[OPEN] Mission 156

[soul_mods]

Characters: Open to participants who signed up here.
Location: Lake Tahoe, CA
Rating: Various.
Time: March 27th, late morning.
Description: The second of the three Madness emitters outside Death City is the target for this mission. Bundle up, everyone -- it's gonna be a cold one.

The mission begins late in the morning, to allow the mission-goers as much sunlight as possible in the warmest part of the day. Not that it'll help much… Temperatures are well below freezing already -- unnatural even for early Spring in the mountains -- and a howling snowstorm threatens to blot out the sun, beginning up the mountain where the slope just begins to rise sharply.

The slopes themselves are fairly barren: a windswept-looking tree here, a cabin that may have once belonged to the snow patrol there, maybe a Madness-crazed bear or mountain lion. Those braving the storm are lucky enough to see five feet in front of their face in these conditions!

Those brave few who manage to make it to the top (enduring falling temperatures and defeating the corrupted fauna and hulking kishin yeti along the way) may come across their goal at the very summit of the half-mile-high mountain: the Madness emitter itself, in the eye of the storm… And one last obstacle: the Witch guarding it.



OOC NOTES.
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Comments

[entreats]

[ It was definitely strange by now to see him like this. She hadn't seen the guy this serious ever before. Even when he had said he would keep her safe, he had almost seemed somewhat jokingly or even casual about it, but now his expression and way of speaking were completely different. Even though she had been trying to get up, she just sat down again instead - normally she would have been stubborn enough to push on, but while he was this concerned, she was more or less stunned into just staying here.

She didn't find words until she heard the last part of what he was saying, reaching out with her hand as if that would stop him. ]

Don't do that. This much is fine. [ Although this time it wasn't out of sheer stubbornness that she was saying it, it was more-- ] What if you end up not being in your Weapon form the entire time for this? You won't have enough warmth then.

[second_star]

I'll manage. I've been stuck in worse before, believe me. [ Though, she wasn't going to worry any less than he was right now, huh? He crossed his arms, thinking. ]

I think I can manage to stay in weapon form the whole time. It'll protect me from the cold and madness, after all.

[entreats]

You don't know if something will happen that will require you to go back to normal. .. You already covered the wound like this, so this much is fine. We got to meet halfway. [ Since both of them were just worrying about the other by now. It was a little strange though, this hadn't been nearly as much of an issue during the last mission. ]

I'm strong. [ She couldn't be weak, couldn't allow herself to be weak, especially not right now. But.. 'I'll keep you safe', huh.. ]

[second_star]

I don't doubt it. You kicked an overgrown beetle across the cave, remember? I just...[ Just what? ]..don't want to take any chances, that's all. We'll continue in a little bit. I'll stop there, though. [ Well, these sleeves were ruined. Oh well, it wasn't a big deal. ]

If it makes you feel better, I'll take my weapon form now to keep from getting cold. [ He wasn't gonna lie, since they weren't moving, he was starting to feel it. ]

[entreats]

[ .. Geez, were they both just extremely stubborn or what? Ange just grumbled something as if she relunctantly agreed, and her hand reached out until it managed to grab his' again - it was still weird to do that, even after having done it before. ]

Yeah, just change back. Then we'll keep going. I still want to see that Kishin egg.

[second_star]

Right away, madam. [ He said, with a bit of a teasing tone, though instead of a playful grin, it was just a small smile and bow, as he flashed with white light, changing back to his black katana form in her hand. ]

Better?

[entreats]

Much better. [ She slowly stood up - it helped when she just used the sword as a support until she stood up straight, squinting as she tried to see through the storm. She didn't want to get caught by surprise like that again..

Walking was a little harder now, a little painful in one leg, but at least not unbearably so. She's had worse, that was all she had to keep thinking about. ]

Who ever thought up to have a mission in this kind of weather..

[second_star]

Yeah. Not exactly the smartest idea. [ But, action was action. He wasn't in any position to complain. ] I did want to ask though... [ He spoke up over the sound of the storm, his voice sounding a little absentminded, as he was now paying way more attention to their surroundings. ]

What exactly is a ski resort?

[entreats]

[ ...

What was that question? She kept walking and trying to pay attention, but even so she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow to herself. ]

You mean you really don't know? Your world is weird, Yuri.

[second_star]

I apologize sincerely for not having all of the marvelous modern technology you're world prides itself in.

Come on, just tell me.

[entreats]

A ski resort doesn't even have anything to do with technology. [ She sighed, trying to focus on walking and talking at the same time - especially since she suddenly noticed another bear heading her way, but she quickly tried to stand firm even with her leg hurting, cutting the thing once it was close enough. A second stab finished the job - or well, even if it wasn't dead, it didn't look like it would move anytime soon. She didn't know how long she would be able to keep this up though with her wound, but.. they had to move up further. She had to see the Kishin egg or this all would've been for practically nothing.

So as she walked again, she just spoke as if nothing happened. ]

It's where people go in their vacations to ski. If you don't know what that is either, it's people practically tying two pieces of wood under their feet and going down snowy slopes with those.

[second_star]

Huh...the more you know. There's another one coming from the left. [ He abruptly stated. But now they were both more careful, it was to be expected. Still, he noticed the changes in her steps. He knew it wouldn't be easy walking on that wound, but...she was just as stubborn as he was. He'd make sure to do all he could to keep her safe now too. If worst came to worst, he'd change back and fight.

The bear was coming their way, but by now, their vital spots were obvious. He wasn't even worried, and continued. ]

Have you ever gone skiing?

[entreats]

One time when I was little.

[ She was mindful of his warning though, quickly glancing to the side even as she spoke, trying to find the bear through the snow.. but then she noticed it. Luckily they were easier to take down once you knew how to strike them, so this one went down relatively easily. Although the more she took down, the more of a toll it took on her.. but with Ange being Ange she wasn't about to voice any concern about that out loud. Instead she spoke on again, quickly walking on. ]

I hardly remember it though since it was so long ago.

[second_star]

[ Even he knew she was bluffing now. There was no way they'd be able to take on a Kishin Egg as they are now. But...she really wanted to see one, right? Then he'd at least help her with that. ]

Hm. Sounds like fun. I never got to travel until I joined the knights. It's dangerous going outside of the town barriers otherwise. Plus, I never had the money.

[entreats]

Don't worry, the travelling stopped after my family died. [ Geez, the higher they got, the thicker the snow storm seemed.. would she really be able to spot the thing like this? At least talking provided a distraction from the dull pain in her leg. ]

Instead they decided to practically lock me up inside some boring boarding school for snobby rich gir--

[ She stopped mid-sentence, her expression actually changing for once to surprise. ]

.. Yuri, up there, that's.. one of those Kishin eggs, isn't it?

[second_star]

[ At the abrupt stop in her words, Yuri also turned his view up. With a blink, as if to confirm what he was seeing, he spoke, an obvious grin in his voice. ]

Looks like something they stole right out of my world. Heh. [ But...she was injured. And it was only getting worse. And Kishin eggs needed pairs to be taken on, right? Maybe if they weren't in such bad shape, but right now? ]

Got your wish, milady? Let's bolt it. [ The grin in his voice disappeared, taking a more serious tone. ]

[entreats]

[ His words didn't hit her until a few moments after he said them, she was too busy staring at that thing. It was like something right out of a fantasy, right? It didn't even look like a normal animal anymore, this wasn't something mutated, it was something that was weird from the start, but--

.. What was he saying..? ]

'Bolt it'? What do you mean? Aren't we supposed to fight it now? [ It wasn't even exactly over-confidence or anything on her part, she did realise the wound was there. But it was more her desire to think of herself as strong no matter what - even in a situation like this. ]

[second_star]

Yeah. We're supposed to. [ He began to change back, now by her side, holding her hand. He looked at her with a smile. ]

But I don't think we can afford to fight right now. [ The Kishin egg began to sense something nearby. It began to sense them. ] How about we try to get two souls next mission instead, hm? [ Though he was smiling, he wasn't giving her much room to say anything. He could feel it. She didn't want to give up, but her body couldn't handle much more. Even a trip back down would be rough on her as she was. He could feel it...in his soul. ]

Gotta keep you safe, after all.

[entreats]

[ Once she spotted him smiling like that, she just.. had to avert her gaze, honestly. She was glad it was more difficult to see up here so at least the fact that her expression wasn't exactly lineface anymore but something definitely weaker was covered up slightly by the snow in the air. Geez, this guy.. ]

First of all, you said you'd stay in your Weapon form. [ Well, there was something nice about holding a warm person's hand instead of cold metal, but it wasn't like she was going to say that out loud. It was better to suffer than to admit and suffer through embarassment. ]

And secondly.. I'm safe right now, so there's no need for you to worry.

[ But she eyed the Kishin egg and tugged on his hand just a little, as if to lead him the other way - back down the mountain before it would get too close. ]

[second_star]

[ He felt that tug on his hand, and he almost shrugged in reply. The Kishin egg was definitely aware of them now, and he just grinned. Maybe another day, monster. He should probably start planning what they were going to have for dinner. Soup would be in order after this blistering cold, right? ]

Alright, hold tight. [ Without another word, Yuri swooped down, putting one arm under her legs, the other turning her and supporting her under her mid-back, before pulling up, holding her in what looked like a full bridal carry. The Kishin egg roared, and began to come their way. ]

I'll have to break that first condition! [ No more weapon form now! He began to run down the slope, almost as if there was no snow or ice at all, jumping down ledges and over rocks as they went. He couldn't see too far ahead of him, but as long as he kept going in the opposite direction, they'd get down eventually right? Besides. He hadn't gotten to do this in months. ]

[entreats]

Wh-- [ She started to sputter the moment she suddenly felt that arm under her legs, but before she knew it she was already being lifted off the ground. Honestly, it happened so suddenly and fast that she didn't even realise what exactly was going on until he already started running. ]

Y.. Yuri!

[ Her face turned red out of embarassment in the middle of the shock - he was carrying her. In the middle of the snow and the Kishin egg chasing them and all, he was carrying her around like this -- and it wasn't like Amakusa hadn't done this before, but that was always just for a moment or two, just to throw her into the car or something, not an entire run like this.. She wanted to tell him to put her down or hit him or do anything to make this situation stop since it was too embarassing, but then that monster would just get them, right?

So the only thing she could do to make sure she wouldn't fall while he ran like this was move her arms around his neck to cling to him with the most flushed face ever. ]

[second_star]

[ He heard her yell his name, probably in surprise, but his steps didn't falter. Seemed like whatever a Kishin Egg was, it wasn't as fast as him. He could hear it growing farther and farther in the distant as he ran down the slope, the howl of the wind and snow growing quieter with each step. He continued to just look forward, not even paying attention to her grabbing on his neck either. They were almost there. Almost...

The snow had stopped, and the wind died down considerably. There were no more roars, and he couldn't hear the monsters behind them anymore. Yuri's run slowed to a walk, as he let out a pant. There was still a large grin on his face, a look of enjoyment, as he turned to face her.

Wow, her face and hair matched. He raised an eyebrow. ]

You catching a fever or something?

[entreats]

[ .. No, why did the snow and wind have to leave now?! She was sure it would distract him from her, at least, distract him from both her and the current state of her face, but.. ugh, like this it really was useless. She tried to make herself calm down, make the embarassment go away, but nothing was helping. ]

I.. I'm fine. [ What was it either way that made her feel so embarassed? .. It was that he was being so annoying, right? Anyone would feel weird about being picked up like that randomly and carried around, and if it was him doing it, then.. somehow that made it even more embarassing, to think he was protecting her like that.. and a little nice. ]

Next time at least warn me before you do something this ridiculous though.

[ She tried to make herself sound firm as usually, but she just sounded like a pouty kid. The fact she didn't let go of his neck just yet only made that worse. ]

[second_star]

Maybe I will next time, if there's time. Kinda hard when you've got a weird monster thing after you. [ But even as he said that, he was still smiling. And just like she didn't let go of his neck, he didn't let go of her either. She still was hurt, after all. Besides, he couldn't exactly put his finger on it but...there was just something about this whole thing that he couldn't help but smile about. ]

Come on, let's head back. We can get that injury healed properly now too.

[entreats]

.. I should probably walk the last bit by myself, right?

[ But even as she said it, there was almost something hesitant about it.. why? She couldn't put her finger on it either, it wasn't that she wanted him to keep carrying her like this, right? There was no way-- ]