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Entry tags:
—i play the heroine, i play to their sympathies.
WHO: rudbeckia de borgia & etc.
WHERE: various locations
WHEN: check subject lines
WHAT: catch-all & overflow log
WARNINGS: will update as needed. see individual threads for specific warnings and mind ruby's character cws
WHERE: various locations
WHEN: check subject lines
WHAT: catch-all & overflow log
WARNINGS: will update as needed. see individual threads for specific warnings and mind ruby's character cws
no subject
There's little urgency as their 'hunter' continues to bumble about, so Kaito's happy to break the pacing and whip out a pouch of dried berries to munch on. It gives him a moment to mull over his thoughts—and her emotions.
What's she so scared of? Is it their pursuer? Is it him? Kaito wouldn't wish the torture of being a telepath upon himself, but sometimes he gets really curious. Perhaps there will be time after they've left the maze. ]
Not with that attitude. [ A brief quip, followed by two shakes of his head. ] And I don't mean that to fluff you up. A good plan can include you even if our physical abilities aren't equal. If you don't mind getting a little dirty, that is.
[ Gloved fingers splay out over the tall corn stalks surrounding them. Thin and slender as they are, with such volume they create a deceptively dense thicket—one that is perfectly suitable for hiding. ]
Hide in the maize. Er, maze of maize.
... [ Really? Was that really necessary? ]
You should be able to barely make out the path from behind the corn. I'll lure that bumbling bastard around the corner, and when you see me dart past, stick your leg out after... Mm, two seconds. I imagine it'll be easy to bait him into a breakneck pace after he's wasted so much time trying to pin us down.
Once he's flat on his face, we have some options. Direct confrontation, or disappearing into the maze to lead him around and wear him down. Make him look like an idiot. I'm sure being unable to pull off such an "easy hunt" will do wonders for his ego.
[ The air quotes are about as exaggerated as he can muster. ]
What do you think? If all goes well, this shouldn't require a lot of energy on your part unless you want to take a turn as the bait, in which case you'll have to do a little more running.
no subject
... but. ]
Um, well... I don't really want to be chased all night, so I-I suppose... [ the hesitancy reads as genuine—even if she couldn't care less about their hunter, she's reluctant to risk her image, and even more reluctant to put herself at risk when Kaito could easily just abandon her if things go wrong. ] I don't know about confronting him or, um. Demoralising him? But if we can just get away... If you really think I can do it, then let's try.
[ a lie: ]
I trust you.
1/2
At the very least, she comes across as happy enough not to be the bait. Ready to reassure her, Kaito prepares to put on a smile— ]
2/2
Color him somewhat surprised. She doesn't have much faith in the plan after all, huh. Still, that only further motivates the empath to make sure everything goes smoothly. Whether she trusts him or not, he isn't going to leave her high and dry. ]
Okay. Then make like a tree—leaf. I'll be right back. [ Gloved fingers waggle in a parting wave before he begins to backtrack. It's easy enough to locate their errant hunter (and honestly, he doesn't think the guards will kick them out if he levitates above the maze's bounds for just a few seconds). Baring a much wider grin, Kaito flips him a pair of birds—which just leads to some confusion, as the Restless has no idea what the gesture implies.
Nice. ]
Oh, fuck it. Could you be any slower, you clod?!
[ Aha. That language seems to stir an incensed reaction, because the hunter's now bull rushing his way towards Kaito. The empath sprints off towards the location of their trap. Ruby will have undoubtedly heard the verbal exchange, and the heavy pounding of her impromptu partner's footsteps come to a sudden halt as he peeks his head through the maize. ]
Gods, he's actually considerably slower than you are. On my mark, okay?
[ Nyoomgano vanishes again, but within seconds: ]
Now!
no subject
she didn't have that life. it's not a life she'll have now, either; it's a fantasy she isn't so naïve as to believe is possible, not for her. but just in this moment, peering through the stalks, her heart hammering so hard she can feel her pulse in her fingertips—
Kaito's sudden appearance startles her once, and then his shout a second time. she doesn't miss her moment: she sticks her leg out into the hunter's path to catch his ankle, sends him sprawling—and then she's running right to Kaito the moment she sees him. ]
W-What do we do now?!
no subject
If she was at all worried that he was waiting until the last moment to play a cruel trick of abandonment, hopefully those worries died with his meandering presence a few feet away. Kaito glances over her head, then back down. A shut-eyed smile is his initial response.
The sound of bubbling water begins to fill the air despite a clear lack of nearby ponds or creeks or even gutters. ]
Naturally, we flee. You did say you weren't interested in embarrassing that loswer. [ A snicker follows his words. He has yet to open his eyes, but he can hear the heavy plodding of their thoroughly disgruntled opponent. ]
Please pick between food or silence—preferably before he gets into grabbing range.
no subject
Ah— [ it takes a moment for her to process the question Kaito asked, her thoughts spiralling into paranoia. but the answer is easy: ] Um, silence? I choose silence!
[ they still have to run all the way out of here, so she's not sure why he's bothering to ask... no, more importantly, what is she going to do? if this guy they messed with remembers her face, isn't it possible he's going to cause problems for her further down the line? he might hold a grudge. even if he just sees her on the street, maybe he'll cause a scene, or maybe he'll corner her in an alley somewhere, or— ]
1/2
Kaito breaks his confident streak for a solid second to peer down at the blonde and her aura that's rapidly flaring with paranoia and anxiety. A touch of concern flashes over his expression. ]
2/2
The sound of water grows louder. ]
Hey. Breathe. I don't know what you're thinking, but it's going to eat you if you keep fixating on it like that. Take a deep, slow breath, and hold it.
[ A beat passes. He's willing to wait, even as the hunter barrels around the corner into view. His gaze doesn't stray from her. Once he's confident she's holding that breath... ]
Silence, here we come.
[ A glowing blue portal yawns open below their feet, and they sink. It's hardly a fast or even sudden fall, feeling more akin to descending an escalator.
Do they have escalators where she's from?
Anyway, the pair slip into the portal before their bumbling opponent can take a swipe at Ruby's hair. As their heads pass through, the scenery instantly changes to a grassy, flower-filled garden in Serene. And like its namesake, the place is completely empty.
Silence. Kaito pulls away once their feet are on solid ground again, tugging at his gloves as the watery gate (now above them) seals itself.
Y̶o̶u̵r̴ ̴c̸o̷c̶k̷i̵n̶e̸s̶s̶ ̶i̵s̶ ̴g̶o̸i̸n̷g̵ ̶t̶o̵ ̸g̶e̷t̸ ̵u̶s̶ ̵f̶u̸c̶k̵e̷d̴ ̵o̸v̷e̵r̴.̷ ̸W̶h̷a̴t̵ ̵w̸o̵u̸l̶d̷ ̵y̷o̷u̵ ̸h̵a̵v̶e̴ ̸d̸o̴n̶e̷ ̶i̷f̶ ̶t̸h̵e̴ ̴p̷o̴r̵t̸a̴l̶ ̶b̷r̶o̴k̵e̷ ̴m̸i̵d̸-̴f̷e̴r̸r̴y̴?̸ ̸W̴o̷u̶l̶d̸ ̷y̸o̶u̴ ̸h̴a̷v̵e̴ ̶t̶o̸ ̸m̸a̸k̸e̷ ̷a̶ ̴t̴r̴i̵p̶ ̶b̵a̷c̸k̵ ̸t̵o̵ ̶t̵h̷e̵ ̶m̸a̸z̴e̶ ̸t̸o̸ ̷c̷o̴l̸l̸e̷c̴t̵ ̷t̴h̴a̵t̵ ̷g̷i̴r̸l̶'̸s̷ ̵u̷p̴p̷e̵r̵ ̸h̶a̷l̷f̵?̶
Wow. His Shadow usually isn't this grumpy about him showing off his powers. Is that actual concern, or is it just being an ass?
Either way. ]
And we're out. You okay there?
no subject
with the two of them on solid ground once more, and the air utterly still, the apex of her fright has passed, at least. now she just looks dazed. ]
H... Wh... [ there was never much magic involved in Sodom and the Holy Grail. of course she's consumed plenty of fantasy in her life, but her personal experience is close to zero. she is definitely reeling somewhat. ] What did you do...?
[ normally, this is where she would burst into tears and throw her arms around her saviour. her character is still buffering. ]
no subject
Do you want the short answer or the exposition-heavy one?
[ He doesn't bother waiting for a reply. Kaito's self-aware enough to know that Noctis is probably the only person he's met so far who would consciously allow him to ramble. Mavis is a solid maybe. Hibiki? Hmm... ]
Using a utility aspect of water-elemental magic, I conjured a transportation gateway connecting the ground beneath our feet to this garden in Serene.
[ Come on, buddy. Make it a little less technical. ]
Water teleportation circle. Sorry if it, uh, caused more alarm. [ Vague gesturing in her general direction. ] I probably could have given a better warning...
no subject
even if she had known he had water magic, she never would have connected it to something like this. what does water have to do with teleportation, anyway? no, that isn't what's important here—she needs to severely reassess Kaito as both a threat and a lifeline. the problem, she thinks, is that he's so... normal. he isn't stoic or ruthless in the way of people like her husband and Yoo Joonghyuk, so she can't find where the line she needs to toe is; but his friendliness is casual and carefree, without the chivalrous courtesy she can depend on from the likes of Sylvain or Zagreus.
in short, after three years in the world of the novel, she's too accustomed to being around people who are fucking insane. "Rudbeckia" wasn't designed to be played against an ordinary person, magical abilities or not. maybe that's what unsettles her so much about Kaito.
it means she has to take some risks to figure out his boundaries. friendliness isn't something she can count on to actually save her. ]
N— No, it's alright. [ still grasping the front of his shirt, Ruby leans against Kaito's chest, like she's light-headed and trying to get ahold of herself. her feelings are an uneasy simmer, apprehension rising in response to proximity. ] You were trying to get us out of there quickly, signore. I'm sorry that my constitution is so frail...
[ when does the obligation of kindness reach its limit, and he begins to regard her as a burden? that's the first thing she needs to know. ]
no subject
Gloved fingers slip around Ruby's wrists amidst her ten-panel analysis. The smooth leather surface grips carefully but not gingerly, eventually pulling her hands away from his chest. She won't be left to flounder, of course—he'll assist in the process of steadying the blonde with his own hands shifting to her shoulders.
Her aura is simply too close—and her raw emotions are burning too brightly in his periphery. It's giving him a headache. There's also the matter of why she still seems so terse, even as she's clearly leaning against him for support.
The picture doesn't match the vibe, and it might just be starting to draw his attention.
Only when he's absolutely sure that she can manage on her own two feet does he relinquish his hold and take a fair stride back. With the adrenaline all but drained from their situation in the maze, Kaito can finally take a deep breath...
And as he resets, a plain, placid expression settles on his features. He shrugs. ]
You have no reason to apologize. It's not really something you can help, yeah? And even then, it had no bearing on my objective to help you out. I'm just glad you weren't hurt in the process. It, uh. It was a bit of a reckless plan. Maybe even a touch arrogant on my part.
But the look on that guy's face was worth it, I think. If he tries giving you any shit in the future, you can just tell me and I'll give him a talking to.
[ 'With my fists,' he does not add. ]