[Nikolai leads the way up the flights of stairs to the top of the tower, while Jackson, Parrish and Lydia are led away down another hallway. When they reach the top of the stairs, it opens to a brightly lit dining room, where plates are being set for a meal.
In the far corner is a small, dark-haired girl, brushing the hair of a fashion doll. She looks up when the people come in, and when Rusty's eyes land on her, one hand curls into a fist at his side. Given she seems to be the only other living person in the tower, he can hazard a guess what she's here for.
Nikolai catches his gaze, and he smirks. "Still so judgmental, Russell? And here I thought you were coming around."
He grits his jaw.]
I just want to live my life and die. That's all I ever wanted.
( The dark-haired girl leaves the group uneasy, that a kid is involved in any of this -- but Ezra, especially, suspects who she is, searching for any physical sign of the link between her and Nikolai (4).
Max keeps his eyes trained on Rusty, and his attention on Rusty's conversation with the elusive member of the Inner Circle. He can infer Nikolai is one of the reasons Rusty has been reborn as many times as he has, one of the members that cursed him to the point of being a barista outside of Hershey, Pennsylvania.
To David, Ezra cants his head in the direction of the little girl. Do you see what he sees? (Or, doesn't considering his roll.) )
[David does see her, and he can hazard a guess why she's there. Given how sparse the tower seems to be void of other people, and Kirsanov spends most of his time isolated. Eventually the meat suit he's wearing is going to wear out, and he'll need another one.
Fortunately, however, she's too young to have begun any part of the ascension process, at least from what David abstractly knows of the rituals.
"That's all you want, eh? Let me guess. You brought me those presents to what? Buy yourself an umbrella to hide under? To hide until you're old and gray?" Nikolai grins as he settles into the seat at the head of the table. "I can provide you one of my cages, if you think it would suit."
Rusty grits his teeth.]
She's just a child.
["They're all children. Don't all children exist to provide for their parents in the end?"]
( Under his family's thumb, Max was always the dutiful golden boy, speaking when spoken to, and waiting for the next move to be communicated. Always ready to jump at a moment's notice. He has recently found his voice, and he's a bit tired of the narrative Kirsanov is spinning.
Not to mention, this will get old fast and this is about buying time. )
Forgive me if I'm a little slow on the uptake, but you're assuming we brought you a hellhound bonded to a banshee to put our friend Rusty here into witch witness protection?
["Russell is completely predictable that way. I can't think of anything else he could want from me. Meanwhile the rest of you, I assume this has something to do with the Gauntlet." He glances between the three younger witches. "Am I wrong?"]
There hasn't been a Gauntlet in over a century. Can you blame us.
( Old and not-so psychic. And he's reading more psychotic. In a quiet way. Max doesn't trust it, but apparently he's going to be the speaker in this. Is he invested in what's going down, or Rusty. Maybe the lines are blurring.
["No, I suppose not." Kirsanov watches them carefully, eyeing each of their faces as he takes in their expressions. "Though I'm not sure what you expect me to do for you. I have no heirs."]
Don't you?
[David's eyes drift to the girl on the floor, playing with her dolls. Kirsanov shrugs.
["I realize that we pitch it as a grand honor to participate, but if you're here, you see it for what it is, don't you? It's a culling." Kirsanov is so far on the outs that he has no reason to play nice to hold his pillar of power. No one cares about the monster collector in the Siberian tundra. "It means the crop of up and coming witches has been disappointing, and we'll wait for the next one."
Say it how it is. ( There is no more talking in circles. Just because they've wised up, doesn't mean they're here for anything else besides information. So, he lays it on thicker. ) We are our parents' disappointments. Along with the way the world works. Increasingly disappointing political moves. Diminishing returns in an everchanging modern landscape. They are out of touch and we are too radical. We think for ourselves. How dare we not stick to the party line.
("And forget marrying into it," Ezra says. "You're lucky to still be alive."
Max approaches the table. )
Marry who they want. Say what they want. Drop everything and do what they want.
("It's sad they think that's parenting," Ezra adds, in actual agreement with Max. )
[Nikolai's head tips to the side, a curious expression crossing his face as he considers them. "It's endearing that you still think this is all about parenting." It's a secret he's not allowed to tell, but he has a feeling that they already know. He can't think of another reason why they'd come all the way to Russia to see him - or to be so upset about a little girl.
He's lonely and isolated, but he's not stupid.
David's jaw grits, before straightening.]
There had to be some points where they were still our parents, weren't there? My grandparents were alive for part of my life. Also here's the part that I don't get: if they're just going to take over our bodies, why do this Gauntlet bit to kill us?
[Nikolai shrugs. "Your family's name wasn't always Gainor. We make due with what we have."]
[Kirsanov raises an eyebrow as he looks back at him. "Is this how the new generation negotiates? Just puts what they have on the table and expects us to read their mind for what they want?"
Kirsanov doesn't notice (7), but behind him a light starts flashing as some kind of signal is going off.]
["They survived because they won. Because they were cutthroat enough to do what had to be done. Because no, there is no out."
Unfortunately, his phone buzzes again, and this time he does notice (20). He glances down at his phone, and his eyes go wide in surprise, before turning and waving a hand at the wall behind him. The appearance shifts, and brings up multiple security feeds and all of them show the former prisoners charging up the stairs towards the top floor.
His eyes flash back to Rusty. "What have you done?"
Rusty shrugs.]
As I said - I just want to live my life.
[Kirsanov raises a hand, drawing flames into his palm and throwing it in Rusty's direction which he dodges (7 vs. 20) - time to fight!]
( Ezra's first action is to bring his hand up and close his fist. Everyone in his immediate vicinity gets a nice +2 bump to their rolls during the encounter to try ensure some positive outcomes.
At the end of his turn, his hand finds a knife in his back pocket, ready to use should he need to. )
[Rusty's fingers curl, fire licking around the edges before he plants them down on the long table in the middle of the room, setting a wall of fire between Kirsanov and the door.
David doesn't turn to the fight. David turns to the little girl. He begins speaking quietly to her in Russian, but before he can actually get her to come towards him, his neck jerks back as an invisible garrotte comes up around his neck (1 vs. 17) Sorry husband, but ones must stand.]
( It's Max's turn as he flares his fingers and tries bending Kirsanov's right leg back with a crack. (13)
Ezra's eyes go wide, throwing an "Abi!" at Kirsanov, trying to send him flying back. Do not fuck with his man! But he's also very suddenly worried, so it's a bit chaotically cast. (7) )
[There's a cry of pain as the leg cracks (5) and Kirsanov drops to the ground, as a result winding up just below Ezra's spell (8). However, it does have the benefit of releasing the garotte on his husband.
Rusty sends the flames flying backwards, down the table, pressing Kirsanov in further. He then steps around the edges of the flames so that he can get in closer, pulling a knife from his back pocket. Kirsanov looks up at him with a glare, and spits something at him in Russian.
Rusty grins.]
You too, old friend.
[And he brings the knife forward to shove into his chest (18 vs. 3). The man screams in pain, and throws up a spell to push Rusty back (11 vs. 1), and Rusty slides back away, though the knife remains in place.
David reaches for the girl again, pulling her into his chest as the footsteps on the stairs get closer, and the door is about to blow open (Initiative for Jackson, please.)]
( Max flings his hand out and turns it, like he's turning a doorknob, wraps his hand around the knife psychically and tries to pull it out and stab Kirsanov again (nat 20)
Ezra attempts to throw an "Invisique," at his husband and the little girl and gets a full on (1), so the table she was sitting at disappears.
Jackson kicks the double doors down to make his entrance and assesses the situation on his turn. He clocks David and a child, the witches, and all the fire. He uses his turn to head toward David and the little girl. )
[Kirsanov gives another grunt of pain (4) as the knife sinks in, and his eyes widens as the room begins to swarm with the creatures of his collection, all looking to get a piece of him.
Rusty steps backwards, giving the creatures the chance to get their revenge. He does turn and follow Ezra's lead, casting a don't-look-here charm on the little girl (20), and looking to the rest of the group.]
I'll wait to make sure it's done. You should get her out of here.
[David doesn't need to be told twice, and goes to move past the door, wanting to get the innocent girl out of there as soon as possible.
Kirsanov raises a hand, twisting it in the direction of the first creature to approach him (16 vs. 9), and the creature's femur breaks with a snap and a howl of pain.]
( Ezra gives one final look back, but follows his husband out of the danger, and flanks the two of them. no harm will come to this little girl on their watch.
max falls in line with rusty, staying close just behind him. he knows this is something rusty needs. he's not going to call him out on the sadism behind it. he does heal the creature (20) and that femur snaps itself back into place, making it good as new.
jackson holds off, hating the sound of cracking joints and bones. and his people are -- >> lydia, malia, are you out?)
[>> Almost. We're loading everyone into the vans now.
The creatures charge into the room and begin tearing in and while Kirsanov try to fling spells but eventually they pin his arms down and bear his throat. He glances back over to where Rusty is standing, and the other man simply smiles, though it's not a kind one.
He takes one step closer, before saying in Russian:]
I'm going to tear your house down, old friend. And I'm going to enjoy it.
[Then watches as the creature pinning him down tears out his throat. He waits as the flames creep up through the room, not choosing to move until he's sure he's dead. Until he watches another creature tear Kirsanov's head from his spine.
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everyonelives2024-08-12 09:53 pm
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In the far corner is a small, dark-haired girl, brushing the hair of a fashion doll. She looks up when the people come in, and when Rusty's eyes land on her, one hand curls into a fist at his side. Given she seems to be the only other living person in the tower, he can hazard a guess what she's here for.
Nikolai catches his gaze, and he smirks. "Still so judgmental, Russell? And here I thought you were coming around."
He grits his jaw.]
I just want to live my life and die. That's all I ever wanted.
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Max keeps his eyes trained on Rusty, and his attention on Rusty's conversation with the elusive member of the Inner Circle. He can infer Nikolai is one of the reasons Rusty has been reborn as many times as he has, one of the members that cursed him to the point of being a barista outside of Hershey, Pennsylvania.
To David, Ezra cants his head in the direction of the little girl. Do you see what he sees? (Or, doesn't considering his roll.) )
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Fortunately, however, she's too young to have begun any part of the ascension process, at least from what David abstractly knows of the rituals.
"That's all you want, eh? Let me guess. You brought me those presents to what? Buy yourself an umbrella to hide under? To hide until you're old and gray?" Nikolai grins as he settles into the seat at the head of the table. "I can provide you one of my cages, if you think it would suit."
Rusty grits his teeth.]
She's just a child.
["They're all children. Don't all children exist to provide for their parents in the end?"]
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Not to mention, this will get old fast and this is about buying time. )
Forgive me if I'm a little slow on the uptake, but you're assuming we brought you a hellhound bonded to a banshee to put our friend Rusty here into witch witness protection?
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( Old and not-so psychic. And he's reading more psychotic. In a quiet way. Max doesn't trust it, but apparently he's going to be the speaker in this. Is he invested in what's going down, or Rusty. Maybe the lines are blurring.
Ezra tenses next to his husband. )
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Don't you?
[David's eyes drift to the girl on the floor, playing with her dolls. Kirsanov shrugs.
"Not a magical one. At least not currently."]
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You were there when it started. Does the Gauntlet only ever end in one way?
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David sets his jaw.]
Maybe we're not the ones who need to be culled.
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( "And forget marrying into it," Ezra says. "You're lucky to still be alive."
Max approaches the table. )
Marry who they want. Say what they want. Drop everything and do what they want.
( "It's sad they think that's parenting," Ezra adds, in actual agreement with Max. )
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He's lonely and isolated, but he's not stupid.
David's jaw grits, before straightening.]
There had to be some points where they were still our parents, weren't there? My grandparents were alive for part of my life. Also here's the part that I don't get: if they're just going to take over our bodies, why do this Gauntlet bit to kill us?
[Nikolai shrugs. "Your family's name wasn't always Gainor. We make due with what we have."]
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( Which is the very opposite definition.
Max rounds the table, pacing as he talks.
"As a gesture of good will, we brought you a rare and auspicious find. So what you can you do for us?" )
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Kirsanov doesn't notice (7), but behind him a light starts flashing as some kind of signal is going off.]
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( He builds on his thoughts, joining the group in biding all their time. He doesn't draw attention to the light of the alarm. )
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Unfortunately, his phone buzzes again, and this time he does notice (20). He glances down at his phone, and his eyes go wide in surprise, before turning and waving a hand at the wall behind him. The appearance shifts, and brings up multiple security feeds and all of them show the former prisoners charging up the stairs towards the top floor.
His eyes flash back to Rusty. "What have you done?"
Rusty shrugs.]
As I said - I just want to live my life.
[Kirsanov raises a hand, drawing flames into his palm and throwing it in Rusty's direction which he dodges (7 vs. 20) - time to fight!]
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Max: 1
Ezra: 17
Two very different sides of the spectrum. )
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David 10
Kirsanov 8
The released monsters + Jackson will be arriving in 2 rounds - but for now, Ezra is up first.]
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At the end of his turn, his hand finds a knife in his back pocket, ready to use should he need to. )
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David doesn't turn to the fight. David turns to the little girl. He begins speaking quietly to her in Russian, but before he can actually get her to come towards him, his neck jerks back as an invisible garrotte comes up around his neck (1 vs. 17) Sorry husband, but ones must stand.]
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Ezra's eyes go wide, throwing an "Abi!" at Kirsanov, trying to send him flying back. Do not fuck with his man! But he's also very suddenly worried, so it's a bit chaotically cast. (7) )
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Rusty sends the flames flying backwards, down the table, pressing Kirsanov in further. He then steps around the edges of the flames so that he can get in closer, pulling a knife from his back pocket. Kirsanov looks up at him with a glare, and spits something at him in Russian.
Rusty grins.]
You too, old friend.
[And he brings the knife forward to shove into his chest (18 vs. 3). The man screams in pain, and throws up a spell to push Rusty back (11 vs. 1), and Rusty slides back away, though the knife remains in place.
David reaches for the girl again, pulling her into his chest as the footsteps on the stairs get closer, and the door is about to blow open (Initiative for Jackson, please.)]
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Ezra attempts to throw an "Invisique," at his husband and the little girl and gets a full on (1), so the table she was sitting at disappears.
Jackson kicks the double doors down to make his entrance and assesses the situation on his turn. He clocks David and a child, the witches, and all the fire. He uses his turn to head toward David and the little girl. )
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Rusty steps backwards, giving the creatures the chance to get their revenge. He does turn and follow Ezra's lead, casting a don't-look-here charm on the little girl (20), and looking to the rest of the group.]
I'll wait to make sure it's done. You should get her out of here.
[David doesn't need to be told twice, and goes to move past the door, wanting to get the innocent girl out of there as soon as possible.
Kirsanov raises a hand, twisting it in the direction of the first creature to approach him (16 vs. 9), and the creature's femur breaks with a snap and a howl of pain.]
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max falls in line with rusty, staying close just behind him. he knows this is something rusty needs. he's not going to call him out on the sadism behind it. he does heal the creature (20) and that femur snaps itself back into place, making it good as new.
jackson holds off, hating the sound of cracking joints and bones. and his people are -- >> lydia, malia, are you out? )
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The creatures charge into the room and begin tearing in and while Kirsanov try to fling spells but eventually they pin his arms down and bear his throat. He glances back over to where Rusty is standing, and the other man simply smiles, though it's not a kind one.
He takes one step closer, before saying in Russian:]
I'm going to tear your house down, old friend. And I'm going to enjoy it.
[Then watches as the creature pinning him down tears out his throat. He waits as the flames creep up through the room, not choosing to move until he's sure he's dead. Until he watches another creature tear Kirsanov's head from his spine.
Then he looks to Max and Jackson:]
Let's go.
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