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Hooligan Hoe Down III Confrontation
Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2023 6:53 am
by Arkash
35th of Glade, 4622
Early in the morning, Izzy dropped off the pair some fair distance from the camp of raiders. Arkash had his bag slung over his shoulder, his black sword left with the chariot. A bow of his head proceeded her parting words. "Bants and I'll be there with the Ozy tomorrow, be there or be square," she declared.
"Fine fine," he shrugged and waved his hand off. "Be careful getting home, use my sword if you need to."
Izzy smiled and pat the gun holstered at her hip. Just seconds later, the engine roared to life and ripped up the sand in a wave as she sped off. Smog funneling over the duo.
Arkash backed away in time to avoid inhaling the fumes, then looked to Luna before his eye fell on the rising sun in the distance. "We should get moving before some other Raider finds us," he spoke with a gesture to the surrounding dunes, then returned his eye to the woman. "Come on, it's not too far from here. You'll see the watchtower before the camp."
Indeed, it was due to the watchtower that they had to walk the rest of the distance between them and the encampment. They'd be seen much too early if they arrived on the chariot, and their presence would become suspicious.
So, with his goggles slung around his neck and the voluminous green rags of his badland outfit draping his tan skin, he began to make his way along the sand and turned up to spy the smog of the chariot as it rose. He followed the streak of black with his eyes to see Izzy in the distance, still speeding away. He smiled a little.
"We've got plenty of water, let me know if you're thirsty," he offered. With a pat of the canteen that was clipped to his waist. Then, with a rise of his brows, he began to change form.
His face elongated at the bones of his skull and his skin darkened to a basalt grey before it flipped in panels to reflect clusters of scale and bone-studded armored osteoderms. His eyes darkened to a point, and his fingers and feet forms claws. A tail dropped from his tabard with ease, and dragged along the floor behind him. "To preserve water," came his voice in a gravelly croak. "Don't need to drink as much if you don't sweat."
He rolled his shoulders in relief, then rolled his neck to crack it a few times in quick succession before he picked up the pace a little, claws aiding his grip in the sand.
Re: Hooligan Hoe Down III Confrontation
Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2023 9:16 am
by Sola
Walking. Ugh. Luna had enough walking this past week to last a lifetime. The uneven surface continued to irritate her as she trudged along. Her bow and arrows kept whacking her every time she mis-stepped which only added to the irritation. Furthermore, she kept a hand clasped around her Obelisk at all time. She had tied it secure, but the paranoia of losing it kept her cautious.
Luna looked over to her guide as he transformed. She supposed he hadn’t been lying about being a malformist. Although, she wasn’t quite sure what in the ever loving fuck he had turned into. If she had to describe it in one word, it would be Hideous. She often found even other races ugly, such as elves with their pointed ears. One could imagine how she felt about her reptilian companion.
“Well, if you don’t need water I’ll gladly take some,” she’d say while drinking if she was offered any. She was too caught up in her thoughts to focus on her thirst.
Eventually, Luna did spot the watchtower and a single person atop it who looked to be tapping their foot in boredom. Soon after, she saw the camp. It looked much like what she expected. Circular in shape and not in too great of condition. It seemed to be designed for practical purposes, such as surviving desert storms. It was hard to make out any details because the heat distorted her vision.
“I hope you’re ready for this,” Luna said as they soldiered on.
Re: Hooligan Hoe Down III Confrontation
Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2023 6:35 pm
by Arkash
Of course, the Rath offered the woman the canteen with a clawed, scalie hand. An obvious curl to his lips relayed an inhuman smile she'd no doubt find creepy, but was meant to be comforting. He left the canteen with her; she'd need it more after all.
As they neared the encampment, the outline of the tower came into view. One guardsman posted, rifle in hand with a spyglass sat at his table. It was just as it had been when he and Izzy performed their reconnaissance. Arkash pressed a claw to his own chest and gripped his bag tightly while he eyed the rifle from afar.
"I'm ready," he spoke quickly. "I just hope they don't shoot us on sight... And if they do and we're hit I hope it's not in the head."
Shortly after they passed an outcropping of boulders in the red sand, the guardsman double-took in their direction, then scrambled for his spyglass before he peered out at them. "Whistle... Come on, get the whistle you bitch." Arkash muttered under his breath.
The gunman did not go for the whistle. Instead, he dropped his spyglass and lifted his rifle, scope aimed down at them.
"Run!" Arkash yelled suddenly, then pushed the woman to the side. "Take cover! Go!"
The rifle was fired as they started moving. Arkash would try and usher her to the boulders as the gunman reloaded and blasted his whistle; an ear-piercing shriek for all to hear. The sound of distant yelling and scrambling rumbled in Arkash's ears as the encampment came to life.
Engines kicked to life and guns cocked from within the encampment while Arkash hurried the woman to the boulders they'd passed seconds prior.
Re: Hooligan Hoe Down III Confrontation
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2023 12:32 pm
by Sola
As Luna trudged through the scorching desert, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Suddenly, a sharp noise pierced through the silence, and she instinctively ducked behind the nearest group of rocks. The sound of gunfire echoed through the empty expanse, and Luna's heart pounded in her chest as she realized someone was shooting at her from afar. Was that a friggin gun? She supposed she ought not to have been surprised seeing as though Miki had one, but she wasn’t used to them being outside of Lorien.
She frantically scanned the area for any sign of her attacker and only then noticed that it was the one on the watchtower that was doing the shooting, but the harsh sun made it difficult for her to see much beyond the blurry horizon. Luna quickly assessed her surroundings, realizing that the rocks she was hiding behind only provided partial cover. She knew she needed to find a better position, and fast.
Breathless, she shouted out to her partner, who was a few paces behind her. "What do we do? Fuck!?" she yelled, hoping for a response that would help her figure out the best course of action. She could hear the sound of footsteps crunching on the dry desert ground as her companion made his own way across the desert.
Luna wondered if she had the magical ability to stop bullets, but she wasn’t exactly wanting to stand out in the open and try it out.
POW
Luna heard another gunshot. This time, the bullet was close enough for her to hear the bullet whip past her. It was the first time she’d ever heard the sound from this close and she was scared. Her fear made her breath quickly, without a care in the world except for staying behind cover.
Re: Hooligan Hoe Down III Confrontation
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2023 8:22 pm
by Arkash
Their boots were on the ground about as fast as Arkash had anticipated, which was fine.
Razor sharp hearing pinpointed the mutterings of words among the crew who screamed over the deafening rumble of engines.
As the pair took cover behind the outcropping, Arkash put his claws over the top of the woman's head to lower it while he stared off into the horizon and squinted. "...We're fine," he said. "It's okay, calm down, we're fine."
"The gunman's getting chewed out for shooting at a woman..." His eyes widened a considerably then, his lips pressed hard. "They're uhh... Rather aggressive," Arkash clarified with something of a pitiful smile. "It's not too late to turn back if you're having second thoughts; they're already discussing their turn order."
Engines revved in the distance, and howling followed shortly thereafter. Arkash's jaw pressed tight while he stared off with a squint. "They're coming," he warned. With that, his reptilian features began to recede. His scales reverted to normal, the structure of his face became human once more, and his eyes returned to their deep brown from the feral yellow they'd once been. He lifted his mask to break up the shape of his face as the chariots sped toward their location.
"Just act afraid, okay?" Arkash instructed before he took a glance down at the woman. "Yeah, like that. You're doing great."
In no time at all, the first of the Raiders ripped around the corner on their chariot. The passenger carried a rifle but didn't aim it at them. Arkash smiled under his mask but maintained the panic startle of throwing his hand in front of Luna, as if to protect her.
"Stop! Please!" Arkash called out, desperate. "We mean you no harm!"
A second chariot, followed by a third sped around to join them. The two chariots each carried four with two seated and two riding the edges of the vehicles as they whipped around and kicked up sand as they skid to a grinding halt.
Ten Raiders total had come to intercept them. And only when they stepped off their chariots did they raise their guns at them. "Hands in the air," commanded the rider of the first chariot to intercept them; a bulky teal skinned Druskai of tied red hair. "You," he pointed at Arkash. "Lower your mask."
Arkash furrowed his brow in a genuine remark of confusion before he did just that and lowered his mask. The moment the green fabric fell away from his face, a collection of disgruntled grunts and scoffs sounded from the raiders, who lowered their guns at the wave of the Druskai's hand. "Nob'ead," mocked one of the men, who shoved the rifleman from the tower. "Fried ya brains in the sun or summink?"
"Apologies," spoke the leader over the disgruntled rabble. "Our watchman mistook you for someone else."
Re: Hooligan Hoe Down III Confrontation
Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2023 7:28 am
by Sola
"Not too late to turn back?" Luna asked incredulously, "if I so much as move out from behind cover I'm dead!" That might not have been true, but that was how she felt at the moment. She was not as experienced as Arkash. She couldn't make out what the noises were or what they meant. She just knew that nothing that was happening was necessarily good. It didn't help that when she tried to calm herself she was told to act scared. She shot Arkash a venemous look but it didn't last long.
Lunas eyes darted to the figure that cleared around the boulder and commanded them to raise their hands. Luna complied and instinctively let out an invisible tether of magic to peer into the man's mural. It told her that he was someone with authority and that he was quite happy about finding them here. Hapiness that diminished slightly when he realized Arkash wasn't who they were looking for... then it increased again when he looked Luna up and down. Partly because of his imagination but partly because Luna was stoking that emotion. A happy raider might have enough mercy not to just kill them both then and there.
Once Luna was somewhat confident they weren't about to be executed, she said, "we pose no threat to you. We're merely travelers looking to make a living. Perhaps you are in need of our services?" She then looked over to Arkash who she assumed would do the rest of the talking.
Re: Hooligan Hoe Down III Confrontation
Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2023 9:12 pm
by Arkash
"Maybe," was all Arkash said in response to Luna's worries of imminent death. He wore a confident smile beneath the rag of his mask, but it reflected in the glint of his eyes. Indeed, the talking between the bandits was distant, inaudible to human ears from where they hid. But the blight within Arkash was a hunter, a creature that anticipated prey around every corner. Supreme hearing assured him they were in the clear... For the most part.
Luna's mural reading was on point. The raider did see himself in a position of authority, and he was most certainly happy... To see her.
When the woman began to explain that they meant no harm, Arkash looked to her, then began to nod franticly. It was difficult to contain his disgust at the smell of the Druskai's lust. "Oui! Ser, mi er... Asseestaunt, she sez ze trooth!" He spoke in what might have been the worst Daravinic accent conceived with a gesture to Luna.
The raider furrowed a brow, the happiness Luna fed him faltered a little for a moment. "Well, I see neither of you are armed... 'Cept for your assistant there," he spoke with a nod at her bow. "What's it you're both doing out here?"
"Er, eh... Mi Veir," Arkash began, holding out a hand to plead his case. Yet again, the raider's happiness wavered. "He sez I hev to practice mon Briomancy before I can serve heem. You see, I am unmatched at the surgeree, there is no wound I cannot feex... But ze fes... I cannot meke eet beautifal."
"Yeah we see that, mate!" Mocked one of the raiders, which drew a chorus of chuckles from the others before the leader shushed them with a gesture of his hand.
"You can fix any wound? With Briomancy?"
"Oui Monsieur!" He returned. "Eet ees necromancy, but for healing!" He opened his bag for emphasis, the mortar and pestle, and Sinew gun were placed neatly at the top.
"He can fix the boss!" Called one of the raiders, a different one from the two prior. Dread came over the one who carried authority.
Again, he shushed the gathered raiders with a raise of his hand. "Who's this Veir you serve?"
"Ahh... Oui, hees neme ees... Degare Socorro. Very promeenaunt, very successful, non?"
"...Yes, I've heard that name. You must be quite the asset, then?"
"Ah... Oui?" He feigned confusion to that question. In truth, Arkash knew exactly what the Raider was thinking.
"We're taking them alive, boys." To that, the men that followed him cheered with their cacophony of voice enough to rumble in the chests of Arkash and Luna. "Take the fella to the boss, and his assistant to the big tent. Be as rough as you want with her, our friend here can fix her after all..." He trailed on with a hint of malice to his otherwise happy demeanor.
With that, the raiders began to close in on them.
"Still not too late..." Arkash whispered as he positioned himself with his arm to further cover Luna.
Re: Hooligan Hoe Down III Confrontation
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 7:10 am
by Sola
Luna watched in blatant bewilderment as Arkash put on his act, going so far as to come up with an accent. She would have laughed if it weren’t for the weapons still pointed at her. She merely sat and watched with her lips pursed as he talked his way through the encounter. The raiders didn’t seem to want to be friends, even after discovering that they posed no threat. Luna got the distinct feeling that they were being “taken” as prisoners, not as guests.
“Don’t worry, we can handle this,” her quivering voice reassured Arkash, low enough to not be heard by the raiders. She added, “I can’t believe you brought real necromancy tools. Do you have any idea what those are worth?” She hadn’t the time to say anything else before one of the raiders stepped forward and grabbed her by the arm. Another came up and grabbed her by the waist.
Luna said, “this is quite unnecessary. I can walk just fine.”
“Maybe,” said one, “but maybe I want to carry ya.” Luna rolled her eyes. He couldn’t wait until they got back to camp before he got to feel her skin? She could tell just by how he handled her that he likely never known the willing touch of a woman.
She was less worried about herself in the moment. She knew she would be kept alive, unless these people were cannibalistic sickos. It was Arkash she worried for because he had been pretty clear that he was going to be pretending to be a briomancer. He also had not demonstrated any necromantic ability so Luna was guessing that he was going to be making things up on the fly. What was he going to do if they found out and just turned on him?
Re: Hooligan Hoe Down III Confrontation
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 7:59 pm
by Arkash
Arkash couldn't help but smile beneath his mask at the woman's compliance. "Your confidence is admirable," he spoke. "Expensive..?" he said with a grin that showed in his eyes and looked up to waddle his head side-to-side in thought... At least until he was seized. "Non! Please! Do not hurt her!" He called in a simulated-panic as his hands were bound in fiber rope before he was dragged to the chariot.
There he was slung over the back, but not in a way that obscured Luna from his field of view. He watched as the raiders seized her, and the world slowed down.
His heart began to beat faster as wild tension overcame him. The fibers of the rope that wrapped his wrist began to fray as he pulled against it and his jaw pressed with just force that the veins in his head swelled with strain. His vision flooded with red as images of the raiders cleaved in two flooded the forefront of his mind. Their blood soaked the sand, entrails scattered in piles and strewn across his attire. Blood red claws, dripping black blades, the taste of copper on his tongue...
Arkash curled in on himself on the back seat of the chariot, the strength of his abdomen enough to rattle the machine while he tried to suppress the compulsion of those visions. The entire mission was at stake, it wasn't the time to let loose.
He withdrew from the world and buried himself within the depths of his mind, lost in a distant memory, his body didn't act in his absence.
The visions persisted so long that they'd already made it back to the camp before Arkash once again regained awareness of his surroundings. Just like that, the vision withdrew and the compulsion relented in tandem.
With his success in resisting the mark on his back coursed a pleasant warmth through his core, something soft, something fulfilling.
Re: Hooligan Hoe Down III Confrontation
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 6:47 am
by Sola
The first raider's grip on Luna was rough and uncomfortable as he carried her towards his chariot. Luna squirmed and tried to free herself, but his hold only tightened. She didn’t expect to escape, but being held so tight was definitely going to leave bruises. Suddenly, another raider appeared out of nowhere and snatched her away, effortlessly overpowering the first raider. He was much larger than the first, and his cold, calculating gaze sent shivers down Luna's spine.
The second raider examined Luna with a look of perverse pleasure, his eyes lingering over her body. Luna felt a wave of disgust wash over her as he gave her a toothy grin and spoke in a low, menacing tone. "I'm going to have lots of fun with you," he said, relishing in the fear that flickered in Luna's eyes. She tried to keep her composure, but it took all of her self-control not to use her mentalism powers to direct an arrow and shove it straight through his neck.
After the exchange, they were off again in the chariot, bouncing and jostling as they made their way closer to their destination. Luna found it almost impossible to get comfortable, with nothing to hold onto and the rough terrain making her feel as though she was being tossed about like a ragdoll. She gritted her teeth and tried to focus on her breathing, knowing that they would soon reach their destination and whatever fate awaited her there. With any luck Arkash would hurry the fuck up and rescue her.