nysalogs | if you hold me tight, we'll freeze together

Entry tags:

if you hold me tight, we'll freeze together

Who: Sidurgu Orl (

abyssalflame) and others [open/closed]
What: October things
When: 10/1 - 10/15
Where: Wherever he needs to be?!
Warning(s): Sid is a grump and has many edges.

1)

[Perhaps you're just slow on your quarry, or perhaps you've let them go for one reason or another. Perhaps you're mid-conversation, about to get some pertinent information from them.

But Sid has been tracking this particular associate, none too patiently, and wastes no time driving an enormous blade through their midsection from behind once he feels they're no longer paying attention. A body drops to the ground and off his weapon, which glows under the flow of blood which he makes no effort to clean off. There's the faint sound of a steady dripping on the ground.

He's quiet for a moment, eying the corpse, then casting a glance at whoever happens to have borne witness to his attack.]

If you have a problem, say it. Otherwise, consider it a favor.

[Either he's a terrible kill stealer, or he just slaughtered someone you were planning to interrogate. Either way, he doesn't seem to care what the reaction is, steely-eyed and holding himself tensely.]

2)

[Wildcard! Please feel free to throw a scenario off the top of your head, or ping me at

quko to plot!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It hasn't even been a month yet, and Sid has already had more than he can take. It's only a matter of time at this rate before Sadu sets the house ablaze, or Magnai tries to cleave into her skull and gets the furniture instead.

Instead of sitting on his thumbs, though, he's decided to drag them both to a bar whether they like it or not, hoping the alcohol will loosen them up enough to at least be tolerable for an evening. Or offer a better understanding of one another under more honest pretenses, or some bullshite like that. Maybe if he's lucky, they'll black out and he'll have peace and quiet for a blessed while.

He levels an unamused glance at both man and woman as the bartender lines up an array of shot glasses upon Sid's request, all filled with clear drink.]

Pick a shot and we'll down it at the same time. One's a surprise, and don't even think about whinging if you get it.

Tch. I expected a challenge, whelp.

[ SADU AIN'T AFRAID OF NO BOOZE. The fact Magnai is also involved only makes her more determined to show that sun-worshipping dirtbag how a real Xaela warrior handles revelry.

At any rate, the Khatun shoots Sid a sharp-toothed smile just full of menace as she takes a seat (hopping up on the barstool that's Just High Enough to leave her feet dangling off the floor). ]

Watch that one. [ Jerking her head in Magnai's direction. ] He'll need a nursemaid ere the glass is empty.

[At Sadu's jab, Magnai merely levels an unamused stare at her. The childish quip does not deserve the dignity of being replied to, so instead he looks to the queer auri man whom has dragged them to this wretched place.]

One of the Sun does not whine over such trivialities. However, should our smaller company drink more than a glass or so, thus becoming incapacitated, 'tis not I whom will carry her burden home.

[With that said, he takes a seat, one space between him and Sadu, before reaching for one of the shots. He gives it an appraising, if obviously disappointed stare.]

'Tis obvious you are not of the Steppe, doubtless these glasses were made with hyur in mind.

Edited 2017-10-14 16:26 (UTC)

Mayhap that would be because our bartender and the vast majority of the patrons are Hyur.

[They're like two children who really, really enjoy bullying each other over all others. If only he were given coin for every time he was tasked with babysitting...]

If you want to play with more than a shot glass, then knock yourself out, but I take no responsibility for what happens when you get lost in your cups. And need I remind you, if you pick the mystery glass, you still have to drink all of it.

[Whatever this "mystery glass" is must be pretty strong stuff, possibly not even of Sid's choosing. More than likely, he just asked for the strongest alcohol in the house, straight-up, with a pinch of tabasco or some such for added misery.]

[ Sadu gives a scornful snort at Magnai's comment, but doesn't push him further. Instead, she not-so-subtly takes up the lion's share of elbow room on the bar, symbolically pushing the much larger Oronir off to the side ~~out of the limelight where he belongs with the rest of the peasants~~.

While Sid chatters on about patrons and rules, Sadu takes it upon herself to lead the charge - he'll get as far as "mystery glass blah blah blah" before she grabs the closest glass and downs it.

Vodka!

........well, it's not bad. New, but not bad. ]

Is that all? [ Giving Sid an elbow in the side, mocking as usual. ] 'Tis plain you are not of the Steppe.

[A pointed look at Sadu attempting to take up more room than her diminutive body would allow is all Magnai offers to her childish revenge.

Once Sadu has finished her shot, Magnai looks on to the choices before him. With an appraising once-over, he chooses his own, downing it with similar furosity as Sadu displayed.

Rum! With a bit of cinnamon in it. Flavors unfamiliar to him, but certainly not ones he'd consider bad. Unusual, is a better term.]

If you think some mere alcohol is enough to bring the Sun down, then you are mistaken. Such pitiful excuses for liquor would barely sooth a crying babe.

[Another pointed look at Sadu. The gaze is enough to emphasize his slight.]

[They talk like it's his liquor, honestly. All he did was find a bar with ale worth half a damn. Sid narrows his eyes and swats at Sadu's sharp elbow, making a disgruntled noise.]

Frankly, my bets are hedged on the lady here being the first casualty of the night. Say what you will of your fortitude, but time will tell.

[If not either of them, though, then definitely Sid himself -- he needs it at this point. The next shot is a strong whiskey, but not the one he'd been dreading, at least. It's got a bit of a smoky flavor to it. But as the shots start to dwindle, he begins to wonder if perhaps one of them already took it and simply didn't recognize it for what it was.]

If it's that disagreeable to your sensibilities, I'll be sure to ask that the next round is more suited to your tastes.

[ The "lady" in question gives Sid a sly look, but doesn't comment otherwise. One cup of authentic buuz would probably knock him flat on his ass no matter how tough he talks.

With that particular thought in mind, Sadu is swift to snatch up her next shot practically the moment Sid sets down his, downing it with just as much gusto as her first.

Whatever it is, she's just made a GRAVE MISTAKE because it doesn't start burning like hellsfire until about halfway down her throat. Cue Sadu attempting to maintain her composure while simultaneously stifling a reflexive coughing fit.
~~spoilers she got everclear~~ ]

[Continued from here.]

[He's screwed.

Even so, he's not going to go down in a burnt-up heap; he's at least going to try and struggle to the bitter end. Somehow, he manages the strength to roll onto his stomach again, but finds trouble thereafter in making his arms work when they're covered in puncture wounds. The majority of the assault was softened by his armor, and it doesn't feel like anything vitally important is damaged, but... gods damn it, does it hurt.

Why the bloody hells did he bother doing that again? She's going to hear it from him the next time they meet.

...If there is a next time at this rate. He lays his fist on the ground with a grunt and tries to rise on uncooperative arms, which don't seem to be able to support the weight of an Auri man clad in heavy armor at the moment.]

You've-- got to be kidding me, urgh...

[He's going to go down just like Fray at this rate: under unfortunate circumstances, and with a whimper rather than a blaze of glory like they'd always hoped. Considering he'd also been so upfront about declaring he has a reason to live, he needs to get up and find help.]

Rielle...

[Barely conscious, he drops to the ground again, the flag still tangled around his arm.]

[ Apparently X’rhun is very good at following trails of destruction, and truth be told, given all the smoke, he half-expects to find Sadu there. He doesn’t especially want to find Sadu, given how their last encounter turned out, but if someone has to stop her from setting the whole town on fire, it may as well be him.

What he finds instead is the aftermath of a battle long passed. He considers it a blessing that the damage hasn’t spread any further, but that means very little to anyone who had been caught in this mess. So, the red mage steels himself and begins looking through the ruins for anyone who might have survived. At least he’s thorough, because he finds the unconscious for of Sid soon enough, even as removed from the worst of the damage as he is.

Well. Where there’s smoke, there’s a Xaela. ]

My, you look like you’ve seen better days.

[ He says if quietly, even though Sid clearly can’t hear him anyway. The Xaela is in a bad way— it’s a no small wonder he’s even breathing.

X’rhun knows there will be no moving someone that big and in that much armor on his own. He pulls his blade and crystal from their places on his belt, snapping them together in an approximation of a conjuror’s staff. Silvery white light pulses from the crystal as he casts a simple cure spell, the only cure spell in his repertoire, but it should be enough to keep all of the Xaela’s blood in his body when he wakes.

Speaking of waking, have a verraise, Sid. It’s on the house. ]

[His fingers are first to react, curling reflexively while he does his best to stave off the pounding in his head. Although it's still a challenge, the strength to lift himself slowly settles in his limbs, and he manages to rise on all fours, cursing at the circumstances. And her. Mostly her.]

That... godsdamned fool...

[Sid looks up once he's steady, sees X'rhun, and scrubs a hand ruefully over his face. The recognition is immediate, and there's even a small touch of shame there that he's loath to admit to.]

...Not this again.

[ For his own part, X’rhun offers a cheery smile that sits at odds with the smoldering ruins around them. ]

Hello there. We really must stop meeting like this.

[ Then, more seriously, ]

How are you feeling? I tried to heal you before I revived you, but your injuries are a bit beyond my skill.

[Why does he look so damned happy about this? It'd almost seem backhanded as far as Sid's concerned. His only response to how he feels is a pained grunt -- at least he's honest, but all sarcasm aside, he collects himself from the ground and gets to his feet to speak with him on... slightly more even ground, although the fact he still towers over X'rhun is ever apparent even when he's hunched over.]

Don't tell me this one's on the house, too.

If you don’t wish to hear it, I won’t say it.

[ He’s still not out for coin, he does this because he wants to. Because he swore an oath the he means to uphold.

X’rhun stands at the ready to support the Xaela should he become unsteady on his feet, but for now he seems to be standing just fine. ]

But if you’re so keen about repayment, I would accept an explanation of just what happened here.

That... blonde woman with the dark clothing. Damned if I know her name.

[Now that he thinks about it, her reaction still makes no sense to him. He tells her to stop, so she tries to off them both, even though she clearly didn't need to act in desperation? How petty does one have to be to want to take him down that badly? Even wanting to kill Temple Knights for the title alone, he'd never gone that far before...]

Suffice it to say, I protected her from her own stupidity. Who the hells tries to kill herself along with her opponent just to prove a point?!

[Realizing he still has her flag wrapped around his arm, Sid unwinds it, glancing at the unfamiliar design. There are blood stains all over it, but perhaps he can use it to identify her later, at least...]

I’m afraid I don’t know of whom you speak, but I don’t see her body among the ruins so it appears she failed on both counts.

[ “Blond with dark clothing” isn’t exactly a detailed description, but it’s enough for the purpose of seeking her out in the immediate area. ]

We should get you to a proper healer ere too long. You look like you’ve been through hell and back.

"Through hell and back," you say? What was your first clue?

[As he goes to try and walk, though, he finds his balance is shot, and has to grab X'rhun's shoulder in an effort not to topple back over again, coughing a bit of the excess smoke from his lungs. As surly as he's acting about it, though, at least he's actually accepting the help.]

...Right. I can't die here. I have someone else whose future I have to think about, too.

Between all the blood and the fire, I'd say it's a tie.

[ Thankfully X'rhun is pretty sturdy for a short guy, so they don't go crashing back to the ground when Sid leans on him.

That was... an oddly personal little bit of information, especially coming from someone who has previously been so standoffish, and X'rhun casts a curious look at the Xaela. It's not his place to ask, he knows. Maybe one day. ]

I don't believe I ever got your name.

...Sidurgu.

[A pause to tilt his face away, still trying to maintain the illusion even though he's well aware it's likely already been broken. His head is swimming, though, and it's hard to think in a straight line.]

Call me Sid.

[He wonders; X'rhun is clearly no conjurer, and he's not a Hearer with a stick up his ass either. But raising someone from the brink is no simple feat, something he's learned from both Fray and Rielle in the past.]

That magic you used... even some conjurers aren't worth their salt in reviving someone. That strikes me as odd, considering you've no cane on you.

X'rhun Tia. Call me X'rhun.

[ Usually he would accompany an introduction with a flourish of some kind, as is his wont, but with a heavily armored Xaela using him for support, he refrains. ]

I am no conjurer, that much is true. I am a red mage, though I don't expect that to ring a bell. There are very few outside of Ala Mhigo who are familiar with the practice.

[He's quiet, letting that percolate; it definitely doesn't, but perhaps that's much like how most people would balk at the idea of a dark knight outside of the Holy See proper.]

Ah, that imperial mess.

[It's said with emphasis not on disdain for Ala Mhigo, but for the imperials. Despite having met with so few in his years, it's hard not to hold them in poor regard by default when the encroaching invasion was the root cause of their migration to Ishgard in the first place.

...Perhaps not having met with them is exactly what his family would have wanted, though.]

Then, likewise, you probably know little of Ishgard's dark knights.

[ If there's one thing X'rhun can get behind, it's disdain for the Empire and all it's done to his homeland. ]

That's former imperial mess to you.

[ Obviously, there's nothing malicious in his tone. It's a jest, with a hint of pride. Ala Mhigo met the Storm as a free nation, and though that does little to ease the weight of the loss of all of Hydaelyn, he still counts it for the joyous occasion it was. ]

I cannot claim to be familiar with the dark knights, even in passing. Am I to assume that you are one?

You wouldn't be wrong. It only makes sense that we'd be limited to Ishgard's borders. It must be similar with you as well, whatever the reason.

[Though, any hint of mirth vanishes again when he hesitates in his next step, then decides to say what's really on his mind.]

You know, I hope you realize you're embarking on a fool's errand to keep saving the skin of someone who can't keep it together.

[Based on their last conversation, anyway, even if he still doesn't entirely buy the reason given. He turns his head and mutters something indistinct.]

...Thanks. You're still a fool, and I can about guess why you did it, but...

[ “Whatever the reason” would be because, well, he’s the only one left. But that’s a rather heavy direction to take this conversation in, not to mention personal.

Sid decides to make it personal anyway, albeit going in a different direction, and X’rhun casts another look up at the dark knight. ]

Mayhaps I am, but you’re still alive, aren’t you? That’s enough for me.

Besides, were you not the one who told me you had someone you had to live for?

[He just grunts in reply and averts his gaze.]

Yes... well.

[He'll not be doing that again, though it shouldn't have been necessary in the first place, either. Still, the whole thing bothers him the more he thinks about it, and while he suspects there's more to it... maybe it's all just exactly what it seems to be, too. Why would someone attempt to bring an enemy down without a sense of desperation to the fight?]

I still can't bloody well understand if she was having a child's tantrum, or if she hates herself badly enough that she's just looking for a decent way to die.

[Perhaps he shouldn't ask questions he knows the answer to, somewhere in his heart.]

I do not know this woman, so I cannot really say.

[ He shrugs one shoulder, the one without the weight of an Au Ra leaning on it. People do things for all sorts of reasons— for Sadu, it was sport. A hunt, a game, and as loath as he is to admit it, he’s still bothered by that. ]

Mayhaps you should ask her yourself, if you cross paths again. But considering the state she put you in, I wouldn’t try to do that right away were I you.

[ Someone he'd just been talking to. A horribly unsavory man that made Allen's skin crawl, certainly, and had tried to be too chummy with him after a game of cards within the even less savory establishment they'd both stepped out from. A hated sort of interaction that kind of creeped him out, sure, but it seemed like he might have just stumbled across someone who knew more about the incident that happened the week prior from an inside angle. And then —

Then...

Actually, for a moment the boy is just too stunned to even respond as he watches the body drop. Horror, certainly. And yet, even being a kind, gentle sort of person with an innocent kind of face... to see someone cut down in front of him in such a manner —

Before Allen can even process it, he's lunged forward and means to seize Sid by the throat and slam him back in clean and raw rage. With an uncanny speed and strength that doesn't seem normal for human and a strangely iron left-handed grip and complete lack of care that the other is armed. ]

Why would you do that??! [ Although if anything, even if livid it isn't even quite so much that as....

distraught? ]

Edited (I am in dire need of coffee, please excuse typos) 2017-10-17 04:53 (UTC)

[The swift, precise movement earns a startled choke from Sid. He'd dropped his guard once his target was well and truly dead, not expecting such a violent reaction from the witness. Adrenaline kicks in after that; he clamps down on the constriction around his throat and attempts to launch a low kick in the interests of jarring Allen enough to force his attention elsewhere, if not winding him outright.]

[ Because even if he's someone obviously not unaccustomed to fighting and a great deal of horrible and gory things -- is indeed more used to that than kindness... he also someone who only fights to save.

Not kill.

And it's sheer rage at that perhaps that keeps him focused despite the low blow that yes, hits him squarely and he absorbs with a flinch -- and a renewed determination with teeth grit. ]

Stop! [ Yet despite the hand still on the taller man's throat like a dog refusing to let go of a bone -- he lets up, like the strength bleeds from him. Shoulders sag for a moment too, head bowing. Even if he just reacted on impulse, fighting... ]

Just stop it...

[ Isn't that enough already? ]

[The next few moments are... awkward. Sid just kind of stares at Allen, expression neutral, if a little dumbfounded. Finally, he shoves him away -- fuck, distance, he needs distance -- scrambling to collect his blade from where it toppled onto the ground. It's hard to tell if he'll still need it in this situation; rational thought says no, but instincts say yes.]

Is that your way of issuing a threat?

[ Admittedly he recovers from being shoved like someone ready to leap forward and fight back if he must, hands curled into fists, but holds steady. Draws back for a moment, shoulders straight.

And his expression flattens at that. ]

Depends. Were you planning to murder anyone else?

Edited 2017-11-08 01:21 (UTC)

[That one stings. Sid's reaction is to close his posture defensively, as if to answer an affirmative.]

I'm only doing what was asked.

[Pause.]

...I'll grant you I was hasty on that one. But once we get the information we need from them, it's best to kill them if you ask me.

[ Rather than walking in right after Sid's done the dirty deed, Cain's busy stalking his prey quite happily. The man is taking a meandering path through the edges of the city's outlying forest, not being careful at all to be on the lookout for anyone following him. It makes Cain's job quite easy. With his clothes mostly blending into the greenery, his soft footsteps and careful distance would keep even a more alert man from noticing his presence.

He's frowning to himself, trying to puzzle out what exactly the man's doing out here, though. The man keeps muttering to himself, checking patches of leaves. Looking for a particular plant, maybe? It's hard to tell, and Cain's just resolved to capture the man and question him himself when the man straightens up, pointed, like a dog that's caught a scent.

Hastily, Cain ducks behind a conveniently large, nearby boulder.

Only to find that he's not exactly alone in his pursuit. ]

—You? [ He keeps his voice low, but he's still startled to see the man from back in the fight club arena. ]

[Sid just grunts in reply, his eyes glued to his quarry. Only after a long wait does he deem it safe to take his gaze and place it on Cain instead, acknowledging.]

If you're not out for a simple stroll, then you're on the hunt for that one over there, I take it.

[His voice is as low as it will go, his head ducked below the rock as much as his height will allow. For a while, he's forced to sink back behind it fully as the man peers at such an angle that might reveal his position.]

He's paranoid. Don't push your luck.

I wasn't planning to.

[ Following his wry words, he doesn't even push his luck by trying for his own glimpse of the man. They're both hunting him, and he doubts Sigurdu is going to let the man get away just to chat with him. If Sigurdu's taken a look and is willing to wait here and talk, that means the man hasn't moved yet. Cain doesn't need to pop up for a peek just to confirm.

Instead, he settles in for a wait. It wouldn't do to spook his target and ruin all of his day's hard work. ]

He doesn't look like the type to talk, so I'm hoping he'll lead me to the main nest.

He's already caught onto something amiss. It'll be a miracle if he's so stupid as to lead us anywhere relevant.

[He pauses to think for a moment. That leaves them with only a direct route, but if he's not the type to talk, then what other option is there but to move onto the next?]

Catch him off-guard and squeeze whatever information you need out of him, then kill him either way.

[ Have a LONG, HARD STARE, Sid. Buddy. Pal. Cain is not enthused by this plan in the slightest, and it shows. A brief flinch of surprise, and his expression clouding over, stormy and a little cold. ]

There's no need to kill him. We should certainly learn what we can, but after that, we can turn him in to the authorities.

[ His voice stays low, but there's a spark of challenge in his voice. He's got no intention of compromising on this whole let's not kill a dude thing. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

if you hold me tight, we'll freeze together

Sadu + Magnai

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

X'rhun

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

a late 1!

no subject

sorry for the delay! irl demanded sudden hiatus

no subject

no subject

no subject

wildcard

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject