HARDMODE... FROM BEHIND (GM)

[Kyrie Blaze]

By the time David's hand brushed her shoulder, the blonde had packed in the emotion and was kneeling with her back straight, spine and shoulders strong. She couldn't afford to break down. Others needed help and care.

But David would feel a slight tremour.

Contact made things harder, but she didn't crack.

"...thank y--"

The flash of light had her turning on her knees, a hand coming up. Was someone attacking? Was there another wave!? What she saw when the lights fizzled out caused her eyes to go wide as she froze.

That was--she was--he was--they were--

She thought she was hallucinating. Losing family in the same way, twice...the war, the death, everyone's struggles...maybe her mind snapped. She was immobile for the moment.


. o O ( Nobody wanted to possssssst, so. )

[David B.]

David started, turning toward the light and wincing at the brightness. As the tall man stood, staring out at everyone, David walked forward slowly, non-threatening, but clearing ill at ease.

"I'd recommend you keep that spear pointed in the ground. Who are you?"

David would not hesitate to kill this man himself. His people have been through enough.

[Delilah A. Black]

"Marcus?"

Delilah should have known that Olesya would misinterpret; the truth was so farfetched that the raven haired woman found it hard to believe herself. But, in her current state, she missed the white haired woman's reeling of the idea Marcus could be dead.

"I'll see if I can help."

Her eyes widened as Olesya approached her with water on her finger-tips, balking at the idea of being touched in her current state. "Wait, don't--!"

Both girls were blown away from eachother as Qi contacted Qi. Pain spidered through her body where her Qi was active...which was most of her own surface area at this point. Cringing, she sat up once the pain subsided. It wasn't what she expected to happen; if Olesya had touched her, Delilah couldn't guarantee that her Qi wouldn't have interpreted her as a threat and tried to spear her (the idea of water getting close to her seemed to put the liquid metal on edge). Still. Ow.

"Vilg! Ow! Uh, apparently not."

Delilah let out a small breath of relief that Olesya appeared to be more or less unscathed as well. She opened her mouth to speak--

Suddenly, light and sound entered the area. Delilah struggled to her feet, hands already going for her knives. Was this another ploy by Barker? A trap? One of his generals?

...nope, it was Odin.

Delilah blanched a bit. Oh God(s), here she was, barely able to stand up, and the leader of the Norse Gods had come to the battlefield.

"Allfather!" Delilah She dropped to a knee, though not voluntarily. She lowered her head, unsure of what else to say.

[Your Mom~]

Lights, there were lights...had the shock been that jarring that she was now seeing things?! Olesya blinked a couple times and looked to her comrades who were staring in the same direction she was.

Oh good...she wasn't seeing things again.


The man and woman seemed ethereal as they appeared out of the light. The way they held themselves and the way they were dressed suggested they were from somewhere other than this world. Delilah must have recognized them, because a word left her mouth and she fell to her knees. Olesya's ears were still ringing so she didn't quite catch it.

David was doing his typical protective thing, Kiyr was looking shell shocked, August was staring with his mouth open. Because she was already working her way to a crouched position from landing on her ass, she felt inclined to stay there. Might as well show a bit of regard for these ethereal beings, and if they attacked she could spring up...not that she wanted to. She was exhfuckingausted.

[Arianna Barrial]

The elder male did not shift from his relaxed but protective stance. His single eye, a clear and oceanic blue, was locked onto David as the two males silently sized one another up. He blinked, once, the spear in his hand not moving though he could keenly feel it attempt to shift within his palm. He did not shift to be imposing - his very aura was of calm and regal assurance - but seemed to be...unintimidated.

Though Delilah's gasp behind him gave his identity away for those that knew the lore, he still offered a formal introduction of himself.

"I am Odin, of Asgard. I have no cause for quarrel with you, but do not presume to threaten me, boy. Not when I bring you additional aid." Because David's words were a warning, that much was clear--and a promise if Odin even moved his spear in the Storm Dragon's direction...or in the direction of any of his comrades. It was good he was protective; but there was no venom in the Norse God's voice or posture. Odin had no desire to quarrel, as he had so stated...but he did stand his ground and spoke with authority, showing David that he would not be cowed by the other alpha male. He continued: "My sole purpose here is to defend my granddaughters."

The woman held her silence, but her anxiousness was fairly apparent. She looked at everyone and then out at the strewn bodies. She would speak, and soon. Time was ticking.

[Your Mom~]

Odin? Like the father of Thor? Well that was cool...maybe Mathew's story had a bit of validity to it now. Gods did exist here...it was a bit of a mindfuck but after today, Olesya would believe just about anything. Flying pigs, anyone?

Olesya nodded her head in a respectful manner, silently thankful that they came to bring aid maybe a bit too late. The battle was over, they were in the eye of the storm. Did he mean aid for the coming battle? They could use any help they could ge-

Wait, granddaughters?

Les blinked, looking around to her comrades them back to the Gods. Her first instinct was to think of Mathew's daughters...but he was Ares, wasn't he? He was a Greek god, and certainly not the son of Odin. Who was he referring to? Did Delilah know? Was Delilah one of them?!

After today...she'd believe just about anything.

[Delilah A. Black]

Nov 19, 2013 18:12:09 GMT -8 Delilah A. Black said:

Delilah was just as in the dark as Olesya. Forcing herself to her feet as she hissed through her teeth, walking towards him.


Goddamned Qi.

"How can I help, sir?"

Dutiful to the last.

[David B.]

David, unlike most of the others here, had not met any of the Gods besides the greek 3. So when the man said he was Odin, he visibly relaxed, not insulted in the slightest that the man had called him boy. But unlike the others, he didn't bow or seemed awed the man. He felt no need- these werent Gods, they only saw themselves as such. And being men, David knew they could die. Still, he was not without respect for a leader, and so he clapped a fist over his heart.

"Forgive me- I did not know your origin. You say you came to protect your granddaughters.... Who might they be so I can assist you in locating them?"

His voice lost its edge, and he was now officially neutral, waiting for the man to explain himself.

[Arianna Barrial]

Now that Odin was satisfied - seeing David relax back to complete, respectful, neutrality - with the state of things, he turned to glance back at Delilah. His gaze was critical, but not judgmental. He looked back to David and opened his mouth to reply--

"Excuse me--there is no time to be lost on that. Not when so much suffering surrounds us."

She was, perhaps, one of a few in situations like these that could - and, moreover, would - dare to interrupt the Norse God. The blonde woman had stepped forwards, light eyes centered on David alone.

All she could see were the bodies and those alive that needed help. Regardless of the men moving through their ranks and providing aid, the ones that were worst needed help the most...and their time was too short to dawdle around.

"I need a field tent set up for medical purposes for those that need immediate attention, as well as people with medical knowledge or first aid to help; makeshift beds, gauze, and other supplies you can quickly get. Any o-negative blood you have, needles, tubing. I see triage has been started. I am a surgeon--" Though perhaps looking a little young. She shifted her somewhat unweildly bag. "--and can provide immediate help to the severely wounded. Anyone that can not be moved with severe injuries I will help, first. Can this be done?"

Odin, regardless of whether he was at all put off about the young woman at his side interrupting, simply nodded and looked back to Delilah.

"Hildr. Gather yourself and your wisdom so you can provide the help these men and women need."

[Kyrie Blaze]

The other blonde in the immediate area hadn't quite snapped out of her stupor. The blade in her hand was still very much visible.

And she was still doing her best impression of a white sheet.

'...hallucinating... Or a dream. Just a really twisted dream. Did I fall asleep on my front porch swing..? Is this just a really elaborate dream? Touch, smells from memory..?'

[Lucien DeChain]

Lucien was starting to come to Delilah's aid, as everyone had started to gather, when suddenly a bright light filled the area. What now...? He thought, wary. He remained invisible, but kept himself at the ready. It seemed his depression had been overtaken by a desire to survive.

The two that appeared didn't seem threatening, but they were definitely of note. After the introduction, and Delilah's bow, Lucien knew who they were. Gods. Not the actual ones, just the gang that kinda sorta thought they were gods.

Lucien watched curiously as the young looking girl explained that she was to help with the medical efforts. It was appreciated, for sure, but Lucien didn't really trust her on her word just because she same in on a light beam. This could still be a ploy. From what he knew about Strike, he had people everywhere.

Lucien would continue to stay invisible, though he would move closer, coming to a halt behind Delilah. Anyone who was paying attention would see the ripples in the air, though they were a lot less prominent than usual.

[David B.]

David, fortunately, didn't need to see Lucien to know he was there. He literally felt everyone making movements in the air around him. He would just nod in the Lightning Dragons direction before turning to the woman. She starting asking him for things and hoping he would issue orders like he was a trained monkey or something...though his reasoning took over his pride here. He wouldn't argue, just nod.

"Absolutely."

He turned to Delilah and Lucien.

"Lets get this woman everything she needs. Shes the one of very few surgeons we have."

He issued orders for the men to start doing as she asked, indicating a field medics area on the northwestern side of the battlefield, where they were all moved. He turned to Kiyr, eyebrows coming down as he noticed she seemed...very off. Pale. Terrified, almost.

"Kiyr...? KIYR. Snap out of it- we need you!"

[Arianna Barrial]

What these people thought and felt about her issuing orders didn't matter. In the end, all that she was concerned about was helping as many people live as she possibly could, which meant taking a commanding stance and likely irritating people--but, first. She turned back to Odin as he adjusted his spear. The butt was planted upon the ground, the tip pointed skywards.

He took the bag in one hand, not in the least bit minding how ridiculous it looked. Odin's actions spoke of a familial patience, vast and boundless. He already knew what she was going to do and what she needed to do before she got to work.

As David's words rang out, the blonde woman stepped forward to the younger, shorter one still kneeling. Though she was calm and confident and her movements deliberate, she was also careful as she bent down and gently took the girl's arm to draw her to her feet. And, as Kiyr would stand...she would find herself enclosed in a gentle hug before it tightened. She looked down at the body--but she couldn't do anything for him, now.

The timing, the place...the people. Too many more lives would be lost.

"Kyrie, I'm here. It's okay. But I need you to be strong. Bring your friend's body to the medical area...tell nobody to touch him. We can talk, after. We have to focus on our tasks, now, oui..?"

[Kyrie Blaze]

David's voice caused those stricken blue eyes to veer sharply and focus in on him. He didn't see it--who she was. Was she hallucinating? Was it a dream?

'Any moment now she is going to turn into a beast, or maybe David, and a black maw will expand from their lips as they speak and--and--'

Movement caught her eye and Kyrie's eyes refocused on the woman as she drew nearer and nearer, her  eyes shooting even wider. The blonde's thoughts stilled to startled silence at the first grasp of the hand on her forearm. The black blade in her hand flickered and disappeared as she was drawn to her feet.

...and wrapped in a hug before she was fully standing.

The sight, the sound, the feel, the smell...

It was her. It was Arianna. It was her sister.

"Comment est-ce possible? Vous êtes morte! Arianna, j'ai brûlé le corps...vous êtes morte...alors, comment..?"

Her shoulders shook as she sank into the hug from the woman that was five inches taller than her and her arms came up to return the hug--and cling tightly after the words she spoke. She nodded, her breathing shaky. Ragged.


. o O ( Translation: "How is this possible? You died! Arianna, I burned your body...you are dead...so, how..?" )

[Delilah A. Black]

Delilah blinked at the girl with the medical bag, faint bells ringing in the back of her mind. Similarities in speech and demeanour dredged up memories of a time long since past, of a Korean girl living in her mansion home with a vagabond and her then boyfriend. The first female friend she ever had. She had dreams of becoming a doctor.

...but then Delilah was transferred to San Francisco and she never saw Arim again.

A pang of longing drowned out the other things going on in her body for a moment. Odin addressed her and Delilah's lips curved into a lopsided, if weary, smile. 'Her wisdom', eh? She winced as she forced

"A-ah...consider it done."

Turning, she brought her fingers to her lips and blew a sharp blast of a whistle that echoed loudly. Sergei, Talon, Birch, Cain and Nick, all in various stages of wear and tear came to her side from their various tasks.

"Get the tarps out of the trucks and find some way to make a tent or some kind of shelter. Talon, how much blood and medical supplies do we have?"

"Maybe fifteen litres of blood? The stuff doesn't keep for long, even with refrigeration. The rest we have enough of to treat the severely wounded."

"Can you assist with the stablizing of patients?"

The burly man nodded once, curtly. "You got it."

"Cain, you and Nick get a tally of the people with minor injuries and ferry them back to Crow territory for medical evaluation. On your way back, bring more supplies. I don't care which faction they came from, we have the space, we can handle a few bumps and bruises. I want the rest of you helping those with medical experience with supplying them with make-shift beds; move some of the larger rubble pieces for beds, unfold chairs, whatever we've got. Get everything set up. Move."

The men saluted and darted off to their tasks of setting up the temporary medical areas. These would be enough to house the severely injured until they were in stable condition. She turned back to the girl with Talon at her side. "This is Talon McCagherty, a medic, among other things. He can assist you directly. He might even learn a thing or two."

Her legs were shaking of their own accord as her Qi continued to strain her, but she wasn't done yet; she needed to make sure everyone had survived. If the young woman didn't need anything else of her, she would go and find Lucien.