I can't wait to get on the road again

[smithandwesson]

Who: Genjo Sanzo (smithandwesson), Soldier 76 (personalwar), Yusei Fudo (planetary_bonds), Giovanni Rammsteiner (ofobedience), & Open!
What: A pair of wanted fugitives escape Olympia captivity and attempt to integrate and blend in with Wyver society.
When: October 19th onward
Where: The Undergrowth & Wyver: The Old City
Warning(s): Nothing to note!



[Sanzo had never been one to handle forced captivity well. It wasn’t his first time of course, but the moments in which he had been stuck under Olympian Watch was perhaps the longest he had lasted before making his move (a whole ten days, wow). So it was without hesitation that he started thinking of ways to get out the moment the cities evacuation to Wyver was mentioned throughout the prison.

Escape was simple enough. He had met up with someone who had been in the exact same fucking situation he had been in, and finding an opening when the guards weren’t fixated on watching them was surprisingly simple. Getting into other caravans and finding their weapons was a bit more tedious of an endeavor but they had eventually managed to find what they needed and soon enough were able to get out and lose themselves once more amongst a countries worth of people as they were forcefully placed into a new land.

He was wearing his cloak again. Once again shrouding his appearance as much as he could as he wandered about. Between gathering food and supplies within the Undergrowth like many of the other Olympian refugees, to lurking around the less crowded markets of the Old City, Sanzo was working his hardest to gather his bearings and once again survive. He had no home now, and what little money he had gotten he had stolen from the guards before his escape. It was almost nostalgic, as if he were once again the brat he was so many years ago, with no where to go and no lead to follow. He was once again wandering aimlessly like a street vagabond, a shadow of the high priest people once thought him to be before he ended up here.]

(OOC: Sanzo is once again on the run and this time trying to escape from Olympia’s manhunt for him for good. He can be found inconspicuously running from place to place but if looked at close enough one can make the distinction between him and the wanted posters that were once all around Olympia. He also currently has a temporary camp set up with Soldier 76 while they attempt to settle into Wyver. Otherwise he can be seen hunting for food, purchasing cheep goods from some of the shadier shops and panhandling for money along the streets.)

Comments

For Soldier 76

[smithandwesson]

[It had been a turbulent trip. While the sick were given guarded griffons and the rich traveled in large decorated caravans, those imprisoned switched between hoofing it on foot and spending their times resting in crowded caged up carts. Truthfully, it sucked balls. And Sanzo was just as miserable now as he had been when he was first brought in and told that things would work out fine if he “voluntarily confessed” to his crimes.]

Oy. Move over, you’re elbowing me in the side.

[Right now he was one of those who were unlucky enough to be caged up by the guards. Sharing his small space with a guy who was obviously too big to be in here by himself none the less another 5’10” adult male.]

Hey. You hear me? Move the fuck over.

[personalwar]

[ As prisoners, they definitely haven't been given anything close to humane treatment.

They haven't been harmed, to be fair, but being made to walk on foot for long distances while chained up (somehow, the restraints they have here have been difficult for him to break through) or crammed into cages too small for them isn't much better. 76 isn't too shaken by any of it; they'd have to do a lot worse than this to unnerve him. That doesn't mean he's happy about it, and it looks like his fellow prisoner feels the same way.

He doesn't know the guy, but since both of them have been locked up, he's been seeing plenty of him over the past few days. Normally they were kept far enough apart from each other that having a conversation was impossible, but here's their chance. ]

You think there's room for that?

[ They're in Wyver territory now, the sticky heat only making their conditions that much worse. 76 watches as the guards assigned to them move away to start unpacking supplies from the carriages, now that they've arrived.

76 twists his body to look at the other prisoner. Genjo Sanzo, right? ]

This is our chance. Let's try and get out of here.

Bleh. Sorry for the late reply. Work = accidental 2 week hiatus x_x

[smithandwesson]

[Just because there was no helping the source of his complaints didn’t stop him from complaining about it regardless. None the less he at least seemed to relent as he caught the old mans words.

He had noticed how much more lax the guards had become as their journey continued, but at this point they were outright lazy. It was kind of hilarious actually, what with how much effort the entire city put in to initially catch him. And weren’t they in Wyver territory? He still was only learning the cultures of this new world, but from what he researched weren’t the two countries in the midst of a turbulent relationship? What a time to let down your guard.]

So what? We just going to bust out of this cell then cross our fingers and pray?

[His voice was a whisper, his eyes remaining fixed on the area around their cell.]

Not like we currently have anything to protect ourselves with. Not unless we sneak into the weapons cargo a few carts back.

[Also there was the fact that they were temporarily chained up to one another.

This should be interesting.]

no worries!!

[personalwar]

[ It's not like they have a lot of time to make an involved escape plan. 76 doesn't know when their window might close, and so he'd rather not sit around considering all the possibilities. They can figure it out as they go, if it means that they're finally free of these shackles once all is said and done.

Besides, he's capable of fighting even without access to his weapons, so he isn't going to let that deter him. ]

We get to the weapon cart if we can, sure. If not, we can always try to sneak away while they're busy. Plenty of cover here.

[ They're in a jungle area, plus there's all the carriages that came in from Olympia. With all the places they can hide, he figures this is the best shot they're going to get to slip away. ]

[smithandwesson]

We’re definitely getting to that cart.

[Sanzo responded to the hesitance with a sense of certainty. His voice gruff but determined as he shifted slightly.]

And if we don’t want to run through the fucking forest stuck to one another I suggest we try to find wherever they’re keeping the keys. Sneaking off without doing anything would be easy, but a distraction should get us everything we need.

[With that he watched as the guard who had been patrolling near their cart wandered off, his body tensing slightly.]

You ready?

[personalwar]

[ 76 is hopeful that once he isn't crammed in a cage like this, he'll actually be able to free them of their restraints even without the keys. Any other time he'd tried, there had been someone there to notice and tell him to knock it off before he regretted it.

But all right, they'll get this guy his weapon, assuming they'll even be able to find it. 76's gear had all been ditched long ago, and he can only hope that a certain friend of his kept them safe. ]

Gonna need you to work with me here.

[ He reaches out for the bars of the cage, assuming that Sanzo will move with him and allow him to take hold. Once that's possible, he begins to yank the bars away from each other, face pinching with strain as he puts all of his strength into the effort.

Eventually, the bars begin to budge. Now he just has to keep it up until the opening is large enough for them to get through. ]

[smithandwesson]

[Normally Sanzo was never much of a team player. But given the right incentive he was willing to do just about anything he was told.

Trying to get out of being locked up was a good incentive.

So as Soldier 76 made his was to the front bars of their mobile prison Sanzo did his best to keep up despite his slightly smaller frame. Balancing himself and keeping light on his feet as he followed the others movements.]

So I take it you've done this before.

[It was a mocking comment, but looking over his shoulder only to see his prison mate literally break and bend the bars that were keeping them contained left Sanzo feeling, truthfully, quite impressed. He had only known one other person capable of that before now after all.]

Why do I feel like even if someone did catch us right now they'd probably just end up running off and pissing themselves in fear?

For Yusei

[smithandwesson]

[It had been a few days before Sanzo had finally made his way into Wyver, finally feeling comfortable enough to walk around a populated city without worry of being hunted down. But even so he refused to enter the central part of the country, instead choosing to wander about the Old City.

Wyver had a strange familiarity to it, much as Olympia had when he first made his way around El Nysa. But, much like Olympia, it was still quite different from what few cities existed in his own world. Well, that was until his old word was decimated. Perhaps it was destined for destruction though, there was already so much wrong with it before the darkness had hit.

The darkness may have even been a mercy.

None the less, after finally settling down a nice homely camp with Soldier 76 he had done well to make sure he could keep their semi-comfortable living situation. Which was why, thanks to a few days worth of begging along the streets in exchange for some prayer charms he made, he had managed to find his way into a dingy little shop, idly looking around for living necessities. Soap, food that you couldn’t find within the forest, and even a small set of dish-ware, Sanzo was acting more comfortable now than he had in weeks. Perhaps that was because, for the first time, he felt he could wander about without recognition. Just another face in a crowd of displaced refugees.

Of course, perhaps he was expecting a little to much. As much as he was disguised he was still wearing the very same heavy cloak that he had draped over himself when he left his home in Olympia weeks ago. But of course, in a city as big as this, who could possibly recognize him?]

[planetary_bonds]

[Yusei hasn't quite adjusted to Wyver yet. Between the sudden evacuation forcing him to leave behind many of his projects and tools, the change in climate, and the circumstances behind the journey, he looks decidedly more sullen than usual.

Despite this, however, he does feel somewhat more at home in the Old City, with its worn down structures and disadvantaged yet fierce citizens. Even though his face is solemn, he walks around with a subtle spring in his step that's somewhat hard to spot. Anyone who knows him can notice how he's more alert than expected.

It's thanks to this that Yusei's really able to spot Sanzo at all. Under normal circumstances, he'd have probably dismissed the worn cloak as typical beggar's wear. But this kind of heavy cloak, in this weather...? And wasn't this a cloak he's seen before?

Yusei narrows his eyes, frowning, then decides to follow that person. Even if it's unfamiliar...someone wearing that kind of thing in this weather is suspicious enough.]

[smithandwesson]

Mph?

[Perhaps if Sanzo were more alert he would have noticed Yusei from a mile away. But due to the week or so of no one really noticing him he had grown almost comfortable with his current way of living. So it was only that he noticed from the the corner of his eye that someone was staring at him that he became alert. His shaggy golden hair lifting enough to reveal the pair of familiarly sharp violet eyes as he turned to glance at Yusei.]

Oh. It’s you.

[None the less his voice seemed to show an absolute lack of surprise in running into Yusei, as if he was bound to see the kid eventually. The worlds a small place like that after all.

Sure he was kind of supposed to be locked up in jail and all that, but here he was, looking dirty and selling buying a tea kettle.]

‘Sup?

[Nothing abnormal about this at all.]

[planetary_bonds]

...Me.

[Yusei is nothing if not snarky, at least. He's clearly not sure whether to be relieved or surprised or resigned to see Sanzo there, instead of in prison where he'd last heard the man was.

He settles for a mix of the three, and ends up with a slightly bemused expression.]

So, you got out.

[Good on you, Sanzo. Stick it to the man, and all that.]

[smithandwesson]

Apparently so.

[What a small world. He really thought he wouldn’t see you again Yusei. Not that he isn’t mildly relieved. If he was going to run into a familiar face at least it was one that would most likely not throw him in jail again.

He turned to Yusei, lifting his face as to look at him a little more closely. He didn’t have to worry about hiding himself at the moment, so why bother?]

Take it you’re stuck wandering around while Olympia is still under evacuation? Hopefully this country is not taking that shitty care of all of you. Supposedly being from an enemy state and all that.

[planetary_bonds]

Something like that. [Twice a refugee in a few months? Not how he expected his life to go here, honestly.]

Things are going about as well as expected, I suppose. Even if they've agreed to a truce, under circumstances like these...it must be through gritted teeth.

For Giovanni

[smithandwesson]

[After nearly a week attempting to settle into Wyvers Old City as (unsuccessfully) discreetly as possible, Sanzo was finally beginning to feel like he was getting the hang of the cities customs and cultures. He had begun to really get his in his camp just outside the city to look somewhat livable, and he had made a surprisingly sustainable income making small prayer charms along the street side. Thank god this city was comprised of a bunch of superstitious chumps.

In fact that’s what he had been casually doing this particular early morning. A sheet set out beside a small shop, he sat along the wall with small handmade beaded trinkets splayed out in front of him, prayers carved along them with surprisingly elegant calligraphy. Just as before he had been wearing that same ruddy beige cloak, his face obscured by the folded layers of clothing but his golden messy hair distinctly shining atop his head.

He was hiding himself less as it became more and more apparent that he was running into very few people that actually recognized him. And the one person who had he didn’t so much mind speaking with.

Anyway, if anyone tried to stop him he would just shoot the fucker down. No big deal. And it wasn’t as if anyone would bat an eye in this sort of neighborhood. So he shouldn’t have to worry too much more about someone noticing him... right?]

[ofobedience]

[And whilst Sanzo has been acclimating himself to the new city and the cultures and customs found therein, Giovanni has struggled to do the same. Olympia had been enough of a culture shock, largely divergent from the kind of life he'd always known, but Wyver is something else entirely. All this verdant life intermingling with what passes for a civilisation, nature encroaching so visibly on what struggles to call itself man-made-- it's too much too soon too quickly, makes his head spin and sicken, leaves him feeling more cut adrift and unmoored than ever before. More than ever, he misses that dark and twisted place he still calls home, the cold certainties found therein, never a comfort but always a grounding factor felt like solid earth beneath the feet, metal bands that snap tight around the chest, keeping one tethered, keeping one in. This place has none of that, and he hates it.

Hates it, but for the moment at least there's no other option but to endure. Everything has been so strange and uncertain and unsettling of late-- his fugitive status, the subsequent incarceration, the unaccountable 'pardoning' that he still doesn't really understand but is nonetheless grateful for because if nothing else it means he can return to the life he'd been beginning to make for himself. Any port in a storm, as they say, and even those small dregs of familiarity seem something to cling to right now.

So here he is, reinstated, once again a member of the Guard even if he's tagged like an owned dog, movements tracked and continuously watched, paired off with the very man who was responsible for his capture (much to his distaste). It's not such a bad thing-- in fact, there's a sense of the familiar in this, too, a reminder of home. Of being more thoroughly controlled.

As such, when he catches the familiar scent, he knows there's a particular way in which he ought to behave, that there's something he should do, as a member of the Royal Guard of Olympia. Something he should do, but will he? Loyalty is a funny thing, he's finding. It can, at times, be divided.

And so, when he approaches the man sitting with his wares spread out on the ground in front of him, there's no visible trace of aggression or volatility in the hard lines and angles of his slender form. He isn't reaching for his guns, makes no sign of orchestrating an arrest. At least, not yet. Not right away.

Instead, he tilts his head in that distinctly dog-like gesture of his. Smiles crookedly.]

Well, well. Look who we have here.

[smithandwesson]

Hmmnnn.

[He remembered all too well the announcement that had been brought up to all of Olympia not too long before their expulsion to Wyver. The sight of that familiar fashion-conscious brat who, like him, had been captured and dragged into the prison cells of those who saw them as traitors until his inevitable trial. Alas, that was where their similarities in their capture had ended. Where Giovanni easily gave himself entirely to the hands of those who tried to reprimand them, Sanzo stubbornly fought.

Of course he would. He was fine with telling them everything he knew up front. What he wasn't okay with was the lack of freewill involved in the process.

Like Hell he would open every corner of his mind for everyone to abuse as they wanted. Like Hell he would have them watch his every move and action like some trained pet. He gave his freedom to no one.

And yet he seemed outright aloof when Giovanni had approached him. Of course, hidden beneath his cloak, his pistol had been pointed at the cocksucker. But then again, that was just Sanzo.

No, if anything he seemed almost unnaturally calm in front of Olympias new "guard dog". A small smirk forming beneath those baggy bangs of his as he gruffly spoke up.]

Well well, seems we've got someone wandering off without permission.

[Looking up, piercing violet eyes met directly with the cocky smile that was aimed towards him.]

How's the upgrade on that collar situation of yours treating you?

[ofobedience]

[Where their similarities diverged and ended indeed-- whilst Sanzo is prepared to fight tooth and nail for his hard-won freedom, whilst he refuses to subject himself to mind-altering drugs and tracking devices, for Giovanni it's all just more of the same. Free will isn't something he understands nor believes he has a right to, and giving himself over uncomplaining into the hands of those placed above him is something he's been doing his whole life, the only way he knows how to live.

If they want to access every corner of his mind with a serum that forces him to give only the truth, if they want to treat him like a leashed hound, constantly followed and watched and under surveillance, then he will allow them free reign to do as they please with him purely because to do otherwise is not in his nature. He's fierce and savage and fanged-toothed, yes, but also obedient to higher powers, quietly subservient. Always has been.

If anything, he feels better this way. More firmly grounded into his own skin, more at home.

As such, he only meets Sanzo's smirk with a shit-eating grin of his own, one that suggests he finds no offense in being referred to as some well-heeled pet. It's how he sees himself, even now, without Mother's six-fingered hand curled underaround his immovable collar.]

Even obedient hounds slip the leash now and again. Besides, as you so eloquently pointed out, it's not as though they're unable to trace me should they wish to. Ultimately, one collar is no different from another.

[He shrugs, loose shouldered. Indifferent.]

How about you, are you enjoying playing the part of a ragged beggar? I must say it suits you.

[smithandwesson]

Mmmn. Much better than a high priest any day I suppose.

[Sanzo merely shrugs his shoulders. In the extreme dichotomy of a lifestyle that he lead this was, in fact, something he was more than used to. In fact, between being the poor begging monk and the high and mighty grand priest, his own thoughts were far more comfortable handling his life the prior way.

At least like this he did not have to uphold that tedious air of formality.

Like this he could be whoever the fuck he wanted to be and act in any way he wished.

He could be himself.]

So what, just stopping by to give a quick hello before you back to your mediocre yet safe life of blind servitude?

[Oh yeah. He judging.]

[ofobedience]

You'd prefer I subject myself to the gutter, like you? Living like some kind of vagabond? I'm no stray.

[His tone makes it clear that he's judging you just as harshly. It's better like this, to be held in and constrained by order and control, metal bands that snap tight around the ribs, a pressure that keeps him in and down but grounded into himself, more solid and real than he perhaps would be were such constraints to disappear.

The tightening of the leash, it makes him feel better, not worse. More certain of this new world and his place within it. Perhaps freedom isn't for everyone, or perhaps he's just never had enough of it to know that it holds its own rewards.]

If you'd only explained your part in all this, you could have been pardoned yourself, you realise.

[razzledazzles]

[Jae-Ha has been incredibly busy since arriving in Wyver, struggling to keep Yona from going out even when she's begging to be untied, speaking to Cree, searching for any way to make the cure move along more quickly and smoothly. He's been doing his best to work for the city, as well, since that seemed necessary to keep their place here.

What he doesn't expect is to run across Sanzo again. He's cloaked, so it takes some careful observation to verify it, but Jae-Ha can't mistake it. As much as he might try to hide his presence, he slips towards the end, his perches a little too close to the ground before he hops down himself for a graceful landing.

This time, he does it in front of Sanzo, both hands raised automatically in surrender, just in case he's got one of those guns hidden away there.]

I'm going to have to guess that you weren't released on good behavior.

[smithandwesson]

[You shouldn’t have slipped Jae-Ha. Sure enough Sanzo was more than accustomed to sensing for that particular presence now, and the moment Jae-Ha found his feet touching ground Sanzo had his gun pulled out. The barrel of the pistol aimed directly in place of where the others head would be.

His eyes were direct and piercing. He knew what to expect now and he was not going to give you an opportunity to take him down again you leggy asshole.]

What’s it to you?

[His finger rolls back at the hammer of the gun, the cold metal contraption making a small clicking noise.]

Gonna play Good Samaritan and lock me up all nice and proper again?

[razzledazzles]

No. The others said enough, so now that I know it wasn't an intentional thing, I can apologize.

[He stays relatively calm, despite the gun making him mildly nervous. He can dodge it with his leg, but it's a close call, especially with the great aim Sanzo has. He still remembers that first shot.]

I wasn't looking for you. I ran into you by chance.

[smithandwesson]

..... So that’s it?

[Really? This asshole was here to apologize? After all he put Sanzo through?

What the fuck?]

Can’t believe my fucking words but the moment someone else says exactly what I told you, you decide that it deserves a pass huh?

[Boy does he have a few words for you mister.]

[razzledazzles]

[HEY... hey. Jae-Ha crosses his arms and pulls a mildly offended face.]

I don't remember you being a man with many words at all, let alone an explanation that you were fooled. [To be fair, Sanzo was so on edge he didn't trust a thing Jae-Ha was trying to say, and Jae-Ha was so upset that he didn't say as much as he should... But still.]

Something like a forced truth serum wouldn't have harmed you, so why did you refuse it?

[smithandwesson]

I said enough to let you in on my situation you ass.

[You just didn't want to listen. Not that he probably wouldn't have tired to shoot you anyway. He does that to just about everyone.]

And what? I give myself in and then I hand over every ounce of free will I have to some high and mighty government official? No thanks.

[Besides. Why was it that the word of some power hungry police force and a queen who had been missing an entire month easier to trust than him? Talk about a double-standard.]