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Post by hoodwink on Mar 26, 2020 17:40:37 GMT -5
Swish! CLANG! Icy blades skid off of purple plated armor as Kujo’s Akogare fended off another blow with its forearm. Swinging a powerful punch, the guardian only found air as the armored Heartless leapt backwards, swinging both blades with ferocity as it spun in the air. It can keep up with my Akogare? He hadn’t met a Heartless who could match his guardian’s speed yet—though some certainly had come close.
The hell is this thing? It definitely didn't seem like a 'usual' Heartless. Surprisingly, Kujo felt no panic, standing with his hands in his pockets like usual in the empty mine room. The Chill Ripper was a Heartless he had never seen before, and though he couldn’t communicate with Alice, the visor on the comm device was hopefully still recording everything. I’ll have to ask her if she knows what the deal with this thing is… Even if she couldn’t see the live feed, he was sure she knew of a way to get the data into her hands. A faint grin came to his face at the thought.
First he’d have to destroy it, of course. It was faster than a NeoShadow, despite all the armor it wore. Luckily his guardian allowed him distance, making it so he was able to put Grumpy somewhere safe (he tossed him into an empty cart) and analyze the opponent. That was until it began to summon pillars of ice, erupting from all over the open mine room.
CRASH! BANG! SHING!
Jack’s trip from the Cottage back into the Dark Woods would be basically unbothered. It really did seem that what Heartless he had defeated remained gone. The released hearts had seemed to find refuge somewhere besides the darkness. An occasional Shadow or Soldier would appear in the brush, though it wouldn’t be hard for Jack to outrun or dodge them as he went along. Having already explored the path twice, it would be a breeze despite the overgrowth and gnarled roots.
In the distance the thunder-esque sound still BOOMED! faintly. Even further into the Dark Woods where M'Lyn sat, the echoing still reached. It almost seemed as though it were getting the tiniest bit louder with each clap. Jack would find M’Lyn, who’s time in the clearing would be undisturbed, other than the faint sound of skidding critters and odd whispers that seemed like wind.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Apr 6, 2020 14:20:27 GMT -5
Hurrying past shadows and Heartless with an agility unlike his own, Jack tried to rush his way to the Miqo'te. The echoes of thunder were already starting to disturb him, and the grim reminder of being unable to reach Kujo at a point made it even more of a hurry.
He couldn't help worrying, despite being fully aware of his partner's capability.
"Ah, there you are."
M'Lyn turned towards Jack as he rushed from out of the shadows, panting ever so often. The boy looked around, his visor fully visible, trying to spot anything that might've picked his interest. As for the Miqo'te herself, already in guard, waited for him to find reassurance.
"Anything yet?" Jack asked, after taking a good lookaround. "No. I've tried listening for anything remotely close to footsteps, but... Whatever's causing that thunder is quick to distract me..." "And Kujo's doing who knows what... This ain't lookin' good..." Jack bit his lips faintly, "Bein' 3, there's so much we can do... Sure, I'm the one who decided to go look for old tiny people, but never thought this would happen..." "Being quite honest... I don't believe this to be a bad thing on its entirety... We might gain more than what we began with" M'Lyn's observation caught Jack off-guard, "Let's keep an eye out while we search the area. I could use a bit of warming up on the way to wherever Kujo may be..." "Sheesh... For a cold Miqo'te, you sure have a rather optimistic stand-point..."
M'Lyn scoffed as she turned around and headed deeper, Jack only left to follow. It was only a matter of time before they'd found each and every drawf that left on a widl goose chase...
Right?
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 6, 2020 15:11:07 GMT -5
As Jack and M’Lyn regrouped, heading further into the dark swamp-like section of the forest, the booming thunder would still echo in the far distance away from them—masked by the gnarled trees shadowing the forest. Heading down the gnarled and twisted path, the two would pass multiple pools of mucky water, bubbling and belching. The muck that formed the ‘path’ was mud that gave way beneath their shoes and threatened to suck up their steps. Glowing green light continued to illuminate the section of the forest they were in, coming from far off ahead in the dark.
Continuing on the path, subtle shapes would move and skitter, as though the shadows themselves were alive. Sssssssssswooooosh! One of the many gnarled roots and vines creating obstacles in the path rushed forward, snaking along the mud before launching forward, attempting to ensnare Jack’s foot! All at once the forest itself seemed to come alive, the gnarled trees with menacing looking shadowy faces suddenly swaying and rocking as their branches lowered and swept, trying to knock down or ensnare the two hearts they sensed. Yellow eyes glowed from the shadows, revealing the tree to have bright yellow eyes and a wicked grinning shadowy mouth as vines and roots alike moved in!
[[ENEMIES: The Forest?!]]
Kujo smirked as his Akogare and the Chill Ripper exchanged blows. Standing with his hands in his pockets, the man was thankful his guardian was covered in armor. Bashing at the demons swords with its studded knuckles, Akogare was a blurry of fists and feet as it dodged and blocked the onslaught. ’Bout time I end it. He had enjoyed the experience for a short time—at first it had been exhilarating—facing a new and powerful enemy. By now, Kujo had learned how to read the beast’s movements.
Taking a step forward, Kujo’s Akogare lunged in tune, swinging with ferocity before finally grappling the armored Heartless around its waist. ”Die.” In a swift movement, Akogare twisted its body, performing a powerful suplex on the Chill Ripper as it CRASHED into the unforgiving mine floor, forming a deep crater. ”Tch—bastard.” Blood seeped from his side as Kujo’s eyes lingered on the ice blade that had managed to stab an opening between Akogare’s armor. Dissolving into dark vapor, the Chill Ripper had made sure to get one final hit in before losing. Tenacious for a Heartless. Spitting on the ground where he had slammed the creature, Kujo turned as his Akogare placed a hand on its hosts shoulder.
Using his Totsuzenshi ability, Kujo’s gashed side was healed in an instant, even the blood and tearing on his clothing’s disappearing. ”Too bad for you, I had an ace up my sleeve.” Dismissing his Akogare, Kujo slid his hands into his pockets as he turned, heading for the cart he had tossed Grumpy into. That thing wasn’t normal, though. Why was such a powerful Heartless lurking in the depths of a mine? Didn’t they normally search for hearts? It was waiting there when I showed up… Kujo remembered the flying Heartless’ that had taken Grumpy at first, the ones he had chased to this very area. Were they bringing him here…for that?
But Heartless didn't cooperate with one another or form teams—right?
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Post by therunawaygirl on Apr 8, 2020 16:24:06 GMT -5
Jack flinched, looking down at his legs ensnared by roots and vines. Frowning, he tried to force his way out, while M'Lyn quickly took notice of the surroundings moving menacingly towards them. Grabbing a sword with seriousness, noting how the forest looked more omnious than before.
Was it a trap? A way to lure them deeper into demise?
"Guh... Let... GO!" Jack yelled, pulling ever strongly at the roots ensnaring him. "This is bad..."
As a last ditch effort, Jack summoned his blade, and tried his luck slashing at the roots that had caught him hostage. The Miqo'te remained wary of the eyes glaring at them, a frown ever more noticeable on her face.
"If, and only if we get out of this one alive... We need to regroup!" M'Lyn shouted. "I'm with you there!"
Seemed like the search for the missing drawves would have to be put on hold. Both members of the Brigade hadn't expected any of that to suddenly happen, and neither did their Navi, who was trying to locate onto what enemies lurked beneath the shadows.
Regardless, it didn't seem like a fight they could afford to participate in. Right now, their focus was to get out and go in aid of Kujo before who knew what else could happen.
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 8, 2020 21:06:38 GMT -5
Hacking at the snaring roots and vines, M’Lyn and Jack would be able to break free, though without their full speed it seemed they wouldn’t escape the forests clutches. Each time one root or vine would be sliced, another would shortly be coming up to take its place. The trees themselves swayed as though alive as the dark swamp-like forest radiated with the distant green light. As the two would begin to try and make their way back, Heartless would begin to emerge from behind, coming from the muddy swamp pools that bubbled and belched.
Thankfully many of the Heartless were mere Shadows, but their numbers alone would make it terrifying if even one wrong move was made during their escape.
[[ENEMIES: Countless Shadows ]]
He hadn’t found anything else of importance, much to his chagrin. Kujo’s mood was steadily worsening as he lugged the unconscious Grumpy over his shoulder. When the hell’re you gonna wake up?! A vein was throbbing on his temple as he turned to take yet another identical looking mine path. Thankfully with his Akogare, it was hard for Kujo to ever get lost. Hopefully communication will be back up soon. He had a lot of things to tell the others. Countless possibilities ran swift through his mind as he put one foot in front of the other. The entire time, despite his countless searching—Kujo didn’t find another dwarf in the mine. Whoever he was with... They weren't here. What that meant, he'd let the dwarves friends decide. His own heart had a hunch, one that hinted towards his experience of harsher realities than what he imagined went on here, before the Heartless.
With the one dwarf in tow, Kujo finally headed for the mine's exit.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Apr 14, 2020 11:30:34 GMT -5
"Oh, this is just great..."
Jack frowned, noticing how useless fighting back against the roots was. M'Lyn, annoyed, summoned a staff on her hand, glaring at the multitude of shadows coming their way. Just how many were there? It seemed like overkill at one point... The Miqo'te groaned, readying her stance as she conjured a Stone spell scattered across the front. Its only real usefulness in a batlte against countless enemies was to hopefully delay their advance.
Jack was overwhelmed, however. His only means to fight head-on were close-ranged, except for his magic that still needed practice, else he'd most likely end up exhausted in the middle of the fight. Reluctant, he tried to cut down the roots faster than their possible regeneration, although it hardly seemed to make a difference.
A sudden barrier around him stopped him in his tracks, noticing the effects of magic around him. M'Lyn was glancing at him by the side, as a small golden creature locked eyes with him. Taking her time, M'Lyn had managed to summon her Topaz Carbuncle and ordered it to use Glittering Topaz on him.
"Focus on getting out!" she ordered, focusing back on the battle, "They'll go after you first and foremost! I can handle it!"
Jack nodding, a new determination filling his heart as he struggled with even more strength against the forest rooting him to it. If the Heartless did come close to him, though...
Well, then they'd meet with a powerful Thunder III spell, albeit at the cost of his own stamina.
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 15, 2020 12:52:35 GMT -5
Jack and M’Lyn struggled against the forest itself and the Heartless. Though many of the closer Heartless were rebuked by the Miqo’te’s Stone spell, the forest itself continued to snake and grow over the debris. Safe-guarded by the warrior’s follow up summon, Jack indeed had drawn the beady yellow eyes of the Shadows the moment his Keyblade had appeared. ”Focus on getting out!” M’Lyn’s shouting would mingle with a crackling static coming over the two’s communication devices. ”H—Ja—M’Lyn, can y— hear m—?” Though slightly broken up, Kujo’s voice crackled, signaling his closeness to the surface. ”Grabbed one—…b—zzz!—other w—there.”
Successfully breaking free of the gnarled roots that the forest had grown over him, Jack and M’Lyn were steadily being surrounded by the Shadows and bracketed thorns. If they didn’t flee now, it seemed the forest and Heartless would get them! ”How’re things lookin’ on your end?” Kujo’s voice returned over their earpieces, finally clear and fully intact.
[[ENEMIES: ?? Shadows, Forest??]]
Sighing a bit as he lowered the unconscious Grumpy to the forest floor, Kujo glanced around the entrance of the mine. It seemed no one had followed them, Heartless or otherwise. He had reached out to Jack and M’Lyn the moment the entrance had come into sight, though he hardly knew if the crackled messages had reached them. Finally exposed to the now dusk sky above him, Kujo instead tried communicating to Alice.
”Hey—Alice. You catch any of that?” Communications had been cut, but Kujo hoped she had been able to at least get some sort of video feed on the odd happenings and weird types of Heartless he had come across. ”Something's up…” He mumbled to himself aloud, his finger off the communication device as his emerald eyes searched between the looming trees surrounding him.
His gut told him that the Heartless weren’t just aimlessly attacking these dwarves.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Apr 15, 2020 14:02:06 GMT -5
Despite breaking free, it seemed the time of it all was too late. Even with M'Lyn and her Topaz Carbuncle on field, the Heartless were multiplying by the second. Jack groaned, pretty troubled at the sight. There would be a point where M'Lyn couldn't cover for him even with her summons against the horde of Shadows grouping around them.
And the timing of it all was far too perfect.
”H—Ja—M’Lyn, can y— hear m—?” a faint buzzing in his ear, Jack flinched. Hearing Kujo's voice again was a relief on its own, but not at that point, it wasn't! ”How’re things lookin’ on your end?” "Great, this is just great..." Jack thought, readying his stance akin the many times he'd seen M'Lyn do, "I swear, if we get outta this one alive ..."
Slashing at a few Shadows out of the way proved useless, same with M'Lyn hitting a Shadow on the head with a bonk of her staff and the Topaz Carbuncle aiming a Gouge spell at another. There were far too many to handle on their own. Knowing that fact, Jack closed his eyes.
And after that, his vision went blank.
A sudden barrage of light bullets showered the Shadows in front of M'Lyn, who flinched and walked backwards as she turned around to see the source of them. The Topaz Carbuncle remained, unnaffected by the many Heartless around them, but its summoner was at a loss for words.
The blade in Jack's hands was gone, and instead a pair of guns remained, the two connected at the bottom by a chain and a lock hanging by. Jack's gaze became colder, unlike ever before, as he raised both arms upwards, and a rain of bullets flew from the guns onto the darkened sky.
"Get lost" he growled at the Shadows after shooting towards the sky, his arms heavily falling to his sides. "J-Jack...?!" M'Lyn's voice betrayed her usual cold attitude, her expression in clear disbelief of what she was witnessing, "What...?" "I'll make us a path" he said, pointing with one gun at the horde of Shadows, "We'll bail from this one -we ain't gonna get past this in a long time. Think you can cover me?" "I... Well..." "Can you or not?!" he asked with more force, as if bitter. "..." M'Lyn frowned, her cold and sharp attitude taking back their place, "Who do you take me for? An adventurer with no skills? Hmph... I'll show you just how well I can cover you."
As Jack shot once more, this time both guns aimed at the Shadows, the strength gained from his Bullet Rain hopefully was enough to clear the immediate thread, while the bullets were gathering force before they would innevitably fall back down and, hopeful yet again, clear them a path of escape. M'Lyn dismissed her Topaz Carbuncle and switched her weapons for a blade and a heavy shield, readying herself for the horde of Heartless aiming to get them.
It seemed obvious at that point that, whatever had happened, only furthered their hunger.
"I, uhh... What?"
Alice asked, confused. It wasn't that she hadn't focused, but... Something about Kujo's commentary was odd. Not only that, but every now and then, checking on Jack and M'Lyn's comms, it felt stale... Well, not for long. She'd noticed the Shadows immediately, and had been readying her approach steadily. If it came to it, she would guide Kujo so that he'd aid them.
"...Kujo, get him back now" Alice ordered, calmly, "The drawf. Those two are not in the best of positions at the moment... I doubt they can reply, given their circumstances. So, get him to safety, and then run to where they are. I'll show you the path through your comm. But you gotta hurry!"
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 15, 2020 16:37:09 GMT -5
”Kujo, get him back now.” Alice’s voice sounded more worried and strained than usual, immediately causing the lavender clad man to pause his step. ”Those two are not in the best of positions at the moment…” Sighing a bit as he shifted the unconscious dwarf on his shoulder, Kujo grimaced as his body began to shimmer in light. ”Tch—figures…” Of course he couldn’t be the only one hitting road blocks. ”I’ll show you the path through your comm—but you gotta hurry!” Almost immediately, areas of the path highlighted themselves in front of him through the small visor of the comm device. Alice and Jack’s gadgets always made things way easier.
He didn’t bother responding to Alice, knowing that now she’d be able to see his whereabouts after escaping the depth of the mines. Using his Akogare to run at an inhuman speed, Kujo began to make his way through the gravel and dirt path that would lead to the cottage the dwarves were recuperating in. I’ll hav’ta save it for later. He didn’t have time to tell Alice about the odd way the Heartless in the mine were behaving. Following the path Alice paved for him, the man would reach the cottage in no time thanks to his powers, ensuring Grumpy's safety.
Jacks Bullet Rain tore a hole through the crowded mob of Shadow Heartless, even causing some of the gnarled roots hit in the fray to recoil and pause their reach. Opening a small path that would allow M’Lyn to run back towards the cottage, Jack’s use of powerful light attacks caused the Heartless to falter for a moment, stunned. With this, they wouldn’t be able to fill the gaps nearly as fast—maintaining the path made long enough for the horde not to regroup.
[[ENEMIES: ?? Shadows, The Forest?]]
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Post by therunawaygirl on Apr 16, 2020 10:36:57 GMT -5
Catching the opening almost immediately, Jack grabbed M'Lyn's arm and pulled her towards him as he made a run-for-it in that direction. The Miqo'te flinched, having been caught off-guard by his sudden move, but quickly composed herself and followed. Still with blade and shield in hand, the Miqo'te readied herself in case any Shadows were to follow.
For now, running towards the cottage was the most plausible course of action.
"Just what's gotten into him, though...?"
While running, M'Lyn couldn't help but focus on the sudden change on Jack, and also the guns replacing the previous blade. It was all too perfect, much like the Shadows before that. Not only that, but his attitude was... It left quite a lot to say.
It was as if it wasn't him.
"...You good?" he asked, stopping his dash after quite some time of endless running, "...Some might be comin' our way, so we gotta be wary..." "What's with you?" M'Lyn inquired, "It's like it's not you anymore..." "Whatever" Jack shrugged, and then turned to the path leading to the cottage, "We gotta regroup first. We ain't gonna get much done otherwise. So... Let's get goin'."
M'Lyn frowned, but followed regardless. That wasn't the answer she wanted to hear... Nor did it help to understand the sittuation.
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 16, 2020 13:41:54 GMT -5
Kujo raced with the speed of his Akogare out of the cottage door. In the distance there was still the faint booming of what sounded like thunder, though he had no time to care. Wonder what kinda trouble they got into— Having taken care of Grumpy, Kujo followed the highlighted path that Alice had shared via their tech. In all honestly, deep down he was surprised. Never had he expected them to be in a situation that would cause Alice to have such urgency. Sure, Jack was still learning with that odd new weapon of his—but M’Lyn might as well be a one-woman army.
Boom! He ran down the beginning of the path, the thunderous echoes looming—closer than before.
As Jack and M’Lyn made their escape from the swampy section of the forest, leaping and sprinting over gnarled roots and vines, the duo would notice the farther they got the brighter the forest was. Soon the darkness was a dim glow, the gnarled roots no longer animated, as well as the Heartless dwindling significantly. What few stragglers remained seemed surprisingly hesitant to chase the two after a period, eventually disappearing altogether. By this time, the faint thunderous echo from earlier would return to their ears, less sheltered now that the oranging sky was once again revealed. A little farther than halfway down the path, to where the roots and overgrowth were slightly less bad, a familiar voice would break through the forest.
”There you are.” Kujo stood in the path ahead, a faint smirk on his face, hands in his pockets as usual. It seemed he had worried for nothing. Silent relief refused to show on the man’s stoney face, though there was a faint sigh as he was greeted by the sight of them. Those’re...new? For a moment, he hadn’t noticed the odd new weapons Jack carried. Where’d he get those? Had he always had guns, and Kujo just hadn’t noticed because of the odd weapon he had gotten back in SanFran?
Shit…maybe I was too focused. It’d be way too embarrassing to ask about it now—his pride wouldn’t allow it. ”There’s definitely something weird happening here.” Changing the subject to regain himself, Kujo crossed his arms, glancing around at the forest they stood in. He wasn’t sure what M’Lyn or Jack had encountered, but he definitely needed to make sure everyone knew about his suspicions. ”The Heartless…they don’t seem like they’re acting the same—” It was difficult to explain. Shaking his head, his emerald gaze shifted to the gnarled path behind them, continuing down and darkening into black.
”You ran into some, too, right?”
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Post by therunawaygirl on Apr 17, 2020 8:04:38 GMT -5
The pair slowed their pace as they encountered Kujo. With a stoic expression written all over his face, Jack looked back as he listened. Seemed like they weren't the only ones with trouble...
"Thanks for letting us on something already were aware of..." he replied, a bit bitter. He then sighed, glancing to the path they'd come from, "In any case... There's no point engaging if we're behind. Might as well try and figure out what's goin' on here before we get reckless..."
Listening no further, he walked past Kujo on the way back to the cottage, not really paying him or M'Lyn any mind. The Miqo'te sighed, a bit irritated.
It was getting out of hand.
"You know? I do have to agree with you" M'Lyn told Kujo, walking towards him, "'Tis almost as if they're after something, although we can't say what it is. And, being honest, this attitude of his begs much to differ..." she added with a groan, "He's like a completely different person, despite looking the same. Not only that, but that blade of his is gone... Haa..." the Miqo'te shook her head, "The moment I look away, the weapons change and he's the one opening us an escape route... When did he get so... I dunno, corageous? ...Then again, that hardly fits his mold..."
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 17, 2020 19:46:53 GMT -5
Jack’s retort caused Kujo to raise a brow, immediately noticing a difference. ”In any case…there’s no point engaging if we’re behind. Might as well try and figure out what’s goin’ on…” Jack passed by, continuing down the path towards the cottage, leaving Kujo and M’Lyn watching his back as he went on his own. What’s with him? As M’Lyn walked up, Kujo watched the man disappear out of view, listening to the miqo’te and returning his attention. ”’Tis almost as if they’re after something, although we can’t say what it is.”
”He’s like a completely different person, despite looking the same.” M’Lyn seemed just as lost on Jack’s change in character as he was. Luckily, it seemed he hadn’t been wrong: those odd guns of his were new. But then, where’s that weird sword? A flare of annoyance passed through the man. ”Hm…so he started acting different when the ‘sword’ went away?” Was it tied to the weird weapon itself? But then what part did the guns play? Sighing a bit, Kujo reached a hand to the bridge of his nose and squeezed, easing the tension forming in his brow. ”Tch—we had enough shit to figure out…”
Shaking his head a bit, Kujo crossed his arms before giving M’Lyn a serious look. ”There was a powerful Heartless in the mine. It was waiting there, deep inside. The other Heartless were trying to take that dwarf I found to it, instead of just taking him for themselves.” Though M’Lyn and Jack’s experience with the Heartless was similarly limited to his own, it helped to voice the ideas aloud. ”There was supposed to be another dwarf there, but...” Happy had refused to leave, demanding Kujo go back in the mines to find Doc while watching Grumpy himself. Of course, the tall man had simply picked up both dwarves and left, much to Happy’s chagrin.
”I went as far down as it went—nothing.” The grim expression on his face betrayed his own theories on the idea. ”How’d the search go on your ends?”
Having gone ahead of the others, Jack would arrive in the clearing that housed the cottage before them. Clattering and banging sounds dimly echoed throughout the open area, mingling with the BOOM! of what sounded like thunder in the nearby distance. In the front yard stood Happy, clanging a ladle against a kitchen pot next to a sleeping Sleepy. ”HELLLLOOOOOOOO!?!?!” Laughing jovially as he CLANG! CLANG! CLANGED! on the pot, Happy seemed to be bending over the sleeping dwarf, ravaging the silence of the afternoon with as much energy as he could muster.
Sighing after continuing the deafening clanging for a moment, Happy sighed, his usually bouncy demeanor deflating a bit as he put both the pot and ladle on the grassy floor. ”Sigh…Bashful was right, he really won’t wake up.” For a moment, a look of worry creased the dwarf’s brow before suddenly he snapped his fingers, a new light igniting in his gaze. ”Oh! He must just be getting a really good rest!” Chuckling at his own foolishness, the dwarf shook his head and waved a hand in the air. It was only then that he noticed Jack, having emerged from the shadowy and gnarled path, causing him to jump up in surprise before rushing over in greeting.
”Ha ha! Welcome back! I didn’t think anyone would choose that path!” Happy craned his short neck to see the gnarled and dark path that swallowed the light of the afternoon sun behind Jack. For a moment, the dauntless smile on the dwarf’s face wavered before he averted his gaze, returning his small yet lively eyes to Jack. ”Thanks again, for finding Bashful! Have you seen Doc?”
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Post by therunawaygirl on Apr 18, 2020 5:09:40 GMT -5
While Jack seemed to care no longer, M'Lyn was intrigued. Noting how their search ended in a rather similar fashion only served to draw some points to follow afterwards. His annoyance only served to strengthen that mutual feeling, as well.
”How’d the search go on your ends?” "Quite similar in fashion, really" M'Lyn mentioned, "We only managed to find 1, and we can't say how many are left missing..."
Jack, on the other hand, groaned a bit at the noise. So loud... Happy causing ruckus didn't really serve as a welcoming sight, but nothing to do there.
”Ha ha! Welcome back! I didn’t think anyone would choose that path!” "What's that s'possed to mean...?" Jack frowned in thought. Was there really something hiding amongst those shadows?
”Thanks again, for finding Bashful! Have you seen Doc?” "We couldn't find anyone, only those Shadows..." Jack replied, crossing his arms, "...So? Who else're we missin'? And, also... Mind if I ask a couple more things? A few pieces aren't falling in line here..."
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 18, 2020 14:38:39 GMT -5
”Quite similar in fashion, really,” M’Lyn’s response only furthered the unsettling feeling. Just what are they after? It wasn’t like Heartless to have a goal that wasn’t stealing hearts…was it? ”Tch, we’re still too amateurish.” A bitterness had come into his tone, frustrated at how little they knew. Crossing his arms, Kujo quelled his impatience and sighed, gesturing to the path that would bring them back to the cottage. ”C’mon—we should regroup. I think by now we’ve found most of ‘em…” Shrugging before slipping his hands back into his pockets, Kujo would walk with M’Lyn down the path, discussing the odd behavior of the Heartless that had kidnapped Grumpy and led him to face the Chill Ripper.
”So? Who else’re we missin’?” Jack’s question landed on Happy’s backside, who had turned once more to haul up the drowsing Sleepy. ”Mind if I ask a couple more things? A few pieces aren’t falling in line here…” Happy turned with a jovial smile on his face as he held Sleepy up, supported over his shoulder and leaned against his small yet rotund form. ”Of course! Ha ha! Here, come in! Come in!” Without waiting for a response, the dwarf was bustling back to the main entrance of the cottage home, ushering Jack with his free hand as he talked.
”I can make us some tea! Are you hungry? Ha ha! Hungry! We don’t have a dwarf like that, luckily!” For a moment, Happy blinked before looking up at the door frame, seemingly lost in thought. ”Hm…well, no one’s found Doc yet. Bashful said he saw Dopey around at one point—but that was before he got scared, ha ha!” Scratching at his chin while readjusting Sleepy, Happy jolted in memory as he held up a finger in a ‘aha’ moment. ”Oh! And of course, Sneezy!” An echoing BOOM! in the distance followed Happy’s answer, causing the jovial dwarf to glance up towards the faintly orange sky.
”Huh…was that thunder? Ha ha! But there’s not a cloud in the sky!”
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Post by therunawaygirl on Apr 19, 2020 14:06:31 GMT -5
"So... Are we just missin' three?" Jack thought, not exactly thrilled to be invited in without having a chance to refuse.
While he waited for M'Lyn and Kujo, refusing (a bit politely despite the overall annoyance at the moment) the tea invitation, Jack began to ponder a bit about the ocurrances that they'd seen so far. He didn't know much about what Kujo encountered, but could weight it by a couple things he'd seen himself. Sure enough, the Heartless weren't just focused on him, if the amount sufficed as evidence. But then, what else were they after?
"You're awfully thoughtful"
M'Lyn's comment caught him off-guard, but only for a second. Being well-informed thanks to Kujo's perspective, the Miqo'te wanted to clear a few answers for herself, rather than for the rest. Still, they weren't completely selfish -they were in the team's interest regardless.
"...There's a bunch to consider" Jack crossed his arms, "We can establish a few things, though -such as the Heartless having multiple points of focus aside me. We can't say what those other points are yet..." "Still... I'm concerned..." M'Lyn looked back at Kujo, "Not just about the behavior of the Heartless you encountered, but... You were told you'd find 2 people within the mines, right? And yet only one was brought back..." "That's another thing that's buggin' me... How many are left" Jack glanced back, "There's so much we can gather from the bunch here, but the info we've got has been... Lacking, at best. And, after seeing the Heartless actin' up, there's no way we can afford splittin' up again."
M'Lyn nodded, glancing every now and then between Jack and Kujo. Her ears twitching every now and then, there seemed to be an odd disturbance in the air between everyone, but what that was wasn't easy to explain with words. Jack turned back towards Happy, still with a cold expression as before.
"So? How many of you are there?" he asked, "I got the names of a few that aren't here: Doc, Dopey and Sneezy. That's everyone, counting you here?" he counted with his eyes. 4 there, and 3 left -7 in total, "Still... If there's no more in those mines, they ought to be somewhere..." "While I'd love to know where to start, first... What's with you?" M'Lyn inquired, "Ever since you opened us two a path, you've been acting much unlike before... Care to explain?" "..."
Jack looked away with a groan. He then raised his hand, placed it in his forehead, and shook his head a bit, followed by another groan.
"Guh..." he groaned, and then raised his head again. Blinking a few times, he looked around, "...Huh? When... Did we get back here...?" "Can't you answer?" M'Lyn asked, exasperated. "...Huh? Answer... What?"
Jack looked uneasy, unsure of what to say. Before he knew, though, M'Lyn was grabbing him by the ear, followed by a sharp pain.
"Ow! Stop that!" "I'm not going to tolerate you stalling!" the Miqo'te berated him, "So answer! What's with you all of the sudden?!" "Seriously, what are you talking about?!"
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 20, 2020 10:17:01 GMT -5
Entering the clearing and rendezvousing with Jack and Happy, M’Lyn and Kujo would be ushered into the cottage as well. Upon entering, the fireplace in the living room with seven chairs roared with hearth as Sleepy rest in one. It seemed the other dwarves were resting in a room unseen. Kujo eyed the silent and thoughtful Jack quietly, recalling what M’Lyn had mentioned in the forest. ”There’s a bunch to consider.” Finding a rocking chair to sit in himself, Kujo spun it around to face the others before he took a seat. Draping a leg over his knee and leaning back, the lavender clad crossed his arms in thought as well. ”Still…I’m concerned…not just about the behavior of the Heartless you encountered, but…” Kujo’s emerald eyes averted the Miqo’te’s for a moment.
”You were told you’d find two people in the mines, right?” Happy turned to look at Kujo, his usual jovial face falling into one of concern and worry. Thankfully, Jack soon had questions for the dwarf, allowing Kujo to remain silent. As Jack and Happy counted out the seven dwarves together, Happy confirming for Jack that there were indeed only three dwarves left to find, Kujo turned and looked out the window of the cottage room, the deep orange sky signaling the coming night. ”Still…if there’s no more in those mines, they ought to be somewhere…” Jacks comment lined up with a faint BOOM! in the distance—another crack of ‘thunder’. Hm… As M’Lyn began questioning Jack, Kujo pushed out of his rocking chair and walked over to the window. Kneeling down (as when he stood it was far too low, himself having to crouch a bit upon entering the abode) to peer out of the glass, the man’s emerald eyes scanned the setting sky.
There’s hardly any clouds at all. Hadn’t he heard that thunder earlier, too? There had been a lot going on, so he hadn't really given the weather much thought until now. How was there thunder if there were no clouds? ”Guh…” Jack’s groan caused Kujo to break away from the window, Happy also stepping forward towards him in concern as the man put a hand to his head. What the—? Suddenly, Jack was looking up again, seemingly fine, albeit with a confused look on his face. ”When…did we get back here?” For a moment, Kujo merely stood with a raised brow. Amnesia? Before Happy could see if the confused man was okay, M’Lyn had begun her assault. ”Ow! Stop that!” Usually the sight before him would cause him to chuckle and smirk, but at the moment Kujo watched with a blank expression—confusion laced between the colors of his iris.
”Seriously, what are you talking about?!” Kujo knew about ‘amnesia’, or even memory-loss due to concussions or other head injuries. Did he hit his head, though? M’Lyn hadn’t mentioned anything of the sort, when they had been talking in the forest. All she had said was that those guns appeared and then— Suddenly his emerald eyes were ablaze with recognition. There was relief, too, as it meant at least one conundrum wasn’t related to what was happening with the Heartless or dwarves on this world. ”Hang on, M’Lyn.” Walking over to the two, Kujo rested a hand on the Miqo’te’s shoulder while looking at Jack with a serious expression. ”Jack—what’s the last thing you remember?” Whatever those odd guns were, something about them had triggered Jack’s memory loss—Kujo was sure of it. The way he was acting seemed too genuine to be a front. But how does it tie in with the weird sword? Where had Jack even gotten the guns to being with?
There was a lot he wasn’t sure of, too.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Apr 21, 2020 3:32:29 GMT -5
M'Lyn flinched as Kujo placed his hand over her shoulder, but never letting go of Jack's ear, much for his dismay. Listening to his question, the Miqo'te frowned, thinking it a bad joke from their end, and refused to let go even after that. Jack, on the other hand, glanced over at Kujo as best he could, given the fact that M'Lyn's grip was one of iron.
"What's... The last thing?" he said, making an effort to muffle a groan of pain with M'Lyn's hand not letting go of him. "Don't tell me you plan to play on his folly" M'Lyn said, exasperated. "Come on! Give me a chance here!"
Huffing, M'Lyn let go of Jack suddenly, who was struggling to get out of her grip. The sudden release caused him to trip back a bit before he was allowed to recover his stance. He then croseed his arms, squishing his brain in search for answers. What was the last thing he could remember, before finding himself back at the cottage?
"Umm... Well..." Jack looked away, lost in thought, "After I left Bashful back 'ere, I went back to meet up with M'Lyn at the forest... We went in deeper, and were caught by a bunch of Heartless... A lotta Shadows, but... Not exactly a group we could handle..." he admitted, "We were surrounded... Guh... After that, it's pretty foggy, though... I guess I passed out?" he asked, tilting his head with confusion, "If I did, though... How the hell was I standin' up before I recovered conscience...?" "Are you serious...?" M'Lyn's unamused comment said it all: she wasn't pleased with that answer whatsoever. "In any case, not sure how we got outta that one, but..." Jack glanced back at M'Lyn, "I guess I owe ya one for gettin' us out." "I didn't, though. You got us out." "...That's not a very good joke, y'know" Jack smiled with unease, still with arms crossed, teasing the Miqo'te by leaning forward ever so slightly. "You honestly believe me to be joking? I'm serious here: you opened us a path, and allowed us to escape without harm done." "And you believe me to buy that? I wish I could be capable of such a thing, but sorry to say, I'm not. Can't you be honest with me here instead of sugarcoating it?"
M'Lyn crossed her arms, unamused, only furthering her stance against Jack. The boy flinched, still with an uneasy smile, knowing his loss against her. But he wasn't lying: he didn't recall ever doing such a thing to begin with.
"Not only that, but what were those guns about?" M'Lyn's question picked his interest. "Guns?! Okay, now you're going too far!" Jack shook his head vigorously, "I've never gone even near a gun. Period. Never have, never freaking will. Imma keep my reasons to myself, though..." he added with a pout. "But Kujo and I saw them: you were wielding a pair of guns not long ago. Your blade wasn't anywhere to be seen." "Huh? What'cha talkin' about?" Jack asked, summoning his Keyblade yet again, "It's right here. ... What are you two tryin' to do?" he asked, frowning at both M'Lyn and Kujo, "What're you tryin' to get here? Make a fool outta me?" "As if we have time for such playthings..."
M'Lyn rolled her eyes, arms firmly crossed. Jack, still frowning, looked at the Miqo'te with a mix of bitterness and confusion. What was happening? He wasn't lying... He wouldn't. And he trusted M'Lyn enough to say she'd always be honest with the group, as well.
So what was this contradiction about?
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 21, 2020 10:03:19 GMT -5
While the two bickered back and forth, M’Lyn refusing to release Jack’s ear, Kujo sighed and released his hand from the Miqo’te’s shoulder. Tch—she’s too stubborn. Though the thought was honest, the fact was that all three of them were rather hard-headed individuals when it came to ‘budging’. I’ll just have to wait it out… Rubbing the bridge of his nose as he rest a hand on his hip, Kujo was grateful for the inevitable release of Jack. ”Um…well…after I left Bashful back ‘ere…” Listening to the boys memories, Kujo remained silent, piecing the puzzle together. Despite M’Lyn’s skepticism, Kujo knew the eyes of liars and shooters. Jack had the eyes of neither.
”Huh? Whatcha talkin’ about?” As Jack summoned his Keyblade once more, Happy jolted a bit in surprise, toppling over a nearby chair as he floundered. ”It’s right here…what are you two tryin’ to do?” Kujo’s brows had raised, his emerald eyes glued to the Keyblade in Jack’s hand. Wait a second— M’Lyn had mentioned Jack’s odd weapon disappearing in the forest, instead he had guns—which as the Miqo’te had pointed out, Kujo had seen with his own two eyes. ”As if we have time for such playthings…” M’Lyn’s sour expression and tone was wholly justifiable. They were in the middle of a mission—did either of them seem like the humorous type?
”Tch—you don’t need us to make a fool outta you.” Kujo sighed a bit, shaking his head as he slipped his hands back into his pockets. ”Jack—M’Lyn isn't lying...but I don't think you are, either.” Despite the blank and stoic face he usually wore, there was a flare of agitation in his gaze—one that felt the pressure of time and the amount of variables they were up against. ”Whether or not you remember, Jack—you did have a set of guns in the forest, at least when I showed up.” He pulled out a hand and pointed a finger at Jack’s Keyblade, his emerald eyes full of curiosity and mistrust towards such an odd and bizarre tool.
”Maybe that’s messing with your memory.” They still knew nothing about the odd weapon Jack carried. It’s a stretch…but why else would he be having these weird gaps in his memory? It wasn’t the only thing bothering him, either. He still recalled that night in SanFransokyo, with the blinding light and the faint echo. ”It’s done weird shit before, right? Things you couldn’t control?” Similarly, Jack seemed to have no knowledge or real recollection of what he had done that night to cause such an effect from the weapon. None of them knew. Truthfully, Kujo didn’t trust it. For all he knew, it was messing with the host, rather than being an obedient tool.
”You should just toss the damned thing already.”
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Post by therunawaygirl on Apr 21, 2020 12:48:00 GMT -5
Jack flinched, bitter at Kujo's first comment after listening him out. Still, what followed afterwards, while helpful, wasn't exactly aiding Jack in getting track of the events so far. So, neither him or M'Lyn were wrong... But then what'd that mean?
”You should just toss the damned thing already.” Mentioning the events that happened back in San Fransokyo, where they'd first found out about the blade, Jack looked at his hand, the blade now gone from sight. Toss it? As in... Leave it somewhere and never come back to it?
"As much as I'd like to..." he thought. Remember the words... The promise that was made to you... As you held your heart's weapon high... "...I don't think that'll be possible" Jack shook his head, "We can bet on it, if you really want. But I'm confident this'll just come back to me no matter what." "Why, exactly, are you so sure of that?" M'Lyn's comment echoed with anger, not really in the mood to deal with the matter any longer. "...Leave it at a hunch." "Hmph... For all I know, it acts similar to my weaponry, without the voice command required. So wouldn't it be as simple as just storing it aside? If you don't want to part with it, then we can leave it somewhere for the time being." "...Alright. Try it."
Jack's sudden dare was a serious one. Calling onto the blade once more, he handed it over to M'Lyn, who was shocked at the seriousness of his words. Still, reluctant to admit defeat, she grabed it swiftly from his hands, and was about to dismiss it to her artillery, when the blade dissapeared from her hand and back to Jack's. Blinking a few times, M'Lyn tilted her head with genuine confusion.
How'd that happen?
"What'd I tell ya?" Jack asked, dismissing the blade yet again, "Can't say why I know that, so Imma leave it at a hunch... But I doubt I can just leave it somewhere and expect to never see it again. Got 0 ideas as for why, but... Best not to fight it, really." "..." M'Lyn shook her head, shocked, "I... I genuinely have no explanation for that..." "Still... A pair of guns?" Jack crossed his arms and puffed his cheeks, "I'd never use one out of my own will, but... I can't doubt you guys, either, since now it's not just 1 person who saw 'em... Gotta wonder what that was about..."
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