Post by Kyrie Blaze on Mar 7, 2014 19:56:24 GMT -8
Kyrie Blaze said:
It was around eleven at night if she was any judge. Her duties for the day were squared away. She was in Dragon Territory, what with them being locked down. Takehiro was still in his hospital with his two friend-underlings. She hadn't gone home, yet, today. Her palms were slightly clammy with what she was about to do. It had been risky enough, calling him down into the field of battle the day they met Barker in battle.
She hadn't trusted the mask since she had seen it placed upon Gregory's face when he had aided her and essentially set her free by blasting her into the building she had found to contain his office in. It had been devoid of the masked ones.
Just like the section of the territory she was in was still abandoned. Still being repaired.
Yet still it was dark. There was the light of the full moon above, casting strong shadows upon the ground with the buildings and regrowth. She lifted one hand to the pendant hanging down against her chest and braced herself.
She had toned down as many of the risks was she possibly could. It was long-passed time to try and take the next steps to free him in turn. She had made a mental promise to free him of it, but to do that he needed to be here.
"Gregory."
. o O ( Roll: D20! ...12! )
Kronos said:
Gregory appears, off to her right. His hair is down and covering his face...and whispers a single word."Run."
He launched at her, obviously in attack mode!
Kyrie Blaze said:
And this was why she tried to stack the odds in her favour. As he appeared and she spotted him, her hand dropped from the pendant and she shifted warily on her feet to ensure she could readily move. The whisper hardly reached her, but the abrupt movement had her casting her qi into the nearest shadow to disappear! And if she made it, to move from the point she had entered from.
Kronos said:
Gregory dived into the shadow after her- but didn't see her vanish, or to which shadow she came from! He jumped out, glaring around....before he laughed. His voice was huskier, darker now then when he first told her to run."Whats wrong, little girl? Do I need to find your friends to make you fight?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
From within the shadows, she skirted towards the nearest building. If luck was on her side, perhaps it was one connected to an alley. Her spatial awareness was good, but her flight into the shadows had been instinctive and not as methodical as she would have liked. His words rang in this plane she was in and the sound rang brilliantly clear...it was easy to note the differences.
When she spoke, she cast her voice at the building's walls - from the alley, even, perhaps - to make it echo oddly. "To fight this...alternate Gregory? This controlled Gregory? There is no need for that."
Kronos said:
Gregory seemed to pinpoint where she was, despite the echos!"Do you even know what follows you around like a lapdog, kid? This body...this mind has the potential for destruction on a scale you couldn't even fathom."
Gregory would seem to fire several bolts of black lightning at her hideout!
Kyrie Blaze said:
When his eyes seemed to lock onto her location, her eyes widened a touch and she strafed to the side. Her teeth clenched together and she shot from the shadows like an arrow, straight and true but angled away from the black bolts--into the sky where she had a vantage point. "And so who do I speak with, then, that would turn Gregory against someone he would not normally attack?"
Kronos said:
Gregory smirked."Does it matter? You take off the mask, he dies. You run, i'll kill your friends, civilians..everyone, until i get to you. And if you win...he dies. Thats your choice."
Kyrie Blaze said:
This was useful information...but distressing. "So your suggestion to me, then, is what?"
She might have stacked the field to what advantage she could, but whomever was pulling the strings had just stacked the conditions of this scenario in their favour.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie lifted her legs and crossed them, gripping her ankles lightly and loosely with her hands. She seemed contemplative. Casually so. "Well now. That is an interesting offer..." Become the sacrificial lamb...and likely not save anyone for it. No, in fact, likely put everyone she knew and loved at further risk. "And what happens to Gregory and those I love and care for - as well as myself - if I were to bow to your demands?"
Kronos said:
Gregory would tilt his head to the side."You can leave at any time...and I would show you how to remove the mask. So...in essence, it will be on your honor. And if you betray me...I will invade with one hundred thousand men."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie coked her head to the side, arching an eyebrow."And why would you let me know how to set Gregory free when he holds such power and potential for destruction? What would you get out of me to possibly offset losing such a great asset?"
Kronos said:
Gregory would start to fly up toward her."Gregory is a powerful asset...but the more of his unique traits he uses, the weaker he gets. So he can be beaten. And I have other useful objects. What I do not have is an object so close to the Dragon Elders. I won't hurt them...but you will work for me, whenever I wish, and keep me informed of Dragon movements."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Ohhhh...and that she just couldn't do. She loosed her hands to maintain distance as well as she could, focusing on her smaller body's maneuverability in comparison to Gregory's taller form.Her head tilted the other way. She wasn't 'running' - if she was she would be long gone - but nor could she just give in. Unique traits...that was interesting. Was what he first used when she met him unique? He'd used something similar on the battlefield. And then there were the black bolts...and now he was flying.
"That is certainly a more...evenly weighted match." And for it she would find some way out--even if it meant exhile, but this wasn't an option for her. "Is it too much to ask o speak with Gregory, now? I mean--even though we both know he would only implore me to not take the deal."
It would either work in some fashion...or she would have to deal with another attack. Which...was okay enough for her. Not the most ideal, but...an option.
Kronos said:
He shook his head."You come meet with me first. I'll tell Gregory what you want him to know."
Kyrie Blaze said:
"Funny...you would think you might want to make me feel more...at ease before coming with. Betraying my kin in earnest, after all, is not something I would ever take or do lightly."She pressed her lips into a line, gauging the distance. The ring was on her finger, but she didn't want to use that weapon. She didn't know if Gregory would survive it, after all.
Kronos said:
Gregory would laugh."You are stalling. Either agree, or we fight and get this over with."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Ohhh, she did not like whomever this man or woman was. She thought a man, but, didn't want to simply assume before knowing. Both eyebrows climbed high."Or perhaps I am concerned with how angry Gregory likely is, trapped inside with no say. I would imagine he is seething, or close to it. I would be. I am walking in to this blind, but...what do you suppose one of the first things he could potentially do upon regaining his freedom?"
If his freedom were to be regained at all... And she was starting to doubt that. She was betting, instead, they would cause him to weaken and become so useless that they would never give him the opportunity--that they would make him live out his usefulness before she knew how to free him.
Kyrie Blaze said:
"Yes. Now," She continued, not daring to miss a beat. "What, exactly, do you think talking with me might help reduce the chances of, if indeed you plan to let me free him after giving myself up?"For a second, her eyes narrowed. Would he hear if she addressed Gregory? The person puppeting him said Gregory would be told, but...she was betting that Gregory was still very much aware even though it wasn't directly acknowledged that he was, in fact, seething...the acknowledgement that Gregory would attack them was enough for her.
"Gregory."
Kronos said:
Gregory was still for a moment...then twitched, arm jerking a little.The man growled and attacked, aiming a flying roundhouse for Kiyr!
Kyrie Blaze said:
"Gre--" The sudden stillness and jerk caused her hands to close...and she could feel the ring crackle with life and heat against her hand. When he struck - powerful, yes, but giving her a bit of time ot react - she flung herself with the direction and used her hands to summon a thick band of qi between herself and her attacker. "--gory!" Kronos said:
Gregory jerked again, and the man doubled over...before blasting a torrent of fire in her direction! Kiyr would feel her shirt light aflame and refuse to go out! Kyrie Blaze said:
...that...! With no real choice - but oddly thankful it was her Field Marshall shirt, which could be replaced...with explanations - she shot backwards and, on a dare, pushed her qi over her undershirt and vest to slice through the shirt as she did so to cut it free and not have to chance taking the sky force jacket off.
That was open, thankfully.
"I want to speak with you, Gregory."
She used her momentum to circle behind and clench the hand with the ring--she didn't want to blast him. There had to be another way--and it came in the shape of a bat with her qi. She would give him another chance, another push--
Kronos said:
Gregory's flame went out...and his hands latched onto the mask and he began to scream, as blood poured down and off of his chin! The man seemed to be struggling for control, but Gregorys eyes were on her...and an aura of peace would throttle the air. They were still struggling, but for now, Gregory was in control."DON'T YOU DARE!"
Blood ran over his shirt as the spikes of the mask dug in.
Kyrie Blaze said:
The blood jarred her--she had an idea of how far the mask was...and it was grim. While Gregory struggled with his puppeteer...Kyrie struggled with herself. This pain...she wanted it gone."Gregory..! Gregory, do not try to tear the mask off." If he did...she didn't want to think of it.
Kronos said:
Gregory would pull...and the hooks drew out a little, ripping flesh as he screamed, writhing in the air....before he let it go and the mask sort of /crawled/ back onto his face. Laughter."That was naughty. You should know, nobody has ever broken the mask by force."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie suppressed a shudder."Yes, well, had you just let me talk to him in the first place he would not have tried--and yes, I still want to talk with Gregory. Screaming in agony does not equal talking."
She was thinking knockout...but even that was...she didn't know if there was still control, then. Could the mask be surgically removed, even? She...honestly didn't know. The hooks...
Kronos said:
Gregory shook his head. "It's obvious you have no intention of becoming mine. Let us fight."
A storm started to roll in front over the horizon...and Gregory fired another bolt of lightning before coming in, attempting a punch for Kiyrs gut!
Kyrie Blaze said:
Who would come if she did not call? Likely, nobody.For a second in response to the bolt, Kyrie dropped like a stone, as so far she had mostly stuck to diagonal and horizontal maneuvers as they were easiest to pull off, before shooting up and twisting her body to face the controlled Gregory's back, the bat-shaped qi in her hands used to hopefully catch and knock him out.
Kronos said:
The Qi would hit him and send him staggering...but wouldn't knock him out. He would shake his head and...with a flash of light, kill Kiyrs flying ability, and block both of their Qi. They would smash into the ground hard...but Gregory would return to his feet, sweating."Now the real fun begins..."
Kyrie Blaze said:
"Quel!?"The exclamation came as she noted- still unable to see from the flash of light - that she was falling--more over, that she could not catch herself with her qi. With the momentum being straight down, there was little to no way she could land and roll.
Unless she wanted to snap her legs and joints.
She lay there, panting for a moment, though she wasn't weaponless. She still...had Hulda. She pushed to her hands and knees though she noted he was on the way to standing already. Still winded and her body in its fair share of pain, she pushed up and back, using the momentum to get off her hands and roll up to her feet from her knees.
Swaying back, unsteady on her feet...she tested the ring. It was a weapon in itself...but did it rely on her own qi...or would it simply be weakened if it was cut off from her..?
Kronos said:
She would note all other items seemed in perfect working condition!Gregory took several deep breaths through the mask, then charged forward, intent to put her down!
Kyrie Blaze said:
Her eyes widened in surprise and shock at the burst of speed and she immediately backpeddalled. Scrambling for her wit, she did the only thing she could think to as she seemed to stumble: use her feet as her shoulders and back hit the ground to lob him over her.And, if she was at all successful, try and roll back to her feet.
Kronos said:
Gregory would hit her feet, but grab her ankles, flipping while holding her and thus forcing her body to flip as well. He hit hard, and would use his grip to hurl her toward a wall! Kyrie Blaze said:
"Ack!"Flung through the air, Kyrie twisted and righted herself as much as she could--and though it would hurt, she would try to 'land' with her feet upon the wall, legs bending before she attempted to redirect the momentum somewhat by essentially pushing her body on a diagonal. Rolling off her shoulder from the ground, she would move back to her feet out of the roll.
Her body hurt, no doubt, but she pushed through it to lock on to Gregory.
Kronos said:
Gregory would almost be on her, is intensive speed and strength almost overbearing. The mask and his face was covered in blood...but he didn't seem to care. He would aim a punt-kick for Kiyrs stomach...hoping to send her flying once more. Kyrie Blaze said:
Knowing the ring worked, she was as ready as she could be when she spotted him and threw her body into a shallow sideways roll. Her foot touched ground and she pushed off, hand clenched around what appeared to be a blade of lightning.If there was a flat side, she simply tried to strike him with that, rather than a bladed edge.
Kronos said:
He vanishing causes him to growl...but as he jerked around to see her, the flat of the blade would slam into his head as she wished, lifting him off his feet and sending him spiralling into a wall, smashing clean through it and plowing through furniture, counters, before smashing and indenting into the fridge. He groaned...slowly pushing himself up onto his hands and knees and shoving the lid of the fridge off him.He was wobbly,and sparks were running over his body. Luckily, lightning was a cakewalk for him...but he had not expected the sword, and it put him almost out. If she didn't follow and finish him, he would return to his feet and stumble back out the hole in the wall.
"Tricky tricky...hiding a weapon like that..."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Breathing hard, she didn't cease her pursuit, intent instead on trying once more. She dove through the hole and vaulted over any furniture in her way to attempt to land upon the fridge, sword in hand."Gregory!"
Either way she would begin to follow through with her feet both planted--a one-armed swing to knock his head. He would either stop her...or he wouldn't, and she was hoping that all that had dazed his controller enough that...
Kronos said:
He shook his head, her voice nothing more than an echo as he looked up....and took the blade straight to the forehead, knocking him out cold. Kyrie Blaze said:
Trying to breathe deeply and not hyperventilate from her anxious worry, she quickly checked his pulse...and tried to reach for her qi. Kronos said:
All Qi would be active again...and he seemed to be alive! Kyrie Blaze said:
For the moment, good... But she didn't think she had much time, if any at all. Hopping from the fridge door she shoved it off him and inspected the mask; she'd seen how the spikes seemed to slither their way more deeply when he let it go.The mask really, really had to go.
She thoughtfully gripped the necklace around her neck...wondering if that risk - the risk of putting it on him - would backfire.
Kronos said:
The mask seemed sealed on tight...but he didn't appear ready to go anywhere. He was breathing normally, though was still leaking a bit of blood. Kyrie Blaze said:
Would it have been enough for him to regain control..? She bit her bottom lip a moment and thought over what she had...nothing she knew of that could directly help. Should she call? What about taking him to Arianna..?Grinding her teeth in frustration at her indecision - if it wasn't enough she didn't want Arianna to become a hostage; and this wasn't David's "debt" to pay, nor would she tolerate him being attacked - she slipped the necklace off and placed it around Gregory's neck...
...and waited for just a moment, though she sent her qi into the nearest, largest shadow. Perhaps...
Kronos said:
Once around his neck, his muscles seemed to bulge...and a screech seemed to come from the mask. Its tendrils would fly from his face, sealing the holes as they left them, leaving him bloody but whole as it fell off, writing on the ground, looking for a face...before the tendrils shrunk to small spikes, and the mask returned to a normal mask. Gregory still didn't wake up, laying there unconscious. Kyrie Blaze said:
The shriek caused her to clamp her hands over her ears with a cry of alarm and pain of her own! But her eyes tracked the mask. She extended her hand before the mask had even shrivelled...and sent a bolt of lightning towards it, not wanting to take any chances whatsoever in regards to this.Her next thought was that...they were going to need to move. She didn't trust that she could safely stay here.
The good thing about this was...it was night. Her qi was better suited for this time of the daily cycles. Retracting her qi from the shadows, she moved to haul him to a position she could drag him outside...because she couldn't do anything inside the building with its mangled insides.
Kronos said:
He would easily be dragged to wherever she wanted to go, clearly still out like a light! However, she would hear shouts in the distance heading her way."It came from over here! Move, Midgardians, move!"
Kyrie Blaze said:
As soon as she was clear from the inside of the building, she hauled him further away, down a street to the side. She gave a soft groan to herself at the shouts and angled further towards Dragon Territory. Depending on how close they were would be the deciding factor of whether she pulled Gregory into the shadows or not.. o O ( Base CON: 45; base CHA: 50. Finally have it, yesssss. )
Kronos said:
She would find herself just close enough to reach the shadows- but the men rounded the corner, and there appeared to be dozens of them!!! Kyrie Blaze said:
Into the shadows they went! She used her qi to help move him, trying to ensure if she had to let go of the shadows...that she could get them out of the way of the incoming mass' notice.
Kronos said:
She barely made it! The men scour the area....but are unable to find her in her shadow fortress! ( Roll D20 )
Kyrie Blaze said:
Good thing..! But she hardly dares to breathe a sigh of relief as she still has to get back home with Gregory. She searches for any other connected shadows that will lead her further away from this Midgard hotspot.. o O ( Roll: D20! ...4! ...ahahaha. )
Kronos said:
( Damn haha sucks for Kiyr. )Kiyr sees no shadows connected, strangely. Its like they are all jumbled, and she can't really tell which ones lead in the direction she needs...though she could just try one and see what happens!
Kyrie Blaze said:
Exhaling very, very slowly, as she could only have a few more minutes before the strain of keeping him there was too much...she watched the Soldiers for a moment to see which way they were going...and so she would try to move away from them, instead, using them as a point of reference for the direction she didn't want to go. Kronos said:
She could in fact see where they were, and took a shadow that was closest to her, in the direction she wanted to go (Meaning, away from Strikes troops)!( Rolled D20 for you...got a 19 )
In her shock and hurry to get away, she latched onto a shadow that was like a highway of shadows...so rather than just jump a few, she overcharged...and jumped FAR. She would be thrown from a shadow...inside a cave, surrounded by hundreds of Titans, all with spears suddenly pointing at her! Outside, there seemed to be a jungle, and there was no city in sight!
( Yeah, im fuckin' you up. )
Kyrie Blaze said:
. o O ( ...holyshitballs. )Thrown from the shadows, she tried to roll into a crouch to get her bearings and locate Gregory... Of course, it wasn't hard to note the Titans. The spears. She let out a slow breath...and with no idea what else to try...
"...which Titan group are you..? Colossi with Hyperion, or...with Kronos?"
She kept hervoice level, not wanting to bolt to the shadows until she knew where Gregory was, and whether or not this group would actually be hostile.
Kronos said:
Gregory was there- also thrown, about twenty feel behind her. She might be able to see his body, but only if she was close to the ground, as she would catch glimpses of his clothes through the many legs around her. One of the Titans, with a mohawk, would slowly dip the spear until it was an inch from her neck."Which matters to you, little ant?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
She eyed the spear head warily."I simply know of both... It is hard to not hear when you live so close to where battles happen. And thus I would not mind knowing which I have accidentally stumbled upon."
She, with her hands pressed to the ground in her crouch, tried to weave her qi in the dark towards Gregory, slowly, though.
Kyrie Blaze said:
She hated to lie. She would dance the truth's edge at times and evade answering like she just did, but she could not lie. She pushed her qi farther, a little more quickly.She met the Titan's eyes, unafraid despite being one so small against so many large people...
"Colossi."
She was as ready to move as she could be if it turned out to be the 'wrong' answer.
Kronos said:
The man said nothing for several seconds, before lowering his spear to just over her heart."And who gave you this?"
The Titan Circle.
Kyrie Blaze said:
She breathed in, slowly, controlling that instinct that demanded she deflect the weapon away. Not yet, not now... Did she have Gregory, at least..? She remained non-combative."Hyperion."
Kronos said:
Gregory seemed out of reach...as though kiyr was in a bubble she couldn't shift out of!There were murmers around as the Titans looked to each other, trying to sort out how or why Hyperion would do such a thing. The Titan stood...eyes wide..
"Impossible...Lord Hyperion would never..."
He turned to the men.
"She must have taken it by force! Lord Hyperion could be dead!!!"
Louder murmurs and voices could be heard, as hands tightened on spears.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Well. Now she knew.She took a breath and before they could get too carried away, stood and addressed them all.
"I had no clue such a thing existed until he bestowed it upon me to keep me safe from Khaos. The last time I saw him was when I relinquished the captive Titan Warriors that Kronos sent to attack both the Dragons and Gods a few weeks past. I also let him take the deceased."
Kronos said:
The man with the mohawk turned back to her, opening his mouth to argue- when a voice from the cave entrance spoke commandingly."Enough, Einrik."
Hyperion walked in, covered in dirt, but behind him followed two hundred other Titans...more brothers for the cause. Hyperion waded through the crowd to Kiyr, who would feel the bubble dissipate and her shadow latch onto Gregory. Hyperion seemed genuinely surprised to see her, glancing around a moment.
"Kiyr...what are you doing in Brazil?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie's eyes shot towards the sound of the rather familiar - and much needed - voice of the Titan of Light. She exhaled quietly and raised an eyebrow at Einrik's back. Dead, huh. She didn't speak...maybe he didn't know? There seemed to be a jungle outside after all.She didn't say anything, but concentrated on pulling Gregory into the shadows to shift him back over to her and pull him back out. She didn't want any of the Titans mistakenly stepping on him.
"...Brazil..?" She queried, lookiing up with nothing short of shock despite her soft tone.
'...insert Wizard of Oz quip here, right..?'
"Would you beleive me if I said moments before being here I was in California, trying to evade Midgard soldiers after helping to free my friend, here..?"
Kronos said:
Einrik paled a little...and backed out of the way, going silent. He knew that, later, Hyperion would ask him why he acted like he was dead, as if that could happen. He was not looking forward to that conversation.Hyperion, meanwhile, stuck his hands in his pockets.
"Yeah. I remember seeing you dip into shadows last...didn't realize you wanted to get so far away. What happened to this friend of yours that he needed freeing from?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie simply allowed her focus to remain on Hyperion. And though, internally, she didn't necessarily want to admit it, it was far more dangerous to act like she knew exactly what she was doing than admit inexperience--even in front of this host of Titans."I had not meant to, to be perfectly honest. I suppose I should have known travel like yours would be possible at night, for myself...but I mistakenly accessed it." She glanced down, behind her, and then back up. "It is a long story, one I do not even know, fully. A group tried to capture me to put me in 'the Regulation' from my understanding...and Gregory initially freed me, though he worked for them. He was subdued and they put a mask on his face which enabled someone access to control him, though he could fight them for control...it was not so this time. That mask I removed this night, though the ruckus of our fight drew the Midgard Soldiers."
Kronos said:
Hyperion watched her, thinking it over."I see. The masked...we've run into them here as well. They are not...kind individuals."
He glanced at the male body.
"You trust this one?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
"...do you know any more than I do about them..? Whomever was in control wanted me to give myself to them to act as a spy against the Dragon Elders."It always bothered her, not knowing more of this group, this threat they undoubtedly posed.
She looked back down at Gregory...and let a slow breath pass though her lips. The look he had first given her and all he'd done for her...
"Unless he somehow acts to gain my distrust, yes, I do."
Kronos said:
Hyperion would turn and waggle his fingers back at one of the men. After some clanging sounds, like a drawer being open and shut, he ran forward with a folder.....a very thick folder. Hyperion handed it to her."Thats everything we've been able to get out of spies and questioning, as well as observation."
He would scratch his chin after she took it.
"Well then...I could send you wherever you'd like, if your sure you are safe with him."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie blinked as the folder was given to her and held it securely. She seemed a bit...bewildered. But thankful all the same."Thank you."
She considered his offer.
"...if I were to ask you to put me anywhere, it would be my home in Dragon Territory. But, if I may first ask...is there any trick to the way you do it? I do not think I want to unwittingly pull myself halfway across the world again, especially if my comrades are fighting for their lives." She wouldn't mind experimenting with it, but, at the same time, now definitely wasn't the best of times for it.
Kronos said:
He smiled."You travel in a world of shadows. I travel in a world of light. Though opposites in composition, they have similar outlines. Your qi takes you into the realm...you have seen many paths that lead short distances, but these connections can be...warped, by pouring more power into them before contact. By warping the connections, you sort of...fold them, one on top of another, as well as the shadows behind. This folding decreses the distance between shadows...so you can jump from one part of the world to another, or send others in the same way. Before doing so, understand that you can made threads of power so thin it couldn't be seen with the naked eye- simply send that thread through this new, folded shade and test the location of light and shadows in the area with that thread to find location. With a bit of practice...you could do it fluently, as I do with light."
He knew she was probably confused by the folder...but truth be told, he was quite an organized man, and he couldn't just keep all the information in his head. What if someone shot him, like that Kiyoshi fella? His knowledge was needed on paper...and this way, she could go through it whenever she liked.
OOC: Kiyr Gains the ability to Travel up to 8,500 miles at the cost of 25 CHA. She loses an additional 2 CHA for every person she transports with her. Teleporting someone without her is gained as well, but only works at night. Teleporting someone through shadows without her costs 5 CHA per person.
Kyrie Blaze said:
She seemed to take it in as well as she could, given all that had happened in so short a time. It would take practice and patience, still...both of which she could do and did have. But time was another factor and that was short, it seemed. She gave a gentle smile even as she wondered what the light plane was like."You have my thanks once again, Hyperion."
She bowed, as it was the only thing she could think that would suffice.
She straightened...blinking, to watch him for a moment. Her gaze softened a little...it was nice, at least, that she was alongside a friend and not the opposite.
"I seem to have imposed upon you once again, so thank you as well for your generosity and patience." She paused just briefly. "If I could impose upon you once more..? I should take Gregory to my house and have my sister, Arianna's help in looking him over to ensure he is alright."
Kronos said:
Hyperion gave a cocky grin."Nah, not imposing-"
Einrik cut him off.
"Sir she knows where we are. We can't trust this ant with our safe-"
Hyperion turned his golden eyes on Einrik, staring at him blankly. Einrik paled, and dropped to his kness, planting his hands in front of him and bowing.
"Forgive me, my king!"
Hyperion didn't say anything. He left him like that as he turned his eyes to Kiyr, letting the warmth back into them.
"You be safe, ok? I'll put you right outside your front door, if that would suffice."
Kyrie Blaze said:
She might have laughed if she wasn't edging towards exasperation at Einrik's insistent claims of her being a menace. If the Titan only knew what she had on her hand and that she had not just presumed and blasted them with at the start he might change his tune......or blow up, further. She would let Hyperion tell him, and tell them, if he so chose.
She looked up as Hyperion looked back to her and gave him a tired, but highly appreciative smile.
"That would be excellent." She allowed her gaze to stray back to the outspoken Titan still grovelling on his knees. "...Einrik, I believe? For all that your Lord has done for me, there would be a very special and inescapable part of Tartarus reserved especially for me if I were to betray him and those he calls his own. But it is not fear of that that keeps me from acting with ill will towards him...but understanding and friendship. Even kinship, despite our differing sizes."
Her gaze lifted, for anything more she couldn't reveal. Hyperion had given her his Titan's Circle, the Ring on her hand, escape, help, information, understanding, and more. If Einrik still held his mistaken fears and prejudices...it was not going to be her fault for them.
Kronos said:
Hyperion gave a small smile. She would, as Themis predicted, make a good leader.He gave her a nod, and in a flash of light, she would not be staring at him anymore- instead she would feel a second or two of warmth, then, she would be staring at her front door, with Gregory propped against it.
Kyrie Blaze said:
The blonde's face tipped up at the warmth. The mirrored opposite of the cool dark of the shadows, and before she knew it...she was staring at her door. Upon looking down, and seeing Gregory, she summoned her qi to make transporting him inside easier and opened the door to take him in and deposit him on the couch.She slipped up the stairs to wake her sister and bring her back down, retrieving soap, hot water, and a cloth.
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna had just fallen asleep, it seemed, when Kyrie was there, waking her. Feeling groggy, she listened to the quick explanation and then pushed herself out from beneath the covers. Down the stairs she went to her newest patient upon the couch to begin a quick check over him. Kronos said:
In the doorway to the front of the house, Einrik would be standing. He seemed near tears, but would ask Arianna where he might find Kiyr. Arianna Barrial said:
Wait what even..?Arianna turned her honey coloured eyes towards the Titan that was pretty much bent over to look in and--and he wanted to find her sister, did he?
"Sorry, but why..?"
She hadn't been filled in on the details surrounding the appearance of the man laying on her couch.
Kronos said:
He was holding a duffle, and seemed keen to avoid eye contact."I have been instructed to apologize and offer her my services in payment of a debt."
Kyrie Blaze said:
"Einrik..?" As if to spare him from questions for the moment, Kyrie appeared from the kitchen and felt her hands loosen a little upon the bowl--which she quickly remedied. She stared a moment, then quietly set the bowl and other necessities next to her sister with an apologetic glance. She stepped around and to the door, taking in the Titan's state of...distress with concern.
Kronos said:
The Titan set the duffle aside and dropped to a knee."Ms. Barrial. My name is Einrik Stonnif. I have served Lord Hyperion for over four hundred years. He has ordered me to your service in compensation for the disrespect I have given you as a friend and him as my King. I have dishonored myself and my people. I seek to serve as your personal guardian, servant, or soldier, as you see fit."
He seemed like those few moments between her leaving and him showing up...were hell.
Kyrie Blaze said:
...and a hell she did not doubt. She considered his words as she stepped through the door, out into the moonlight."Einrik, my name is Kiyr." She paused, and considered just another moment. "How tall are you..?"
It certainly seemed an off-putting and odd question to ask, though she spoke kindly.
Kyrie Blaze said:
"You can stand and come inside my home--but please watch your head as the door is not quite so tall as you are, okay? I also apologise, that the ceilings will be lower than you are used to...though I believe you should have three inches or so of space."She tilted her head a moment and opened the door to step inside and hold it open for the Titan. Though the night was cool, she wasn't about to leave him there the entire night.
Kronos said:
Einrik nodded and stepped inside. He was instructed to do as she asked, without issue, and he would do so, making sure to keep an eye on the ceiling, so as not to smash it.OOC: Kiyr gains PNPC Einrik Stonnif. Rash, quick to jump to conclusions and heavy handed, Einrik has a vicious loyalty to Hyperion, and by extension, Kiyr. His newfound desire to please her is unmatched, and would not hesitate to do her dishes, clean her house, run errands, fight or even die if it would see her life continued.
Stats:
Str: 62
Dex: 70
Con: 55
Int: 38
Wis: 55
Cha: 40
Qi: Einrik has the ability of "Localized Imprisonment". This Qi allows Einrik to, so long as he has touched someone, block their Qi. If someones CHA is higher than his own, it will not work, and it lasts for up to 3 posts.
Kyrie Blaze said:
The blonde was tired, though trying to make the best of it. "Feel free to make yourself comfortable. This is my sister, Arianna, and the unconscious man on the couch is Gregory. Arianna, this is Einrik Stonnif, one of Hyperion's men."She looked to her sister and Gregory, wondering how far she had gotten or if she found anything. But she looked back to Einrik and gave him a tiny smile. "For now, you are my guest...though I am afraid that I do not have a bed long enough for you at present."
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna looked up briefly as they came in, and again at the introductions. She nodded, smiled, and then refocused on checking Gregory over for anything amiss. Kronos said:
Einrick would nod."I have medical training, if you need help."
He would reach into his bag and pull out a medallion, putting it on...and shringing in size. The sound of bones popping could be heard as he grunted, his organs and skin shrinking him to about six foot tall.
"There...now it won't be as....awkward."
A small...halfhearted smile. This woman seemed kind, when he pictured her making him suffer.
Arianna Barrial said:
The popping of bones and grunt of discomfort had Arianna whipping around so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash! Her eyes were wide and concerned, though she relaxed and slumped in place at Einrik's new height. So he hadn't been...well maybe it did break and reshape bones. But he was whole. "...I would appreciate it."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie, able to see what he was doing, simply winced and felt a shiver zip up her spine at the sounds. She had no need to make him suffer. He seemed to have suffered enough for whatever Hyperion had said, perhaps even that he was told he would be whatever she had deemed him. She had no intention of a servant. A guardian? Maybe. But she had no intention of insulting Einrik and by extension, Hyperion, regardless of what he had told her. She would not continue to heap shame upon his shoulders, but help him see and stand again. Eventually, she was sure, he could return to Hyperion after regaining it.
She might not necessarily make it 'easy', but would not disrespect him. She knew, too well, how he felt to Hyperion was how she felt towards David and Mathew. She'd learned her lessons in different ways...and she wondered if David would have done anything when she had called him out on his plans of folly, or if the admittance of her feelings after - and her heartbreak at finding out the hard way of him and Olesya - had waylaid it.
Kronos said:
( Einrik is now under your control )Gregory seemed whole, besides a cut on his arm and seeming slightly thinner. He winced...before his eyes slowly opened, groggily.
Arianna Barrial said:
The first person he would likely see was Arianna, who had turned back after accepting the offer for help, to begin passing the warm, soapy water over the dried blood on his face and neck. Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie, for her part, stayed back to let the two have space and contented herself with watching the two individuals.At first glance there didn't seem to be much more to do than what Arianna was already doing. The cut didn't seem much to worry about. The man was...a bit underweight. Both things he figured that Kiyr's sister already saw and knew. How this man just seemed to appear behind her after Hyperion had showed up he hadn't known, then. But the fact she did with shadows like what Hyperion did with light...it made sense. Still, he continued looking him over until the man's eyes bgan to open, in which case he backed off a bit. No need to crowd him.
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna flashed a smile - amusement, mostly - and shook her head. "Sorry, just her sister, Arianna. Kyrie is here, though."
Kyrie Blaze said:
The blonde in question drifted closer so he could more readily see her she gave him a tiny, if tired, smile. Kronos said:
Gregory blinked a few times...then looked at Kiyr."Right. Sorry..."
He sat up and held his head, groaning.
"Ugh...my head..."
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna frowned as he sat up...and, shaking her head, gently encouraged him to lie back down. With some of the blood cleared away there was bruises on top of swelling, and she gently clucked her tongue."Concussion..? Here, let me just move your hands away so I can check some things."
And so checking him for the signs of a concussion was had!
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie winced and murmured a faint "Sorry" under her breath, even though she'd only hit him because she didn't know what else to do. Einrik posed a question or two: "Are you feeling sick at all? Room spinning?"
Kronos said:
Gregory shook his head slightly."No. Last thing I remember...was throwing Kiyr through a window...and some faint details about a battle against Barker but...thats it."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie frowned. "...a mask was put over your face shortly after you threw me through a window... You do not recall fighting for control just recently..?"Einrik frowned as well. He's thrown her through a window? And she trusted him? ...wisely, this time, he kept his words to himself.
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna hummed lightly under her breath. She remembered seeing him in the crowd of people, with a mask, but...she'd been too focused on her sister to have paid attention to where he went. For now she simply contented herself with finishing cleaning the mess of blood that still remained. Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna pressed her lips together at the curse, then mentaly shrugged it off. Kyrie Blaze said:
"That would be why your head hurts. I hit you twice." Kyrie sighed. "...the mask was put on you several months ago. I called you when we fought Barker, but...the tides had just turned. And just tonight I called you...to rid you of the mask. I knew when I saw them put it on that it could not be anything good." Kronos said:
Gregory would nod."You are right. They are living things that fuse through tendrils with the brain, and can only be removed through a special pattern...or by..."
He reached down, touching his necklace.
Kyrie Blaze said:
"It seemed to...die, but I incinerated it for good measure..." Lest it get into the wrong hands and somehow be used by them. So it turned out to be a good thing to do, she figured. "...by what, exactly?"She was...curious, as always. The pendant seemed to tingle whenever she touched it - which wasn't unless she was calling him - so if it had some connection other than the boost and suppressive powers that seemed to be amplified for himself...
Kronos said:
Gregory would look up at her, then blush."Uh. Nothing."
He would look around...then crack his neck.
"Why was I called?"
Arianna Barrial said:
lder sister mode: engaged. She said nothing about the blush, nor his stammer, but those gilded eyes Arianna had watched all the more closely. A bit suspicious, yes, but with what her sister was still dealing with...rightfully so. With his face clean, at least, she dumped the cloth back into the bowl and stood to go wring it into the sink and rinse it with cool water. With power and electricity back, they had ice, and so she crushed a few pieces up and bundled them into the cloth for his head before returning to the three in the living room to give the compress to Gregory after gently pressing it against his head. Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie didn't press for information. Clearly he didn't want to divulge, so she let him keep his secrets. At best she could figure was it was why they didn't initially put one on him, perhaps because they couldn't."You were called because I wanted to find a way to remove the mask to repay you for helping me. And so I did."
Mission accomplished, really, so she left it at that much. There would be time enough over the next several evenings to fill him in on what had transpired this night and everything in between. She couldn't say what he had done, but there it was, laid out simply. There would be no sense in compounding the issue of his head hurting.
The Titan watched. She didn't say more than what she had in the caves, but spoke less, in fact. He didn't blame her for it; she was right to be careful when Gregory didn't remember more than a stitch or two since the mask had been placed. His initital thoughts...he liked him, but he didn't. Neither of which he could explain if anyone asked.
Kronos said:
Gregory would look up at her."Thank you...but it was foolish. I assume I pulled his strength...otherwise you would probably be dead."
Kyrie Blaze said:
"Of that I would not doubt..." She spoke quietly in turn and then glanced between Gregory and Einrik. Two new house guests. Thankfully she still had two rooms to spare and if needed, they could fnd other arrangements in the next few days. She didn't really mind; she liked having the house to herself with Arianna...but they couldn't afford to be picky with who stayed because housing was still short. "It is late... If you would like to clean up after all that, Gregory, we have a shower." And now that Einrik had...shrunk himself, bedding wasn't an issue. "I think we have spare linen, too."
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna nodded, and, had no qualms about 'taking advantage' of Einrik. He had medical knowledge and she wasn't exactly up for hauling a naked Gregory around in the bathroom if he got dizzy and fell. She turned to him with a smile."Could I trouble you to lend Gregory a hand if he needs it? I mean if he falls or something? Kyrie and I will set up beds for you both. The couch is really only so comfortable for long."
Kyrie Blaze said:
He blinked, a bit taken aback--wait he was no babysitter. And yet, she was kin to Kiyr, and...so he nodded after a moment."I'm sure he can manage but I'll be around."
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna blinked at the request and watched to take in her sister's reaction before giving a mild, cautioning sigh. "I'll start by dragging things out. Come on, Einrik, let's get you settled, first." Kyrie Blaze said:
The blonde blinked at the request and tilted her head before nodding. Her sister offered to do what she would have asked and she gave her a grateful smile before she turned to go."Like I said, Einrik, make yourself comfortable."
Upstairs they went - the Titan grabbing his bag up - and the blue-eyed Barrial turned back to Gregory after a few more moments of silence.
Kronos said:
Gregory put his head in his hands, rubbing his eyes. He sat back, leaning against the wall and watching her...before bringing up his knees to his chest and hooking his arms around them."Did I...hurt you?"
He hadn't really seen her since that night in the rain...he hadn't been able to talk to explain or...protect her. He had watched her, without her knowing....for weeks and months and...it seemed like years. They fought...she won. Which was good. He would never want to hurt her.
Kyrie Blaze said:
She waited patiently for him to speak, mostly watching him to make sure he was okay but trying to not take note of the way he watched her. At his question she gave a soft sigh and ghost of a smile before shaking her head."No, Gregory, you did not. Nor did the person controlling you."
Kyrie Blaze said:
"...six months, at least, I believe."So much had happened, that was her best guess. It had been...before Barker, and after... She mentally shook her head.
Kyrie Blaze said:
"He was killed by a man named John Strike. Mathew Amtrum brought Barker back to life - the story on that can be had another time - and so far he has been our ally. John Strike is the man that was behind Barker, pulling the strings, as it were." Kronos said:
He cleared his throat and slid to the edge of the bed, putting his feet on the floor."I...I know. My...former leader serves him."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie's eyes widened at the admission, then narrowed slightly with teh implications, before she relaxed, albeit a bit slowly."Do you know anything about him, and them..?" She asked, quietly.
Kronos said:
He glanced up at her."I have two things I need to say.3"
He would pale a little, and look at the ground while he spoke.
"First, I was ordered to follow you, and take you to the Regulation. As a method retrieval unit, I study my target for weeks or months before hand. Watching you from afar, I fell in love with you. It wasn't something I intended, nor was is something I ever decided to try and gain from you. I tell you this out of respect- I'm not a big fan of constant secrets, or questions like why I may look at you a certain way or do simple things. Love. That's what it is."
He turned his eye back to her, still pale but...strong.
"Second, I don't trust anyone you have aligned yourself with. Selfish, ignorant and egotistical, they would all use you and me for their own ends. I feel uncomfortable sharing information with you that I know will just go to them."
Kyrie Blaze said:
The woman with her still-cracked heart swallowed, slowly, at his initial explanation. It was hard to mistake that look, even when she first saw him, she had known what it had been. Some small part of her could appreciate the honesty and his bravery to say so......and the other part shied away, even though he said he had no intentions to gain it from her in turn.
In the end, he was simply admitting something she already knew, and so, she stood quietly to let him finish. Her lips pressed together at the blunt words of distaste directed to those people she would fight beside and likely die for. She didn't appreciate them, regardless of whether they were true (part of it was, she knew, as they were all human and prone to those faults).
"...I understand."
Kyrie Blaze said:
She watched him for a moment, then slowly shook her head."I do not think I have any questions that need answering right now."
Kronos said:
He tilted his head a bit."You said you wanted to know about Strike...didn't you?"
He gave a small smile.
"I said I am uncomfortable with it and don't trust your superiors. But...I trust you. I'll tell you what I know."
He shrugged.
"If you want me to, anyway."
Kyrie Blaze said:
THere was more watching that bordered on staring, as if she couldn't quite decide..."You said you were uncomfortable sharing with me when you know it will go to them, anyway. Generally, I find that means 'no', so I was not going to press the issue."
Though, really, she should. One man, whether she owed him still or not, could stand to be uncomfortable if it meant the rest of the world could live and prosper without someone breathing down their necks. She was quite tired, quietly so, and uncomfortable even if she only showed it a little.
In either case, it wasn't like this was an interrogation, nor was she going to torture him to get him to say what he knew.
"...I would like to know..."
Kronos said:
Gregory tilted his head."I don't trust them. But I trust you. I know you are smart, and loving. And that there must be reasons I don't know about that have caused them to earn your loyalty. I'll trust you to decide what you want to tell them."
He shrugged.
"What do you want to know about? The masked ones, or Strike?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie swallowed her discomfort in silence. It was a small thing, in the end, when the information would likely save lives. "If you would start with the Masked Ones..." She began, lowering herself to sit cross-legged on the floor, chin propped in her hands and elbows propped upon her knees, "And then move to Strike, I would appreciate it, Gregory."
Kronos said:
He folded a leg under him."Well. They started in Brazil as a Cartel. Before the bombs fell, they were able to get a man on the inside. They found out about the attack and warned their people- so when the dust settled, they had the largest organization in the world, besides Strikes. Problem was, they didn't just bomb us. There was more concern with missles and bombs going to major cities in Europe and the like. So, we were gassed."
He shrugged.
"Thus, the masks were born. The history from the start of mask useage and to today is...thick and would take a long time to spell out. Lets just say our leaders knew that people respond better to love than fear, so we started helping people. Driving off gang bangers and raiders. Some would join us every time, and our ranks swelled. We came in contact with another man...who forced his way into power. He started a science division, making those masks and the Regulation."
He would scratch the back of his head a moment.
"He started the tradition of bringing people into the computerized dream world, and putting his new masks on those that fought against him. Early on, I faked my way into his good graces...pretending to be his number one man. I did...horrid things so he would trust me, but I was able to save many more lives along the way...until you."
He'd wait to see what questions she would offer.
Kyrie Blaze said:
The blonde took things in in silence. And she was silent for several minutes. She would ask a few things..."Who was this man and what were his intentions otherwise..?" She paused, then hedged forward. Kyrie felt she needed to know what he was capable of to get a better grasp on his character... She knew what it felt like to do what you needed to to worm your way in, so her eyes were quiet and soft when she asked: "What did you do? And the masks themselves; did they just give him access and control of the people they were put on..? ...and why did the necklace work to eject the mask?"
She bit her lip to stop short of asking him to tell her what he didn't want to, before...but it was leading up to it. Did she really want to know?
Kronos said:
He chewed his lip."He...I don't remember his name. He took it from me, when i threw you through the class. But I locked away everything else. Partitioned my mind, until i woke up a few moments ago. His intentions are simple. They relate to everyone elses intentions- to rule. Everyone below him thinks they are purging the planet of the wicked, and helping to strengthen humanity. But he really just wants power."
She asked him what he did. He blanched, looking down.
"Well...everyone who joins his inner circle must prove loyalty...by killing an innocent of his choice. He picked an eleven year old and...I knew it would save more lives. So. I did it."
He looked back up at her.
"I knew then I would have to kill him, eventually, before taking my own life, but I had many more people to save before then. And I did. I saved hundreds, if not thousands of innocents while taking only fourteen. The masks boost our Qi- mine, which allows me to take on the Qi of those around me simply by being near them, was amplified by it. It also directly inputs into the brain. When he turns it on from his control station, he has direct access to us. If ever we try and fight back...it causes pain. Or...so I have heard."
He looked down at his necklace...removing it and handing it back to her.
"The necklace....was mine. It was given to me by my uncle...who made it solely as a form of protection, in and out. I...loved my uncle, when I knew him. He was a good man among evil people."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Solemn silence. Quiet eyes. Weighted sadness. ...yet no judgement would Gregory find. The blonde had not asked to cast judgement upon him, but to weigh what he had to do and what he had done, after.
Shadows seemed to shroud over her forehead as her mask was brought forth. Just to verify. And to see. The wings sprang back, black with their faint glimmers of silver highlights and she watched him for a while longer as she took the information about his qi and his statistics in.
Gingerly and respectfully, she accepted the necklace to pass her fingers over it and inspect it, mask still in place.
"So in restoring it to you, it cast the mask off...and you would not have had to bear the mask in the first place, had you not bestowed it upon me..."
Kronos said:
He laughed."And if they got a mask on you, they would know everything you know, done or have seen. No...you needed it more. He has had me once...he will never have you."
Kyrie Blaze said:
This...devotion. It was odd. Not that David didn't have some of the same - not that he wouldn't do anything and everything he could to keep her safe - but where David had to split that between her and Olesya...Gregory's was entirely for her. And she wasn't used to that. No.
She was more used to giving to everyone else that this man she didn't even know, but knew her, could unnerve her because as far as she knew, it was solely for her. So used to sacrificing for others...it was no wonder to have it, that it felt alien. Surreal. Too good to be true? She still didn't know him, just what he was capable of and how he would try to redeem himself.
"...and how does Strike come in to the picture..?" She softly queried.
Kronos said:
Gregory took a deep breath."Well, Strike leaves us alone. Strike doesn't leave anyone alone. I did some digging, before I came to meet you, and found out that our leader has no interest in some...space-faring war with him. He just wants to rule earth. So, if Strike is willing to give him earth after tha fall of the creators...he agreed to help."
Gregory didn't know that some of this might sound totally alien to her...but he was just running on a thought of his own
Kyrie Blaze said:
Even more alien than what his feelings were. The blonde blinked.
"...Creators..? Space war?"
Kronos said:
He blinked, turning his focus back on her."Oh. Ah..shit." He put his feet back on the floor and leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees.
"Well...okay. Wow where do I start...basically, Strike comes from a race of beings created by these hyper-powerful dudes from hundreds of thousands of years ago. Strike calls them the Creators. Hes building ships and stuff to find them, because after making him and us, they tried to blow us up, and Strike defended us- so he wants revenge. This, of course, being his story. But it is true what he says about the ships- I've seen the prototype he is making, and it will be space faring."
He didn't know if this was too much to take in...because this was basically how he was told.
Kyrie Blaze said:
It was certainly a lot to take in. She could suspend some of her disbelief, but, it all seemed to far-fetched. Was this the product of being under thrall for so long, even sequestering and compartmentalizing memories away? "So the Creators...are...like God?" She'd fallen from her faith after the bombs, after losing everything. Maybe some part of her still believed in a higher power, but in her experience, God and other such divine beings were cruel. She didn't scorn them, but nor did she adore them. And the fact that these ones wanted to destroy their apparent creatons disturbed her.
She didn't scoot closer, but she was watching intently, though she was tired and it would become harder to ignore. Kyrie was, however, still interested in talking and finding out information, regardless of her own state...though she did make a note that he would likely welcome a shower, at least. A chance to clean off the last vestiges of being controlled and have the grime of it swirl down the drain.