— survival can be summed up in three words

[arrancar]

WHO: grimmjow, vincent valentine & others
WHERE: around stygia and the shadowlands
WHEN: month of october
WHAT: catchall for event / other prompts
WARNINGS: language, violence etc.

( ooc | planned logs for both grimm and vv only. plotting comment here. feel free to hit me up if you're interested in doing something with one of the boys. if we've already discussed a log beforehand, feel free to drop it below or i'll get a starter tossed up. )

Comments

GRIMMJOW JAEGERJAQUEZ

[arrancar]

( → starters and tag ins for grimm under here. )

FEAST;

[zangetsu]

（ he's been so busy lost in Depression Hell for the last week that he hasn't paid much attention to what his body needs — namely, nutrition that's actually appropriate for a teenage boy. but he's burnt a lot of energy tonight, and his concession is a plate piled high with assorted types of dried fish and other offerings, bread and a bowl of carrot-ginger soup that is absolutely the same sunset orange as his hair.

he's trying to find a quiet place to eat when he spots grimmjow, half a head taller than most everyone else present, hair swept up like a greaser. he hesitates, and then raises a hand up to catch his attention, acknowledging even as he does it that he probably doesn't need to — if he's spotted grimmjow, that means the reverse is true as well. ）

Hey. You look like you've been having fun.

（ shirt ripped, bloody, grinning ear to ear. he'd felt the fight as it happened, but it was never dire enough to intercede, and ichigo already knows he left the other guy alive. ）

[arrancar]

( the day has been an odd mix of highs and lows.

he isn't satisfied by how the fight ended, but his list of prospective opponents have started to grow quite nicely, so much so that he doesn't feel the need to go out of his way to find more now. the one complaint he has is that this world keeps interfering with abilities, snuffing them out at the worst possible moment.

he's pretty miffed about it, but what can he do? he'll just have to wait for a better day.

anyway, it's impossible not to sense ichigo these days. even when they aren't in the same area together, he still feels uncomfortably connected to him. nonetheless, his smile broadens when he's greeted. look at this boy, finally coming out of his room to eat some food!

good. he shouldn't be cooping himself up so much. )

I found a new prey. ( he plops down right next to him unceremoniously as he leans forward to sniff at the assortment of food. ) He would've made a great meal if I had the chance to finish him off. ( a beat. ) Not that I was going to.

[zangetsu]

（ the fact that grimmjow clarifies he wasn't actually going to eat him makes him roll his eyes, but he does hold the plate out in case he wants to try something. the contentment he can feel radiating off of him is — look, it's endearing, okay? ）

Yeah? Who?

[arrancar]

( he looks over at the plate of food in disdain, reminded of the garblenut he'd tried a while back. )

Not telling you. ( he pushes the dish back towards him. ) Which of these do you like? ( he motions at the different cuisines spread out. )

[zangetsu]

（ it's okay, he can find out later. probably by loudly yelling about fighting. but ichigo does roll his eyes pointedly and gesture vaguely towards one of the chunks of dried fish. ）

That's not bad. The nuts are fine, reminds me of a carnival.

joonghyuk — oakwoods

[arrancar]

( he didn't venture into oakwoods because of the distress call over the netherwork. it may have prompted his travel to serene, but helping any of the locals here is far from his own vested interest in the place. instead, grimmjow has only entered the forest to see what fun things he'll find.

as much as he enjoys how homey the shadowlands feel, he can only stay there for so long before he starts to grow bored and restless.

to his absolute delight, he ran into a group of prey just waiting to be feasted on. they made an adequate snack for him. unlike lower level hollows back home, grimmjow doesn't necessarily need to eat, but with the lack of reishi in the atmosphere, a little external nourishment couldn't hurt in the long run.

wiping a bit of leftover blood from the corner of his mouth, he picks up on the sound of voices in the distance — one more melodic than the other. pushing past a low hanging branch, two boys come into view, the smaller of the pair holding what looks to be a lantern.

isn't that what's making everyone kick up a fuss around here? hands tucked into his pockets, he steps out from the shadows, unabashed in the way he grins at them. )

What's going on? ( he directs it at the taller one. ) Can't even snatch a lantern from a boy?

[regression]

[ Joonghyuk is here... Fetching lantern shards to build up rapport, to guise "good behavior" so he can meet the Hierarchy and violently question them, more specifically Amun. Puck continues to play his tune with a curled smile and lantern in hand, brightening when Grimmjow appears only to grey when he descries traces of blood. The air... Is nervous. The guy had thought Joonghyuk could be reasoned with so far despite his domineering demeanor, but now he internally frets over TWO of them.

This is fine.

Arms crossed, he barely pays Grimmjow mind. At most, his gaze flickers to the other man once and takes quick note on his body language and aura. Without a change in his expression or posture, his hackles rise underneath his disinterested and apathetic front. ]

He's trying to negotiate.

[ Effectively, he ignores the taunt. ]

[arrancar]

( he continues to ignore the smaller one, disinterested in how fidgety he has grown; instead, he keeps his focus on the other one — the calmer one. )

Negotiate? ( he scoffs. ) Why are you botherin' with a negotiation when you can just take it? That lantern doesn't even belong to him.

[regression]

[ Hm. ]

The lantern would be useless if it were to shatter.

[ But his shadow does echo why is he negotiating? Grimmmjow is right—that lantern doesn't belong to Puck, therefore he has every right to demand and take it. Why hesitate? Why practice his humanity? It may not get him anywhere in the Netherworld.

Teeth grit behind his thin line of a smile, annoyed that this stranger stirred his Shadow into being so annoying and loud. ]

Who are you?

[arrancar]

( should consider listening to the shadow. it seems to know what it's talking about, joonghyuk. )

If that's what's holdin' you back, then you must not be very capable. ( he doesn't actually care if the lantern breaks. not his business. he dismisses him with a wave. ) Do it your way then. I'm just passing by.

( most humans never fail to disappointment. )

Another wimp.

naruto — headless horseman

[arrancar]

( the gallops of hooves thundering across the crowded streets and the shrieks of terror that accompanies them sends a delightful shiver straight up grimmjow's spine. a feral grin breaks through his impassiveness towards the once festive mood surrounding him as the headless horseman speeds past him.

without a second thought, he chases after the cloaked figure, slight aggravation tugging at him when his sonído seems to be dragged down by some invisible weight, preventing him from going fast enough to cut the horseman off. it doesn't hinder from him continuing his pursuit though.

from the periphery of his vision, a streak of blond hair joins the chase and recognition immediately tugs the corners of his mouth wider at who it is. )

BOY, WE FINALLY MEET. ( if his target wasn't the headless horseman right now, grimmjow would've had half a mind to attack him instead. )

[acknowledgement]

[A thin stream of blood trickles down his cheek and into the neckline of the clothes he wears—courtesy of a too close encounter with the horseman’s sword. Undaunted, Naruto gives chase when the villain rides eastward through the city in the direction of the coastline. Like a knight donning armor, he adorns himself with Kurama Mode. An aura of raw, palpable chakra radiates from his body, garish in radiance at this time of night. The cut on his cheek heals rapidly, droplets of blood seeming to evaporate into thin air beneath the flames licking along his form.

It takes him a moment to peel away his single-minded focus on the horseman and acknowledge the other individual in pursuit. Without recognition, Naruto stares blankly at the man; Grimmjow hadn’t posted a selfie to his soulidarity profile, after all.]

Hey…you, uh…you’ve got a little somethin’ here! [calls out the blond, indicating with a hand the area where Grimmjow’s mask rests. Squinting at it, Naruto realizes what he’s looking at: jawbone.] Actually, never mind! You’re good!

[Yes, he’s just going to assume that’s Grimmjow’s actual jawbone poking out from the side of his face. Someone get this guy a healer.]

[arrancar]

( well, it's a more acceptable reaction than mistaking the mask as part of a halloween costume.

ignoring his comment, grimmjow begins to form a concentrated ball of crimson light in the palm of his right hand, directing it towards the horseman. he hasn't missed the odd appearance of his companion nor the voluminous energy emitting forth from the bright hue that coats his body.

fleetingly, he feels a pang of disappointment that he won't be able to eat him. )

You're better than expected. ( he allows the cero to steadily grow even as they reach the sandy shores, awaiting a more opportune moment to unleash it at its intended target. ) You still owe me a fight after this. Don't forget!

VINCENT VALENTINE

[lapses]

( → starters and tag ins for vv under here. )

oakwoods!

[paraselenes]

[ The fearful broadcast, the moons, the harpies' barking, the hoarse whispers in his hindmind, and the forest itself are enough to ignite a foul mood in anyone. It's a wonder that he doesn't immediately try and get his hands around Puck's throat, because the idea is there, and it is tempting. The steely anger in his eyes speaks to that as his grip tightens around a roughly-crafted tree-bough-turned-spear. ]

I've no interest in bargaining with this one.

[ He speaks in an aside to the other Restless man who's found the clearing with him—tall and red-eyed. From his build, he's probably an able combatant, and on a clearer day he'd try to coordinate a plan.

But on today, the worst Halloween ever, he's agitated enough to just stride forward with the intent of wresting the lantern from Puck. Except Puck isn't gripping the thing tight at all; it dangles loosely from his fingers, swaying, and when Dimitri approaches, the prankster seems fine with letting it 'slip' with gravity.

Dimitri's eyes widen, body jerking forward. ] Wait—!

[lapses]

[ he didn't need much incentive to come here. the mysterious distress call was enough to coax him out of his temporary stay and travel to serene. there is still a lot he doesn't know about this world — its inhabitants and its rules. take the history of the lantern, for example, and its alleged control over these woods.

it's a curious thing.

the current situation is a bit anticlimactic though, isn't it? the lamp seems to have been stolen by a mischievous boy by the name of puck. vincent has no intention of indulging him in his childish antics, but he wants to avoid hurting him if possible. before he can even formulate a plan, his companion acts first.

he watches what happens next without much fanfare as the blond steps forward and puck releases his hold on the lantern. instinctively, he rushes towards it but even his speed isn't enough to counter the pull of gravity. the lamp hits the ground and shatters upon impact. without hesitation, he changes his trajectory, grabbing onto the boy's arms to lock him in place, lest he tries to make a break for it. red hues slants down towards the broken lantern, his expression solemn.

this could have gone better. he looks over at his companion, ignoring puck's demands to be let go. ]

You acted too impulsively.

[paraselenes]

[ Thankfully, despite being more withdrawn (or perhaps just more cautious), the other man is quick, and springs into action without missing a beat. Puck complains loudly as he's trapped in place. Rather than leaping to pummel him, Dimitri stares at the broken lantern and is properly chastised for his own part in this mess.

He openly grimaces—the spark of guilt wakes something else up in his mind, something that wants to answer with something barbed and lashed, but he tempers his tongue. ]

...I did. My apologies.

[ And he does sound contrite about it, dropping to a knee to examine the broken lantern bits, carefully cradling a piece in his fingers to inspect. It's thoroughly trashed, gone dark. Even if it was a magical implement, it's not going to magic itself back together any time soon.

He drops the shard with a sigh, glancing up at his companion, then more sternly at Puck. ]

What to do now?

[lapses]

[ frightened by what these men would do to him, puck is more than ready to spill what he knows — on the condition that he's let go afterward. initially, he attempted to negotiate a more immediate release, but as soon as vincent applied some pressure with his clawed hand, he hurriedly adjusted the terms.

he informs them of the blood sacrifice required to repair the lantern, making sure to emphasize that it could come from a slight cut, lest they try to take his life to complete their mission. puck eyes the blond in particular warily before he requests to be let go now.

vincent doesn't speak for a moment, still locking the kid in place. ] I'll release you after the lantern is fixed.

[ he lowers his gaze to dimitri. ] I can do it if you're opposed.

[paraselenes]

[ Puck struggles, and a group of overlapping voices grumble in his skull about how this now-harmless prankster had led to the death of those people in the broadcast, and who knows how much more suffering. His Shadows is the loudest of them: it reminds him that there's nothing stopping them from using Puck's blood for this—there's no reason to forgive mischief when it comes at the cost of other lives.

But with Puck safely ("safely") in Vincent's grip, he stifles his reaction down to a harsh glare before he turning his attention back to the lantern. ]

No, it's all right. As you said, it was my mistake.

[ And therefore his responsibility. Though whether one person's blood is really enough to fix this, they'll see.

He's not armed with anything seriously sharp though, so after a moment he turns to Vincent, eyeing the same claws that he's using to keep Puck in place before he extends a hand towards him, almost too conversational in tone considering his request. ]

Though would you mind helping me? [ by... slashing him up a little?? ] No need to hold back.

[ He can grab Puck, if that helps. ]

joel — wayward sun

[lapses]

[ unfortunately, he fails to catch up to the horseman once it vanishes into the tempest.

vincent returns to the chaos it left behind, assessing the damage and scanning the area for any notable clues. aside from the few wounded and dead, a strewn of papers have been scattered throughout the festival ground. a peculiar sight, seeing how they weren't there before.

he walks over to one, crouching down onto one knee to pick it up. turning it front to back, he only sees a painting of a white scorpion on it. nothing else.

a symbol, perhaps? or maybe some sort of message. he raises his head to see a man nearby who has taken interest in the sheets of papers as well. ] Are they all the same? [ he inquires, his tone solemn yet soft. he holds up the depiction of the scorpion for him to compare. ]

[healthkit]

[ After a failed attempt to catch and capture that headless horseman, possibly one of most goddamned stupid things he's done in a while (maybe he's feeling restless, maybe he's feeling like he dares this place to keep him here), Joel returns to the site of destruction too.

He finds himself being roped into joining the clean-up crew, clearing the area and pushing debris out of the way. He's in the vicinity of the other man dressed in red when he's spoken to, and curious to confirm the question for the both of them, he plucks one of the loose-leaf pages and flips it over.

Yep.

He nods. ]

Looks like. Got any idea what it means?

[lapses]

No. [ but he folds the paper up and slips it into his pants' pocket nonetheless. ] It's most likely a message.

[ what that message is though remains a mystery. ]

These were scattered after the horseman appeared, so they must be connected in some way. [ he looks around at the corpses strewn across the area. ] Either as a warning or a declaration of some kind.

[healthkit]

Hm. [ Joel hums a sound of agreement, following the gaze of the other man's to the bodies lying scattered around them. Nothing he hasn't seen before, and certainly not as grisly if he's gonna be completely honest.

He's become so desensitized to gore and violence it's hard to find something that'd shake him up these days. He has to remember that not everyone might react in the same way. ]

I reckon you're probably right. Either way, it's a hell of a strong message. Think someone's gonna follow up on it?

[lapses]

[ he has seen far too many atrocities as well to be bothered by the sight. ]

Likely. It's too public. [ but he wouldn't be surprised if the authorities didn't plan to disclose their findings. ] Caution may be advised until we learn more.