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Post by ☆|Dazai on Nov 16, 2017 2:11:02 GMT -7
That looks familiar… What are those called from the Academy? AOLs? If he’s calling someone, then maybe those guys aren’t after us specifically... Putting his hand out to stop his comrade, Jen motions for the doll to slow his pace. Jen tries to get a closer look at the figure through the darkness, but at this distance it's impossible to discern details. He was almost certain that he'd seen it before, but... The vision! This was a part of the vision!
Containing his newfound excitement, he inches closer along the catwalk. To mask his own metallic signature, Jen chooses to move in intervals when the robed figure makes noise. Let's get a good look at you.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2017 2:56:31 GMT -7
Continuing on, they stop for a moment at a skeleton pinned to the wall, its a curious predicament indeed. The thief wonders if it was just some unfortunate luck, or a murder scene he was looking at. As he muses it over, a loud snap followed by even more clattering breaks out from whence the pair came. Rauj turns back, having a good idea of what happened and thumbs up the area with his good hand. A self-given pat on the back, despite the fact it had merely bought them a bit more time. Forgoing the idea of ascending once and for all with the discovery of the crushed stairway The thief shrugs and resolves himself to having to face one or the other, possibly both. The last door opens and the pair come upon the scene they had witnessed prior... the one that had been sent to them! With this realization Rauj begins to attempt to discern further info from the memory of those messages. The lines about rebelling and processors, servitude and vengeance had caught his attention earlier but now that it was all coming together he began to wonder... was it the machines... or dolls who caused this? Were the pair currently occupying the bodies of the actual dangers in this dystopian 'future'? If so, negotiation would be... well lets just say if not completely impossible, than definitely difficult to say the least. As Rauj too recognizes the AQL the robed figure is communicating with, he wonders if the two groups are actually working together, as the other doll makes his move to close in on the figure. Rauj wonders what the doll has planned, but decides to keep a lookout for the incoming forces instead, glancing back every so often to examine his comrade's progress. "Honestly i'm very curious as to what this robed fella is trying to accomplish, it looks as if he's been at it for awhile..."
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Post by ★|Sayu on Nov 17, 2017 14:27:08 GMT -7
To Jens own surprise he makes very little noise. Noise, still, but very little of it. He moves along the catwalk giving him more of a visual on the room. It's pretty dark and a make-shift bed in the far corner, set up out of reach of the water, is illuminated by a flickering torch. Judging by the corner's condition it would seem the robed figure had been camping here overnight.
The figure itself is speaking in some foreign language that neither of the two dolls can properly understand. It sounds aggravated, though. Short grunts and the occasional raising of its voice make it clear that it is very unhappy with something.
Finally, it gives an unsatisfying "Tch." and puts the AQL back in its rags before picking up the hammer again. Bang - More sparks light up the room, eerily illuminating the two dolls. Bang - The figure continues to smash its hammer against the dented center of the metal box. BANG - The creature recoils away from the box from the force of its own hit. This time the sparks are so great they briefly light up what seems to be seats inlaid below the catwalk.
Another wind up... BANG - Clearly getting more and more aggravated the figure puts more force into its swings. The sparks briefly reveal the seats are lined with the corpses of dolls, all connected to cables converging in the center of the room and linking up with the box.
BANG - Finally. Progress. An excess of steam hisses through the crack made by the sledgehammers final impact. The robed figure curses and takes a few steps back to let the steam dissipate. As it begins to fade the creature steps back up examining the cracks. It fiddles around with the box, trying to pry it open with its gloved hands. There is some resistance but the figure finally manages to pry the large metal box open - the whole while completely unaware of the two onlookers moving along the catwalk above.
With a satisfying hiss and the sound of some hydraulics pressure the box opens slowly, both sides from the center folding out. It's hard to make out what's in the box so the robed figure turns.
The dolls instinctively freeze as the figure looks about the room - unsure if they have been spotted and unable to quickly clear to any cover. Though a moment later, and fortunately, the thing walks across the room to pick up its torch and bring it back to the box.
The box is rather thick, which now explains the excessive need to slam against it with a sledgehammer. There was likely no way other than hard labour to open it given the failing electronics and crumbling ruins. Inside lays a perfectly preserved doll connected to the walls of the metal coffin with wires and cables. It's now clear that whatever cables the other dolls were connected to lead up to this particular female model.
It does not seem to be immediately active.
"...must hurry.... the others... ...coming... escape with..." The voice suddenly returns. Suddenly the sharp pain returns. No visions accompany the unimaginably painful headache this time, but it is enough to send both dolls reeling over in pain causing them to create a lot of noise in the process.
The creature turns in surprise and instinctively shouts at the two dolls, immediately picking up its hammer and getting ready to climb the catwalk. With a twitch of the central Doll in the coffin-like box the shadows begin to move. Almost like the room comes alive. Sparks emit from some of the destroyed dolls and they slide of the chair, distracting the dark robed figure. It immediately springs to action after seeing them crawl towards it and begins pounding its hammer down onto each one that comes dangerously close.
The pain continues to sear Jen and Rauj's minds and for a brief moment their human forms flicker into existence. Finally the two realize who the other is.
Then without any way to retaliate further the robed figure begins screaming as the remaining dolls pull it to the ground and then the red robed figure makes a sudden return. It falls from the ceiling with extreme accuracy, stabbing a sword straight through the back of the other robed figure, in one precise stab on the way down.
The dolls immediately become dormant once more, still clung on to the now corpse of whatever that robed figure was.
The headache begins to lighten and the two companions manage to gain some semblance of control again as the mysterious Red Robed figure sheathes its sword and walks over to the central doll, picking it out of its box with some effort. The cables snap off it, some of them zapping the nearby area or creating sparks. But the Red one remains unphased. Rather, it is staring at the doll in its arms intently.
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Post by ☆|Dazai on Nov 18, 2017 0:26:30 GMT -7
It's going to town on that thing… Jen watches as the robed figure hammers away at the box, catching flashes of sparks at each impact. With each burst of light, more of the area was revealed, eventually giving way to countless dead dolls. Oh boy. Jen’s brow furrowed as he focused harder on the creature’s work.
After watching the creature unearth what looked like a female doll, Jen experienced a piercing headache yet again. God damn it! The voice again, not now! Jen keels over in pain, falling to his knees on the catwalk. I… can’t move! Shit! Just as the hammer-wielding being started toward the catwalk, Jen spots something out of the haze in his vision. The incapacitated doll watches as the box makes a subtle movement, seemingly resurrecting the other bodies in their chairs. The robed figure attempts to defend itself as Jen looks to his ally. He seemed to be in a similar state, but his very existence seemed to fluctuate. A familiar face appeared before Jen, causing him to slightly forget his head-splitting pain in shock. J?! This is going to be one hell of a story. If he weren’t in a combat scenario, Jen would’ve ran and greeted him like an old friend. If he was being honest with himself, this dreamlike world was chipping away at his stability. He’d been in unfamiliar places, but not anything like this. At the very least, it was nice to know there was someone else from his world.
Amidst the chaos, the red clothed individual descends from the ceiling, assassinating the other creature. Almost in an instant, the doll horde stops, still clutched to their victim. The Red Robe plucks the central doll out of its container, causing some plugs to fizzle and spark. Jen's mind was racing as he recovered from the pain. I have a feeling he and that doll are our ticket out of here. We've got to get down there with Red. Wasting absolutely no time, Jen gets up and sprints back toward the stairs. Nearing the doll who he presumes is J, Jen points back toward the creature and signals to move to its position. We don't wanna lose him, let's go!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2017 0:58:18 GMT -7
"The hell is this thing? Why are all these things hooked up to it?" Rauj wonders as more and more of it is revealed with each vicious swing. It finally busts open, and reveals its contents, a female doll, perfectly preserved, but inactive as well. The thief cranes his head as his profession's instincts kick-in. "Whatever it is, its obviously valuable to whomever these figures are... Might wanna see if i can get a handle on it..." As he completes his thought the voice they hadn't heard from in a bit kicks in again, bringing with it a pain so sharp it causes Rauj to slam the nearby wall with an uncontrolled lash. Catching the noise but paralyzed in pain, Rauj looks up as much as he is able and realizes the robed figure has finally spotted them.
"Agh! Hell! C'mon! MOVE!" As if in conjunction with his own thoughts the other dolls begin to make grabs towards their attacker. Rauj uses the moment to stare back at his own limbs trying with all he had to will them to act. Suddenly his own limbs, the one he possessed before this fever-dream, flicker momentarily before him! He immediately glances towards his compatriot- "Jen?!" He manages to gasp between throes of pain. He finds himself relieved to see a face he recognizes, but quickly re-focuses on the task at hand, seeing as the reunion wouldn't matter if they couldn't make it out alive. He turns his gaze back towards the robed figure, now disarmed and screaming as it is brought low by the reanimated doll hoard. As the Thief begins to worry about the figure's allies catching up, the screaming is suddenly silenced by the arrival of the red robed they saw earlier. The silence echoes throughout the room, and within Rauj's mind as well, as the Red one sheathes its blade and with some small effort plucks the female doll out of its cradle. Rauj slowly rises to his feet and glances behind him as well; they were running out of time.
The doll he now presumed to likely be Jen urges the thief come with him to approach the Red figure, but Rauj hesitates for a moment, "Just cuz they weren't with that one doesn't mean they're with us!" But he relents, after all they had nowhere else to go, if they could possibly make an ally, now was the time. He walks so that he's visible from where the figure is standing and knocks on the nearby metal railing to get the figure's attention. Pointing to himself and then pointing down, indicating best he could as to his intentions. Last thing they needed was to approach too quickly, spook the figure, and get offed.
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Post by ★|Sayu on Nov 26, 2017 15:29:00 GMT -7
Whatever pain may have plagued the dolls moments ago has now subsided completely.
The red robed figure stares up at the catwalk, watching the two dolls closely. It then stares back at the pile of dolls that and cocks it's head as if to direct their attention to it. It begins to speak in a raspy voice - as if dehydrated - though neither of them can understand its language. "Ти не такий, як інші?" It shakes its head and looks about the rest of the room. "Неважливо."
After that the figure walks across the room, sloshing through the water, until it disappears behind some machinery.
There is a banging sound coming from upstairs. Suddenly more chattering. Seems like their pursuers have finally decided to check out the stairway and there is no way back without confronting them.
The screeching sound of metal attracts the two dolls attention as some natural light below illuminates some of the area giving a better look at the environment. The room was clearly designed as one big machine. All the smaller machines and dolls are connected to various other machinery which in turn connects to the metal coffin. Whatever these machines used to be for, everything ultimately feeds into the coffin. A small wave of water carries in sticks and leaves.
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Post by ☆|Dazai on Nov 27, 2017 17:55:04 GMT -7
Jen slows his pace and turns around at the sound of the creature’s voice. Even if I can’t understand you, at least you’re not attacking us. After gesturing to the dormant dolls on the ground, the robed being shook its head in a somewhat dismissive way.
Chatter of the duo’s pursuers echoed up the stairs. Damn! From what Jen could see, the whole room was some sort of converging generator. A fresh wave of water brought in some debris, but none of it seemed immediately helpful. Desperate for ideas, he looked to his partner. If you can work miracles J, now would be the time to work them.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2017 19:31:17 GMT -7
The 'Red', or what Rauj figured he'd call him until a name of some sort decided to emerge, acknowledged the existence of the two comrades peacefully; a plus considering the thief wasn't sure of the figure's capabilities in combat, but did know it was definitely more experienced than they at the moment. Although it seemed to almost dismiss their appearance and go about its business, not caring what the pair were up to. It makes its way through the sump and Rauj doesn't even care to wait and see what it was planning. He quickly falls in step behind Red, hearing the banging and chattering upstairs, but confronted with the options of either sticking around to fight it out, hiding among the various dolls hooked up to the machine, and hoping Red had a method of escape planned, he figured the third option was the best. At the very least it seemed to know more about the environment than the pair had collectively gathered since their awakening. A few steps ahead of the thief, Red vanishes behind some nearby machinery! "Shit." Rauj curses as the room begins to light from below, illuminating the area. Jen looks towards him for some kind-of plan, as Rauj himself attempts to follow Red's path.
If it got out, so could they.
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Post by ★|Sayu on Nov 27, 2017 22:19:09 GMT -7
Rauj decides to follow 'Red' through the more tightly packed side of the room. He takes a cautious step into the water, which only seems to go slightly above his ankles. Surprisingly it feels weird. Almost like he hadn't touched water in years. Though it does not seem to have any immediate affect on him.
He moves closer to the machinery, noting the path that led between two bigger boxes and squeezes through with relative ease to round the corner. Much to his great fortune he immediately finds the source of the light; An open door and beyond it the Sea and a small Boat in which the Red figure was sitting and placing the other doll down.
It looks at Rauj, analyzing the ruined doll standing among the pipes and metal contraptions, and finally looks down at it's boat. "Ах Якого біса." it says and reaches out its hand.
Though it is wearing a gloved hand, Rauj can definitely see tan human skin emerging from under the red robes as Red reaches towards him to pull him up and on the boat. "Інший теж."
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Post by ☆|Dazai on Nov 28, 2017 7:45:06 GMT -7
Not quite a miracle. In fact, I should’ve done that to begin with… Jen chastises himself for not seeing the obvious choice of escape. Just follow the thing out. Easy. Though slightly behind his partner at first, Jen moves as quickly as possible to catch up. As he approaches the escape boat, he sees the Red Robe extend his hand to J. Hell, we’re one step closer to home. Jen watches J get on the boat before attempting to immediately follow suit.
(Provided that Jen makes it on the boat, he will try to shake J’s good hand and then thank their newest ally with a bow.)
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2017 21:37:19 GMT -7
The thief can't understand his hesitation towards stepping into the water, it was if the body had a mind of its own, it was instinctively wary of coming in contact with it. He forces himself forward after 'Red' and finds himself surprised. He felt as though he had forgotten this feeling, as if he hadn't been in contact with the liquid for years. It sends a chill down his spine and causes him to freeze up for a moment. "... I'm fine... I think...?" He acknowledges internally has he forces himself down the nearby path and around the corner. He races though the door as soon as he notices it, seeing the boat and the mysterious pair settling within. "Dang, that thing looks a bit small, will we all be able to use it?" He muses as 'Red' offers him a hand. Rauj quickly nods, and pulls himself on-board with his help... "Hm." The thief takes note of the skin beneath the robes, seemed this 'Red' might just be human... Dismissing the thought for the moment, Rauj turns back immediately to do Jen the same favor.
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Post by ★|Sayu on Dec 3, 2017 18:47:11 GMT -7
Red helps Rauj on the boat and stares at the female doll for a moment. The figure decides to pick her up as Jen approaches the boat. Red helps him as well before handing Jen the oars. He sits down on the back of the boat, facing towards the second set of ruins in the distance and points in the general direction. "У вас є руки Ви виконуєте роботу." He says and then rests the female doll on his lap.
The fresh sea-breeze is oddly comforting to the two dolls. The seagulls circling overhead and the gentle waves rocking the boat help reinforce this feeling as well. It's good to get a lucky break after waking up in this strange place, chased down by unknown people, and witnessing what they had.
Jen examines Red a little closer, then suddenly finding himself caught off guard at the Doll in his lap staring at him with intense eyes. However after a blink she seems to be unconscious still - perhaps his imagination. Rauj notices none of this.
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Post by ☆|Dazai on Dec 5, 2017 22:38:48 GMT -7
Jen takes hold of the oars and looks in the direction Red indicated. That way, huh? Alright. Jen adjusts himself in his seat before lowering the oars to row, noting once again his rusted movements. He was rather pleased to take the oars, seeing that he had some time to think. During his travels back “home,” he saw some of Sirius’ habits manifest as his own. Where she fidgeted in her frequent spare time, he bounced his foot in rhythm, or twirled a lockpick between his fingers. For someone so physically lethargic, she had an incredible mind. Always so curious, that one was. Thankfully though, he hadn’t taken up her more unique attributes - her palate for example. In this moment however, he had the resistance of the water, the faint taste of salty air, and the intermittent squawks of seagulls to accompany his thoughts. Truthfully, Jen was extremely homesick. He missed his body, his familiar surroundings, and his friend. Yes - most of all he missed his short, subtle, green-haired companion. Sirius hadn’t been far away from his side since they started travelling together, and though he had become her chaperone of sorts, she helped him more than she likely knew. With his sister’s trail gone cold for so long, that petite “Corpser,” as she was frequently called, was essentially all that kept him from losing his mind.
An indiscernible amount of time had passed, during which Jen’s focus shifted to Red. Taking care to observe it as respectfully as he could, Jen eyed the dolls' savior of sorts... Although further examination raised a question. Was Red an “it” at all? His eyes flowed down Red’s physique, until they stopped on the doll's face. Jen slightly slowed his pace with the oars, as the doll seemingly bore a hole into his being. Initially caught by surprise Jen returned the glare before he realized the doll was still comatose. That's not the strangest thing to happen today I suppose. Shrugging off the encounter, Jen returned his focus to rowing. Surely there’s got to be a reason I’m here.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2017 22:27:27 GMT -7
Rauj settles in as 'Red' hands Jen the oars, shrugging in reaction "Better him than me" he internally snickers, He looks towards the direction 'Red' points noting the distance and plotting a midway in his mental map as he surveys its surroundings. "If Jen gets tired i'll switch with him about the-" He glances down at his 'missing' hand. He leans back and averts his gaze to the sky. The breeze... he could tell there was one, despite its overall feeling being lost on his metallic body, eased his mind mildly. He was worried about his original body. Despite its fragile state, he still appreciated it for what it was. He slowly shifted his gaze from the seagulls slowly circling overhead to his remaining hand's ring finger. He needed to get back. He still had a job to complete after all. He sits back up, somewhat closer to their destination, but not much has changed in that aspect. Instead he looks back from whence they came, keeping an eye out for pursuers in case the group that hounded them before decided it'd be wise to pursue.
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Post by ★|Sayu on Dec 21, 2017 1:12:49 GMT -7
The boat steadily makes its way across the water as Jen continues to row. Only now is the sheer scale of this place really evident. This really was the ocean, and no two ways about it. Whatever happened here it was enough to raise the water so incredibly high that it touched the great heights of these crumbling buildings. Or perhaps it was simply the other way around and this city of sorts had sunken partway into the ocean. Whatever the case... the sight was uncanny in some ways but also equally relaxing in others.
Red doesn't seem up to much conversation, simply staring forward as their little boat makes its way across from one set of ruins to the next. There is neither any movement from the female doll nor from any kind of pursuers. What flashing Rauj remembered in the distance had also long since faded for better or for worse.
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