn-out exhale, and it sounds like she's hissing it through clenched teeth.
I don't need a fuckin' therapist, or whatever you're tryin' t' be. Can't stand therapists, anyways, or any a' those "try t' pry your deepest secrets outta you and then call you crazy 'cause they don't actually give a shit how you are" people. I didn't WANT to end up pretty much revealin' all the shit in my past. But you had t' keep pressin', huh?
Belladonna turns, as though to confront Castillo in some way, but can't bring herself to look him in the eye.
...where th' hell did Hirluin go?

Cyantic wrote:Hey, it's not like that. I'm just trying to offer you some help if you want it. You can say no - or you can yes, and I can try. I mean... it's been a pretty hard, rocky road, right?

You're kind of alone, now. So... I may not be in Miami for long, but I might be able to help you. It's clear you're angry, I understand. I did not mean to press too hard, but it is... an odd choice. Therapy's not done well, what with Stanford and everything. So I wouldn't lower myself to that.

If you want it, I'm here. We all have to get through this, right? If you want a crack at Richard... you know. Divided, a house won't stand. You've got a motive to get people together if you want.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna grabs the mask, as though to protect it. She speaks slowly, like it's a struggle to.

...One day, I got a weird feelin', alright? An' I felt like there was somethin' I was missin'. I felt... incomplete. So I checked my options and remembered I had that favor. An' I used it t' get a mask 'cause... I dunno, I just always wanted a mask. I think masks are cool. I went for a bird-ish design 'cause Hirluin suggested it. Well, he didn't suggest it, I asked him what th' mask should look like an' he shrugged an' looked off at some birds nearby, so I took that as inspiration. An' I decided that a full bird mask would be too hard for th' guy that was makin' it- hard t' get those fake feather materials- so I jus' said t' him, "make it kinda birdy, I guess." An' he did. And I've worn th' mask since 'cause... it jus' feels right. That guy made it for me 'cause my mom was a nice person t' him. Only fair t' respect his work, 'cause it respects the results a' what Mom did. An' I know I said I paid good money for it before, but... that was a lie. I just wanted you t' stop buggin' me about it, hoped that was a good enough reason, 'cause a' course someone would want t' get th' full worth a' somethin' they bought. But you somehow got me t' mention th' basics of th' truth by bringin' up family, then pieced th' rest t'gether.

There. You happy? That's how I got th' mask, that's why I wear it. Quit buggin' me about it. Please. I don't want t' think about this shit. Pisses me off. I don't do well with people, anyways. You all think I'm crazy...

Cyantic wrote:I don't think you're crazy, Belladonna. You just want to be reminded of your past, your mother. There's no shame in that. I've got a sister, you know that? She's very dear to me. Or was, at least.

Do anything for her, ya know? I love her. She's a little different, maybe even more than a little, but that's okay. We're all going to be more different then we are similar. But I'd carry a memento of her wherever I went - mask, suit, whatever. Because it'd be her, and I'd want to remember that. Even if she was gone from me... she'd never be truly gone.

And something you like is even better. It's a legacy, there's something respectable in that. I get that. What else are you, besides the mask? You're not insane, you're human.

So could I know more about you? Who you are as a person, what you're feeling. That sort of thing? I can tell you stuff about me, if that's what you'd like to trade. I've got moments of my own. I can be a little sappy as well.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna’s shoulders remain tense, but she seems less confrontational. She sits on the bed.

...I dunno. This... really isn’t my thing. I get pissed off or upset? I go pick a fight. Take it out on somethin’ or someone else. This talkin’ shit is... weird. Never ended well for me b’fore. Except with Hirluin... even if he rarely talks and no one believes he exists.

She makes a half-hearted gesture that doesn’t seem to mean anything. Immediately after, her hands flop limply to the mattress.

Whatever. This’ll wear off, go away, somethin’. I mean, what do you care? We barely know each other. One of us is probably gonna end up dyin’ from this game ‘cause someone’s gonna want t’ make it easier on themselves. What’s the point in tryin’ t’ make friends if your options could die at any moment...?

Cyantic wrote:Has that made you happy? Content with your life? Solving problems with the dialectic of gun and boot has hardly made many men happy. You may be different, of course... but. You're welcome to try, bounce it off me.

What do I care? Well... shouldn't I? Why wouldn't I care? People are people, and that's enough for me. I'm a doctor, I've kind of married my life to that. In this life, we only have the connections we make. And I don't want to look back and realise I've missed these connections because I thought myself too good or too proud. Because I can't be. The connections we make, the business we create... the best bonds are made in sewers.

That much is true. I care because I'm the person I am. I can watch sunrises, I can eat caviar and sleep on silk sheets, but that won't make me happy or fulfilled. If we're going to die, wouldn't it be better to know someone before it's over? Someone that at least would remember you?

People are people. We want to be known. No matter who you go too, high or low... I've sat with several people on their death bed, their crying, their screams. We all want to be remembered. We're here for such a short time and every moment is precious. I'm not saying we have to mean something to each other.

I'm not saying that's what should happen either. I'm saying that we need to take every chance we have to help others, because one day, we will be relying on those connections. They may save us, they may ruin us, but they gave our life more meaning than any amount of cash or drugs or sunsets. And you feel like you need some help.

I want to offer that if you will have me. I want you to mean more than a bloody mask to me - I want to know you as something greater than that, like someone who cared for meaning and their parents. I will leave if you want me to go. But nobody else has gotten this close to you in so long, been so accurate. And nobody else has cared in so long about you. Am I wrong?

It's just been you and Hirluin. People die on me all the time. It's sad, it's miserable, but it's worth more to have known them for a second than to never have known them. This? This isn't any different. A silent killer stalks all of our footsteps... that's not any different to me. That's a world I understand. If your words are true, that between us, one of us will die... then in these moments, this connection is worth all the more for it. If these are my last hours... I'd rather know each and every person here, the good, the bad... then to not know them all.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna is silent, then laughs, slightly bitterly.

Happy? Hahahaha! Are you kiddin'? I like fightin'. I'm good at it. It's easier than tryin' t' be some kinda socialite. Plus, if I talk t' th' right people, I can use my skills t' get paid. Rule number one: money rules th' world. People could use strong people, and I've learned they'll pay an awful lot for someone who knows how t' kick ass. Not gonna lie about it...

Her slight smile fades, and she's silent for a few seconds before she speaks.

...Hirluin gives half a shit 'bout me. Otherwise, he wouldn't stick around, right? Do... do I really need anyone else? Why should I have t' rely on other people for stuff I need if I could be strong instead? I... god. This sucks. This sucks! I don't even have a clue what t' say! Emotions suck!
Ugh. No. You're not... wrong. People don't really want t' be my... friend, or anythin', but I'm fine with bein' avoided...

She's lying about being fine about it, and doing a terrible job at it. She places one hand over the eyeholes of her mask, looking like she's trying to hold something back. Tears? Words? Who knows?

I... don't exactly... think you're wrong. That I could use a second person t' help me, 'cause allies are... useful at least. But I don't wanna... you... you're actually... fuuuuuck! Why am I feelin' bad about not just sayin' somethin' like, "Oh, yeah, you can be my friend!" and tellin' you everythin'? I don't... I... why do I care? Why? I'm not makin' it any better for me... this is dumb. I don't fuckin' know.

She turns her head away from Castillo.

I don't get it. Life's never been some deep thing 'bout makin' friends and meanin' for your life. It's just another kinda existence. I dunno what I wanna do here. Never really had an endgame goal. Meanin' beyond just kinda livin' and fightin'...

Cyantic wrote:Sure, but does it make you feel happy? Fulfilled? Like you don't need anything else out of your life?

Do you want allies, or do you want friends, or just someone who can understand you a little bit more? Don't you want something greater? You've felt that there's danger, here. So are you happy with your life as it is? This could be it, in your own words.

Are you happy with it? Is rule number one all that true? Do you care about what rules the world, or what you'd rather do in it?

Hawkwing425 wrote:I don’t fuckin’ know! Okay?!

She takes her hand off of her face, slamming it onto the mattress. Both hands grip it tightly as Belladonna finally meets Castillo’s eyes with a look of wild anger mixed with agitation.

Where’d you get th’ idea that I have any clue what I want from my life?! I never asked to exist- I just kinda do! Not like I had a plan from th’ start! I’ve been tryin’ t’ live ‘cause I don’t really want t’ die, an’ that’s it! Can’t you just shut up?!

She gets to her feet, looking hostile and aggressive.

That’s what I just said: I live, I fight, I get paid, I don’t have some big goal! I dunno if I want friends or not, an’ no, I’m not fuckin’ happy with my life!

She freezes as she realizes what she just said.

Cyantic wrote:Do you want me to leave, Belladonna?

Hawkwing425 wrote:...this is stupid.

Belladonna walks towards the door, but stops short of leaving.

Look... I don't have a goal for th' long term. But right now, I want t' live through this dumb game thing, if only 'cause I don't wanna die. I'll figure th' rest out later, I guess. I probably have better things t' do then sit around, talkin' t' you, makin' myself more an' more pissed off.

She pauses, then turns her head to look Castillo.

...Also. Don't try t' fuckin' kill me. I'll kill you first. That goes for everyone, but I may as well make sure you're not gettin' any ideas. Th' slimy trash bag that is Richard wants us t' kill, but I don't kill w'thout a good enough reason. I know we ought t' be on th' same side, but I can't be certain. I did just tell you a lot a' stuff you could use against me.

She turns her head away from Castillo.

Like an idiot.

Cyantic wrote:Do you, Belladonna? I feel like I've made an awful lot of assumptions. But let me make one more.

You never told me to leave. You wanted someone to hear you - hear the real you, even for only a moment. Your problems, your concerns. I can't make them go away. I can't ever do that. But I can listen.

Do you want to kill me? Are you that concerned that I would? I won't say a word, because these aren't my stories to tell. They're yours to tell, however you want to tell them. I was just the first to hear them. I don't get that, you know. Sometimes you think you're on the verge of death in your words, sometimes you aren't.

I prefer the second - your courage is a very good trait to have.

Hawkwing425 wrote:...
Silence. Oppressive, uncomfortable silence. Then...

...like I could ever make sense a' my head. I do things when I have a good reason t' do 'em. That's all. Don't ever plan big, grand plans or anythin'.

I just wanna live. World's a dangerous place. I've survived so far, an' I'm proud a' that. Like t' believe that I'll keep survivin'. But on some level, I know I'm not invincible. Sometimes I believe that, sometimes not.


Belladonna turns her head once again to Castillo. She looks fatigued at first, but takes a breath and regains some composure.

An'... you're th' first person since I showed up in Miami t' try somethin' like this. So I dunno what t' think 'bout it. Guess as long as you don't dismiss me as bein' crazy, some kinda delusional lunatic... I can work with it. I can't stand when people do that. So don't.

Cyantic wrote:My sister had a saying - you're invincible until you no longer believe you are. As long as you have that faith, you can do anything you want. Have big, grand plans. Enjoy things. But you gotta keep believing you'll be around for it - you're invincible until you no longer want to be.

It's a good thing I don't hail from Miami, then. We treat people like humans elsewhere. And you're no different.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Big plans, huh...? Uh... thanks, I guess. For... whatever this is. I dunno exactly what I'm thankin' you for, but... eh, whatever.

Guess now, we can... figure out what t' do next. Richard's a li'l' shit. I'd like t' screw him over. Why should he get t' be able t' threaten 12 people with death an' get away with it? Someone's gotta deliver what's comin' t' him, 'cause if he's targetin' us 'cause of us doin' "despicable things", he ought t' hold himself t' that rule, too. Not sure how t' do that yet, though. Think we'll have t' figure out who his contacts are first, maybe find an' follow a trail. Or make one. You got any ideas off th' bat?

Cyantic wrote:If you want to bring him down, there's ten others with reasons just as good as yours to start with, I think. If you want to succeed, you just need to find a bigger enemy. Richard's that man.

If you can convince people to rise above fears and petty violence, we could get somewhere. Track down leads, run down names, so on and so forth. Find the person who delivers pamphlets, trace the number... won't do us much good if people are stabbing each other in the back, however.

Arcthurus wrote:The phone rings once more. The message plays on its own.

"Here are the pairs for the M.C. Game."

"A0: I/O & Nolan;
A1: Shino & Castillo;
B0: Belladona & Ivy;
B1: Lester & James;
C0: Berry & Robin;
C1: [Schultz] & Azelf."

"Please choose how the pairs will vote for the first M.C. Game round."

"Press 1 for: A0 vs A1, B0 vs B1, C0 vs C1"
"Press 2 for: A0 vs C1, B0 vs A1, C0 vs B1"
"Press 3 for: A0 vs B1, B0 vs C1, C0 vs A1"

Hawkwing425 wrote:Hard t' talk ten, eleven people into somethin', even if it's somethin' as simple as "don't kill each other". Hopin' the threat a' me killin' anyone who betrays or tries t' kill me is at least SOME motivation. Also... bit of a reach, but do you think there might be some people specifically brought here t' cause chaos? Make sure that th' group doesn't go after Richard? If Richard's as powerful as he claims, talkin' about how he can kill anyone he wants, he could probably bribe someone with enough money t' make sure things go his way. Each of us should keep our guards up. I'm not lookin' t' get stabbed in th' back 'cause I chose t' blindly trust everyone. It's risky enough for me t' tell you all this.

...huh. That's our groups. Well, I'm definitely not choosin' Option 2. Shino's a bastard.
Even saying his name visibly pisses Belladonna off.

Cyantic wrote:Maybe, but it strikes me as if such a thing occurred, a double cross would be in the works, if not already completed. If you can't win them by emotions, you can by logic. If he's gone this far, he'll go farther still if he so desires.

Guard, trust... it doesn't really matter, just that if you're to bring Richard down, you want everyone going one angle and not the other.

Option three, then?


Pizzeria Shenanigans
Spoiler:
Cyantic wrote:Fear's the great ruiner of men, but I could say the same to you. Takes a stout heart to order anchovy.

He smiles.

I'd rather remain calm in the face of evil and understand. Others may be different.

Arckas wrote:Whatever floats your guys's canoe. Anyone going to stab me in the back would be doing me a favor, haha... just kidding. Unless...

I'll go grab the orders.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna gives Castillo a skeptical look. Then, she glances out the window like she's looking at the camera like she's on The Office, except The Office doesn't exist in 1989. But you get my point.

Arckas wrote:I want to hug big fluffy Siberian bear.


Metro Shit
Spoiler:
Arcthurus wrote:Elizabeth drops the katana by the bench, and takes Belladona's knife. She undresses from her outfit and puts on the normal one, hiding them by a trash can.

Castillo stands on top of Belladona, each foot beside her. Her lights are out, her face terribly bloody. Castillo takes a deep breath, his knuckles on the crowbar turning white.
He descends the crowbar in one swift blow and blows her brains out.





Castillo stands on top of Belladona, each foot beside her. Her lights are out, her face terribly bloody. Castillo takes a deep breath, his knuckles on the crowbar turning white.

Belladona mumbles something. "Hirluin, are they gone?", before slowly coming to, blinking, finding Castillo right above her. Castillo's eyes are very wide of surprise. What just happened?

Hawkwing425 wrote:Wh-!

Where?! What?! You! You son of a bitch!

Schultz128 wrote:Riza chuckles.

Wow, good thing she did whatever she just did, otherwise I would've never let you hear the end of it for killing her.

Get her patched up, we both need to rest.

Cyantic wrote:Christ, I was telling you that I couldn't... have done anything. She was mortally wounded. Right, okay. What the hell can we do now? Does anything hurt, Belladonna?

Schultz128 wrote:There's something off, she's not a normal person...

I like her. Someone like her shouldn't just die in some subway with a hobo and an estranged married guy. Do your best to close it up, we'll take her back to the motel.

Hawkwing425 wrote:What did you do t' me? You fucking bastard! I can't remember shit, but you... what...? Hirluin? Where are you?

Cyantic wrote:I told you, I had to protect Riza. And with Berry jumping...

Never mind that. Are you still on death's door?

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo backs off as Belladona crawls belly up away, still just as injured mind you. She looks terribly confused. She sees the bloody katana by the bench where a dead Berry Wong lays.

Schultz128 wrote:Oh, Castillo jumped the gun and smashed your head in for a moment because he didn't hear me say to patch you up instead.

No point in killing you due to the alternative escape route, plus this new discovery. You interest me.

Schultz128 wrote:Belladona, you're just going to die tired if you do that.

Come on, give it up. Berry was a nobody, wasn't he? He's not important, he's a means to an end.

Us 3 stay up and keep Robin up as well, we can likely make it out of this place alive. You want to live, don't you?

Cyantic wrote:Fine. Yeah, okay, act over. We're not exactly saints, but here. I'll give it my best go - I can head over to the mart and see if we can keep you going. I did mean what I said, you know. You got courage and some spry antics to ya. Besides, I genuinely like you. It was a shame you just chose the side against us.

I run a business, you know. I can get you out of this hell hole, bring you somewhere nice. Us three would be a fucking power team.

Cyantic wrote:And most importantly, for me, no more lies. Just the honest truth. I said I'd do anything for my sister. Make sure you're sitting with the power team, now. These people all have it coming. You don't.

Hawkwing425 wrote:...

Belladonna tries to stay up, but drops to laying on her back, exhausted and trying to catch her breath.

...'course I would int'rest you. All this shit happens t' me... 'cause a' the blood. The LaFey blood.

Hard t' think, but... lemme just... I didn't really care too much 'bout Berry himself. Just wanted... I dunno. I can barely recall. I don't remember why I jumped in... musta just wanted t' fight... didn't realize this was your sister...

Schultz128 wrote:Stan, we're trying to keep someone from basically killing themselves, not selling real estate. Christ...

Those wounds don't look fatal, but you'll extremely fragile right now. Going for that sword and attacking is just going to waste your life.

Come on, put aside your pride and let us treat you, we can rest at the motel.

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo brings out an extra tshirt and comes close to Belladona, gesturing an offer to clean her blood.

Cyantic wrote:We got plenty of fights heading our way. Nobody with us is gonna have to deal with trust. Get you back to the motel, run you some painkillers, maybe even a nice bath. You got talent, kid. Not everyone manages to pull off a minor victory against my Riza.


Hey, money makes the world go 'round. We can all be sitting in Cuba in a week, sipping rum and enjoying ourselves. Just want it out there - she's in position for some beautiful friends if she dances with us. Shame that pretty guy ain't in our four, though. Nothing for it. Plus... going to be sitting on a legacy soon. A real nice one.

Schultz128 wrote:Cuba is dogshit. I like the sound of London better, more down to roots. Punkish and all, sounds wicked.

Also, remember who's in charge, Stanley.

Cyantic wrote:Thought we wanted weak extradition laws or somethin'. No matter, where you go, I follow.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna looks at Castillo, but makes no move to try to crawl off. She does try to sit up, however, to what is likely no avail.

...can buy th'- th' money talk.

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo kneels and cleans the excess blood. Her bleeding seems to have stopped.

Elizabeth checks Berry's body. Besides the flashlight, he also had rope, a rag, and ether-- some kind of knockout agent. She pockets all of it.

Cyantic wrote:Well, I can tell you no friend of mine's gonna go hungry or want some of the nicer things in life. It ain't family, but hell, we've got an opening if we like you. A new one for you, cause we'll sure as hell look out for each other.

Cyantic wrote:I'll be damned. Guess I ain't a hotshot like Riza. Get you something for the pain, you'll be right as rain in an hour, I think.

Schultz128 wrote:Grab the katana and bring it with, Stan, give it to her when she recovers.

We both need to rest Bella, so you can come chill in my room until the night's over. We ought to talk anyways, we got off on the wrong foot.

Cyantic wrote:On it, sis. Rest sounds good.

Schultz128 wrote:Go ahead and carry her, let's get going.

While we're resting, you can keep us up to date on stuff with the radio. Check out the Disco.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Faster than that, heh...
Belladonna smirks.
Hirluin's already healin' me up with his magic from somewhere in this room. Don't try t' look for him, though, he'll probably run off as soon as you do. Liiiiike usual.

Yeah, uh, preferably? Don't try t' kill me again. Only reason I didn't try t' kill you soon as I woke up is 'cause I don't even remember why I was fightin' in the first place, so I don't know if I was justified or not. So let's call it fair. I'm still pissed off, but whatever. Not like I can do much but let it slide.

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo grabs the katana. Elizabeth grabs the skateboard.

Schultz128 wrote:Also, to have our stories straight:

Berry attacked me, and you came to my aide. A lot of bullshit happened, but we eventually won albeit wounded.

Schultz128 wrote:Give her a lift Cas, let's go.

Cyantic wrote:Damn, you've made one hell of a powerful friend. Ain't planning on it, my sis likes you, so I like you quite significantly. And yeah, I can trot off to the discotheque. Get a nice bit of dancing in. That'd be fun.

Cyantic wrote:Also, after you, sis.


Elizabeth's Room
Spoiler:
Cyantic wrote:You got painkillers or something? Do I need to run to the shop?

Nah, Berry was just a tough bastard. That'd work for me.

Schultz128 wrote:No, I don't got any of that. I need this cut cleaned and bandaged, so try to find something for that soon.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Pff-heheheh... painkillers. I'll... be fine... doesn't hurt at all.

You lying bitch, Belladonna. It obviously still aches like a bitch, even if she's not bleeding anymore.

Cyantic wrote:I've got clothing, there's no bandages. Might be rubbing alcohol and towels, though, get it disinfected?

And painkillers. Definitely painkillers for the both of you. I look after my own good. Stanley, by the way. It's actually Stanley Castillo.

Schultz128 wrote:I don't need any, just get something to clean and wrap it.

Elizabeth, likewise. Riza is a nickname, on the account of mispronouncing my name as a kid. All that you saw earlier with the impediment wasn't fake, I'll say that much.

Cyantic wrote:Will do, sis.

Schultz128 wrote:(gnight fuckers, dont flood my inbox kthanks)

Hawkwing425 wrote:...so. Why DID you attack me, Stanley? 'Cause it's a blur. Comin' back a li'l', though.

Belladonna sits on the bed.



(it's inevitable, you should have seen how many PM folders I needed for AO)

Cyantic wrote:Why? My sister is everything. I can't have her die. Not to be sappy, cause she'll hit me, but it's true. She's the one and only person that really matters to me. That's why I attacked.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna focuses, like she's trying to remember something.

...Right, I attacked her. 'Cause... she an' Berry were fightin' when I showed up, an' I went for her, 'cause... I dunno. An' we fought, an' you showed up, an'... an' you hit me in th' head. An' then I was seein' red, wasn't thinkin' straight, all I wanted was t' finish her off. Even when you called her Riza, with me knowin' that's one a' my allies. An' it goes blurry 'til I woke up with you standin' over me with th' crowbar. Couldn't remember anythin' at th' time, but I'm...

Cyantic wrote:Yeah. Beat you over the head, didn't stick, though. You're tough as hell. Was just mad you hurt my sis.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Heh.
She gets quiet.
...woulda been nice if you'd've just been open from th' start, sayin' somethin' like, "Oh, yeah, Elizabeth's my sister, hurt her an' I hurt you", or somethin' like that. Don't think you ever made th' connection b'tween you two clear.

Cyantic wrote:I suppose so, but I took her orders of not having any connection with her. Wanted to make sure that no one would be able to connect us. Operational security or some buzzword like that.

Hawkwing425 wrote:So she's runnin' the show, not you. Do you just listen t' her 'cause you love her, or is there another reason?

Cyantic wrote:Are you getting at something?

He smiles, and unlike before, it feels genuine.

It's just brotherly love. I'd do anything for her, like I said. She wants to be infamous? I'm her hands.

Hawkwing425 wrote:...hm. Can't relate.
She glances at the door.
I'm sure Hirluin's lingerin' 'round here somewhere. Either way, he won't care what I say 'bout him, so... I know I make it sound like he's my best friend or somethin', but... I'm pretty sure he just follows me 'round 'cause a' my blood. He never says why. He just follows an' heals an' I don't really do much in return b'sides acknowledge he exists. Barely even talks.

Cyantic wrote:Doesn't sound like much of a friend, yeah. We aren't perfect - she has her megalomania, I hog the mirror... but we're a fair sight better then that, at least. We won't ever consider you crazy, we talk, it's a nice little family. Somewhere to belong again. Bring your ally along, we won't mind. We started off on the wrong foot... but this could be something for all of us. A renewal of faith.

Blood of the womb is not thicker than the blood of the covenant, after all. You've got a lot of positives to you and it'll be little like the three musketeers. And there's Richard to think about, as well.

Hawkwing425 wrote:He's saved my ass more than once, that's all. Not like I want him t' fuck off, even if we're not best buds who share all our deepest secrets.

...I'm not sure if I can trust you yet, honestly. You did just try t' kill me, if I'm right. At th' very least, I'm willin' t' team up if only 'cause there's bigger threats, but...
Belladonna draws her feet onto the bed, sitting with her chin resting on her knees. She looks down.
...I dunno. This is weird. An' stupid. An'... an'............
She tenses up, quivering just enough to be noticed. Her head drops.
This sucks. What could I even think 'bout you? You, Stanley, you... you were buttin' heads with me first, then tryin' t' be my friend, then outright tryin' t' kill me, then tryin' t' patch me up an'... invite me into this... "family"? I... what can I even say?

Cyantic wrote:Well. It's up to you, 'course, but I want it out on the table. We can help you, especially since we haven't put each other down out of anger. I did mean what I said - wish you didn't get wrapped up into this, fighting my sister. Trust can't be manufactured, but I said I'd be honest, and that means something to me. You've been looking your whole life for something after your parents died.

We can be that, if you want it. Feel like something again, get some cash, enjoy yourself once more. Bring along Hirluin, he's fine, but he's not everything you need. I did mean some of that. You got questions, I'll ask. We're not perfect. But we're family and we can work with each other, rise above Miami again.

Hawkwing425 wrote:I'm not knockin' it off th' table yet. Just gotta... think 'bout it first. You make some good points, for sure... but... trust... trust is hard. Just... in gen'ral.

Belladonna falls silent, looking forlorn. No- almost mournful. What could she be thinking about?

Cyantic wrote:I understand that. Lot on the table, yeah? I'll get you some painkillers if I can find them. Might help both of you and fuck off, Riza.

Hawkwing425 wrote:...don't need painkillers... I'll be fine, right?
She sounds like she's talking more to herself. Her tone of voice is very uncertain.

Cyantic wrote:You'll live, yeah, but I keep telling you. I take care of my own.

Hawkwing425 wrote:..........
She looks like she wants to say something, but can't. Instead, she simply removes the bloodstained mask, turning it towards her and looking down at it. The dark circles under her eyes are as pronounced as they were the first time she took the mask off, adding to her exhausted look.

Cyantic wrote:Just relax, alright? We've got a long road in front of us, Belladonna, but things are gonna look up soon. Real soon. I'll take care of you just as well as I take care for Riza.

He places his hand on the bed, almost as if he's trying to be comforting but unwilling to go all the way.

I promise you that. You're with us now. You won't have anything to fear anymore, and you're going to get to keep doing what you love. What we love as well. Get you out of a flea bitten hellhole, somewhere nice. It's what you deserve, something as nice as your mask is. A proper home.

Hawkwing425 wrote:At the comment about the mask, Belladonna smiles slightly, though it doesn't stick.

...alright. I can certainly respect it... what you're sayin'.

Cyantic wrote:You got meaning, a certain understanding. I appreciate that. You're not just some run of the mill fucker, someone we don't need to care about. You're special, a little diamond in the rough here in Miami. You hold yourself like a champion. I meant that, you know. There's a little spark in you that reminds me of Riza. I think you two could be friends.

Just gotta open up a little, get together, understand each other. Make sure we don't end up on any unfortunate coincidences. Pack mentality keeps us humans alive, knowing the right people to trust. If we're animals, it pays to be the smart kind. And you aren't a fool. You made a bad call, but now you're learning from it. That's what this is about. It's not perfection, it's evolution.

It's about having someone you can lean on and share with, share your life again with people that will care and listen to you. Not Shino or whatever or James, an opportunist. Stick your neck out for the people who care, not just being a vulture. You know that? It means the world to be able to sit down and share with someone again. Like, okay, Riza's in a shit indie band. Sure. But she's still wonderful and I'll listen to her garbage lyrics anyway, because she's my sister and that's important to me. Besides, for what it's worth, she shoulda gone big. She's not bad at all. Got to share your life in those ways and it doesn't do to talk to a man that never talks back. Your mother went and you were alone. Maybe this is just life's way of telling you keep your chin up, now. Create something special again.

He sits on the bed.

If you need to cry, you can. Doesn't make you weak. Makes you stronger for it, processing your emotions, knowing how to speak and when to do it. Acting, in a small way. That's business for you, but family and friends won't ever judge. It's a way of turning iron into steel. Getting whacked in the face with a crowbar is a bitch, believe me.

Hawkwing425 wrote:I don’t... want t’ cry...
She’s going to cry.

Cyantic wrote:Stanley cautiously moves over to Belladonna, and places his right arm gently around her shoulder.

It's okay. It's going to be okay, Atropos. You can cry. Just removing the impurities for stronger steel - a stronger poison. That's Belladonna, ain't it? And it's all the more beautiful for it. We won't judge.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna almost shudders as he does so. At the same time, a single tear falls onto the mask in her hands, carrying some of the fresh blood from the earlier fight with it as it rolls all the way to the edge, then drips onto Belladonna’s shorts. More are on their way to follow. Her shoulders shake, and she initially tries to hold it back, fight through, but it’s no use.

She gives in to the emotions, and lets herself cry.

Cyantic wrote:He gently begins to hug her.

You don't need to say anything. I understand exactly what you feel and I am sorry that it all went like this. People like you don't deserve to be in the gutter. You deserve something so much better and I can only hope... no, I know that we can complete you in a better way. Go ahead and cry, the summer sun will rise soon. It's okay to cry, to feel.

You'll be better for it.

Schultz128 wrote:Riza changes out her torn shirt for a new one.

Mind doing that in the bathroom or something?

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna seems to try to resist the crying again, though it doesn't do much, so she soon gives up once more. However, the flow of tears is starting to slow.

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo gives a reassuring nod before leaving the room.

Hawkwing425 wrote:A minute or so after Castillo leaves, the crying pretty much stops completely.
...well, now I feel like an idiot.

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo returns.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna is no longer crying. She just looks dejected and embarrassed.

Cyantic wrote:Nothing, sis. No painkillers, no disinfectant, nothing. How are you two feeling?

Hawkwing425 wrote:She avoids eye contact with Stanley and says nothing.

Cyantic wrote:I told you, it's alright to cry. Just means you're getting stronger, getting past it. Nothing to worry about.

Hawkwing425 wrote:. . .
...but I feel stupid for doin' it. Not even totally sure what I'm freakin' out 'bout. Doesn't make sense. Wasn't an issue b'fore...

Cyantic wrote:Well, I don't think it's stupid. Lot of shit just happened, ya know? Plenty of emotions, experiences... it can be a lot, the first time. Take your time to process it.

Still need to kill at least two more tonight to be on track, after all. But we can take all the time we need to make sure you both are doing okay.

Hawkwing425 wrote:...how much would you bet that other people are killin'? If my memory serves me, Berry had some real shady shit on him. Maybe th' other participants'll make it easier on us.
Should probably track down Robin, though, if we're really goin' with this team thing.

Cyantic wrote:Honestly? Between us, not that likely. They're shady as hell, there's something real sinful about them, sure. But there's not a lot of weapons floating around and between us... we're probably the best armed. Most were clubbing.

As for Robin... she's in the mart. Although I'm half hoping to see if we can't pull some sort of swap and offload her for someone better... she doesn't seem useful to me whatsoever. Kind of a pain, really. Too flirty, too personal, too likely to get pulled into a moshpit of drama. We don't really have a weapon for her, anyway. Katana's yours, crowbar's mine, and Riza's got the rest of it.

I think that one kid - the one in the pizza parlour... Azelf? She might be pulling something. Maybe James as well. I don't think Shino is, I'm not sure he's even aware of reality. Still... that guy might be a nasty bit of work to take down. Looks and sounds like an utter brute. Quite annoying.

Schultz128 wrote:Go get some booze then.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Azelf has a sledgehammer, if I remember. James has shurikens. Three a' them, from th' blockbuster puzzle. Dunno 'bout anyone else. Gotta wonder where Berry got what he had...
Yeah, Robin doesn't strike me as useful t' us yet. I'm impulsive an' whatnot, but I've still got a brain b'yond a desire for fuckin' in my head.
Azelf's definitely settin' my alarms off. I know what Richard said. We've all done shit, we've all got contacts. Anyone who says otherwise is lyin', though I hate t' say that anythin' Richard says is true, 'cause fuck him. James was settin' 'em off b'fore, too, like I said t' him. Too focused on seemin' "normal". Shino's just a piece a' shit.
Belladonna immediately looks irritated by mentioning him. Still feeling insulted?
Could probably just stick somethin' in some beer an' give it t' him. Knock him out or kill him with it an' then finish him off if we gotta.

Also, where's my knife?

Schultz128 wrote:I'll be needing the knife, frankly. You can have your sword and the crowbar if you like.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Sword's great... long as I'm not gettin' hit in th' head with th' crowbar again by Stanley. Still not recovered from those.

Just gonna point out that it was really easy t' get knives from th' pizzeria. That's where I got that one.

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo returns the katana to Belladona.

Cyantic wrote:Yeah, katana's yours. I'll keep the crowbar, though. I'm a little attached to the thing now. Can I get away with calling it Excalibur?

James might be a good target to jump, then. Get the shurikens. Azelf might be better left alone - she could be a murderer, easy. I know there was... christ, what was his name... Nolan. Nolan was alone in bowling hell last I saw, could make for an easy kill. Not like anyone's gotten attached to him.

Shino... yeah, alcohol and poison would work nicely. I don't really want to have to fight him so rigging the deck sounds good.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna accepts the katana, looking happy to have it back in her hands.
Go 'head, long as you don't call it Vera. Everyone calls their weapon Vera. It's overdone.
Yeah, I keep forgettin' Nolan exists, too. Just like, uh, th' one guy, with th' hair over his eyes, an' th' blond one. Think th' last one's Ivy, my partner in this voting phase thing.

Cyantic wrote:Oh yeah, voting. Is it even worth bothering with? We're coming out on a pile of corpses so I haven't thought much, or at all, about it. Dead people can't stab you in the back, after all. We'd need to knock off Azelf and Ivy to make sure of things... and really, I'd rather just bring down the other eight. Seven now, I suppose.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Fair enough.

Arcthurus wrote:Belladona tries, and succeeds, at standing up.

Cyantic wrote:Hey, you're doing better. How's the pain?

Hawkwing425 wrote:It's hur- it's fine. Just a dull ache. If we have t' do somethin', I wouldn't want t' hold you back, so I'm ready t' go if we have t' go.

Cyantic wrote:Night's still young. We can take as much time as you need. Worst case situation, I go off and whack someone with a crowbar a bit while you guys rest up.

Hawkwing425 wrote:...
Belladonna looks conflicted.
Wouldn't wanna sit around in here... I'd feel useless.

Cyantic wrote:Not doing something? I feel the same way. Sometimes, though, you've got to rest and prepare for the next show. Let things settle down and plan. Or well, let your body stitch itself back together. You're doing really well for someone who just got whacked around a bit, though. Impressive stuff.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Heh, thanks. I still dunno... I kinda wanna say you're right, but... c'mon, I wasn't hurt that... well... fuck! I dunno!
She sits back down on the bed and puts her head in her hands.
You musta hit me more than I remember... like I said, it's blurry past a li'l after you hit me th' first time. I shouldn't be this... hurt. Fuck... I shoulda played my cards diff'rently. Cut my losses... but whatever. It's in th' past.

Cyantic wrote:I whacked you I think three times. Took each one surprisingly well until the last one. And hey, I’ve been there, though it was with a baseball bat instead. It’s okay to feel like your head wants to come off.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Huh. Yeah, only knew that I got hit twice. Once at first, once t' knock me out.
Ugh... yeah, fine, I'll admit it, hurts like a bitch. Could probably still at least help, though...

Schultz128 wrote:You also didn't bleed from a slash to the chest.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Huh? Don't remember gettin' slashed.
Belladonna looks down at her shirt to see the tear.
Oh, yeah. That thing.

Cyantic wrote:Oh, yeah. I didn't remember that part. And you were just... gushing blood from the face. I'm not a doctor, obviously, but that doesn't quite seem like human biology to me. Also, if you want that shirt repaired, if I can get a needle and thread... I can probably give it a go.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Yeah, nah. I've got somethin' under th' shirt t' help me out. It's my secret.
Although... I'm not fully human, so you were onto somethin' there. Even if I'm mostly human... th' LaFey bloodline guarantees that I've got a li'l' somethin' else in me. That's why all th' weird things happen t' me, an' probably why Hirluin trails me. I'm a magnet for weirdness. I hate it, but I love it, too.
As for the shirt, I could just grab a replacement from my room.

Cyantic wrote:Ah. LaFey... the Fae? Clever. That's fine, just wanted to offer incase you were wearing your favourite shirt or something.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna rolls her eyes.
Yeah, yeah, th' Fae. That's... look. My full name is Belladonna Rudyk-LaFey. Dad was Taras Rudyk. Mom was Missy LaFey. Not makin' it up or anythin', even if it's a li'l' on th' nose. An' no, this isn't my favorite shirt.

As she says her parents' names, she toys with the mask in one hand.

Cyantic wrote:Hey, I won't judge. Just pointing that out. Seems to have served you more than well enough if you've managed to thrive in Miami. Your parents did alright.

Hawkwing425 wrote:They weren't from Miami. I'm th' one who came down here. Reason I've lived so far is 'cause I'm willin' t' get paid t' do th' shit that no one else wants t' do. I don't fear. I keep goin', sometimes more than I should go. You saw some a' that. Not enough people like that in th' world, who're willin' t' actually do shit instead a' sittin' around.

Cyantic wrote:Still takes a lot of talent to raise a fighter, and more than that, a winner. Speaking of action... you feeling any better still? Dunno what else I can do... can't think of anywhere there'd be painkillers or something for you.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Think it's gonna hurt for a while, rest a' th' night at least, though it'll fade. I'm used t' injuries, though. I can fight through th' pain if I have t' fight, or if I want t' kill someone enough.

Cyantic wrote:Good. You want me to try and bandage your wound a bit, Riza?

Schultz128 wrote:What have I asked you to do since we got here? Get some booze too, I want some alcohol in it.

Cyantic wrote:There wasn't any rubbing alcohol or whatever they use. I suppose I could go get some whiskey or somethin' from the disco - does that work? Fuck if I know.

Cyantic wrote:By the way, sis, what's our story? People saw me with the walkie talkie. Good samaritan responding to a fight?

Schultz128 wrote:I called you, end of that.

Cyantic wrote:A reference to the fact that we're... let's call it, friends? I think that'll work for me.

Schultz128 wrote:I don't care if you drop us being brother or sister at this point, but don't spoil the overall dimwit facade I've got going.

Cyantic wrote:I wouldn't dare. I'm enjoying that song and dance quite significantly.

He raises his hands to his face to block being punched.

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo skidaddles away.

Hawkwing425 wrote:A few seconds after Castillo leaves, Belladonna makes a sound of discontentment and returns the mask to her face.
Jeez. This is a mess. I must seem like I've got it together less than I do, with th' cryin' an' all. I'll blame th' head injury for that.

Schultz128 wrote:Doesn't matter, things go back to normal once we all meet up again.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Yeah. If anyone asks where I was, I'll say I, uh... after th' last time anyone besides you two saw me, which was me seein' Io in th' motel lobby, I walked into th' metro an' immediately got attacked from b'hind, hit on th' head a few times an' don't remember who did it or what happened after, then woke up t' you two patchin' me up an' takin' me t' th' motel. Good lie?

Shit, shoulda gone over this with Stanley b'fore he left. Probably should keep callin' him Frederick in front a' everyone else, too...

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo returns. He pulls out a bottle of whiskey and a fresh set of male clothes just his size.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Oh, hello again, Castillo. Like I was just sayin' t' Elizabeth, think I might want t' have a cover story, since I was with th' two a' you an' look like I was in a fight, which I was.
Was thinkin' a' sayin' I got ambushed while I was just walkin' into th' metro- can change that location if needed- an' someone hit me over th' head a few times b'fore I saw who it was. Then I woke up t' find you two were patchin' me up, then takin' me t' th' motel. Dunno if that's a good lie, but it's what I just thought of.
Also, should I call you Frederick in front a' everyone else?

Cyantic wrote:I think that works, yes. I came in, you were out, and Elizabeth was fighting Berry because Berry was a man out of hell. Together we killed him and saved all those wonderful people we just met. Call me Frederick - I don't like the idea that people might be able to figure me out in a group or somethin'. Makes me more than a little nervous, there's plenty to this game we haven't seen yet.

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo takes Elizabeth to the bathroom, douses one side of a shirt with whiskey, wipes her wound down, and then wipes again with the dry side. Elizabeth grits her teeth and grunts through the process. She is not in great shape, but it doesn't look fatally dire.

Cyantic wrote:That doesn't look great, sis. I don't think some shoddy bandage will cover it. We need to get some sort of first aid kit and time to stitch you back together. Let's hope we get more access to the city, find something to put you back together again. Cause the mart is fucking useless. Also, here, Bella. It might help dull the pain, it might not. Your choice.

Arcthurus wrote:Fred passes Belladona the whiskey bottle.

Cyantic wrote:I can try to stitch it together - there's needle and thread in the mart. It wouldn't be sterilised, though, and without forceps or something, I'm pretty sure I'd be making it worse and not better. Would leave a pretty nasty set of scars, but you don't really have a heart anyway.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Ah, forgot to mention, Belladonna's wearing her mask again. She was wearing it when Castillo walked in with the whiskey. She looks down at the whiskey bottle, hesitates, then ultimately holds it back towards Frederick.
Nah. Keep it. Think you might be able t' use it for healin' purposes. I'll... be fine without it. I don't drink much, anyways- never figured out how much I can take, an' don't think now's th' time.

Cyantic wrote:Suit yourself. Although, really, I don't want to actually be dousing things in whiskey. I'm not a doctor, but I'm pretty sure that's how hospitals refuse to operate.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Yeah, 'cause they've got better stuff. Unlike us. But it's your call.

Cyantic wrote:Might as well, really. I just hope we turn up some sort of aid soon. I don't like Riza being hurt...

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo keeps the whiskey to himself.

Schultz128 wrote:I don't care about a scar idiot, I just want to live and walk without feeling like I'm 40.

Cyantic wrote:I don't have the materials to stitch it closed, Riza. I'm sorry. We'd need a first aid kit or a suturing kit or a doctor's bag or something. The mart does not quite provide. Without it, I'd only make things worse.

Schultz128 wrote:Still just wrap it up for now so it doesn't get infected.

Cyantic wrote:I guess... I can give it a go. Dunno what you're quite expecting, sis, I don't think it'll stay but... I'll give it a try.

Arcthurus wrote:Freddy wraps the wound with the acquired shirt, the doused side against the wound. Or whichever method would be less dumb to deal with this. She should be good for a bit, or at least until proper treatement can be given.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Scars aren't too bad. They're a sign that you lived through some shit. A mark a' survival, I guess.

Cyantic wrote:Damn, I'm good. I don't even know how that worked, but I'm fantastic at doctoring.


Some Chatting with Ivy (First Voting)
Spoiler:
Arcthurus wrote:This room is a rather barren one, in terms of decorations. It looks like Belladonna has the bare minimum of belongings and necessities, and the room doesn't look as genuinely lived in as others may look. However, what is there is rather disorganized- the closet door is simply left open, her one blanket is half off of the bed, there are some small, dark stains in the carpet by the door, et cetera. There's also the phone that everyone has, waiting for your call.

Hawkwing425 wrote:As soon as the two enter the room, Belladonna shoots Ivy a glare of sorts.
We're gonna ally. Don't try an' pull anythin' funny in here. You're not th' one with a fuckin' sword.
She goes to make the call to 555-MC-VOTE.

Chemist1422 wrote:“Y-Yeah, th-that’s fine.”

Arcthurus wrote:Belladona presses 1.

"Thank you. Have a nice evening."

Hawkwing425 wrote:Nice... evenin'...? You sons a'...
Belladonna hangs up after the response and stalks over to her bed, sitting down on it.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Having done that, she watches Ivy closely, looking very menacing... until eventually, she drops her gaze to the floor, and the angered expression fades to mild irritation.

Chemist1422 wrote:Ivy shifts around nervously under Bella’s angry expression

Hawkwing425 wrote:Silence. An ominous, oppressive silence that fills the room and feels as though it slowly crushes Ivy. It's the kind of silence that seems to suppress any words that Ivy could say, the kind that's audible and so, so loud. Finally, Belladonna mutters something.
...fuckin' stupid, isn't it?

Chemist1422 wrote:“Yeah...s-sometimes I worry I deserve it th-though...”

Hawkwing425 wrote:She looks up at Ivy.
What for? Could understand people havin' a grudge against me. What's your deal?

Chemist1422 wrote:“E-Everyone h-has a r-r-reason th-they’re h-here, r-right? Mine is... I g-guess I’d s-say n-not very noble.”

Hawkwing425 wrote:You're not exactly talkin' to someone who's any more "noble".

Chemist1422 wrote:“W-Well, i-if nothing else you’re m-more self-confident...”

Hawkwing425 wrote:Can't spend your whole life lettin' yourself be a pushover 'cause you think you shouldn't get any better than you get. Why do you THINK I'm pissed at Richard? He's pushin' us around with his li'l' "game" an' hasn't gotten any sorta punishment for it, despite sayin' that, oh, "sins catch up t' you eventually!"
Belladonna adopts a sarcastic tone.
Ooh, we're all immoral people who mighta killed a person or two, or more. That means you're so much better for threatenin' those people with murder an' tryin' t' get 'em t' do your dirty work, like you're not a "bad" person yourself- no, you're above all th' big, bad evil people 'cause you're targetin' 'em! What a fuckin' hypocritical, smug piece a' shit. Murder's murder- accept that you're cool with it or don't, but stick t' one opinion. Can't wait t' see his corpse.

Look, Ivy, I'll say this 'cause you haven't pissed me off as much as SOME people here. It'll do you a lot a' good t' be motivated by spite. Don't you hate th' shit you're in? Don't you want somethin' for your troubles? Why should th' people who mess with you get t' do that? You say you deserve it, so why? Why do you deserve t' be manipulated like a puppet? You gettin' paid good cash for it or somethin'?

Chemist1422 wrote:“I g-guess you’re right...still, it’s hard not to think about it sometimes.”

Despite Ivy’s words, she seems noticeably less upset

“Thank you.”

Hawkwing425 wrote:Uh... you're welcome? I guess?
Belladonna looks a little uncomfortable at having been actually... can we call that nice? Actually, she looks a little embarrassed.


Drugstore
Spoiler:
PolyesterHomes wrote:"Should we hunt for Shino now or wait for him to be done with that?"

Hawkwing425 wrote:Io, Shino, Nolan... I want all those bastards dead. I'm sick a' waitin'.
Belladonna almost starts to shake with... anticipation? Rage?

PolyesterHomes wrote:"Then lets fine em and wipe them out."

Arcthurus wrote:


I/O enters. He is carrying a baseball bat and his mask has a clear message.

Image

Hawkwing425 wrote:Good timin'.
Belladonna raises her katana and grins.
Hey, fucker.

IAmAMunchlax wrote:\Let us get this show on the road. But first, let us make this a bit more... fair\

PolyesterHomes wrote:"Are you going to do the movement freeze thing again?"

IAmAMunchlax wrote:\I guess you can call it that... except you will remain permanently "frozen".\

Hawkwing425 wrote:What movement freeze thing?

IAmAMunchlax wrote:\The one where you lay dead on the ground\

Hawkwing425 wrote:Oh, you're doin' that t' yourself? Great, thanks.

IAmAMunchlax wrote:\Enough talk. Time to prove if you have what it takes. Ready yourself.\

Arcthurus wrote:James and Belladona begin to approach menacingly. I/O throws a kitchen knife, their mask briefly turning to \MUDA!\, James failing to dodge it as the knife lands square on his cheek. He's sent backwards into the ground.

Belladona jumps forward. I/O pulls out a machete, but does not have time to block the blow, a slash across their chest. They're still standing but it doesn't look too good.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Did I ever tell you how many people I've killed b'fore you? You're not th' first by far, an' you won't be th' last, Io.
Belladonna's grinning like a loon. She's having WAY too much fun.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Heh, fuck you! Can't kill me! An' that li'l wound a' yours'll take you down eventually!

Arcthurus wrote:I/O throws a knife at James' head, and another at Belladona's. Both manage to dodge.



James screams and delivers a barrage of five punches against I/O.

ORA ORA ORA ORA, ORA!

James is too close for I/O to dodge, instead receiving the full brunt of the attack. One particular punch leaves a huge crack on his mask and sends him flying against shelves of medication.

PolyesterHomes wrote:After the onslaught of blows, James exhales.

"People like you REALLY piss me off."

Hawkwing425 wrote:Nice, James.

PolyesterHomes wrote:"Finish him off please."

Arcthurus wrote:Belladona attacks I/O's machete arm with her katana. They're bleeding profusely but the grip on it remains, as Belladona is distracted I/O pulls out one more knife and attempts to stab Belladona on the head, but she dodges in the nick of time.

James stands still, looking extremely tired.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Gladly.

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo enters the drugstore in time to witness the scene.

James is standing in the middle of an aisle, a knife embedded on his cheek. He looks terribly frail and exhausted, but managing to not fall down.

I/O is by collapsed shelves of medication, one arm holding a machete and bleeding from a wound, chest also bleeding, mask screen cracked wide and the other still healthy arm holding a knife.

Belladona holds her bloody katana, she appears fine despite a cut on her clothes.

---

Belladona goes for a slice against I/O's neck, aiming for decapitation. I/O drops down, letting go of the knife on the healthy arm which drops to the ground. Next thing Belladona knows, he has a baseball bat in hand and goes with it at her face.

WHACK

Her brain goes flying out of her skull. It splatters on the ground, the headless husk of her body hitting the floor. I/O's mask changes to \Homerun. ; )\ briefly.


...



...


...



...



Belladona goes for a slice against I/O's neck, aiming for decapitation. I/O drops down, letting go of the knife on the healthy arm which drops to the ground. Next thing Belladona knows, he has a baseball bat in hand and goes with it at her face.

WHACK

Belladona is sent backwards, falling over on the ground. I/O's mask changes to \Home... Wait. What?\.


James stands still, looking too tired to move.



Cyantic wrote:Round three, I/O. Let's dance.

PolyesterHomes wrote:"I did my best Castillo, I'm sorry I couldn't save her. I gave it my all, as you can see from my state. Please finish this bastard off, he's almost done for."

Cyantic wrote:Oh, Bella? She's got a spark of the divine. I wouldn't worry about her. Try to stop the bleeding.

Hawkwing425 wrote:F-fuck... this isn't good. I don't think I can do that anymore.

PolyesterHomes wrote:"...Damn. Alright. I'll do that soon as I can... move..."

Cyantic wrote:Relax, Bella. It's all good, this is my show now. Just take it easy. I'm good at cleaning up tantrums. The best, perhaps, there'll ever be.

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo whacks the crowbar on I/O's good arm before the machete can find it's way to Bella's heart. The machete is sent flying across the store. Bella backs away from I/O who's now focused solely on Castillo, I/O's face is concealed but they seem weak, baseball bat still on one arm. James is still frozen.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Thanks, pal.

Cyantic wrote:You don't make good decisions, do you, I/O?

Arcthurus wrote:I/O observes as Castillo reveals a fireaxe. Whichever emotions they felt in their last moments was a mistery, concealed behind the cracked mask. Castillo brings down the fireaxe in one swift movement, splitting I/O's head in half without ceremony.

I/O is dead.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Immediately after Io dies, Belladonna slams her fist into the nearest wall.
GOD DAMN IT! I had t' fuckin'... lose th' damn...

Cyantic wrote:Bella, keep an eye on I/O. Make sure the robot doesn't move. I'm going to take care of James.

PolyesterHomes wrote:"Sorry I couldn't have been more help there. After I let out a attack like that I can't fight for quite a while."

Cyantic wrote:It doesn't matter. You're not going to be fighting again after this, it's going to fall down to me and Bella for Nolan. Hell... maybe even then... Not to cause you to panic, but you look like shit. I'm going to do my best, but it might not be enough.

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo grabs painkillers, sterile thread and needle, and inspects the wound. The knife is in pretty deep. James looks like he could pass out.

Cyantic wrote:A bit more and you'd be dead, James. I suppose you turned out to be fortunate after all. I'm going to do everything I can to numb the pain, but the mostt important thing is to not move, okay? You twitch at the wrong time, it's over.

PolyesterHomes wrote:James gives a thumbs up on his right hand, not wanting to move his face by talking or nodding.

Cyantic wrote:Bella, while I'm working, check I/O's body. Nanobots, for example, would be immensely helpful right now.

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo administers treatement, which is as stellar as it can possibly be because of how gay he is. James can feel like he just narrowly avoided death. Although he will survive, the scar and physical toll will haunt him until he dies, which is probably very soon anyways.

Belladona heads to I/O and removes the mask from their torn head.

Cyantic wrote:Well, James, not sure the face will be the same ever again. You're going to spend multiple nights in the ER and probably need to get facial reconstruction... but, uh, you won't die?

He kinda does a worried half smile.

Go team?

Arcthurus wrote:Belladona checks over I/O's body. Their pockets are empty.

Castillo retrieves the machete.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna mutters something under her breath. It sounds like the same thing, repeated over and over.

Cyantic wrote:You okay, Bella? Need painkillers?

Knife, machete, fire axe, crowbar. Running a nice little arsenal, now.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna finally turns around and Castillo sees something he did not expect to see on her face. A worried expression.
Somethin's gone wrong. I can feel it.

PolyesterHomes wrote:"Yeah, go team. I'm... i'm going to go to my dorm and take a rest."

Cyantic wrote:Wait - what's wrong, Bella? What happened?

PolyesterHomes wrote:"Why do I feel like I know what it is..."

Hawkwing425 wrote:Some a' my powers... it feels like they've gone wrong, like- like how th' ability that saved me from th' crowbar hit b'fore an' that saved me from th' bat this time... I can't feel that confident feelin' it gave me. Confidence? I dunno. Close enough. Either way, it's missin'.
She looks towards the door, increasingly unnerved, and starts to pace a little.
S-second... I can feel th' presence a' those... things. If I tug on th' Fae part a' me too much... they notice an' want t' take me. 'Cause I'm s'posed t' be part a' them, even if I only have a li'l bit. They're goin' t' try t' play with my mind an' drive me crazy enough t' leave this plane with 'em...

Cyantic wrote:What do you mean, Bella? What are they trying to do?

He turns away, suddenly seriously studying the shelving behind him.

Hawkwing425 wrote:...god, you're goin' t' think I'm crazy for sayin' it. But... ah, fuck, does it even matter? There's not much you can do t' handle it. It's somethin' I've got t' deal with alone. But I'm not crazy, okay? I'm not. It's happenin' t' me, an' I'm not lyin' about it.

Cyantic wrote:I told you, Bella, I don't think you're crazy. How bad is it? We've got miles to go, still. I can't have you going on me yet. There's got to be something I can do to help. We're going to get through it, right? I mean, hell, we've gotten this far. There's not much left after this. We're going to be out of Miami soon. You've just got to keep it at bay. We're almost there. We're almost to the finish line, Bella.

And... I guess James never will be. I'm sorry, but I guess that's... just how the cards got dealt. No way to make those points back. We just can't fall apart now. There's still seven of us with a chance. Is there anything I can do?

Hawkwing425 wrote:Grrr... I don't think you think I'm crazy. But... you might. Everyone I've told about it does. Better t' not risk all th' details, but... I can manage. I have b'fore. I'll do it again. I just have t' wait for 'em t' give up. Even if they can get into my head.

PolyesterHomes wrote:"Just try to make sure no other traitors get out. There's a good chance that I don't make it after this round. If that happens, do your best to get to the bottom of things. That Richard guy works for somebody and they get a hard on watching people suffer. Try not to let that continue."

Cyantic wrote:Is it because of James? You're afraid of telling him as well? We don't have long left. Is there anything I can do? I don't want you out of the picture. I need you, now especially. You're the only one that hasn't been out of commissioned or now has a chest full of scars.

I think we're going to have to try. There's no way we're going to survive unless we take out anyone who betrays - the risk is too great. We went from eleven to seven in an instant. No telling how far that number will drop. Or if it does drop any further, how desperate people will get. It's mandatory and I need someone to back me up. But it feels like I've long run out of allies that are left to get into a scrape. Better than the opposite, where I have none at all...

Hawkwing425 wrote:No, no, I don't give a shit about what I tell James. It's... it's... fuck, it's you, okay?!

Belladonna whips around to face Castillo, looking quite agitated.

B'cause for some fuckin' reason, I actually... don't mind havin' you around! Even after th' shit you pulled in th' metro, an' th' comments you made in th' motel b'fore that, an' how little I even know about you! An'... fuck, I don't want t' lose that so soon! I don't want t' actually feel this way after so long, only t' be let down AGAIN!

After her impassioned yelling, she stops to catch her breath.

Cyantic wrote:Oh. The Fae want you to kill me. That's it, isn't it?

He slowly nods, back turned to Bella, leaning against the shelving.

I thought so. It's been a long, painful road, full of missteps. And now everything changes again. I don't want to kill you, Bella. I never did . I don't think I could stop you if you did - you mean something to my Elizabeth, now. And you mean something to me. What a place, huh? I fucking hate Miami. It's like poison in the veins, you're never going to get it out of you. It just keeps seeping in and making things worse. This place was awful from the get go.

I'm a superstitious man, but nothing was right about Miami from the beginning. All the wrong signs, and it keeps getting worse. I told her that, but... it felt like Miami could've been something a little bigger. I know now that whatever it is, it's something that we shouldn't ever be in. I sold everything in New Orleans to chase something different. Came down from Chicago after a layover at my parents.

And Miami just burns and burns. You come into town to listen to your sister play, you think, but then you're into something else entirely. It feels weird being around people, like, real people again. Can't say I've ever talked like this for years. It's always been something for someone else. Sister brought me here and well... it's all gotten so much more complicated for it. It's easy when you're mixing it with bastards in suits. It's another thing when they actually have some spirit to them. I hate Miami, and yet I feel a little more alive for it.

He gestures towards James.

Didn't even ask for payment. Things are different, Bella. I guess it's up to you, but I've been trying to keep the ones important to me safe. And I'm here to keep you as safe as I keep Elizabeth safe. I don't know if that's worth anything, but you're not just a pretty face or anything to me. Fae might say otherwise, but... Miami has poisoned all intentions, turning them into good-in-evil or evil-in-good. That's what happened. And the wheel turns again.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Wh- no. No, no, no. I just... don't want you thinkin' I'm crazy. Fuck, this is goin' all wrong...

Belladonna covers her eyes with her hands, tense as all hell.

Maybe they'll tell me t' off you, but they just want t' take my soul t' their realm. They tell me stuff t' screw with me, like th' characters on TV an' in movies who are told t' kill people by voices in their head, but not just that. An', of course, only I can hear 'em b'cause regular people can't perceive 'em, so it seems like I DO hear voices, an' that's why people think I'm crazy! There! That explain it?! They try t' break me until I'm willin' t' go! An' it fuckin' wears on me, I'll admit it! Even though they're not doin' it all th' time!

I... I can't... just keep livin' like this... much longer...
She's trembling.

Cyantic wrote:I see. Could you try to block them out? Or leave them behind, somehow?

Hawkwing425 wrote:I'm stuck like this 'til I die... cool powers that keep me alive, but runnin' th' risk a' gettin' harassed by th' Fae when my juice runs out... all 'cause I had t' be born t' th' descendant a' someone who managed to fuck one a' th'... god. What can I even do? This sucks. This all sucks. Who gives a shit...? I can just... keep goin'... but...

Cyantic wrote:Do you want me to take your weapons, Bella? Do you need to go lay down? I... I can take care of everything from here. I'm sure I can.

PolyesterHomes wrote:"If you're going it alone, you can have the taser. It should give you enough time to run... or finish off whoever ambushes you."

Hawkwing425 wrote:No! I can't just give up now! Fuck, I've tried so hard this whole time, how could I just... stop?! I don't want t' be useless! I'm fuckin' sick a'... a' this... bullshit.

Belladonna lowers her hands from her face. She looks upset.

You don't need t' take my weapons. I can... I can still fight! I'm not impaired, just...

Cyantic wrote:... I trust you, Bella, and I trust you to know what's best for you. We can get through this, and we're going to be out here on the next train. Us three and anyone else who makes the right decisions - and survives those who make piss poor ones.

It's going to be alright. I've never let anyone in my family down. Keep the taser, James. You're almost certainly going to need it.


Motel Lobby/Parking Lot
Spoiler:
Arcthurus wrote:Belladona goes the parking lot again and rummages through Shino's body.

Arcthurus wrote:Belladona drops the gun back at Shino's body and takes something small from it.

Arcthurus wrote:Belladona disrespects the dead again, this time James.

Arcthurus wrote:She takes something and moves on to defile Robin's body.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna finishes LOOTING the two bodies.
Guess we're goin' t' hunt Nolan down?

Cyantic wrote:At least I cared.

Schultz128 wrote:...don't say I don't care, asshole.

Cyantic wrote:He just looks at Riza blankly.

Arcthurus wrote:Castillo stands up, using a baseball bat as a crutch; with a somber face he removes the knife stuck in James' throat. Elizabeth gets up as well. The group is huddled in a circle in the lobby.

You hear the sound of something rolling your way from down the hall, followed by footsteps quickly getting away.

When you turn to the direction of the sound, you see a gas tank rolling your way. There are clothes rolling alongside it at the top, on fire. You also hear something else from it... a hiss.

Cyantic wrote:Seems Azelf's come knocking. Good luck, Elizabeth.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Ah, fuck.

Schultz128 wrote:You better break your fucking leg sprinting away, Stanley, GODAMNIT!

Cyantic wrote:I really do hate Miami. Just wanted to point that out.

Cyantic wrote:
Image

Arcthurus wrote:


BOOOOOOOOOOOOM

.
.
.



The blast radius did not hit the entire motel, the part of the building with rooms down the hall are still intact. However the motel lobby is largely carbonized remains now. The windows were destroyed in the explosion blast, knocking glass everywhere. The chairs were burnt away, as were the bodies of those left inside.

The group that finds themselves on the parking lot do a headcount. Those who managed to escape are covered in scratches from glass, coughing up smoke.

Belladona blinks, recounting to herself the events. She tried to save Stanley, but he did the only thing Stanley Castillo would ever do in that situation. He jumped on the bomb, attempting to undo the fuse. Why wouldn't he? That kind of stupid idea is exactly what made him the man who he grew up to be. He hated Miami, so of course Miami would be his tomb.

Lester, on the other hand, accepted his own fate. He did not fight, for whichever reasons in his nebulous mind, no one could tell. A keen eye not attempting to run from the fire would have caught the most heartbreaking scene, the bearded man holding him tight, hoping their fondness would continue in another lifetime.

Belladona... Ivy... Elizabeth... The three watch as the fire lights up the street in the middle of the night.


Stanley Castillo has died.

Lester has died.

Chemist1422 wrote:“...”

Hawkwing425 wrote:Bella stares in shock. Pure, frozen shock. She mutters under her breath.
A' course... what was I expectin'...? What's... th' point a'... tryin' t'...

Arcthurus wrote:Azelf arrives from the street to the parking lot. She has a lot to process when she arrives.

Shino is dead on the parking lot. There's a stab wound on his heart besides several injures and bruises.

Belladona, Ivy and Elizabeth are laying down on the pavement, staring at the motel lobby. They're all alive and mostly unscathed.

The motel looks like it exploded. The lobby is on fire, smoke is pouring out. The part of the building where rooms should be looks to be fine though.

Arckas wrote:WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE!

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna stands up. She looks almost shell-shocked.
...they're dead.

Arckas wrote:No shit Sherlock! What the hell actually happened here?

Schultz128 wrote:....Bella?

Hawkwing425 wrote:G-god... damn it... I thought I could actually... I'm such an idiot...

Schultz128 wrote:Bella.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Belladonna exhales. It sounds and looks like it's through clenched teeth. She adopts a frustrated expression.
It... doesn't matter anymore. I tried t' save him. I failed. I don't even know why I bothered t'... t' try.

(ooc: [spoiler]fitting-ish music for the situation
)

Schultz128 wrote:I take it back. I take it alllll back.

Go find Nolan. And do whatever you want.

Go find the black son of a bitch and beat him.

Torture him.

Mutilate him.

Burn him alive.


Drown him.

Electrocute him.


Hammer in splinters underneath his fingernails.

Castrate him and shove his worthless manhood down his goddamn THROAT.

HANG HIM FROM HIS OWN GODDAMN INTESTINES FOR ALL I CARE!


Every terrible, grotesque, fucked up act or thing that has ever passed through that head of yours, do it to him.

And then do it again, and again, and AGAIN, UNTIL HE'S FUCKING DEAD OR BEGGING TO BE PUT DOWN LIKE THE WORTHLESS MUTT HE IS!!!!!

FIGURE OUT IF HE HAS FAMILY, SISTER, BROTHER, FATHER, MOTHER, WIFE, HUSBAND, KIDS, DOG, CAT, FAUNA, ANYTHING. THEN LET ME KNOW SO I CAN GO FIND THEM AND DO EVERYTHING YOU DID TO HIM TENFOLD UNTIL THEY'RE NOTHING MORE THAN A FUCKING TICK PULLED OFF THE HERPES RIDDEN CARCASS OF THIS FUCKING CITY!


AND IF IT WASN'T FUCKING HIM WHO ROLLED THE CANISTER INTO THE ROOM, I WILL RAPE THIS ENTIRE GODDAMN CITY -- NO, THE STATE -- WITH THE DIRTIEST AND CRUDDIEST PIECES OF SCRAP I CAN FIND IN THE ALLEYS OF ADDICTS AND WORTHLESS DEGENERATES UNTIL I KNOW WHOEVER IS RESPONSIBLE IS DEAD ALONG WITH ANY GODDAMN FUCKING PERSON THEY'VE EVER SPOKE TO!

Arcthurus wrote:"Jesus, take it down a notch." The receptionist, standing near the parking lot entrance, grins.

Hawkwing425 wrote:Surprisingly, at Elizabeth's outburst, Belladonna is silent for a good minute. Then, she speaks.
I never even got t'... it's weird. It really is. I knew him for less than two days. Didn't even like him at first. An' yet... I was likin' him just before this. I don't get it. That feelin' a'... I can't even describe it. Even after he tried t' bash my head in in th' metro, even after seein' all his flaws in full, an'... even knowin' that he must have known... that was suicide, huh? An idiotic suicide. An unnecessary one, too. He could have run out with us. But... he didn't. An' I'll never understand that.

I don't like people. I don't do well with people. An' it's mutual. I'm a killer for hire, so of course I'm not exactly a socialite. I always told myself that I was fine with that. So, this feelin' a'... is it grief? It's unfamiliar. I haven't felt somethin' like this for a long time. I don't want t' say that I... I don't like t' admit when I like people, but he was different, an' it kind a' hurts t' have watched him do that. Was he plannin' t' do this? T' let himself die? Th' way he was talkin'... I was suspectin' it, actually. That he would just give up on life. But I actually didn't want t' think that. Normally, I wouldn't care, but I cared. An' now I'm havin' trouble gettin' myself t' do anythin'. 'Cause I feel like I'm... drownin' in this. My head feels blank. I need t'... process this, for a moment.

Schultz128 wrote:Shut the FUCK UP RICHARD!

Arcthurus wrote:He stops grinning. "My name's not Richard..."

Schultz128 wrote:Oh, I'm sorry, is that your mask name? Shut the fuck up, I don't know what to believe in this place anymore.

Arcthurus wrote:"That sounds like a you problem." He grins.

User avatar
Hawkwing425
Bodyguard
Bodyguard
 
Posts: 246
Joined: Fri May 27, 2016 10:20 pm
Location: Hawkwing425, the SHSL Forumronpa Player, has been found guilty. Time for the punishment!

PreviousNext

Return to VLDR

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests