RPGWW

by **Idran1701** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:31 pm

Acting quickly, Greg draws his sword, charging forward to impale the shadow in the back and knock it off of her.

by **Endesu** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:36 pm

The sword skewered the shadow as it brought its claws down. The attack immediately halted the shadow's own, its arms jerking back and its form successfully being diverted away from Jikuro's. It made something of a scream in protest as it almost immediately 'died'.

It seemed to disappear just as his own 'shadow' before had, leaving nothing but a bloody Jikuro in its wake. Greg could just barely hear the hissing of that woman once again, perhaps coming from just outside the house, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Jikuro looked bad. She was bleeding freely from several open wounds, most likely opened up by the shadow's claws, and her head had formed a large dent in the wall; most likely, the shadow had smashed her, head-first, to form said dent.

Edited by: Crawling Reshiki at: 6/29/06 13:45

by **Idran1701** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:49 pm

IM: Damn it!

He squats down and grabs her arm where ever it looks least wounded. Using another charge of his ring on her, he winces sympathetically at the extent of her wounds; as bad as she looks he has no idea how effective it'll be. Once it's used, he stands back up, and waits for her to regain consciousness.

by **Endesu** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:32 pm

(25 HP resored to Jikuro.)

Some of the blemishes and wounds cleared, mostly a few around the arms and head.

A moment or two passes as the healing sets in, and Jikuro coughs up a spurt of blood, eyes flickering slightly as she does so.

The eyes close forcefully and almost painfully before opening ever-so-slightly and attempting to focus on the area around her. They eventually come to rest upon Gregory as he stands there.

"... damn... bitch attacked me not long after you left..."
With that, she attempted to stand, although this didn't entirely work; the attempt simply caused the unhealed areas to begin to bleed, and she fell down with an anguished groan.

Following this, she weakly indicates a bag on the other side of the room, miraculously unharmed. "... bring that to me..."

by **Idran1701** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:36 pm

He heads over and grabs it, handing it to her, and nods.

"Same here. Think I pissed 'er off pretty bad, myself."

He frowns as he looks her over.

"Got a bit more healing on me if y' think y' need it."

by **Endesu** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:39 pm

She grabbed the bag and dug around inside it, shaking her head as she did so. "... no worries, I got it handled." She pulled out a roll of bandages and quickly began to bind up all of the wounds that were still open... and there were quite a few of them all over her, so this was obviously going to take a bit. "I warned ya about her, to be sure. Guess I shoulda expected her to come in on me, too."

She paused. "So you helped me out, huh?"

She then, completely unexpectedly, smiled at Gregory. No malice, no sarcasm, no cyncism, just a cheerful, friendly smile. "Thanks. Nice to know that money didn't completely go to waste."

by **Idran1701** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:49 pm

He smiles back a bit self-effacingly as he replies to Jikuro.

"Eh, no worries. Wouldn't look good for m' future prospects if I let th' person that hired me get killed. Just good luck that I was comin' back. Ah, and speakin' of..."

He takes out the folded piece of paper, handing it to her.

"She left this behind back in th' street when she ran off. Not sure what it means, though, unless it's just a list of targets. You know any of these people? Besides the Queen 'n' her sister, of course."

by **Endesu** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:57 pm

Jikuro continued to bandage herself up. "Well, that still means something to me. None of the other punks I paid ever showed their damned faces up again, so it shows how well you stick out from that crowd."

She paused and took the paper, inspecting it carefully. In particular, she seemed to be reading the small lines just below the assorted crowd. "... oh, yeah. Not only is this her list of targets, but she's added a note for you at the bottom, too."

She paused again as she looked over the people. "Mighta heard of them, but I've never met any of 'em personally. Though I think I do know what that thing is." She turned the paper around and indicated the floating one-eyed orb to Greg. "Wonder why it's targeted, too..."

by **Idran1701** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:02 pm

He takes the paper back and looks it over again, looking over the odd floating creature mainly.

"Oh? Never seen anythin' even close t' that sort of creature myself. Looks creepy, whatever it is. And this note's for me, y' say? What's it say?"

by **Endesu** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:07 pm

"It's... a sort of creature you'd likely never see on this world. Don't think too much of it.

And by note I mean that you've been added on as a 'hit' at the very bottom, since they didn't know about you until you started to investigate this case."

She finally seemed to finish binding herself up, and she stood carefully, stumbling a bit as she got up onto both legs, nearly falling back onto the wall behind her. "I guess this won't do as a base of operations anymore..."

by **Idran1701** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:10 pm

He chuckles at this, a bit incongruously for the situation.

"Well, glad they think so much of me. Anyway, looks like you're right. I'd offer up my place, but I doubt it'd be any safer in th' long run. You got anywhere else in mind?"

by **Endesu** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:17 pm

Jikuro seemed to think for a moment. "I don't have a whole lot of options... I don't really know as much as I could about this city, I guess. But I guess a tavern or inn of some kind would be best, for now. Know one that we could head to?"

by **Idran1701** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:23 pm

"Th' Ivory Horn's not bad. Owner's a little weird, though. Got a tree growin' in th' middle of the building. Other than that..."

He pauses as he thinks, and gives a light chuckle.

"...well, nowhere I haven't been banned from. Here, I'll show you th' way."

Waiting for her, he heads over to the open door.

by **Endesu** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:31 pm

"All right, lemme get my stuff together. Or whatever remains of my stuff, anyway." So saying, she walked around and searched through the torn and broken remains of... well, everything, pulling out a few books or papers that managed to come through unscathed, packing them away in her bag. She also stored her shattered gun in her bag, sadly going over it with her fingers before putting it into storage with everything else.

With this done, she joined up with Greg at the door. "All right, lead the way." She walked a bit uncomfortably with the many bandages binding her form, but she seemed to work with it just fine. "I've still got plenty of money, so just in case you don't have enough, I've got sufficient backup."

by **Idran1701** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:38 pm

"Thanks, but it shouldn't be necessary. It's a bit upscale, but not tha' bad."

Closing the door behind the pair out of habit, he heads towards the Ivory Horn, slowing enough to allow her to keep up in her current shape.

"So, why're you involved with this, anyway? You know the guy that got killed?"

by **Endesu** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:44 pm

"Well, I'm just thinking about all of the people that might need to be bribed for information in addition to rooming fees and all of that. You need to think ahead and work with other people's treachery to really get ahead, you know." She noted, speaking with what seemed a lifetime of experience.

She did walk a bit slowly, though she did her best to walk at a normal pace.

"No, it's not that exactly... it's the fact that... that woman is here. I had a feeling she was involved with all of this... and apparently she is. She's my main target, above all else."

by **Idran1701** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:50 pm

"Ah, didn't think of that. That could get spendy fast, couldn't it? Well, I'll see if I can't keep it from comin' t' that best I can. So, then, sounds like you've got a history with this woman?"

by **Endesu** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:55 pm

"Yeah, I've already found there are plenty of folk in this town open to cash..." She brought a hand into the air and seemed to count out a number of people over the same fingers repeatedly. "Not that I should name them, though I could piss them off a bit, within reason. Anyway..."

She turned rather solemn. "You could say that... I had a friend that I used to work with. It was because of that girl... because of her involvement, that this friend of mine ended up being shafted and sent someplace he should've never gone to. He ended up dying because of what she did... and I only found about it after I got out of some troublesome circumstances of my own."

She growled as she thought about it. "The bitch hurts everyone she meets, I think. The fact that she's out for a list of hits isn't surprising, especially if those people pictured are the ones I'm thinking of."

by **Idran1701** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 5:05 pm

At hearing the background between the two women, Greg's expression takes on a much more sincere cast.

"Ah. I'm sorry for your loss, Jikuro. I'll do my best t' put things right."

He gets the barest hint of a smile as he continues.

"If it helps any, got her rightly ticked off when she tried t' take me out. Wasn't for that fur, sure her face woulda' been pure red."

He continues on in an attempt at cheering her up, relating the events of the combat just minutes earlier.

by **Endesu** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 5:13 pm

"It'll only be enough when I find her and make her ass pay for what she did. ... I'll have to fix my weapon before then, for sure, but beyond that..."

She smiled slightly. "It is good to hear that that bitch was humiliated by you. She'll probably try even harder to kill you next time, but it's a small price to pay for showing her up, heh."

"Hopefully, I can show her up, too... which reminds me, to get another chance to take her out means that I'm going to have to figure out a way to bring her out of whatever hole she's hiding in."

The two of them would likely be approaching the Ivory Horn by now, though it would be Greg's initiative to lead the way in and know the way around.

by **Idran1701** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 5:20 pm

"Eh, wouldn't be th' first time someone wanted t' kill me after I've worked them over with a trick 'r two...wait a minute..."

He shows her into the lobby as he takes another look at that paper.

"...Hey, I have seen one of these folks before. I think. Didn't have th' tail then, but this guy with the fencin' sword 'n' coat...I could swear that...well...one o' those times I got a little bored sittin' around a tavern. Also one of the times I didn't get found out, luckily."

by **Kelne** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:22 pm

It was depressing how accurate his suspicions had been. In fact, that very accuracy was in itself rather suspicious. He'd posited a frothing lunatic, and lo, here one was.

Still, no time to ponder that right now. Kelne drew his sword and stepped into the man's rush, intending to let him impale himself on the blade with his own momentum.

Right now, he didn't have a particularly high estimate of the man's intelligence. Smart people, after all, should know better than to attack him. How dangerous he was was still open for debate.

by **Endesu** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:42 am

Jikuro looked around as she idly checked her bag, and then looked to the photo when Greg spoke. "Oh? So do you know his name?" She paused, and seemed to be trying to imagine what sort of tricks he may have been pulling with the unknown fencer, sighing slightly. "Do you think he could put the past behind him and help us? Your trick wasn't that bad, was it?"

***

As the man rushed forward, his very image seemed to blur - passing through the blade as if it were some sort of image - and came out on the other side as what appeared to be a woman of some sort, dressed in what was the splitting image of an Infinity soldier's uniform, minus the anonymonizing helmet/mask and the Infinity logos themselves.

She looked back to Kelne with a far from stable grin and swiftly gathered a burst of magic that flung her into the trees high above. As soon as she landed, she began skittering across the trees like a monkey, swiftly hopping from branch to branch with an unearthly accuracy.

by **Idran1701** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:28 pm

"Afraid I don't know his name, no. But i' shouldn't be a problem. Didn't even know it wa' me, really, and i' wasn't all tha' bad anyway."

He glances back at the picture, and continues.

"Not even sure it's th' same guy, really. Like I said, didn't have th' tail then. Might just be a coincidence."

by **Kelne** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:30 pm

Infinity. Well, that just figured, didn't it? Not being particularly inclined to go chasing the lunatic through the treetops, Kelne lined up a pistol shot, charging the bullet with electricity before loosing it.

And if that idn't work, the lunatic could just keep on scurrying through the treetops. This had all the hallmarks of a trap.

by **Idran1701** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:03 pm

(I will delete this post later if necessary, but until then:

SET A GOOD EXAMPLE, SAGE AND POST, YOU SCALLAWAG)

Edited by: [url=http://p068.ezboard.com/brpgww60462.showUserPublicProfile?gid=capntastic>Capntastic</A]

at: 8/19/06 22:21

by **Capntastic** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 7:52 pm

As End showed up, Kyle made quick to ask Fresca an important question before she took off for duty:

"You don't mind if I break out the good sheets on the guest bed, do you? As you can see, we have a very special guest."

His smile would very easily inform her that this Moogle was indeed End, the greatest dragoon/best pal ever. At least by the fencer's accounts.

by **Uncle Pervy** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 8:22 am

Fresca pauses for a moment, bringing a thoughtful finger to her lips.

"Only if he pitches in with that fence post. I swear that thing's going to rot out any week now"

by **Endesu** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 5:38 pm

Kelne's attack struck the seemingly maniacal being dead-on, apparently impacting somewhere around the stomach area, and for a moment, the attacker seemed to pause in its rampant charging-about amidst the tree-tops.

A moment passed before it continued, moving even faster than before, bearing a wound but clearly not bleeding or suffering any major damage.

Something would become clear enough to confirm Kelne's suspicions, however: the circular path of motion the being was going through appeared to be slowly forming a solidified cylinder or shield of sorts directly around the immediate area, taking on a somewhat bizarre red shade of color.

The being above took this time to spit out a round of maniacal laughter.

***

End approached the two somewhat slowly, making to appear as nonchalant as possible. "Uh, hi, Fresca! How's it been?" Clearly, he had not heard of potential labor involved with staying at Kyle and Fresca's ranch. He would likely have no problem with such, though.

***

Jikuro frowned slightly, putting the piece of paper away for now, it having no further immediate purpose. "Well, clearly, we need to follow through with some sort of investigating... better when it's earlier in the day, really, with more guards around. Seems to be getting a bit late now."

She paused, looking out. "And knowing her, she's likely watching the entire damned city for any signs of us, maybe even more so than her 'intended' hits."

Edited by: Crawling Reshiki at: 8/31/06 16:18

by **Idran1701** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:00 pm

Leaning against the bar, Greg thinks for a bit, mulling over Jikuro's words.

"Hmph. Maybe thi' place won't be quite so safe as I though', then. She good 'nough t' track us down, y' think?"

by **Kelne** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 6:56 am

Well, screw this. Kelne darted for the closest part of the circle, sword leading. Dispelling magics permeated the weapon as he set about shredding the enchantment. or at least cutting a large enough hole to make his escape.

by **Endesu** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 5:14 pm

Jikuro growled slightly. "Oh yes. Trust me, if what I've read is correct, she's taken down beings far better guarded than the two of us. Being inside is obviously a lot safer than being outside, due to the presence of a roof over our heads and all... but still... we have absolutely no guarantee as to our safety here."

***

Kelne's attack struck the shield hard enough to cause it to shudder, but not enough to break it; apparently, the time his attacker had spent building it had caused it to sustain enough strength to resist at least one attack, dispelling or no. He would have to try again.

As if on cue, his attacker from the tree-tops came swiftly spinning downward and landed with a light thud on his back, enough to knock the wind out of him but not enough to knock him down. The momentum of this motion set her spinning to the ground just behind him, where she immediately took a stance, laughing all the while.

by **Idran1701** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 6:08 pm

Giving off a brief, amused-sounding expellation, Greg gives a very light smirk.

"Don' take this th' wrong way, but I'd suggest sharin' a room. Sleepin' in shifts. Least that way we can wake each other up 'fore she kills us."

by **Endesu** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:55 am

Jikuro smiled slightly, just enough to let Greg know that she was taking the suggestion in good humor. "I get what you mean, and that would be a good suggestion. As long as we reinforce any windows, in addition to the door and any weak spots that may exist in the foundation of the rooms due to faulty construction, we may be safe."

With that, she began to look around, apparently inspecting the structural integrity of it all. "Well, we're settled with something of a plan for now. Go ahead and set up a room. You hopefully should have enough gil there."

To coincide with Jikuro's request, there was indeed a person standing behind a counter in the lobby, potentially waiting for a customer to approach and request a room!

***

A bit of time passed. Greetings were exchanged between End and Fresca, and though no certainties of labor were made in exchange for living on the ranch, the possibility hung in the air over End's head. The moogle was oblivious of such things, though, so no worries as of yet.

As Fresca had some work yet to do, including checking in on the affairs in Doma City at the moment, Kyle and End went off to the ranch.

End, after a bit of thought, began to talk again. "So... yeah. This ranch is definitely new. I take it everything's been going well with you these past few years?"

by **Idran1701** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:40 pm

"Heh. More'n enough, 'm sure."

And as Jikuro evaluates the strength of the walls, Greg heads over to the counter, getting the attention of the innkeeper.

"'Ey, lookin' f'r a room. A single, don' really care 'bout th' details othe'wise."

by **Kelne** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:27 pm

This was getting old.

Wary to his foe's tricks now, Kelne went on the defensive, blade poised to block and counter whenever she made her next move. All the while, he was quietly gathering in power to use in a particularly nasty strike.

by **Endesu** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:04 am

The innkeeper nodded politely to Greg. "Certainly, sir. We have plenty of rooms available right now. A single will come to a total of 500 Gil per night. Would you like to take advantage of our new 'Breakfest in Bed' offer? It's only twenty additional Gil extra."

***

The attacker, standing in that same pose, began to laugh again. She laughed as she stood back, beat her hands on her chest, and thrust them into the sky repeatedly, before flipping into a cartwheel. Said cartwheel ran into a tree. Said tree caused her cartwheel to fly into the air, bounce off a few branches, and break as she landed on the ground once again, standing relatively normally, now.

That is, before she stepped into her pose again.

"Kelne!" She spoke. Her voice drawled just a speck, belying perhaps just the slightest hint of a lack of intelligence. "Fancy runnin' into you here, son. We've been lookin' for you f'r some time. Hidin' like a lil' ol' rabbit from the big ol' baddies, are ya?"

Her pose remained. She wasn't attacking for the time being...

by **Idran1701** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:16 am

"...Fi' hunnert? Hmph. Nah thanks on th' breakfas', this's fine."

Counting out the night's fee, he slides it over the counter to the clerk.

"So when d'you kick people out th' next day?"

by **Endesu** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:21 am

"Shortly before lunch time the following day, sir. Have a good night." With that, the innkeeper handed Greg a key with the number '101' emblazoned on it.

One objective was accomplished. The next was actually getting to the room!

Edited by: Crawling Reshiki at: 12/4/06 4:27

by **Idran1701** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:36 am

Thus, to help along the accomplishment of this objective, Greg heads back over to Jikuro key in hand.

"Got us a room. Spendier than I norm'ly like, bu' hopefully it's worth i'. We've got 'til jus' 'fore lunch t'morrow."

Sighing, he continues.

"So, we have any plans 'til we start th' questionin' t'morrow, or we jus' turnin' in?"

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