[ Please, he's a loner type. When he saw you guys crowding the windows he stepped back immediately. Unfortunately... Cynthia is pretty close to Atsushi and hearing her say that doesn't fill him with much confidence.
She's right, of course. He's as familiar with Taguels and Manaketes as she is and, while they can seem dangerous, it's possible they're not. But. This is very odd and he can't ignore that. ] ... Come with me.
[ Quickly as he can, he moves to Cynthia's side and tries to drag her away from Atsushi. ]
[For a second, the tiger just stands there, watching Cynthia. And in that moment, it might almost look like this could turn out okay.
But then the tiger bears its fangs ans pounces at Cynthia, aiming to bite her neck if it can. And if not, the weight of a tiger against her small body might not have good results anyway.]
[ He narrows his eyes as the creature studies Cynthia. That feeling grows a bit, and just in time for it to outright move to attack her. Vanitas' teeth clench together and he looks from them to the way he's headed...
... With a quiet growl of frustration, he's sending two Unversed over; said Unversed will be instantly getting right in the creature's face. He isn't going to go out of his way for anyone, but... ]
[Maybe Vanitas's quick save would've worked if Cynthia had moved at all beyond turning slightly to look at Gerome to respond, but as the tiger's powerful jaws close down on her neck she is very suddenly made aware that things are not fine.
And then she is just as suddenly not aware of very much at all, as the very distinctive crunching noise coming from her neck would imply, as well as her body kind of... crumpling under said tiger.]
Cynthia! [ The second he hears that crunch and sees the look in her eyes he knows it's over. It's hard for him to think properly for the next few seconds. So many conflicting feelings wash over him—about her, about what just happened, but he shoves them down nearly as quickly as they come.
No one is allowed to grieve on a battlefield, after all. With little hesitation but a deep emptiness building in the pit of his stomach, he drops low and attempts to thrust his lance right toward the tiger's neck. It's only fitting. And, yes, the spear was always there. He always has a weapon and armor with him. ]
Edited (know what adds it in) 2018-12-22 05:08 (UTC)
[She may have tried, but her words did not reach the tiger, nor was her body able to survive the crushing strength of its jaws. When the tiger finally legs go of her, the odd angle of her neck and her lifeless eyes tell everyone what they need to know.
Cynthia is dead.
But the fight isn't over. No, there are more targets, and the tiger will take out one Unversed with a swipe of one of its huge paws. Similarly, the other will go down with one crunch of its jaws.
Gerome makes an attempt with the lance, which will actually hit since the tiger is distracted by the Unversed. Congratulations, Gerome, you have made a wound on the tiger! But your lance will break in the process. And now the tiger is pissed, bleeding, and looking at you.
[ That's... not a surprising outcome. Vanitas' expression barely changes - even as he hears the pained yell, even as he watches Gerome's attempt.
His hand curls a little more tightly around the Keyblade. He holds a blink, and then he's going to fire at the creature - have some darkness. Ranged fighting isn't going out of his way? ]
[ The lance breaking is a surprise, but not enough of one to actually deter him. This happens sometimes on the battlefield and—presumably, hopefully—it was only the tip and there's at least enough spear left for him to keep the tiger somewhat at bay with the threat of a jagged, unpointed tip.
He stays his ground, though if Vanitas' darkness acts as a sufficient distraction? He actually will go for another stab at the same place, even if it isn't going to be as easy. ]
The darkness is a good distraction, actually! Because the tiger does not understand how to fight something abstract like 'darkness'. It is not an enemy to cronch, so it does not understand. He will bat at it uselessly, trying to claw it up but ultimately doing nothing.
The second stab is indeed not easy. The spear lands close, but not quite in the same wound from before. And without that sharp tip, the spear is pretty much useless against the tiger's hide. It's just too resistant to piercing damage. Maybe try another method?
Clearly, you'd be better off just getting the hell away from there.
[ That's... not what he expected to happen? But, okay. He will try an ice attack next - too bad it kind of sucks, even if he does try to power it with darkness. Sadness.
... Which is about all he's going to do. Some part of him is just considering ditching this guy for a bit. Maybe let the tiger wear itself out and attack when it isn't looking. ]
[ Like a Hammer. Unfortunately, standing this close is only going to get him killed. He can acknowledge that. He's... reluctant to leave Cynthia's side, even if she's...
... Well, he's reluctant to leave her side, but survival is his priority here. Once he's certain the Tiger is distracted, he abandons the remains of his spear and—spots the ice attack. He takes several quick, but cautious steps backward to try and get more space between him and the tiger. ] We... could try to make use of the staff. They'll make for poor shields, but they may distract the beast long enough for us to make our escape.
[ Yes, he hates this plan and it's obvious from his tone. ]
The ice is also an effective distraction. But it is only that: a distraction. Eventually the tiger will shake off the ice, and even the wound on its neck is starting to heal.
Calling for backup might be a good idea. Especially given how that ice came really close to damaging the resort, which is a big no-no.]
I need you with me. [ Frowning deeply as he says this. Needing someone, anyone, to survive hurts his pride deeply. Running hurts his pride. Leaving Cynthia hurts his pride.
This whole scenario is one big emotional "fuck you" to him. ] Staff! You're needed—come, now! Stand between us!
[ Are they going to show up? He... has no idea, but he's yelling for them even as he dashes over to Vanitas and tries to lift him up over his shoulder. This is a bad plan. The worst plan. ]
The tiger pounces, and while its pounce does not hit either of the two boys, it lands dangerously close. Close enough to knock Gerome off balance, if he doesn't brace himself. And probably make him drop Vanitas.
He's been avoiding letting people find out he can still do this ability, but... Desperate times, desperate measures, etc.
Vanitas stares at the tiger as he calls on the darkness. He's not even hesitating as he scrambles to his feet... and then starts to bodily drag Gerome through the darkness corridor. But corridors take a bit to close.
Even if he is closing it as he tries dragging Gerome through it, his hand on the guy's back as he pushes. ]
[ Damn, he thought the staff would buy more time than that— Wait, what is that—!? ]
No, what are you—!? [ He is sluggish about moving but if he has to choose between a big dark portal and a rampaging tiger? He's going to choose the dark portal. It's... possibly, probably, safe enough if someone is trying to pull him through it. ]
As the portal closes, the tiger will get one last, powerful swipe of its paw at Vanitas and Gerome. Vanitas will take the brunt of the attack, but Gerome will be hit by it too. The razor-sharp claws cut through everything- cloth, metal, fibers, you name it- and leave nasty gashes in their wake.
Congrats on surviving, but you may need medical attention to stay alive.]
[ Vanitas has one hell of a pain tolerance, but even he's letting out a cry as those claws slice through him.
His thoughts are screaming that they should get somewhere that isn't here - somewhere there's a healer, somewhere they'd be safe...
... The safest place he knows is Roxas' room.
Unfortunately, he's not doing so hot and the corridor doesn't function quite the same way in this resort? Yeah, let's go with that. Either way, they wind up just outside of Roxas' room. He's going to be collapsing onto the floor as soon as they get there. ]
[ He's felt the sharp pain of biting claws tearing through his flesh before but usually he has more time to brace himself. He considers it a personal failing that he didn't anticipate this—not that he has long to regret it. After all, it's hard to concentrate on much of anything when you're crying out in pain.
Too disoriented to support himself (and, frankly, in too much pain), he topples to the ground with Vanitas once they exit the corridor. Blearily, he can make out that they're still in the resort. More than that he doesn't even try to discern, instead he tries to put a hand onto Vanitas' shoulder to shake him. It probably doesn't work, he probably passes out from the pain right after but, hey.
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[Right! He's like Yarne and Nah. He can turn into an animal, even if that looks... different...]
I know people who can do this back home, so it's probably fine! ...You're fine, right, Atsushi?
[...she should probably get away, but she's looking at him... hopefully...]
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She's right, of course. He's as familiar with Taguels and Manaketes as she is and, while they can seem dangerous, it's possible they're not. But. This is very odd and he can't ignore that. ] ... Come with me.
[ Quickly as he can, he moves to Cynthia's side and tries to drag her away from Atsushi. ]
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But then the tiger bears its fangs ans pounces at Cynthia, aiming to bite her neck if it can. And if not, the weight of a tiger against her small body might not have good results anyway.]
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... With a quiet growl of frustration, he's sending two Unversed over; said Unversed will be instantly getting right in the creature's face. He isn't going to go out of his way for anyone, but... ]
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[Maybe Vanitas's quick save would've worked if Cynthia had moved at all beyond turning slightly to look at Gerome to respond, but as the tiger's powerful jaws close down on her neck she is very suddenly made aware that things are not fine.
And then she is just as suddenly not aware of very much at all, as the very distinctive crunching noise coming from her neck would imply, as well as her body kind of... crumpling under said tiger.]
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No one is allowed to grieve on a battlefield, after all. With little hesitation but a deep emptiness building in the pit of his stomach, he drops low and attempts to thrust his lance right toward the tiger's neck. It's only fitting. And, yes, the spear was always there. He always has a weapon and armor with him. ]
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Cynthia is dead.
But the fight isn't over. No, there are more targets, and the tiger will take out one Unversed with a swipe of one of its huge paws. Similarly, the other will go down with one crunch of its jaws.
Gerome makes an attempt with the lance, which will actually hit since the tiger is distracted by the Unversed. Congratulations, Gerome, you have made a wound on the tiger! But your lance will break in the process. And now the tiger is pissed, bleeding, and looking at you.
What will Vanitas and Gerome do now?
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His hand curls a little more tightly around the Keyblade. He holds a blink, and then he's going to fire at the creature - have some darkness. Ranged fighting isn't going out of his way? ]
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He stays his ground, though if Vanitas' darkness acts as a sufficient distraction? He actually will go for another stab at the same place, even if it isn't going to be as easy. ]
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GEROME picks 1 - rolls 5
MODS pick 2 - rolls 4
The darkness is a good distraction, actually! Because the tiger does not understand how to fight something abstract like 'darkness'. It is not an enemy to cronch, so it does not understand. He will bat at it uselessly, trying to claw it up but ultimately doing nothing.
The second stab is indeed not easy. The spear lands close, but not quite in the same wound from before. And without that sharp tip, the spear is pretty much useless against the tiger's hide. It's just too resistant to piercing damage. Maybe try another method?
Or run, since the tiger is distracted.]
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[ That's... not what he expected to happen? But, okay. He will try an ice attack next - too bad it kind of sucks, even if he does try to power it with darkness. Sadness.
... Which is about all he's going to do. Some part of him is just considering ditching this guy for a bit. Maybe let the tiger wear itself out and attack when it isn't looking. ]
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[ Like a Hammer. Unfortunately, standing this close is only going to get him killed. He can acknowledge that. He's... reluctant to leave Cynthia's side, even if she's...
... Well, he's reluctant to leave her side, but survival is his priority here. Once he's certain the Tiger is distracted, he abandons the remains of his spear and—spots the ice attack. He takes several quick, but cautious steps backward to try and get more space between him and the tiger. ] We... could try to make use of the staff. They'll make for poor shields, but they may distract the beast long enough for us to make our escape.
[ Yes, he hates this plan and it's obvious from his tone. ]
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MODS pick 1 - rolls 7
The ice is also an effective distraction. But it is only that: a distraction. Eventually the tiger will shake off the ice, and even the wound on its neck is starting to heal.
Calling for backup might be a good idea. Especially given how that ice came really close to damaging the resort, which is a big no-no.]
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You go find some, then. I'll stay here and distract it.
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This whole scenario is one big emotional "fuck you" to him. ] Staff! You're needed—come, now! Stand between us!
[ Are they going to show up? He... has no idea, but he's yelling for them even as he dashes over to Vanitas and tries to lift him up over his shoulder. This is a bad plan. The worst plan. ]
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And then they immediately disappear. Hm.
But the tiger is done playing with the ice, and its attention is turned back on the pair in front of it.
GEROME picks 10 - rolls 3
VANITAS picks 3 - rolls 4
MODS pick 5 - roll 7
The tiger pounces, and while its pounce does not hit either of the two boys, it lands dangerously close. Close enough to knock Gerome off balance, if he doesn't brace himself. And probably make him drop Vanitas.
And boy, those teeth look sharp, don't they?]
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...
He's been avoiding letting people find out he can still do this ability, but... Desperate times, desperate measures, etc.
Vanitas stares at the tiger as he calls on the darkness. He's not even hesitating as he scrambles to his feet... and then starts to bodily drag Gerome through the darkness corridor. But corridors take a bit to close.
Even if he is closing it as he tries dragging Gerome through it, his hand on the guy's back as he pushes. ]
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No, what are you—!? [ He is sluggish about moving but if he has to choose between a big dark portal and a rampaging tiger? He's going to choose the dark portal. It's... possibly, probably, safe enough if someone is trying to pull him through it. ]
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GEROME picked 9 - rolled 7
VANITAS picked picked 6 - rolled 7
As the portal closes, the tiger will get one last, powerful swipe of its paw at Vanitas and Gerome. Vanitas will take the brunt of the attack, but Gerome will be hit by it too. The razor-sharp claws cut through everything- cloth, metal, fibers, you name it- and leave nasty gashes in their wake.
Congrats on surviving, but you may need medical attention to stay alive.]
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His thoughts are screaming that they should get somewhere that isn't here - somewhere there's a healer, somewhere they'd be safe...
... The safest place he knows is Roxas' room.
Unfortunately, he's not doing so hot and the corridor doesn't function quite the same way in this resort? Yeah, let's go with that. Either way, they wind up just outside of Roxas' room. He's going to be collapsing onto the floor as soon as they get there. ]
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Too disoriented to support himself (and, frankly, in too much pain), he topples to the ground with Vanitas once they exit the corridor. Blearily, he can make out that they're still in the resort. More than that he doesn't even try to discern, instead he tries to put a hand onto Vanitas' shoulder to shake him. It probably doesn't work, he probably passes out from the pain right after but, hey.
He tried. ]