Long Arm of the Law

[RPGWWer ChronoCatfish]

(OOC: Sorry all. Have to go for the next five days, about. Jak and Devon will have to continue their little argument later.)

[FF Fanatic 80]

>.O;;; After getting the little 'love tap' in the face from Kraken, Stephan stumbled off of his stool and hopped up to his feat, stumbling over to Kraken until they were nose to nose.

e.<;;; "..ey you... *HIC*.." Stephan slurred and growled, "I..dun care if yure a sehxy ba...bast...bassturd... noe bodie hits ME!! *HIC!!*


**Meanwhile**


O_O;;; "My word... you are quite right..." Midoku stammered, glancing over at the Inn, "We should hurry back before Stephan causes any further problems in his current state *>.>*;;;"

[Kotoki]

"Mmhm." Kotoki, smiling cheerfully, walked to the end of the alleyway.

To, unfortunately, find the exit surrounded by a number of guards. The leader frowned. "You're Kotoki?"

"Um... yes..." she started nervously. "That's me."

The man shrugged, drawing a sword and pointing it at her throat.

"You're coming with us. The mage too. Don't resist. It'll be useful to have you alive, but we have no qualms about killing you."

[Jak Snide]

Jak, a fist half raised to smach Devon, broke down to laughter instead, hearing Stephan. He was going to taunt him for months when he sobered up.

[FF Fanatic 80]

O_o;;; "Oh....dear..." Midoku choked out, spying the numerous guards covering the exit of the alley. Looking around Kotoki, he recognized their armor. They were from the same regiment that had knocked Stephan over earlier, while running through the street.

<.<;;; W...what should I do? The Blue Wizard thought, rubbing his hands along one another nervously, glancing at Kotoki and the rest of the alleyway, T..there's no way back out of here... and.. I can't do anything without hurting Miss Kotoki...

He could only hope, for both their sakes, that the Inn Keeper had a plan of some kind.

Edited by: FF Fanatic 80&nbsp; at: 7/25/02 2:47:03 am

[Kotoki]

Kotoki managed to keep silent, despite looking decidedly nervous.

"Right, hands in the air. Good girl."

And blinked for a moment before backflipping away from the guards. The sword slashed across her chin, and although she winced for a moment it didn't stop her from pulling her crossbow from her back and puncturing the guard's armour like a tin can.

The man, before falling to the ground, made a quick hand signal. Kotoki recieved a hit on the head from the guard that had snuck up from behind her. She crumpled unconcious.

A similar thump was given to Midoku. The two were slung over shoulders and carried off.

[RPGWWer ChronoCatfish]

Devon, characteristically, was quick to rebel once more.
"Wait, why do I have to clean my blood up when it was YOUR bloody chimera that made me lose it?"
"So slow the worker is in finding
That his work in truth's his binding." quoted Ashrem.
"Shut up," said Devon, "Noone asked you."
"I've noticed a tendency on the part of others to forget to do so, and as such take matters into mine own hands." Ashrem said sardonically.

[Jak Snide]

"You'll clean or there'll be more of a mess to clean up." snapped Jak, looking around. Where the hell had Kotoki gone?

(Maybe it's time of the exposition, dear?)

[Kotoki]

(No exposition yet, darling dear. Unless everyone's sick of char interaction.)

[KraKeN]

"Drink this", said Kraken, shoving the brown broth in Stephans face, "it'll make you feel better".

[RPGWWer ChronoCatfish]

"More of a mess?" Devon asked. "Why?"

[FF Fanatic 80]

...this one here will make a fine specimen... don't you agree...?

...yes...his magical affinity will do quite nicely for our 'research'...

...well then...let us get started...

...come on you... get out of the cage...

"...n..noo...g..go..a..away..." Midoku muttered, as he lay drapped over the guard's shoulder unconcious.


**Meanwhile**


Stephan sniffed at the drink briefly, before drunkenly trying to shove it away from his face, glaring at Kraken.

e.<;; "Oh...I get eet... dun shink I dun know wat ure tyin ta do ta me..." Stephan growled and slurred, "Ure tryin ta get me was...wast...smashed. Wellllll fux0r you man, ey ain't gettin drunk for yur enstert...entershma... amusin'."

"*HIC!*"

[KraKeN]

Kraken put the drink on the side and took a draught of his dragonale, "suit yourself mate, but you look pretty mashed to me, you can't get any worse, either way you can't loose."

"I mean look at me", said Kraken not giving Stephan a chance to reply, "I could have robbed you ten times over by now but I haven't. So why don't you drink the broth, feel better, tip old Kraken for his trouble and then go and find your magical lover friend."

[Kotoki]

Brandon blinked several times. "Wouldn't it be better to just give him a potion instead?" he asked, very carefully staying out of Stephan's line of sight.

[RPGWWer ChronoCatfish]

"Or better yet, to give me a potion?" Devon interjected.

[KraKeN]

Kraken turned to look at Brandon and winked conspiratorially, "A potion heals the body, this heals the mind. Plus its also relatively cheap."

[Kotoki]

Brandon, wishing feverantly that Miss Kotoki was back, smiled weakly. "If you're sure it'll work..." he started.

[Kotoki]

(Bump. ^_^)

[FF Fanatic 80]

Too out of it to yell at Kraken any further, as well as still a bit thirsty, Stephan suddenly grabbed the cup and downed the substance.*

(OOC: Sorry, will try to think of something better next time ^.^;;; )

[Molokidan]

Molo scratched his head. "Mr. Stephan, your bar tab is rather large...I can't keep track of it anymore." he said, handing some scrawls on a piece of paper to Kotoki. "I forgot what comes after 66..."

[Kotoki]

Brandon thought for a second. "It's sixty seven, isn't it?"

He stared at the Dark Knight downing the drink, compassion overcoming fear for the moment. "Erm... you're alright, aren't you?"

[Molokidan]

"67!? But I came to that so long ago. . .uh oh. . ." Molo scritch-scratched his mess of hair. "Err. . .I'm confused."

[Kotoki]

As the afternoon turned to evening, and evening turned to night, it became apparent that Kotoki and Midoku weren't going to return anytime soon. The general populace of the inn departed to bed.

Somewhere else, a figure blinked several times as the shackles on her wrists were unlocked.

"...You're letting me go."

"We have new hostages. Your job is to tell the prince that. We'll expect you back soon."

"And you think I'll return?"

"Her highness says it doesn't matter. He'll come, whether you come with him or not."

The figure, grabbing the soldier's sword in a swift movement, narrowed her eyes dangerously.

"...That bitch. How dare she drag commoners into a family affair."

[FF Fanatic 80]

While some members of the Inn were indeed asleep, one of them refused to do such a thing. Instead of being dressed down and sleeping soundly, the Dark Knight was on the streets, looking around for any information on where his significant other could be. Brandon had tried to convince the Dark Knight to rest and wait, but a glare of pure animosity quickly silenced the bard as Stephan left Kotoki's.

After four beatings, twelve interrogations, and one false lead to a rather large, angry woman in a huge red wig, Stephan was no closer to finding the shy Blue Wizard.

e.e+++ "Dammit... he has to be SOMEWHERE... I gotta find him..." he thought, his steps starting to become staggered. His body was tried and worn out from the combination of alcohol, Kraken's "sober brew", and fatigue. He rested against a nearby wall, blinking a few times as something bothered his eyes. Taking a gauntlet off to brush them, he felt something wet coming from his eyes, a small trail of tears.

,e.e, "...if... if I hadn't been acting like a @#$#ing moron..." he started chocking out loud to himself...

Edited by: FF Fanatic 80&nbsp; at: 8/18/02 5:31:10 pm

[RPGWWer ChronoCatfish]

Devon, after several muttterings of "There's no way all this is mine" and many displays of overall clumsiness, finally finished sweeping. He sat down a moment and, checking to see if anyone was watching, poured himself a mug of ale. His 'revoloution' had failed miserably, but, as the encounter with the royal guards showed, there would be something to do. He had some sort of Cause to take up. This would be regarded as a positive event in anyone other that Devon Ralning, who too up causes in the same way that others caught diseases. Devon then tore a piece of paper from the registrar and began to draw a plan for a palisade, on the basis that you couldn't go wrong with palisades.

---------------------------

There was at least one person in the inn who did NOT miss Kotoki. This person was Ashrem. It felt good to get some quiet in the inn for once. Well, unless you counted the continuous playing of Ashrem's lap-harp. Needless to say, Ashrem didn't. Something definitely appeared to be going on near the inn. He would have to find more information. And when things started to pick up, he planned to be a part of them, on general principles.

[Kotoki]

Brandon woke up early, as he tended to, and walked downstairs after a quick change. He hopped over the counter of the inn and began making a pot of tea.

[Jak Snide]

Jak kicked the door to the inn open and stalked in, scowling at the bard. He'd been out all night looking for Kotoki, and he hadn't found a trace of her. This did not make him a happy black mage. Not that he was happy all that much to begin with. Then again, all the walking around had given him time to think about who to blame for this.

"This is all your bloody fault!" he yelled, pointing a finger accusingly at Brandon, voice quivering with rage.

"You had to waltz in here with your f*cking problems trailing behind you and rob me of the only damn thing I care about! <font size=+1>I'm going to tear your f*cking , yellow heart out for this!</font>" he finished, slamming his dagger down into the bar next to him, having advanced on the bard during his shouting.

Edited by: Jak Snide&nbsp; at: 8/18/02 10:37:54 pm

[RPGWWer ChronoCatfish]

Ashrem looked up from his breakfast.
"'The dagger strikes, the venom kills, the mountain peaks have claimed lives, and be the mountain blameful if the climbers feel Death's scythe?'" he quoted, probably from one of his various writings. He then got back to his breakfast, which he had left out money to pay for. The money in question was in Devon's wallet; he had helped himself to the contents of thet kitchen as well. There were also a few healing potions that had disappeared in the night and reappeared in his pack.
"Hey, relax." Devon said to Jak. "Just lay off the 'spell components' and think this over."

[Kotoki]

Brandon closed his eyes and quietly prepared himself for what was no doubt going to be an intensely painful experience. He could probably fight back, but... as long as he didn't get killed, it would be fine.

'...I probably deserve this, anyway.'

***

The only damn thing that said black mage cared about had just woken up with a headache. Kotoki glanced around the semidarkness, trying to orient herself and failing miserably. She was in some kind of a tent, shackled hand and foot. And beside her...

"Hey," she whispered, elbowing Midoku with as much leverage as the handcuffs allowed her. "Hey, wake up. Wake up!"

[Molokidan]

Molokidan snapped awake, throwing off his covers and jumping off the bundle of blankets he slept on. His room was a smaller one in the back of the storage room behind the bar, so he heard Jak's scream as if it had been right next to him. He looked around frantically, and soon became calm, realizing that Jak wasn't yelling at HIM. He heard the slam of the dagger onto the bar, and slowly crept into the storage room, peeking around the corner to see what was going on. . .

"!!"

[Jak Snide]

Jak span to face Devon, glaring straight at him, eye meeting eye. The little sh*t was still cracking jokes, and the irate mage's anger was displayed clearly in his eyes. He suddenly spun back round, shoving Brandon into the bar before seizing him by the scruff of the neck.

"Where have they taken her, bard?" he growled, voice deep and quiet.

[FF Fanatic 80]

**With Midoku and the Captured Innkeeper**

...So dark... and cold...

Nothing but endless darkness met the Wizard's eyes, as he struggled to move toward something, anything. Eerie voices echoed around him, bits and pieces recognisable.


...week 7, subject 02 is showing increased affinity to magi...

...and WHY exactly can't I stab Jak? *HE'S* the one being a jacka...

...and for a small extra fee, he'll do *anything* you desire, even...

...*cough* I can't eat... *sniffle* I'm so sore... I...I think I'm gonna...


<.<? Hello? Anyone... Is anyone here...?

His feet felt like they were trapped in the shadows, no amount of effort causing his legs to move in the slightest.


...what will the council say when they find...?

...week 9, subject 01 is showing increased animal-like behav...

...who says they have to ever find out? No one cares anywa...

...My daddy found you, under some broken stuff from an airship...


ó.ò Please... talk to me... someone...

He glanced down, to find that he was not in his normal robes, but a pair of light, plain white pants, with a shirt made of matching materials. He gasped, finding that he had normal, pink skinned hands peaking out from his sleeves. He also appeared to be much smaller, his body that of an 8 or 9 year old.


...but, using such young...?

...and I keep dreaming of eating bunnies and rabbits... like a doggy...*sniff*...

...week 10 subject 03's health appears to be deteriora...

...they have no families, who will ever...?


,-.-, I'm... all alone... it hurts... they hurt me so much...

As his small tears feel onto his hands, bright red hairs began to form on the back of his hand, his skin becoming paler and paler unitl it started to change, becoming darker and darker blue. He gasped, as bright red hairs started to fall down along his face.

,<.>, I'm scared.. what's happening to me...?

The voices fell silent, leaving the scared and confused 'child' alone in the shadows. Tired of struggling, he sat down in the shadows, grabbing his knees and crying into them softly.

,,-.-,, ...I want my momma...

As his small cries echoed in the darkness, another sound met his ears from the surrounding shadows. It was soft at first, slowly growing in volume. As it did, a gentle light seemed to surround the young boy, the gentle mrrring noise filling him with a feeling of peace and content...

-_- ...sounds... so nice...

The child started to relax, laying his arms down by his sides and leaning back. He felt something warm behind him, feeling the vibrations of the mrrring sound from behind moving through his own small body. He looked up and tried to see what it was... but only made out a vague sillouette. It seemed to be a creature of some kind, definitely not human, and rather large. Oddly, he felt no fear from this creature, as it moved it's face down and nuzzled him on the cheek. The boy turned to the side and wrapped his arms around the creature, unconsciously making the same mrrrring noise that was helping him find peace.

-.- ...so nice...


*****************


As Kotoki tried to wake the sleeping Midoku, she heard a soft noise. Upon leaning closer to the Blue Wizard, she found that the odd, purr-like noise she heard was coming from Midoku himself...

(OOC: Thanks Cho for the writing tips.)

Edited by: FF Fanatic 80&nbsp; at: 8/19/02 9:53:33 pm

[RPGWWer ChronoCatfish]

Jak was suddenly conscious of being held at swordpoint.
"If you're attempting to kill someone on pure speculation, I'll have to intervene." Ashrem said. Devon looked down at what he had been eating before Ashrem had jumped from his seat, knocking down Devon's table in what was probably purposeful clumsiness. Devon then shrugged and proceeded to finish off the remnants (i.e. most of) Ashrem's breakfast.

[Kotoki]

Brandon shook his head. "No, it's fine. It's my fault that Miss Kotoki and Mr Midoku are gone, anyway... I have no idea where they could be. I'm sorry."

***

Kotoki raised an eyebrow at the purring, but shrugged it off as just another mildly different quality of the blue mage. "Come on!" she said, slightly louder this time. "You've got to wake up... I don't know how hard they hit you, but-"

"Shut up in there!" yelled a voice from outside the tent.

[Jak Snide]

Jak paused, considering his situation. On the one hand he wanted to fry Ashrem for daring to point a sword at him, and in his own home at that!

Then again, he also knew what sword did when rammed into body parts. And the bard would certainly be able to do that to him before he could turn around and cast a spell.

He let Brandon go, then yanked the dagger out of the bar, putting it back in it's sheath within his robes.

"Then what do you suggest I do, bard?" he said, not making it clear which bard he spoke to.

[RPGWWer ChronoCatfish]

"Patrol the streets." Devon interjected, getting a glare from Ashrem, who had probably been about to quote some obscure soliloquiy. "It's obvious someone must have seen them."

[FF Fanatic 80]

While Jak may have decided to momentarily spared the bard, someone else who had recently entered the Bar was rather pissed. What drove him over the edge was the simple words from Brandon he heard as he entered:

"It's my fault that Miss Kotoki and Mr Midoku are gone, anyway... I have no idea where they could be."

e\/e+++ "YOU LITTLE #$#@$!!!" Stephan shouted from the door, wasting no time in lobbing an ice spell right for the bard's throat.


**Meanwhile**

Midoku blinked a few times, the odd noises from his throat coming to a halt. He felt a sharp pain from the back of his head, and tried to reach for it. That was when he realized he was bound in rope. Hearing a familiar voice, he turned his head toward it, spotting Kotoki looking down at him, also tied up.

"...Miss Kotoki?" Midoku asked, glancing around the room, "Where are we...?"

[Kotoki]

Brandon closed his eyes again and tried not to flinch away from the spell. "I deserve this..." he chanted under his breath. "It's my fault, I derserve this, it's my fault..."

Halfway across the room, a blonde blur sprang from the inn door and shattered the ice with a clean swordstroke.

The girl had large green eyes and blonde hair tied into two loops that hung below her ears. She wore a simple, servicable red dress. She was clearly related to Brandon. She was also clearly no more than eleven years old.

Brandon, opening his eyes after a moment passed and nothing happened, gasped audibly. "Alissa!" he called. "Alissa, what are you doing here...? You should be back home!"

"Mother brought me with her." replied the girl calmly.

A look of confusion clouded the bard's face. "Mother's here? In Doma?"

Alissa nodded briefly before turning back to the door and Stephan. "I don't know who you are," she started quietly, "but anyone who hurts my big brother is walking dead."

***

Kotoki laughed nervously. "I don't really know... Those soldiers knocked us out, remember?" She looked up at the canvas ceiling and sighed. "I don't know how much time has passed. We could be anywhere... It's a bit cold."

[Jak Snide]

Jak looked at the little 11 year old girl. He almost groaned. He'd had enough experience with odd "adventures" to not be surprised when plain weird stuff happened. Such as a little girl striking a magical icicle out of the air with a sword.

"Whoop de f*ckin' do. Maybe I can get some answers now."

He paced towards her, giving Stephan a glance which said "let me handle this."

"Alright, girly. I'm guessing that you're the sis of the-cause-of all-my-troubles-as-of-late." he said, thumbing in Brandon's direction.

"I'm also guessing you aren't a spineless, pathetic wretch. Which means you won't break down in terror if I ask you a few questions. Such as where the bloody hell a certain person is, and what the hell you, your bro and your inn invading, thick as sh*t guards are doing around here."

He wasn't in the mood for this at all. He wanted to find Kotoki, get her back and incinerate the one responsible for her kidnapping.

[Kotoki]

Alissa regarded the green robed mage for a few seconds, then shrugged. Sheathing her sword, she hopped up onto the bar counter.

"I am here because my mother was using me as bait in order to get my big brother. She and the guards are here because they are chasing him. He's here because..."

Her expression softened slightly, and she turned to Brandon with a slight sad smile. "You're still looking for him, aren't you."

"I'm not doing well," replied the bard with the same smile. "Every time I think I'm getting somewhere it turns out to be a false trail... I don't know if I'll ever find him at all..."

Alissa's smile grew slightly more confident. "You will." she said with conviction. "And when you do, give me a call. I swore I would slice his intestines out and feed them to him." She offered her brother a hug. "It's good to see you again, Brandon."

He smiled and hugged back. "The same to you."