logs | d | a november catchall

[Honestly, the shadowy serpent startles him. The existence of it raises the hair on the back of his neck as it comes. He doesn't jump so much as reflexively react, tensing and turning as it approaches him before it even speaks.

???

The voice doesn't sound entirely familiar, but the inflection sort of does. He pauses for a long moment, eyes lifting to cautiously check the surrounding area. Well, the shadow isn't trying to attack him, so...

Rather than making a wild guess, he asks in a low voice:] Who are you? [They know him by name, so it must be an ally.]

[The serpent can't help but chuckle a little at the question. It wasn't his intention to surprise the hunter but Augustine knew no other way to sneak inside the Gallows without being seen. This place is teeming with guards ever since the Hierarchy made its move against the populace. He suspects it will be difficult to sneak the hunter out of here, especially since D would have to do it the old-fashioned way.]

My mistake, I didn't mean to startle you.

[The shadowy entity suddenly grows larger into the silhouette of a winged man of near equal height. It's devoid of any noticeable features at first, that is until a pair of familiar red eyes stare back at D.]

It's Augustine. I heard about what transpired earlier.

[He answers plainly before turning his attention towards the path ahead. Even though the sound is faint, he could hear someone wandering towards them.]

We need to move.

[Ah. The figure that melts out of the shadows is familiar almost instantly.] Augustine. [It's he.

The tension in D relaxes, but he doesn't let down his guard. His eyes follow Augustine's gaze to the path ahead of them. He can hear the footfall as well.]

I'm behind you.

[He's not necessarily itching to cause a big ruckus, though he's also not opposed to fighting a bunch of guards if it comes down to it.

[He gives D a nod before melding into the shadows once more. It's difficult to keep up with this form but he has very little choice here. Relying on his blood magic is just entirely too dangerous, especially against these guards. These are not mere beasts but rather fellow Restless much like them. Killing them will certainly earn them much ire from the Hierarchy, surely sealing their fates. However, there are more ethical ways of handling them and he’s just about to demonstrate.

The shadowy serpent flattens itself against the ground and zips right toward the approaching guard at blinding speeds. Before the man could take another step, the serpent curled around them like iron chains purposely squeezing the very breath out of him. It holds tightly onto its prey before eventually letting go once the guard suddenly goes limp.]

Catch him.

[He instructs D before unraveling around the unconscious guard. It seems the guard in question possesses a set of keys of some sort. Whether or not these keys will be useful has yet to be determined but it’s something at least.]

[NOODLE ICON

D waits until Augustine leads ahead, and then he follows closely behind, not bothered by the other form or the shadows. Par for the course for them both. As the serpent goes on ahead, he tarries long enough he won't make the guard alert before Augustine strikes. When the other dhampir has it, he again presses forward to make up the distance.

One arm reaches out; he catches the guard at the middle of the back with his hand, then his arm. Quietly, he lowers the guard to the ground, and then he removes the keys. Hmm. Hopefully useful. He curls them in his left palm securely.]

Let's go before others find them.

[~~Danger Noodle Alert!~~

The serpent gives a nod before quickly heading down the next corridor. While most of the Gallows is nothing more than a giant prison, it’s actually an expansive set of ruins modeled after some great fortress. There are unknown perils at every turn here. Between the ever present guards who patrol these dark halls and whatever blood-thirsty fiend haunts the shadows, the Gallows is the last place anyone would want to be.

It takes them a while to reach the end of the hall but once they do, they’ll find a large black gate impeding their path. The gate itself looks to be a few centuries old but the erosion of time hasn’t made it any weaker. While it’s expected that the set of keys they found should be able to lead them past here, the shadowy serpent pauses suddenly once it feels the presence of another nearby.]

Be on guard, we are not alone.

[Augustine mutters once he sees something roaming about within the hammerbean above. At first, he thought he was seeing things but once he gets a good look at that foreboding silhouette, he quickly realizes his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him.]

A Spectre!?

[It’s not uncommon to see such monsters here, especially since the guards often use the condemned as bait against them. However, the timing couldn’t be any more wrong.]

[As the serpent goes, D again quickly follows, the keys held stable in his hand so they don't make unwanted noise. He keeps up with things as they pass, making note, but doesn't tarry. This honestly looks exactly how he expected it.

At the gate, he pulls to a slow stop with Augustine to look it over. There should be a key, but he'll have to take the time to try most of them until it's found. He brings them up, but pauses, then he turns to look back.

Well, shit.]

Can you distract it? I'm going to try the keys. Be careful.

[YET AGAIN, HE REALLY WANTS HIS SWORD.]

[A long suffering sigh escapes the serpent as it darts towards the fiend. While Augustine was able to summon Astaroth's likeness here within this realm, he cannot hope to control it for long. Time is at the the essence here, so unless D wants to end up as chow---he might want to start looking for that key.]

Distract it, he says. [The serpent's disjointed whispers could barely be heard over the Spectre's bellowing howl. To say the least, their cover is blown. It will be nothing short of a miracle if the guards doesn't rush down the hall soon.] Be careful, he says.

I believe I threw caution out the window the second I decided to help you!

[Just as the Spectre leaps down from the ceiling above, Augustine forces the archfiend back into the shadows. It's then that not one but five shadowy figures jump out from the darkness towards the monster. Instead of there being just one large black snake, there's now five smaller snakes attempting to ensnare the Spectre. One of the snakes is clearly bigger than the others but even the smaller ones are roughly around D's height while standing. They rear up towards the Spectre, snapping their fangs as they try to tear whatever flesh they can bite.]

[As soon as the serpent moves, D turns back to the gate and begins. He slides his left palm up against the keyhole.] Tell me the bit and the wards, front to back. [Lowly, a croaking voice mutters,] Wards... wards... lessee... [There is a somewhat wet, organic sound? It's fine. The voice sounds like its mouth may be full as it continues:] Un 'och--no, no, who 'oches... Irs un eft... second un... [With his other hand, D combs through the keys carefully, studying the ends of them.

It doesn't take him very long. He finds two that seem like they may make a good match, and he shoves the first one in. But it doesn't give to the left or right, so he removes it and pushes the second one in just as guards come bounding in.

They're a little stunned to see both a spectre and a bunch of snakes--and a dude trying to open the gate? It's a lot to take in.

D throws open the gate, but doesn't race through it. He's turned back toward the serpent(s).] Move! [This is probably the most D has ever been heard raising his voice.] Let them handle it!

[The guards can be distracted by the spectre.]

[As D attempts to find the right key, Augustine is forced to keep the Spectre at bay. While the snakes manage to keep the creature away for a time but the fiend eventually manages to break free. The Spectre grabs ahold of one of the serpents and attempts to twist its head off. Thankfully, these shadowy entities aren't exactly flesh and bone. The snake poofs into a cloud of black smoke before reforming anew but this doesn't stop the Spectre. It keeps attacking them over and over again until the smaller snakes suddenly just vanish into the shadows once more.]

This isn't good.

[The larger snake mutters once the guards appear at the opposite end of the hall. Between them and the Spectre, there's no possible way that this shadowy serpent can keep up. Plumes of black smoke rolls off the serpent's back, as it begins to lose form but thankfully it doesn't need to fight anymore.]

Don't need to tell me twice!

[The serpent suddenly bolts towards the gate, quickly slithering its way towards it. The guards attempt to stop it by weaving some sort of spell but it's the Spectre who nearly thwarts it. The monster quickly lunges for the serpent in hopes of catching it but before it could, the entire snake suddenly explodes into plumes of thick black smoke. It’s a rather effective smoke screen, one that completely disorients the Spectre. Visibility is poor and the air is now heavy with soot nearly choking the life out of all that’s near. However, a familiar winged silhouette darts towards the gate after D.

It’s none other than Augustine in the flesh this time. He looks a bit harrowed but no worse for wear.]

Head south, D! There’s another gate up ahead!

[As patiently as he can be considering everything going down, he waits for Augustine to pass through the gate--or the wispy silhouette of Augustine at least. Once through, he slams the gate closed once more. That should hold spectre and guards for at least a short bit.

Time enough for them to get somewhere else.

Whatever they leave behind is not his concern. The guards will have to face the spectre on their own. D races speedily away at Augustine's rally, turning south for the second gate.

He's sure Augustine can keep up.

The gate isn't much different than the last, barred by a lock which hopefully can be opened by one of the keys in his possession. He tries the same key from the last gate first just in case, but it doesn't obtain any access.] Key. [He puts his left hand up against the lock again like before.]

[Judging from the shouts and screams behind them, the guards are having a bit of trouble against the Spectre. Oh well. Augustine lets out a dark chuckle as he glances over his shoulder. He mouths the words "serves your right" before turning his attention towards D. It seems they're already reached the next check point.

This gate serves as a secondary checkpoint here for this sector of the prison. The first gate leads into the prison, while the second gate serves as their main transport hub. This is where the key wardens receive their supplies from the outside world.

Freedom is guaranteed since it's only a few yards away.]

Be quick about it.

[He mutters while checking to watch the chaos unfolding behind them. The Spectre is definitely giving these guards a run for their money but reinforcements are bound to arrive soon.]

A few uninvited guests are just about to arrive. As for your armaments, I believe there's a repository at the end of the hall.

[AUGUSTINE.

There isn't much hurry he can do with the symbiote, so he waits with equal urgency while flipping through the keys until the description matches.] Thank you, [is what he can manage to offer Augustine in the time between.

For the help and the location of his damn clothes.

Like before, he wastes no time putting the key in when he finds the right one, and he surely wastes no time opening the gate. But unlike the last time, he darts through and goes on ahead, assuming Augustine will follow and close the gate. He speeds down the length of the hall by the mausoleum, looking for where everything was thrown. The disrespect of everything being tossed into a bin in a room.

His hat even got a dent he has to pop back out... :'(]

[Listen, patience is only a virtue when you're not potentially being chased by a small battalion of guards and a creepy pasta wannabe monster. Nevertheless, he acknowledges that hint of gratitude with a half-hearted smirk that instantly becomes a frown once he notices the symbiote on D's palm. Augustine was just about to question why D has a face on his hand until suddenly the gate opens.

He lets out a sigh of relief as they managed to escape from whatever the hell is happening behind them. The sooner they quit this place, the better. However, they're nowhere near free just yet and now they have an army of guards following them. It will only take them a few moments to unlock that gate but thankfully D is finally reunited with his lost armaments and his precious hat.]

You're lucky no one stole that gaudy hat of yours.

[Augustine mutters before going up behind the wall nearby to keep an eye out while D dresses. Don't worry, he won't peek. He's far more concerned about escaping the Gallows rather than sneaking a peek at his fellow compatriot. Although, he's a little concerned about that odd "face" on D's left hand. That thing looks like a talking tumor.]

Ready yet? I think the guards quite peeved with us.

[Very slowly, he turns his head just enough to offer Augustine an extremely insulted, silently scathing sort of look when his hat is insulted. It's the first thing he puts carefully back on. He may not be in anything else except rags, but he will be in the gaudy hat.

No one would want his hat anyway. Right...?]

Almost.

[The rest of the clothes are actually not difficult to put on despite looking convoluted. The top and bottoms are separate pieces which fit snugly together at the hip line under the belt. The brand on his arm has festered, though the skin seems to be making an attempt to heal regardless; it disappears under the tight sleeves of leather as he pulls the top piece on and zips it up the back. He fastens the long cape to the pauldrons, then the pauldrons to his shoulders, and he's finished.

It's okay, don't worry about the hand....]

We can move.

[He's ready.]

[Oh, that’s a scary look!

Augustine attempts to look innocent after his disparaging comments about that that tacky black hat. D could honestly stand to wear hint of color here and there. The hunter's attire is so drab even for him. Maybe a hint of red or blue would do? A thoughtful hum escapes Augustine as he tries to envision D in anything but black. It’s a little difficult to imagine but maybe one day the hunter will finally climb out of the gothic shadows of alternative fashion and into something more fitting of his regal form.]

Good, we shall press on.

[He states with a faint smile before quickly leading the way down the opposite hall. This entire prison is like a giant maze. There’s more winding turns than anything else here. Probably a design choice by whoever first designed these ruins. Nevertheless, Augustine can lead the way using the aid of his shadowy serpents.]

How, pray-tell, did you get caught and branded in the first place?

[He questions with a hint of curiosity in his tone.]

Aren’t you some sort of infallible hunter capable of the impossible and implausible?

[No color, ONLY black. Everything black. Apparently, this is why Yoo Joonghyuk appreciates him, but he does not know this. Maybe YJH isn't a good judge, though... The idea of D being in anything other than his terrible black leather is almost as strange as Augustine having found him mostly naked.

Swiftly, he follows after Augustine, and even without clothes, he never really lost the confidence in which he walked. His lips thin into a tight frown.]

I'm not immune to failure. [Unfortunately. But he's humble. He isn't perfect.] Yoo Joonghyuk offered me a room in a building him and some others fixed. They had a gathering. The guards came for a handful of us while it was happening. I had assumed it was punishment for trying to find a way into the Palace.

But it isn't. It was an order based on paranoia.

[That slight bit of humility wins an appreciative smirk from Augustine. Neither of them are perfect, honestly. Augustine nearly blew his cover when he initiatively sneaked into the Gallows. The shadows here are a bit tricker to control thanks to his limited abilities. It's been a daunting task to reach this far but he refuses to give up now.]

While such limitations are indeed dreadful, I'm glad to know I don't suffer alone.

[He mentions once they reach a series of stairs that leads down towards the Barrens. It's no secret that wanders can sneak into the Gallows from the Barrens. That's precisely what Augustine did in times past. However, the stone steps here are quite brittle and old thanks to the erosion of time. He typically tries to avoid taking this route since it's a bit treacherous. However, they're pressed for time.]

You're rather fortunate that your past crimes haven't led you to the executioner's block.

[Augustine grumbles before heading down the stairs first. It's a bit treacherous but nothing that the two of them can't handle. Just be careful not slip, D. There's plenty of overgrown moss growing on these stairs.]

Nevertheless, it seems the Hierarchy is feeling a bit paranoid since the death of their delegates during the festival.

[How could he forget about the Headless Horseman cleaving the heads of several unfortunate souls during that dreadful festival? It was the talk of the town for a while.]

[The admittance gets D to glance over at Augustine. He's not surprised so much about the suffering as he is Augustine would be frank with him. Even dhampirs can struggle with having the worst outcome to a situation. Even a "success" like him has to follow the whimsy of a coin toss.]

I knew Laurent would find trouble if he went alone.

[It hadn't been his intention necessarily to incur the wrath of the Hierarchy. Instead, he worried Laurent would be too rash (and he was).

He follows Augustine down toward the Barrens, not fazed by where they're going.] Some of them are. [He can't say if it's just one, if it's more. There has to be a method of council or roundtable for it all, not only Amun. But who would have the ability to give such an order and it be followed?

He's curious.]

They're afraid.

d | a november catchall

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