tabularasa_rp | Sentinel of Tears

Entry tags:

Sentinel of Tears | Open

Who: Hornet + anyone who tries to investigate the City of Tears
What: Go exploring, get stabbed.
Where: Messiah, the City of Tears
When: Just about any point in July
Content Warnings: Possible violence.

[Hornet has a great many problems with this land she has found herself in. Her silk is gone, the creatures are either too affectionate or incredibly eager to bite her, and worst of all, it's torn her away from her duties.]

[...Well, the last one isn't entirely accurate. Certainly, this is not her kingdom— but she found a piece of it on the beach, and with further investigation, she found more. The City of Tears is just a little bit off, encased in an odd structure, infested with unnatural constructs, and with parts seemingly fused with technology she doesn't recognize. But the city streets are there, and beyond the fury of seeing a piece of her kingdom further defiled she is relieved by the familiarity. And then, once she's satisfied her curiosity about what has changed about it, she settles in to do what she always does.]

[Guard it.]

The Front Entrance

[Those who approach the structure in the sea will find the entrance easily, given that it's a massive hole in the side. What they will also find is Hornet, stood at attention with her needle in hand. Some may find it comical, a single person standing guard for an entire city, but Hornet refuses to acknowledge that.]

[The moment you come within shouting range, Hornet whips her needle out and points it squarely in your direction.]

"Halt! State your business."

Inside

[Despite her diligence, some erstwhile explorers may find their way into the city regardless. Perhaps you find another entrance, or slip in while Hornet is absent on patrol— but one way or another, you make your way into the City of Tears unaccosted.]

[That's not to say you'll stay that way.]

[It may start with a flicker of red cloth, or a distant crash of steel, or a cluster of cans scattered and reeling like something worse just tore through their group. Whatever sparks it, you're starting to think there's more than just robots in this city, and whether or not you'll leave in one piece depends a lot on how respectful you've been.]

Darkness

[After light starts being a proper thing, patrolling the inside of the city becomes a much harder task. Not even Hornet can see in the dark, and coupled with erratic winds she deems it far too troublesome. It's not like any intruders could see better than her.]

[Still, it's her city. Self-appointed she may be, but she refuses to give up her role as guard. Thus would anyone coming to explore or pay a visit find her knelt just within the darkness, her needle driven into the ground for stability against the winds. Odds are she hasn't moved in days, if time can even be measured in a place like this. It's probably fine.]

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"Why don't you state your business?"

[Bowser isn't really prepared for a fight. Without his powers, he's armed only with a pipe weapon. However, he refuses to let that stop him from trying to pick one anyway.]

"I would think it obvious, given the circumstances."

[Hornet has no guarantee of success either, lacking the razor-sharp thread that makes up half her arsenal. Not to mention, this intruder is at least twice her size and full of bravado.]

[Let it not be said that Hornet backs down lightly.]

"Leave this place, dragon, before I am forced to escort you out in pieces."

"Sorry, buddy, but this is way too big a stone for me to leave it unturned." [Bowser says this lightly, as if it's a joke, but becomes more serious.] "I need to know if there's answers here. I need to explore this place, guard or no guard. If you're gonna stop me..."

[Bowser takes a fighting stance.]

"I've been itching for a fight since I got here. So go ahead; I'd like to see you try."

[Hornet echoes the movement, stance wide and needle on full display.]

"So be it. You've heard my warning. Garamah!"

[A flared cloak is the most warning Bowser gets before Hornet launches forwards, needle-first and aimed for his chest. The faster she can drive him back, the faster she can be done with his arrogance.]

[The speed of Hornet's attack was almost surprising. Nevertheless, Bowser was ready.]

[While Bowser has lost nearly all of his powers, his shell has remained as sturdy as ever. So he attempts to simultaneously block the attack and knock down Hornet with a tail swipe. He spins so that the needle will hit the shell and so that his tail will hit the enemy's legs, hopefully knocking Hornet down.]

[Hornet's needle skates harmlessly across the surface of the shell, whatever force could've been there diverted as she is forced to dodge over the tail.]

[She doesn't stop moving, instead taking advantage of the spikes like a living climbing wall. Hornet darts up Bowser's back, careful to avoid the points, and stabs down from there.]

[Bowser is momentarily confused by Hornet's percieved disappearance. However, upon feeling something climbing up his shell he reacts instinctively. Bowser falls backwards while retreating into his shell.]

[Hornet yelps as the shell drops, slamming her into the ground. She's dazed from the impact, slow to scramble back to her feet before making to thrust into the openings of Bowser's shell— if he's still in it.]

[Bowser uses the time in which Hornet is dazed to return to a standing position. When Hornet attempts to attack with the needle, he tries to divert the needle with the L-shaped pipe weapon, and follow that with a punch.]

[Hornet's needle is indeed diverted, but she follows the movement to twist around Bowser's punch. Her needle spins, and with a backwards movement she aims to score a cut down Bowser's arm.]

[Bowser is unable to escape the needle this time, and as his arm is cut he cries out in pain. His instincts tell him to shell dash out, but he has to resist, knowing such a move is impossible. So he uses his left hand to attempt to strike Hornet's head with the pipe.]

[Cole took it upon himself to explore as much of this place as he can, even if it's not clear what exactly he should be looking for. His own theories involve finding a person or a demon who is responsible, knowingly or not, but whatever is behind this might not be something so easily defined.]

[But everyone he's met wants answers, so he's trying his best to find them.]

[Still, this isn't the easiest place to search. The outside was enormous, and the inside is expansive too, and it's not like there are any maps to help. He's also pretty damp at this point, from his less than graceful attempts to get across the water to get here, coupled with the "rain." At least his hat helps keep him from getting too soaked.]

[After fending off some of the metal creatures with his daggers, he's tried his best to avoid them, since they seem more or less content to leave him be if he stays well enough away from them. It seems like they're the only living(?) things here, at least...]

[...Until he hears that metallic crashing noise not far off, as if a bunch of those creatures just went flying. Is someone else here? Or something? Rather than avoid it, he draws his daggers just in case and heads toward the noise to see what caused the ruckus.]

[Despite Hornet's best efforts, not all the cans have learned to leave her alone. Some have, whatever vestige of intelligence is rattling around inside their heads giving them the sense to leave her be after the initial round of claim-laying, but others are territorial enough to try again.]

[Unfortunately for them, Hornet is just as territorial, and entirely adept at fighting hordes of clumsy oafs. It's her city, and she does the harassing.]

[There's another crash paired with a shout as Hornet swings her needle like a bat, sending another pair flying. They crash down the street, sending up a spray as they careen past Cole and over the edge to sink into the canals below. She takes a moment to breathe, not slipping from her battle-ready stance even as the last few cans finally take the hint and scamper away.]

[She has her back turned, like she hasn't noticed Cole's approach.]

[He comes close enough in time to see those creatures go skidding past and into the water. He stops, looking for the source of the commotion.]

[It's not someone he's seen before- or is that one of the creatures of this place as well? Normally he wouldn't have to wonder... but he decides that's not likely since they're holding a weapon.]

[Still, it's for that same reason he doesn't sheathe his daggers yet. Though he's not in any fighting stance, just holding them at his sides.]

Are you all right?

[Another thing he should already know, to some degree. But he has to use his words if he wants answers, now.]

[Hornet spins, puddles spraying and steel flashing as her needle stops inches from Cole's neck. Precision, not cowardice, is what holds her back from cutting flesh.]

"Worry more for yourself, interloper. You have no business here."

[He flinches back, but doesn't flee or raise his daggers, though the urge to is there with a weapon held at his throat.]

I don't want to fight you! I'm looking for answers, to help.

"Answers you shall not find. Believe me, I've looked."

[It is no small part of why she keeps leaving her post at the entrance; the thought that there may be something she missed. There never is, but still she persists, and so too do others.]

[Her needle shifts closer, the edge barely brushing skin.]

"Have you the sense to quit while you've a head?"

[He's not sure why they're threatening him, but then, it wouldn't be the first time he was unwelcome.]

If this place yours? I'm just trying to help everyone find answers. If you don't want me to be here, I'll go.

[Her eyes narrow, considering him. After a moment, she huffs, withdrawing her needle back behind her cloak.]

"Indeed it is, as much as it can be in this warped state, and I am its protector. Be respectful, and I may escort you to the perimeter unscathed."

[Oh, good. He was getting pretty worried he'd have to fight for a minute there.]

I didn't know. If you've already looked, then I don't mind leaving.

[It's a big place, but if it's theirs then they would know better than him if there's anything out of the usual to be found here. He sheathes his daggers.]

"Let us proceed, then."

[Hornet wastes no time turning Cole around and leading him back the way he came, keeping him within her sights at all times. After a moment, she speaks.]

"You say you are seeking answers for others. Others taken to this place, I presume?"

[He's just the slightest bit on edge as he follows her- not because he's afraid of what she'll do, but because they could run into more of the metal creatures and he doesn't have his daggers out. But he doesn't want to seem threatening to her if he can help it, and she seems capable enough herself.]

Yes, everyone. You too, I think, if you want answers, or to go home. Anything I can learn should help everyone. That's why I'm looking.

[ while Raihan would rather not get stabbed, what he does want to do is go exploring! he's combed Hammerlocke in its ruinous state for any clues as to how it ended up that way, but hasn't found a thing yet. without any leads, his only real option is to expand his breadth of exploration and check out other areas.

his attention is drawn to Messiah because of the way it quite literally sticks out - its structure is something of an eyecatch along the beach shoreline. he's hesitant to bring Duraludon along with him - he might be lighter than Raihan is, but he certainly isn't as buoyant - but his partner insists on taking the risk, and tying a stray piece of rope to their makeshift rafts ensures that they can stay together for the short journey to the city. they thankfully make it in one piece, but each step into the structure brings more and more questions.

it's definitely a city, but not one that looks very lived in. the gothic architecture contrasts the medieval Galarian style found in Hammerlocke, but the deafening silence is something that they definitely have in common. the wind helps to break it, but both he and Duraludon have to pause and dig their feet into the ground to make sure they aren't blown to the ground with a particularly harsh gust.

though his eyes are adjusting to the darkness, getting deeper into the city where the inky blackness threatens to swallow them up doesn't sound like a great idea. he'll have to return when he has a proper torch... at the very least, Duraludon's yellow eyes are a comfort to see as he looks around. as far as Raihan is concerned, they're alone... until Duraludon turns suddenly, straying a few feet away. Hornet will find the gust of wind threatening to knock her over suddenly stopping, thanks to the six foot tall steel creature looming close to her and blocking it off. ]

Hey, Duraludon! Did you find something?

[Hornet is aware of the intruder, of course. Even without seeing them come in, there's clearly no effort being made to stay quiet. She'd have headed them off before they'd made land, but the wind is strong and she doesn't relish the idea of it blowing her into the ocean. So she waits, watches, and listens for if they go farther in.]

[Her mind strays despite herself, and it's in a moment of lapsed attention that the wind stops. No, it doesn't stop, the sound of it still howls around her—]

[She tilts her head back, meeting the creature's gaze. The yellow glow in its eyes sets her on edge, though she notes it's not the same shade as what plagues her homeland. Still, it's uncomfortably similar, and infected or not she doesn't like having something so close to her.]

[She stands and pulls her needle from the ground in one motion, stepping back to put some distance and a blade between them. Her cloak whips around like laundry in a hurricane, but she'll manage. She waits for its next move.]

[ there sure wasn't! it's not as if Raihan was looking to make a ruckus, or even that he's a particularly loud person, but he isn't exactly whispering when he speaks to Duraludon. though the wind is strong, both of their frames are large enough to hunker down until the gusts decide to die down. Raihan is no stranger to intense weather conditions, though it's usually him controlling them on the pitch rather than experiencing them as they run amok.

while Raihan stays a few feet away looking elsewhere, Duraludon doesn't move to approach Hornet when she jumps away. he simply watches, making sure that she isn't going to make any threatening movements towards him or his human partner. should she try, he'll be ready - he's faster than he looks.

when Raihan finally joins him, he squints into the darkness to try and look at what's caught Duraludon's attention. he can't quite make it out, but he could have sworn something moved... ]

...Anyone there?

[Hornet's eyes are wide, darting between Raihan and Duraludon. Imaginary math swirls around her head, and then she settles her stance and steps forwards, gently encouraging Duraludon to back up with the tip of her needle. No outright attacks, just prodding.]

"Indeed."

[Stepping out of the absolute darkness, she cuts a spooky figure. The wind catches in her cloak and threatens to knock her over again, and she once more twists her needle to stick between cobblestones and hold her steady.]

"I must ask for you to leave this place."

[ unsure what to make of the prodding, Duraludon doesn't move initially. he only takes a step back to stay at Raihan's side, but remains ready to move between him and Hornet if need be. though he's usually a lighthearted person, being in the dark with someone that clearly isn't human makes him feel like he should go at this a little less casually than normal. ]

Sorry, we didn't mean to intrude. Just trying to get the lay of the land.

[ he puts his hands in front of him, palms open to show that he's not armed - it's the honest truth! he really just wants to get to know all of the different locales, but is also concerned with seeing if they're in a state of ruin like Hammerlocke was. here, however, he can't exactly tell. ]

Is it yours? This place, I mean.

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Sentinel of Tears | Open

The Front Entrance

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Inside, sometime before the wind & light changes

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darkness

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