Mothra, 8:17 P.M.
The unisex bathroom was a mess. The floor was encrusted with a layer of dirt, grime, and questionable stains. Graffiti scrolled across the four walls, and the sole toilet was missing its seat. A sorry state, for sure, but expected - after all, the gas station was right at the border of the slums.
Mothra was hovering over the running sink, constantly splashing her hands and wiping her face. She had already switched out of her monster form, removing the blood from her clothes. But that didn't remove the blood that splashed across her face and hair. The process was more difficult than expected: the young girl only came to her senses just a short time ago, and by then the blood of the undead had long since dried. Mothra's hands latched onto both sides of the sink, a frustrated grunt escaped her lips as she peered into the broken mirror to inspect her progress.
Clara wasn't the first person Mothra killed; She was actually the third. It still harrowed the Mahou Kaiju, though. It was self defense, yes, but all Mothra could think was the sickening crunch her talon made when it entered the undead woman's brain case. Another wave of emotions ran through her, and she returned to splashing her face with twice the vigor of before.
It was fifteen minutes later when Mothra finally exited the filthy restroom. Outwardly clean, yet the teenager still felt dirty inside...
Mothra (Acting as Lora):
Pit Pat Pit Pat
Water dripped from Lora's hair onto the carved-up bench. The broad windows to her right sported a view of the highway, allowing one to see the fast-moving head- and tail-lights. Yet her eyes were drawn down to the artifact in her hand. The teenager can sense the souls trapped within, but they were just vague shapes - much like someone you only know in a distant memory. There's no telling if Joshua was in there, or if he was a twisted puppet like Clara.
The only way to know for sure is if she finds Eru.
A name, a face - one would expect that to be enough to find someone. But the city was vast and multi-layered, each district a miniature mock-up of a nation with its own rules, laws, and distinctive character. It wasn't so much as trying to find a needle in a haystack as trying to find a needle in a needlestack...
Lora rubbed her eyes. The day has taken its toll on her, and she was feeling it. She just left the body there in the alley. Another bout of revulsion shook her body. She killed someone, and had nothing to show for it.
Thorra
Thorra wasn't picky. She walked up to a vending machine and gave it a solid whack, sending a surge of electricity through it and causing it to release a torrent of delicious snacks, and only slightly cracking the glass and leaving a small dent on the side.
"Hmmnnnn..." She muttered, crouching down and pulling out bag after bag of chips and pretzels. She turned her head, staring at the tiny distraught girl sitting upon a bench near her.
She looks like she's seen some stuff. She thought idly, walking over to the bench and plopping herself down. She hang herself from her finger, swinging herself back and forth, and then offered the girl a bag of chips.
"So, what's your deal? Why are you hanging around such a dilapidated, terrible part of this city, little girl?"
Thorra
Thorra wasn't picky. She walked up to a vending machine and gave it a solid whack, sending a surge of electricity through it and causing it to release a torrent of delicious snacks, and only slightly cracking the glass and leaving a small dent on the side.
"Hmmnnnn..." She muttered, crouching down and pulling out bag after bag of chips and pretzels. She turned her head, staring at the tiny distraught girl sitting upon a bench near her.
She looks like she's seen some stuff. She thought idly, walking over to the bench and plopping herself down. She hang herself from her finger, swinging herself back and forth, and then offered the girl a bag of chips.
"So, what's your deal? Why are you hanging around such a dilapidated, terrible part of this city, little girl?"
Mothra:
Mothra was so caught up in her little world that she didn't noticed she had company until a bag of chips plopped right down in front of her. "Gyah!" she squeaked, nearly dropping the artifact she was boring her eyes into just moments before onto the floor. The moment she laid eyes on her new companion, the teenager's face turned a deep shade of red, right up to her ears. This blonde woman was wearing a cape and practically nothing else. Was she a...lady of the night?
"So, what's your deal? Why are you hanging around such a dilapidated, terrible part of this city, little girl?" the stranger asked.
"I am...uh..." The blonde sure was pretty, Mothra had to look away to refocus, "I am looking for someone."
Thorra
Thorra cocked her head, looking down upon the plain looking teenager with an unerring focus. She threw a fistfull of her chips inside her mouth, staring intently at the little gadget Mothra held.
"What's that?" She scooted closer and reached out, grabbing it with blinding speed. She turned it over in her hands, staring at it intently. "I've never really seen anything like this before, but it smells funny..."
Thorra
Thorra cocked her head, looking down upon the plain looking teenager with an unerring focus. She threw a fistfull of her chips inside her mouth, staring intently at the little gadget Mothra held.
"What's that?" She scooted closer and reached out, grabbing it with blinding speed. She turned it over in her hands, staring at it intently. "I've never really seen anything like this before, but it smells funny..."
Mothra:
Before she could react, the stranger snatched the mystery device right out of her hands, "He-hey! Give that back!" Mothra demanded, throwing her body over the table in a panicked bid to reclaim the object.
There were souls trapped inside the gadgt, and who knows if tampering with it could damage, or worse, destroy those unfortunates within.
Thorra
Thorra handed the thing back after a few moments. "You're looking for someone? There's clearly more to it than that, I can sense the power held within that trinket of yours."
She smiled. "You're not really a normal girl, are you?"
Thorra
Thorra handed the thing back after a few moments. "You're looking for someone? There's clearly more to it than that, I can sense the power held within that trinket of yours."
She smiled. "You're not really a normal girl, are you?"
Mothra:
"Well, I, uh..."
Mothra fell back to her seat, once again turning her gaze downwards. Truth be told, she's just too tired right now to continue the facade. "You're the first one who could tell," the teenager stated, misinterpreting what the beautiful lady meant, "Though I am looking for someone - my neighbor's son. He went missing, and I'm afraid something happened."
ThorraMothra:
Mothra suddenly found herself whisked into Thorra's lap within a fraction of a second, head resting against the woman's ample chest. She could feel faint tingles of divine electricity seeming to embrace her.
"Well well, I couldn't ignore that sort of plight if I wanted to. Tell me everything."
Thorra's free hand rubbed Mothra's head. It was large, like the rest of her body was, and it felt like the giant was holding back her strength in order not to harm her. "You have some sort of idea of what happened, don't you?"
Her words seemed to be full of honey, and the woman felt inheirently trustworthy and lovable.
ThorraMothra:
Mothra suddenly found herself whisked into Thorra's lap within a fraction of a second, head resting against the woman's ample chest. She could feel faint tingles of divine electricity seeming to embrace her.
"Well well, I couldn't ignore that sort of plight if I wanted to. Tell me everything."
Thorra's free hand rubbed Mothra's head. It was large, like the rest of her body was, and it felt like the giant was holding back her strength in order not to harm her. "You have some sort of idea of what happened, don't you?"
Her words seemed to be full of honey, and the woman felt inheirently trustworthy and lovable.
Mothra barely even got an "eep" in when she was snatched up by the woman, face turning an even brighter shade of red as she became fully aware just how *scant* the blonde's clothing was. All of a sudden, the teenager was embraced. Mothra noticed the potential strength her companion had, that it was being held back for her comfort. She felt like an infant being cradled by her mother...
"Well well, I couldn't ignore that sort of plight if I wanted to. Tell me everything." the blonde spoke.
With the feeling of security, Mothra did just that. Much like a child seeking comfort from her parent, she laid herself bare. Tears were forming in the corners of her eyes by the end of it, the feeling of guilt rearing its ugly head again, both for her murder and for her inability to find the person she vowed to save.
Thorra
Throughout her entire story, Thorra continued petting Mothra's head, sending calming sparks through their bodies, massaging her nerves and making her feel pleasantly numb. By the end of it, she found her head resting right up against Thorra's mounds, pressed in between them by the larger woman.
"You did what you felt needed to happen, and death comes for everyone at some point, even the gods. We all wait for the coming of Ragnarok." Thorra said. Her voice had a soothing tone to it, and she felt Thorra's hand finally lift itself off her head, and felt herself get pulled into a tight hug. "I'd be honored to help you in your quest, Mothra. It certainly sounds like this Eruraviel you talk about needs a stern talking to, at the least."
There was an interested tone to her voice brought on by her vauge knowledge of elves. She wanted to finally meet one, and see how they looked like.
The Mysterious Marksman
Something shimmered as the bullet hit. No, it was his silhouette, fading into thin air. The bullet passed through, and only the shifting of the air revealed that he was in fact there. However!
Two ungodly eyes seared through the winds and pierced right through just as they were to evade. The air where he once was hyper heated and a blast of heat billowed forth! The group dashed right into nothing, but there was a gut feeling that something happened. The rest was silence. For a moment, it wasn't sure if it'd strike again.
Thorra
Throughout her entire story, Thorra continued petting Mothra's head, sending calming sparks through their bodies, massaging her nerves and making her feel pleasantly numb. By the end of it, she found her head resting right up against Thorra's mounds, pressed in between them by the larger woman.
"You did what you felt needed to happen, and death comes for everyone at some point, even the gods. We all wait for the coming of Ragnarok." Thorra said. Her voice had a soothing tone to it, and she felt Thorra's hand finally lift itself off her head, and felt herself get pulled into a tight hug. "I'd be honored to help you in your quest, Mothra. It certainly sounds like this Eruraviel you talk about needs a stern talking to, at the least."
There was an interested tone to her voice brought on by her vauge knowledge of elves. She wanted to finally meet one, and see how they looked like.
Mothra:
After a sniffle and another round of blushing later, Mothra was collected enough to get down to business. She was hapy that she now has a compatriot in this endeavor, though there are a few hiccups that need to be resolved. "So," she said, still on the blonde's lap, "My biggest lead has...gone to the other side, taking Eruraviel's whereabouts with her. All I have is this device to go off of. Do you have any ideas where we can start?"
Suerte
Suerte nodded in agreement with Justice. Quite frankly, staying alive was the top priority. She had forgotten that for a moment, but it was not something that she would let someone else repeat in her place. Thats how people die.
"I gotcha," Suerte said, handing over the reins to Justice and standing up. "I am going to go back and get the girls father. Your right.... If she wakes up before I get back, tell her i'm sorry."
Just then, the bullets she fired earlier wizzed past all of them, aimed directly towards where the man stood before. With that she leapt off the horse and charged back towards the smoke at full speed, following the bullets. "BRING IT ON!" she roared.
Thorra
"Oh." The blond answered, simply shaking her head. "No, I don't. I just got here a few hours ago. Wherever here is. It'd be nice if you could catch me up to speed on that fact, because it certainly doesn't seem like I'm in kansas anymore."
A-702
"...don't bother, I'll be fine. Remember? I can't die." His eyes narrowed as the rider dragged him away. Despite that, his voice was starting to clear up.
He wished he could tell him the truth. But this mission... its success had to come first, no matter the cost. Thinking about that, the regenerating flesh was squirming a bit, feeling like something was crawling inside.
"Why did you accept the job?"
ThorraMothra:
Thorra scratched her forehead. "A year, huh? This city does seem pretty crazy, but what you're describing is even crazier than what I'd figured."
She stared into the sky, and then burst out into a joyous smile. "But, it does sound perfect for me. Chaotic situations are great for strengthening my legend."
She offered Mothra a hand. "Let's go find a nicer place to talk. Do you have a drawer or something I can sleep in at your house? Maybe a pillow?"
ThorraMothra:
Thorra scratched her forehead. "A year, huh? This city does seem pretty crazy, but what you're describing is even crazier than what I'd figured."
She stared into the sky, and then burst out into a joyous smile. "But, it does sound perfect for me. Chaotic situations are great for strengthening my legend."
She offered Mothra a hand. "Let's go find a nicer place to talk. Do you have a drawer or something I can sleep in at your house? Maybe a pillow?"
Sleep, huh? That does sound lovely right now. The weight of the day was bearing down on her. As for the blonde woman...She couldn't turn her away. It's not wise, but Mothra couldn't just leave the newcomer behind, especially when she gave her some much needed emotional support.
"Yeah, sure I do. But it is going to be a little bit of a walk."
ThorraMothra:
Mothra found herself unceremoniously hoisted up by the giant and tucked neatly under her arm. "No need to walk. We can get a better view from the air."
Thorra leapt up with explosive force, and soon, they were soaring through the night sky. "So, which direction should we go?"
A-702
The spider smiled and tugged at the rider, focusing on the feeling of the galloping beast riding through the night. Suddenly, he felt something cold on the back of his neck. It wasn't something you'd immediately pick up on, but for some reason, he felt a chill.
Justice could feel it too, maybe even more clearly. At first, it wasn't all the noticeable, but little by little a waterdrop would fall on them.
"Hey, are there any clouds in the sky?" He asked weakly.
A-702
What were once a few drops slowly but surely kept getting heavier and heavier. The cold chill only intensified.
A few meters around them, the rain droplets seemed to slow down and... stop. And at that moment, the spider's eye widened. "Shit... it's him."
He really wished Justice had put on the coat now. Oh wait, he did. Shit, blood loss was starting to mess with his memory...
Suerte
Thinking quickly, Suerte slid her hand into her pocket, pulling out the syringe. That familiar cog grinding noise filled the air and Suerte aimed both guns at the man. She fired another set of vaccum bullets, the kind that would rip him apart with sheer force if they passed his torso.
Damn it!
The cowgirl dove leg first, sliding across the concrete and grabbing the lifeless body of the father in one hand. The blast struck the ground next to her. Acting on nothing but instinct, she pressed the syringe into the man's arm, hoping this would be the ingredient to save him.
Forest
Well, remember when I was telling you about the movies, books, and comic books? Well, for a while there was a Lady Thor. Thor became unworthy to wield Mjölnir in the comics and his ex-girlfriend was deemed worthy until he got his shit together. Right now we probably are like a fan boy's bloody wet dream.
Then Forest gave the mental equivalent of a tiny hug to her partner. And don't sell yourself short, Poppet. You're amazing and you don't have to live in your da's shadow. Just be yourself and I bet both of your fathers would be right proud of you.
Aloud, while resting Thorra on her shoulder, she said, "Oh, I'm not Thor. I'm Pictish, not Norse, and I know quite a bit about being dead and undead."
She gestured to the explosion and said, "You didn't cause that bit of carnage, did you?"
Costin
Had he any eyes, Costin would probably have to stop for a second and blink to register what just happened. Instead, he grinned wolfishly - the beast's teeth gnawed at its chains. "Voah. You've got guts kid, few have the gall to touch me so vithout the terror or losing their hand." The answer came as casually as he looked. Actually, he felt bad for the ladies next to him. Its not like he had too much trouble controlling himself, he just didn't want to live that way. It's why he loved this world after all. Compared to the stuffy place he came from, this land was truly free. Was it so wrong to enjoy it?
Well, that's this and that's that.
"Heh. Look at me, a dead apostle being clung to by a mere voman. For such an avful rat stench, your touch ain't too bad." Crimson prana seeped from his flesh, from his bones. For but a second, a sliver of blood-red flames, crackling with lightning, could be seen shimmering - restrained by naught but Costin's will.
Until he let go.
"Glad you know how to talk to a man!"
The shoulder tackle came without warning, the force that rippled against the air was like a cannon. If anyone could even perceive the impact that blew both of them away from the street...
It was like a kaiju movie. A disastrous impact that shook the earth and sky.
And the two were gone.
(Continued in Highway 13)
Costin
Compared to Nanako's almost deft and graceful skitter, Costin's landing was brutal. Coarse. Almost gleeful in the way it broke the asphalt in its way. The stone that didn't break just made way for a streetlight that upheaved from its position, ripping itself from the earth as Costin dragged it along his momentum - until it flipped and dug itself in the center of the street.
Without that anchor, he'd probably have turned whatever person was in its way to mulch. And with a satisfied gasp, he grinned and stretched. At this moment, Costin's full body was rising up like a mast.
"Haha! My bad, my bad. I'd have bought you a snack, but it's been so long since my fangs have tasted true essence. Its that stench of yours. It feels pleasant. Like an invitation.... to the thrill of battle. It's difficult for me to resist it, sorry about that."
And just as he was about to calmly walk up to the Squirrel woman, hands in his pocket - his swagger was interrupted by a myriad of horns blaring at him. Yet... he seemed lost for a second. A bit confused. IF he stopped, it certainly wasn't for any kind of fear or consideration. It was fascination.
"Hrm? These chariots, they don't carry the scent of cattle, and they make odd noises. Are they a new kind of automobile?"
Costin
"Of course I know what a car is, dumbass." He snapped with an annoyed grunt, grimacing. But he didn't look too angry, not with what he asked next... or how genuinely curious he looked about it.
"Why the hell would you assume I can't see them though?" He cocked his head pensively. "Well, whatever. I'm not going to answer a question with a question, only bitches do that. But... tsk, I guess whether you're my lunch or about to be taken out for lunch depends on you babe."
Why the hell did she have to ask something stupid like that anyways? Heh, not that he disliked it. It was different from the usual. It felt fresher than her just running in fear. "Well, if I had my way, I'd ravage you until you were naught but torn meat, but wild abandon is a weakling's prerogative. I'm not some punk who's completely without manners, even if it's hard to restrain myself. If you want..."
The blaring of horns interrupted him. For a second, he glanced at the cars that stopped and tried to move away from him. He found them.... annoying all of a sudden.
"Sigh, whatever. Enough chit chat. Point is, before I start breaking whatever's in sight, I'd wish to learn more of this place. This world. And you."
Costin
"Yes, yes. I know that already, it's the same shit as back then... ah, it sure takes me back." Costin almost sounded disappointed by her answer, but his smile was candid. It's like if he was remembering something pleasant. And that's when it came out of his lips. An absurd story, as he looked to the skies - an unknown horizon. Or perhaps the sun.
"I certainly died back then, back when I was nothing more than some dead apostle. But the next thing I knew, I woke up in some dark and cold chamber, lined up with hundreds of people hooked to some machine. Talk about creepy, huh?"
His grin took a whole new quality.
"And apparently it wasn't the first time I woke up. A milky white fuck, some bitch with a broad ass, a flea-ridden poser... they were all different from me of course, but they had the gall of acting like they were the original. It pissed me off, so I... heh heh, well, what can I say? Someone ought to dispose of fakes, huh?"
He yawned and stretched his neck a little.
"Anyway, that place was a bore. No one could actually die in there, everyone always falling asleep and waking back up in the same spot as the day before. From what I gathered, its how that place sustained itself. Even if there'd been interesting people, anyone worth killing was already long gone. I happened to wake up just a bit before the dregs. Even then, no matter what I tried, I'd just wake back up as if nothing happened. It was a harrowing experience. And if anyone tried to leave, those winged fucks would get in the way... tch."
He sighed, ignoring the yelling people and vehicles blaring at him. Even this noise was welcome compared to some dull silence. Yes... this place was real.
"So I've gotta wonder, why the fuck do you have that same stench? Did you seriously eat one of them or something?"
Cossie
"Ha! Relax, I don't actually give a damn. The trash could've went up your ass for all I care. I'm not like those smelly administrators, all pent up over old toys." He cackled and laid back, his spine arched backwards as he took in every smell, even the restless agitation. Until something she said got him surprised for a moment. Got him to drop the tough guy face for a moment too. "Wait... Zeke? You know that creepy bitch?" He tapped his fist on his palm in understanding. If that's how it was, how should he put it... bah, that's this and that's that.
"Actually, I forgot. I don't care."
He leaned forward teasingly.
"Want me to make it up to you? For vexing you like that."
Costin
The frigid feel of a blade against your skin scraped against Nanako. Gnawed at her. For a moment, even if Costin was as cool as ice - he wasn't laughing. Even his smile looked like the kind you give to someone before you utterly break them.
"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself, kiddo? That sounded an awful lot like you were telling me what to do." He took a step forward, and the asphalt beneath him caved in like a spiderweb, throwing off whatever footing she and the vehicles around them had. There were screams, even those who had the gall to shout and complain were utterly silent. Its not that the power was different. Strong people could be found all over, and even something like collateral wasn't too out there from time to time. It wasn't just an annoying idiot flexing and making a mess out of public infrastructure.
It really felt like that man would have killed them.
" *quack quack* "
And yet the kill never came. The dead apostle almost looked bored when he nonchalantly pinched her nose. As if it were a clown horn. "Gotcha. Like hell I'd do something that stupid." Thus, he grinned teasingly, getting closer and closer. Knowing full well the way his menacing aura made her feel. With no intention to let go. "So, I trust you can show me around the city a bit? And don't you drag me to a tavern, I've had naught but swill for as far as I remember. I want something fun."