( closed ) sharp enough to kill a man

[unalign]

WHO: Lumine + others
WHERE: around Stygia + the Gallows
WHEN: November
WHAT: event shenanigans + notice board things
WARNINGS: 99% chance of violence because of Lumine's life choices

[ ooc: closed starters will go here. if you want a custom starter, send me a PM or comment on my plotting post and let's hash things out. ]

Comments

all she wanted was to die peacefully

[unalign]

[ there's a long beat as she waits for his response, her expression expectant but at the same time apprehensive of what his reaction would be. it wouldn't surprise her if childe didn't relent, obstinate and strong-willed as he is; it's very much like him to dig his heels in, unmoved by her or anyone's words.

when his shoulders fall, lumine lets out the sigh she didn't realize she was holding, her lips tugging upward to a faint smile. he almost looks like a kid denied dessert prior to dinner. ]

Come pick me up if I still haven't gotten out after a week.

[ because she's more than confident she'd escaped by then. this plan can't last very long, after all.

in any case, lumine pulls back a fist to punch him in the face, summoning anemo energy around her hand. she'd normally use her sword for this but she doesn't really want to hurt childe more than necessary. instead, the winds should hopefully launch the harbinger across the alleyway and into the streets. ]

[lackluster]

[ A part of him still wants to throw a fit, but he's slowly realizing that maybe it's all thanks to his Shadow continuously whispering things that easily incite his anger. Sure, the situation is shitty, he knows that and won't deny it. It's just that there's now that added layer of annoyance thanks to this voice inside his head telling him about all the ways Lumine is going to go back on her word.

He shuts it up by ignoring it, or at least he tries to. And if he can't, well, the anemo-fueled punch coming his way is enough to rattle him free of such obtrusive thoughts.

His body is sent flying, crashing right into a few people who were just minding their own business. Oops. That catches the attention of everyone else, especially the guards who make their way over to the area to see what the commotion is all about. Tartaglia, meanwhile, tries to get up to his feet, wiping the part of his face that Lumine hit. ]

Wow. So that's how you repay someone trying to be nice, huh.

[ He's supposed to make it sound like his good deed was just thrown right at his face (quite literally, in fact), which is hopefully enough to convince the guards that she's trouble. If it doesn't, well, he'll take matters into his own hands.

So here's hoping it's enough. ]

[unalign]

[ there's a distinct laughter at the back of her head, a giggle that she can't seem to dismiss as she watches childe fly across the alley and into the crowd on the streets and walks after him. her pace is deliberately slow, almost like a predator stalking after her prey, her eyes fixed on him as her fingers uncurl and curl back into her palm. she feels the prick of electricity against her skin as it pulses in her hand, burning through whatever sliver of concern she has after hitting him.

it's fun, oh so fun, to land a punch on one of the tsaritsa's harbinger, powerless in this world. and he agreed, too, to not fight back, putting his faith and confidence in her as she had naively done so long ago. he's always been arrogant, unthinking; now look where that's gotten him.

she says nothing in response to his gripe, her sword materializing in her hand instead as her reply, the blade dragging along the ground. the restless scramble away from the imminent fight, the guards fighting through the crowd to get to them. ]

Do you truly believe she'll keep her promise?

[ "lumine" points her sword beneath his chin before he can get up completely, the blade pressed against his skin. ]

You have no idea of the secrets she keeps, the truth behind the lies she tells. Even now, there are things she doesn't tell you. Even now, she doesn't trust you, Harbinger.

[lackluster]

[ It doesn't take Tartaglia too long to realize that something is different about Lumine. Her whole demeanour has changed, replaced by a familiar chaotic energy that simply draws out an amused smirk from him. Is this what it's like to encounter someone else's Shadow? That's interesting— maybe he should figure out more ways to lure them out.

Even so, the things her Shadow says is enough to make him curious. He doesn't doubt the validity behind them, because it's not like she would be the only one keeping secrets, but it does make him wonder. What is she trying hide?
The blade underneath his chin doesn't scare him. If anything, his own Shadow is now jumping for the opportunity to fight. ]

That's fine. I told her that she shouldn't trust me.

[ After all, who would willingly put their faith in one of the Tsaritsa's Harbingers? ]

Besides, if that happens, that just means I get to have some fun, yeah? [ This time, his smirk is much sharper. ] So listen up, girlie.

If you don't keep your promise— you'll get more than what you bargained for.

[ That's a threat. ]

[unalign]

[ there's a long beat, almost as if his words induced a sense of thoughtfulness in "lumine". she even tilts her head just a bit, a curious child contemplating the idea of stomping an anthill.

but eventually, a smirk tugs at her lips and mirrors his, one that looks quite out of place and deranged on her expression. his challenge, she'll accept it on behalf of his favorite traveler, currently screaming in their collective thoughts to wrench back control. ]

Well then, amuse us, Harbinger. And don't you dare disappoint.

[ her shadow yields control back to lumine with a laugh, the traveler staggering for a moment as she tries to compose and steady herself.

but even before she can do so, several pairs of hands seize her, roughly shoving and pinning her to the ground, her sword falling with a clatter and disappearing all too quickly. one of the guards grabs her arms, twisting them behind her back to cuff her. a groan escapes her as pain lances through her twisted limbs and lumine struggles to get up, only to receive a knee between her shoulders.

you're under arrest for assault, public nuisance and conspiracy to murder members of the hierarchy, restless. fight, and you'll only get more hurt.

from her situation on the ground, she throws a pointed stare at childe. stand down for now, please. ]

[lackluster]

[ Tartaglia can only watch as the guards finally manage to catch their target.

Gone is his usual friendly demeanour, replaced by a cold and unreadable expression that doesn't waver even as the guards begin to roughhouse his favourite traveler. One of them bothers to ask what happened, because they did see him carry Lumine away from the guards at first, but he shrugs and says something about how he made a mistake.

He was only trying to be a good samaritan, you know? How could he have known that she would end up turning on him like this— it's not much, but it seems to be enough for the one that asked. ]

Better lock her up now before she tries to get away again.

[ The guards don't need to be told twice. They'll leave the scene with their prisoner in tow before the crowd becomes any bigger than it already is.

If Lumine happens to look back, she might catch a determined look on Tartaglia's face. It's there and gone within the next second, and soon enough, he turns to leave the other way too. ]