"Well, out of the blue, I thought to myself: My god, my life very well may be measured in weeks... So, I did what anyone going through a mid-life crisis would do. I took some time, and reexamined my priorities. Most of them stayed where they were, but a few got rearranged," he shrugged.
It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.Phantom, being the quiet one that he is silently made his way back to his hotel room. Completely Oblivious to the world around him. Phantom had been deep in thought since he left tykebomb at the hotel
Was this John person really a criminal?.. He's got to be.. He kidnapped all of those people for that game..
Even though Phantom was paid even if everyone died, was concerned about its players, even though they hated them.. Thinking of the oldest one, Wolf his name was.
at last before arriving to his room one final thought went through his brain
Even if Wolfe doesn't believe thhat he was on their side was something he'd have to direguard
I used to be good at Roleplaying.. But then I took an Arrow to the knee...John smiled. Too easy. Mid-attack, John stops her, holding her in the air in front of her ally, pointing the still charging hand at her, with enough distance away so that she couldn't fight back.
He gave the serpent a wicked grin, stating, "Make any moves and she dies. Gruesomly, in fact. Just because i'm feeling generous."
"You lost, Dio. You lost for one simple reason - you were using charcoal." - Hank Hill"Y-you don't ha-ve to spec-specify the degree of bru-brutality." The serpent seemed to sound a bit annoyed through the stutter. Drake was weighing his options.
Option one. Please one of his allies by just plowing through both of them, tearing them to shreds, and devouring them. The downside is that CHIMERA would then loose his main thief, meaning it would then take longer for him to acquire the materials he needs to fulfill his end of the bargain.
Option two, his typical course of action- wait to see what happens. Observation is often the key to success, though this also created an opening for the target to escape. On the upside, patience could either let them live another day or gain a tactical advantage.
"W-well? What ex-actly are you pl-planning to d-do-do?" He uncoiled a bit and lowered to the ground to appear smaller andless threatening. Hopefully this would cause the other guy to let his guard down.
Nat, on the other hand, was shooting a glance at Drake that seemed to scream, "KILL THIS BASTARD!" as she struggled in his grip.
“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."The smile grew wider. "Well, since you asked, i'll tell you... absolutely nothing!" John sent the woman flying back at the serpent, the charging complete. Fool...
However, it was not, as the two might have thought, used on them. It was used on John, and as he was engulfed in a bright light two words could be heard that were said in such a way chills would go down their spines:
"Level One."
When the light subsided, John was noticeably different. Bands of light circled his body, with two crossing over his chest in an X shape, two on each arm at the base of the hand and just after the elbow, another band of light spiraling between them, two more on each leg in the same form as the arms and one around his waist.
John smiled. "Well, now that thats done... lets have some fun, shall we?", he asked rhetorically. This isn't fun for either of us, i assure you... He waited for them to make the first move. As easy as it might be to kill them here and now, it would be best to play it safe, if only for a bit longer.
"You lost, Dio. You lost for one simple reason - you were using charcoal." - Hank Hill"Oh, Crap!." Natalie muttered. This didn't look good. Looks like she's gone off and bitten more than she can chew again.
Drake coiled himself up again, raising his head and hissing angrily. Whoever this guy was, he was nothing to scoff at. But he could still make this work out to his advantage in the long run.
"Enlighten me," She said somewhat deadpan.
edited 22nd Jun '11 7:50:37 PM by Motree
“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS.""...Really?" John had expected them to attack. "Very well." He jumped off the building and landed in front of them, creating a sizeable crater when he hit the ground. "I'll start off."
He raised his hands, aiming them at each of the two. Light began to charge in each hand.
"You lost, Dio. You lost for one simple reason - you were using charcoal." - Hank HillHe looked at her. He sighed once, completely and utterly relaxed, for once in his life. "For the longest time... I'd reguarded romance as a distraction. It was all just so... unorderly... now though... with so little left... what schedules could it possibly disrupt?"
It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve."Regain your-s-self girl!" Drake hissed.
It was beginning to look like a hopeless fight- they'd have to pull out when things got out of hand. They'd need someone with much more power... That reckless human that made that pact with that demon might have the strength to pull it off if he were to let go of all restraint... but other than that the only individual he could think of that would definitely have more strength than this guy was Ms. Amarante. And she isn't supposed to directly intervene in these matters.
Natalie nodded, and did something rather unexpected- she immediately jumped into the nearby Potomic river. With its current and murkiness, that would usually be the last thing a human would want to do.
"So, basically, you're asking me to hook up with you," Adelina got straight to the point.
edited 25th Jun '11 5:37:33 PM by Motree
“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS.""I've always hated when people do that. It just doesn't seem right to reduce what is supposed to be a sacred bond of trust to a mere soundbite... it's as if no one places any value on the relationship itself, anymore... I feel like I'm the only one who realizes that there's more to a relationship than... sex." he sort of spat the word... he was having to force it out. He didn't like saying it.
edited 25th Jun '11 6:36:47 PM by Dragon573
It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.John leapt into the air, and with a clear view of the large snake and the direction the woman went in the Potomac, he aimed a palm at each as light discharged from his hands. The one going towards the snake was that of a ball, heat radiating from it as it approached. The one aimed towards the womans direction, though, held a different form. It shot forth like a ray of light before splitting several times over, until an entire swarm of rays swirled around eachother erratically, more like several serpents heads spread apart than light. Each shot into the Potomac and towards where the woman had went with a large steam hissing as they entered the waters and kept going with the current. Because of the murkiness of the water, it was likely that she would escape, but John hadn't intended on killing her anyway. There was no need for more innocents to die.
edited 27th Jun '11 6:42:54 PM by InfiniteParagon
"You lost, Dio. You lost for one simple reason - you were using charcoal." - Hank HillAs expected, the murkiness of the river concealed Natalie's prescence from the snakes of light. Drake simply uncoiled once more, narrowing the area John's light had to hit.
Drake realized the danger of the situation- things weren't going to end well. Either they'd be discovered by humans, or get killed. Escape was imperative.
He shed the snake form to resume his human-like guise, the bookish, off-putting individual the rest of the group had encountered earlier. It was obvious that this man did not wish to kill if it was avoidable- backing out now was the best option.
"I-I'm pulling out.," He said, adjusting his glasses, "I-I think you kn-know f-full well-l th-this is going to attact un-desirable at-tention. Even a f-fool could tell tha-t much."
He brushed some dirt off of his labcoat, "Rea-lly... Why d-do you even keep do-ing this?" There was a hint of smugness in his voice, "Y-ou re-realize how un-productive thi-this is? Kill-ing, death, torture... What does any of it acc-complish? Hate. Re-venge. De-depression. You merely in-inspire tho-se unpro-ductive feelings in others. And then th-they pro-ject those feelings on-to you."
"Don't g-get me wrong. I don't c-care about them," He remarked, referring to the competitors, "Th-is is just how I've anal-ized the sit-situation. Just giving you some-thing to think ab-bout."
And with that, he checked his watch and was on his way. All that was left was for fate to play its cards.
"Nah, a lot of people believe that, from what I can tell," She replied, "Well, at least most of the long-term couples I've met. I've just never met anyone I've ever had a real emotional attachment to. I play games, but never reap the spoils, so to speak."
edited 27th Jun '11 7:30:35 PM by Motree
“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS.""Well, as far as I know, you're some demonic entity from god knows where, so all I really had to go on was your behavior, so after a quick spell of research at the library, there was a rather... disturbing possibility that stood out from the others."
It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.A voice seemed to follow Drake as he ran off, easily recognized as Johns. "To the contrary, its more productive than you might think. And not in a pessimistic way either, mind you. In the face of death and uncertainty, they do not fear me. They know the end is coming, but they do not run. They stand and fight to the bitter end."
John was now leaving as well, his expression stoic as he projected these thoughts to Drake, staring at the pocketwatch in his hand with a thoughtfulness and regret he had never felt within himself before.
"And what is born of Hate, Revenge and Depression in these final days?"
He paused for a moment, as if sifting through the words he wanted to say carefully.
"Love," he thought, mind flashing to Demon and Tick.
"Retribution," he continued, his mind flashing now to the football stadium and the battle that had ensued against him.
"And most of all...", he finished, his mind's eye painting a crystal clear image of Key as he walked through empty alleys devoid of light and sidewalks pained in moonlight.
"Hope."
"You lost, Dio. You lost for one simple reason - you were using charcoal." - Hank Hill"Well, worst case scenario, I'm seeking the affections of a succubus and my life is in danger." he chuckled. "That was my main concern, really. That you'd be too... hasty."
edited 27th Jun '11 9:57:05 PM by Dragon573
It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.Adelina snickered a bit, "Well, you certainly don't have to worry about me being a succubus. I can guarentee that."
She took a looka at the clock, "Geez, it's late," she said with annoyance.
“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS.""Time flies when you're having a discussion about the possibility of a romantic relationship with a demonic entity while at the same time there are several people sleeping in the same hotel who want to kill you." He chuckled. "But you're right. I don't know if you need sleep, but I certainly do. It wouldn't do to pass out just before someone tries to kill me. I can't give them any advantages."
It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.He nodded. He figured more discussion would just... how do they say... piss her off. He didn't really feel like upsetting her. He changed in the bathroom, pulling on a pair of sweatpants and a white tee-shirt, then headed for bed.
Sleep came easily, for once.
It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.Wolf awoke to discover that he had fallen asleep atop his file. He rubbed his eyes, trying to force himself awake, and found himself staring blankly at his reflection in the mirror just in front of the desk.
For... what seemed like an eternity.
God, he looked so damn old and exhausted.
Not like he ever gave a shit about his appearance in the first place.
He got up, showered, changed his clothes, cleaned up to a semi-presentable level...
Oh. His hair was getting a little long.
edited 28th Jun '11 8:20:16 PM by CrystalGlacia
"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."

Natalie snapped her attention back to John and dodge, a second too late; she felt one tof the balls of light graze her uper leg and another burt a nice little hole in her coat.
"I-i-idiot..." Drake hissed, keeping his eyes locked on John's glowing hand, waiting for the perfect opportunity to evade and strike with a venomous bite.
Natalie got up from the ground and tried to regain herself; anger and satisfaction from her ally arriving were getting the best of her. She had to think about how they cold get this guy in the water- then, he'd be on her turf.
Drake was obviously waiting for the man to make his attack, so she was the one that had to get him to strike. She didn't like the look of the charged attack, but so long as he was charging they were at risk. She needs to get him to attack so that Drake would have an opening.
Watching John's movements, she regained herself and swept in for another attack, seeming to aim for the legs and abdomen.
"Hey, I'm the one who's supposed to be hitting on you, not the other way around," Adelina said. She didn't like where this was going.
She had no problem with flirting and kissing and whatnot, but... Any further and she got freaked out. Probably because of her upbringing- Back when she was human... Any of that before marriage, and you pretty much were out on the street selling your rear to make ends meet or sent to a nunnery... Either kind .
“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."