Shrike's Heart (#1)

[idolpro]

The woman before you is beautiful—fair of features, with lovely golden skin and luxurious long black hair, petite. You have the immediate and distinct impression that she's just let go of your hand, and she steps back, and smiles.

It's not quite a happy smile.

"I'm sorry," she says. "There's just nothing I can do, as things are. But the way is there; it just needs to be lit."

You open your mouth—maybe to say something, or to express confusion—but you have to cough, and taste something metallic, spattering black blood onto the ground in front of you. Then you realize—blood seeps from opening wounds in your arms, your chest, your stomach, your face. It rims your eyes and trails from your nose and you feel like you're dissolving—

—and you fall through the ground like it's the surface of a lake, and go down, down, down.

> Wake Up

Comments

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[handpuppets]

Eyyyyyyooooo, it's about time you showed up.

[ He twirls a knife between his fingers. ]

They barred the doors; isn't that inconvenient? If you're strong, help me out.

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[syncintohell]

I may not have stamina to my name, but I do have strength.

[ Also an Axe, now, apparently. ]

1/2

[handpuppets]

Thanks, thanks~ You're really more agreeable than most, they'd just tell me to do it myself.

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[handpuppets]

[ The doors are heavy wood, but break down after a long few minutes of applied force; the burst open onto a dimly-lit large parlor, full of huddled forms.

The man who asked for your help grins, and throws the knife between his fingers—preparing to throw it at a target. ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[syncintohell]

[ Shu is going to wheel around and grab his wrist ]

I am not quite that agreeable.

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[handpuppets]

Hey, hey, c'mon, man, lighten up!

[ a fellow in the center of the room—older, and a little better-fed—scrambles back, out of the way, to hide behind some of the other people, who have all started a low-volume panic. ]

See, that guy knows why I'm here, right? I told him, surrender the city and we make you rich, it's great, but nah, he just wants to use all these people as meat shields for his evaporating career path or whatever.

Great for me, though!

[ god where did he get like. six other knives ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[syncintohell]

He is scum, without a doubt, but after hearing what you had to say, I doubt any of these people here would be willing to protect him! Is there any particular reason why his death is necessary when we have already taken this city?!

[ HE IS GOING TO GRAB THE OTHER WRIST!! Which is difficult while still holding onto the axe, but he'll manage ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[handpuppets]

That's a great joke, buddy.

[ sssssso he headbutts you. ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[syncintohell]

[ OW.

He's going to kick him away, though he's not really combat trained all he has going for him is raw strength ]

Cease that!

[ he's also going to throw a glance over at the people. Are they actually protecting that dude or not ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[handpuppets]

[ they're mostly losing their goddamn minds because knife guy just got into a fight with axe guy and they're not sure who they want to win. Some of them are escaping up the large staircase—this is one of the few multi-story buildings in this city—while others are trying to escape via the windows.

thankfully this fucko is not particularly a stamina build either so he goes down, onto his back. but he is combat trained, so he's getting to his feet faster.

on the other hand, you weirdly feel more combat-capable, here? ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[syncintohell]

[ WEIRD

He's going to grapple him and then literally throw him at the heavier-set dude then, if no one is in the way. ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[handpuppets]

[ weird!!

literally no one is stopping you; you just yeet him into the front of a building and it rains knives. there's a sound of movement like he's not yet down for the count, but you sure are apparently able to chuck him through a window. ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[syncintohell]

[ Huh. Well, time to jump out the window behind them, as one does.

Is there anyone between KNIFE GUY and his target, like bystanders that the guy was trying to hide behind like before ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[handpuppets]

[ not anymore, basically. people have scampered pretty damn fast, including the guy's target. ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[syncintohell]

[ WELL, he's going to go after the target then, hopefully he's still down from being thrown out a window. Knock him down and put a boot against his chest to hold him in place. ]

You. Speak with me now, do you wish to live?

[ He's leveling the axe because he gesticulates when he talks, but it's probably unnecessarily threatening. ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[handpuppets]

O-of course I do!

[ holy shit what the fuck he looks terrified. ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[syncintohell]

Then understand if you make this choice, you will have to work for your life. You will have to suffer for what you set into motion, with your betrayal. I will have you replant this fruitless earth, no matter how useless.

[ IS HE TERRIFIED ENOUGH TO AGREE ]

Death is a kindness. A release from this mortal coil, and what it would do unto us. I have heard very little about you that is worthy of mercy.

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[handpuppets]

[ he is ABSOLUTELY MCFUCKING TERRIFIED ENOUGH TO AGREE and just nods, a lot, ]

A-anything you say, merciful one!

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[syncintohell]

Should you fail or give up, remember who controls this territory, and that there are those who thirst for your life. I can always change my mind, as can you. The choice is always yours.

[ And he'll remove his foot to turn again to face the smiling man with knives ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[handpuppets]

[ the older man just absolutely gets the fuck out of there, while the guy with the knives is wiping blood off his face from going directly through glass at one point. ]

What's your deal, anyway.

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[mind_blown]

-- What the fuck.

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[syncintohell]

Yes? Do you need something, or have you not done enough damage already?

[ He has his foot on a man's chest and is leveling an axe at him what's so weird about that?? ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[claestrophe]

[ She's not sure why we're terrorizing people with axes and speeches today, but.... if her unitmate's friend wants them to replant the fruitless earth, well. She can start here?

She'll take a few seeds from the sack and plant them in the ground, here, at the mansion. Because why not. ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[softlyfalling]

[ oh, bless. a good girl. ]

Re: THE BATTLEFIELD

[claestrophe]

[ SHE TRIES. ]

--And this one's for Peepaw!

[ who went ahead. she pats the ground. GROW BIG AND STRONG, SEEDS.

She'll go ahead and head on now, to the barracks. ]