soul_logs | We leave as one....We've just begun....[CLOSED]

Audrey had left her jacket at the apartment in Death City, and here she stood next to the Cleaner, in a white tank top, blue jeans, and tennis shoes. It felt strange, being somewhere she knew to hold danger, yet without her usual weapon on her hip. Instead, her Weapon was walking beside her into the fray.

Her partner.

A weird word to use for anyone other than Nathan.

Still, Audrey was where she needed to be - on a mission, to help Shibusen and hopefully contribute to the ending of a war that, once again, she had nothing to do with.

Except in Haven, she had a lot to do with it. Didn't she?

Audrey took a deep breath, reaching over her shoulders and tightening her ponytail before looking up at Dwight. "Me neither. I'm not too sure what exactly to look for." That fact had her wary, but as long as they both kept their eyes peeled and ears perked they should be fine.

Partner was a weird word; Dwight had never had one. He was a lone wolf sort of guy...but he could work with this. It wasn't completely new.

"The mission mentioned villages, right?" He turned around, looking for anything that could point towards some sort of civilization. Maybe a road or an old wheel track or two. The Pampas was rather sparse and he began to walk slowly towards the crest of one of the higher little mounds near them.

"If we can spot a road." It might lead them towards a village. If the Kishin were after people it seemed like a plausible idea.

"As for those Kishin things?" Dwight shrugged a little, that...well he had no clue. Perhaps just look for something pretty weird?

"I think they should be easy to spot."

Her eyes narrowed as she looked across the wide expanse of land that lay before them, searching. She waved to him when she spotted something.

"Dwight. Look."

It was hard to see, but it was there; a narrow road winding somewhat as it rolled across the horizon. In the distance, along the road, Audrey thought she saw something. All she could make out, though, were vague, dark shapes, they were so far away.

She started walking, briskly. Her body buzzed with a strange anticipation, one that was familiar and awful. She couldn't put her finger on what, but the situation was off.

"Let's go. Something doesn't feel right."

Dwight simply nods and follows behind her, thankful for longer legs that help him keep up. There is something in the air; but it might just be nerves over dealing with something he has no idea about. He runs a hand through his hair as he squinted towards the odd shapes.

"...what is that?" A quick flash to Grady echos in his mind but he shakes it off. "Audrey hang on." There was so much open space around them...and he didn't know how these Kishin worked. Would they be obvious? Did they blend in with their environment?

She stopped when she heard the concern in his voice, looking over her shoulder at him. Her eyes were slightly widened; it was still weird to be able to feel more of what he was feeling than usual. She didn't know if that was their resonance or what, but she remembered right then that it had happened with Psii as well, so she was thinking it was something else entirely.

Audrey turned somewhat to face Dwight. "What's wrong?" She was trying to tamp down her panic, but it was written on her face, and she knew it. She couldn't help it. This was enemy territory, and it unsettled her about as much as going into the Rev's church used to.

"We're out in the open. And I don't know how these Kishin things work." Hopefully that was enough to temper that panic. He glanced over at her before starting towards whatever they were looking at. Normally he'd rush a bit- to keep himself first in the line of whatever might charge them. But he had the idea that Audrey would not be all over that.

"Come on." His green eyes darted around the open fields, looking for any sort of break in the way the breeze was blowing the grasses. Or some sort of shadow that wasn't cast by a passing cloud.

Audrey couldn't help the look she gave his back as he started going forward, taking the lead instead of her. She wasn't used to any of this, and she didn't like it. She was used to being in charge, and it seemed like Dwight wasn't a fan of that here. Her eyes narrowed as she followed him - she had shorter legs, what else could she do? - and wondered at the change.

She tilted her head. "Are you worried?"

Because she was. New terrain plus new enemy meant new problems that neither of them would be able to foresee.

"I always worry. Keeps me from being too surprised." He slows down just a bit; he'd get used to a partner soon.Suddenly he was really missing his crossbow. The Cleaner just sighs and wets his lips as the objects finally come into view. He raises his eyebrows and looks at Audrey.

"I think we're heading in the right direction."

The shadowy figures are clear now, two rather beat up looking ford trucks. The paint is scratched off in several places and there are engine parts strewn about. Dwight leans down and picks up what's left of a carburetor.

Audrey's eyes narrowed at the sight that lay before her. Chaos in the middle of nowhere. It didn't bode well for their current situation.

Suddenly, some internal alarm went off, deep inside, and Audrey stepped back, somewhat away from Dwight as she spun in a complete circle, looking around them in a slight panic.

"Dwight, I think it might be a good idea for you to-"

She stopped suddenly, when a clattering broke the silence. Her eyes darted across the landscape, trying to decipher where exactly it came from, but nothing was moving besides herself and her partner.

Suddenly something collided with her left side, and Audrey went flying. Knocked completely off her feet, it took a moment for her to register that she had actually been hit by something, and she looked around wildly for a moment - until her eyes landed on the giant thing that now stood where she had just been standing.

Though it wasn't really standing; the thing looked like a snake, but much bigger and much scarier. It was around the same size as the trucks that rusted around them, and it gave her an angry, toothy snarl.

Audrey froze, wide-eyed and horrified. She wasn't prepared for this.

Edited 2013-02-28 04:37 (UTC)

Dwight could read a person fairly well; unless that person was suddenly shoved away. Instinct kicked in and he jumped back, putting one of the cars to his back. He saw Audrey looking around, which calmed half of his nerves. The other half was taunt and had him glancing around for something to use to distract that...whatever thing.

"Hey!" He called out sharply, tensing again when the snake turned an eye towards him. He lunged forward and grabbed what was probably once part of a stereo system. The small metal debris was flung straight for one of the creatures horns; earning Dwight a nice roar for his troubles. A small grin crossed his features when the thing dove towards him.

A small roll to the side and he coughed as the snake hit the ground instead of him. Dust was a double edged sword so he turned his attention back to trying to get near Audrey. There would be little use to anything if he couldn't get to his partner.

Which was an odd feeling. He could lead a group of twenty...or handle something on his own. Having just one person by his side had him floundering a bit at what to do.

So plan A: Get to Audrey without getting eaten or whatever this thing did...

Audrey's attention snapped in Dwight's direction when he called out, and it struck her immediately what he was doing. In that moment, when the monster practically flew at him with a grace that left her both awestruck and terrified, she caught her breath and pushed herself back to her feet, never taking her eyes off it.

She coughed suddenly; the thing was kicking up plenty of dust as it moved across the ground, and she knew that would be a huge disadvantage in this fight. Sand was rough to deal with in the best of situations - and this definitely wasn't ideal.

Her hand instinctively went to her hip, and she made a face and cursed under her breath when she found nothing there. Her eyes instantly went to Dwight.

"Dwight, I need you!" Audrey definitely wasn't used to being so helpless in a fight or flight situation, and cold panic flooded her. If her Weapon didn't get to her - and quick - she wasn't sure what else she could do. Her own Meister ability didn't seem likely to help here.

Dwight was trying to keep a few feet in front of the...whatever they were fighting, but he was carefully making his way towards Audrey. He stepped on something metal and spared a glance down; a slightly bent axle poking up from the ground.

If he couldn't make a break for Audrey at least he had something to use. When the Monai reared up with a roar he dove to the side. A small roll and he was only about five feet from Audrey. He covered his mouth from a small blast of dirt from the creatures impact.

Now came the hard part. Instinct was telling Dwight to just fight as was but...no this was a two person deal.

"Audrey, hold out your hand."

Audrey nodded, holding her hand out slowly. Her eyes never left the creature that currently had them on the defensive, and she figured what the heck, she should give her own newfound Meister abilities a go and see where they get.

"Just. Everyone calm down." She never broke eye contact with the Kishin, just kept her hand out toward Dwight, waiting for him to change form so they could really dispatch it.

The monster seemed to respond somewhat; its movements slowed, and it seemed to visibly relax. "Just relax and keep calm. Don't do anything you would regret."

Audrey wanted to kick herself at that one - after all, why would a Kishin regret anything? Stupid, Parker, that was stupid.

But it was working, whatever she was doing. It seemed that she had so much experience calming the Troubled - who were normally in an extremely agitated state by the time she got to them - that calming the Kishin was like second nature.

Edited 2013-03-05 04:28 (UTC)

As the monster leaned back, eyes fixated on Audrey, Dwight crept closer. He had only ever seen the after math of Haven's Johnny and June's antics. Though he did have a good idea of what was going on. The shimmer over took him and with a small flash he was in Audrey's hand.

The world was dark now...something he still didn't like. He couldn't see around him, he couldn't move or speak. This was that trust he'd been knocking himself over to understand. Audrey was the eyes now.

The kishin gave a small hiss like noise, blinking at the human girl. The wind kicked up over the Pampas...hiding the sound of more slithering coming towards the pair.

As soon as she felt the cool metal against her palm, the comforting weight of Dwight's weapon form solidified in her hand, Audrey wrapped her fingers around his grip, keeping her arm straight and just moving her shoulder. Her eyes never left the Kishin, and she took a step back, still speaking calmly. "Everything is all right."

She was slightly breathless; the sand was aggravating her senses, and she had to focus to ask Dwight, Ready?

Always. Fire at will

The kishin gave a soft growl, it's eyes no longer on Audrey. In fact it's attention had shifted, following something in the rolling grass.

Now!

Nodding, Audrey took aim, letting their resonance wash over her. It calmed her; it filled her and gave her just what she needed to find her inner strength.

The creature turned back to them, eyes ablaze and mouth open in a loud shriek-

Audrey sucked in a quick breath and squeezed the trigger.

The shot echoed as the energy bullet whizzed straight for the first Monai. It gave a pained roar, a sizable hole having been left in it's head. It shuddered and fell to the floor with a rather loud thud.

Loud enough to block the sound of the other Monai as it reared up behind them to smash straight down at the duo.

The intensity and magnitude of the blast sent Audrey reeling just a little, pleasantly surprised - and maybe more than a little impressed. She broke into a grin, laughing a little, and looked down at the gun in her hand as the monster fell.

Well well well, Mr. Cleaner, looks like-

Suddenly another roar from directly behind them made its way to her senses, and Audrey's smile disappeared as she turned to look over her shoulder. Unable to move away fast enough, the second Monai crashed into them, throwing them through the air. Audrey somehow managed to keep a good grip on Dwight in his weapon form, even when she landed pretty roughly into the side of a rusted SUV.

She cried out, sharp pain radiating from her left arm, and Audrey pulls it toward her body out of sheer instinct.

Her next instinct? To shoot this new enemy a glare and aim the gun right at him, finger squeezing the trigger before another thought can be spared.

Edited 2013-03-19 05:50 (UTC)

Okay. That was sort of cool. Until the next beastie showed up. Dwight can only wince to himself as he feels Audrey being rocked about. Though he's very grateful that she kept him in her grip.

The sharp pain echoes against him, significantly dulled but he knows now that something is not right. He doesn't hesitate a second before firing. The red energy sizzles through the air and the Monai gives a loud screech. Rearing back in pain, it almost seems as though the creature is coming in for an attack...before flopping loudly to the side.

The Pampas is quiet for a few moments; wind and the slight din of Dwight's worry the only sounds. Until another slithering noise begins to grow. A loud screech and one of the steel chassis is flicked away like a toy by what has to be the largest of the three monsters so far.

Damn. Audrey...are you alright?

The Monai hovers, tasting the wind and staring straight at the Meister and her weapon.

She was shaking - when did she start shaking? - and Audrey managed to pull herself together long enough to jump out of the way as the creature dove straight for them, flying into the SUV and crushing it completely on one side. The sand sank beneath her feet, and she cried out again when her ankle twisted and she fell on top of her injured arm. Gasping loudly when she realized in the next second that her left arm wouldn't hold her weight - it buckled beneath her, sending painful shocks up her arm and through her shoulder when it did.

Dwight's concern was palpable through their resonance, and it made Audrey shudder as she kicked the sand, trying to get back to her feet.

I'm- I'm fine, she lies, though she knew he'd be able to tell something was wrong. She was sure her arm was broken, but there was a much more pressing issue - the Monai was getting back up, and it was obviously pissed.

Right then, she realized that she wouldn't be making it back to her feet in the state she was in, so Audrey rolled over, onto her back, and pulled herself into a sitting position, taking aim at the third - and hopefully final - monster as it thundered toward them. She held her breath and squeezed her eyes shut as her finger pulled the trigger.

The faster that thing died, the faster Dwight could tend to his partner. So the second he even feels the hint of the trigger being pulled he sends out a powerful bullet. The monai sees it coming and tries to avoid it, taking it straight through the eye. It thrashed a bit and in the distraction, Dwight changed back. His hand was in Audrey's but the bulk of his body was covering her. A human shield as the Monai went into it's death thrash; kicking dirt and debris around.

Dwight hissed at something hitting his shoulder but he's focused on the Mona. When the beast stills he carefully draws back, watching as the three bodies begin to disintegrate. He ignores it and focuses on Audrey.

"You're not fine. I...I felt whatever happened." He crouched down, "Lemme see."

What's going on behind the Cleaner is of interest though. The bodies finish disintegrating and where they had lain, three glowing, smoke shaped orbs are floating. Fluctuating and pulsing in a deep violet light.

She quietly breathed out a sigh of relief when she felt Dwight change back, and her hand instantly tightened on his own when she felt its warmth and roughness against her own palm. Audrey rolled onto her right side just a little, hiding underneath Dwight as dirt and sand kicked up all around them.

When it died down, she realized that she was shaking hard, out of breath, and exhausted beyond belief. Thankfully the enemy was dead now, and she hoped that was it. She needed a rest, desperately.

Shaking her head, she winced as she tried to scoot away from him, but her ankle was too weak and sore from twisting just a few minutes ago. Her arm was already beginning to swell, and she knew her ankle was too. "Pretty sure it's broken," she answered, jerking her head down at her left arm. Her entire body just felt like a big bruise, and Audrey could barely keep her eyes open anymore.

But there was something behind Dwight that caught her eye. She nodded her head gently at the floating orbs. "What- what're those?"

Edited (sorry! couldn't find the right icon) 2013-03-23 03:59 (UTC)

He bites the inside of his lip and nods. He doesn't touch her arm, just carefully looking it over. While he's looking around for some sort of a make-shift splint Audrey calls his attention to the odd glow. He blinks at the flicking light before frowning.

"Those...are souls?" He hadn't really been looking through the books to that level yet. He knew what he was supposed to do with them, but not why. He shrugs for a moment before shrugging off his slightly dusty flannel. "This is gonna hurt." He tears it a bit and after fiddling with a stick or two for a moment he manages a rather basic splint.

But the souls were still floating there, hovering a few feet off the ground and flickering every so often. Dwight rubbed his whiskers, "I need to get those in me."

Somehow Audrey managed not to scream too loudly as Dwight set her arm in the makeshift splint. Just a yelp here and there, and when he was finishes she sighed with relief and let herself fall back into the sand. She didn't care how dirty she was; she just wanted to get back to Death City, get a real splint and some Advil, and crawl into bed and not come back out for no less than a week.

That wasn't really in the cards, she knew, but boy did she wish it was.

She nodded, not really understanding but not really trying to understand either. "Go get them," she told Dwight, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment before opening them again and focusing on him. Despite the enormous amount of pain she's in - which is quickly transforming into a massive amount of soreness - she was interested in seeing what it was Dwight had to do with the souls.

Edited 2013-03-25 05:07 (UTC)

Dwight just gives her a rather apologetic look. It was a necessary evil...but he'd make up the pain to her. When she flops back he lets a small thrill of panic show on his face; then she nods. Which was good, it meant she was still awake...and still aware somewhat of what was going on.

"Yeah." How though? Soul Absorption wasn't something they taught at school. or the army, despite the joke there. He runs a hand through his hair before standing up and walking towards the nearest one.

The soul floats into his out stretched hand; it felt warm. With a small shrug he gathers the other two before turning to face Audrey. Okay...now what?

He felt a tingle on his back and he frowned in thought. Letting the souls hover in front of him, the Cleaner shrugged the back of his shirt up, giving a little hum of surprise when the souls moved around him and straight through the center of the tattoo on his back. He shivered and brought his shirt back down.

"Ok...let's get back. Now."

She tilted her head slowly as she watched the souls disappear around his body, the light dissipating into his back. Her eyes widened when it dawned on her what just happened.

"So... The souls are in you now?"

She scrunched her nose a little as he came back toward her. "Do you feel any different?" Her voice sounded raspy, even to her. Probably from all the screaming. She wasn't used to being so loud.

"That's what the books say." It was an odd thought, he could buy that he himself had a soul. Now it seemed he had three more in him? He shook his head and knelt down next to Audrey. "Lemme help you up."

He wasn't to sure how to answer her question though. There was something different, but it wasn't blatantly obvious. He had to actually focus a little in order to feel the slight increase of strength he now had.

We leave as one....We've just begun....[CLOSED]

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