I have, indeed, no abhorrence of danger

[colonial]

Characters: America, open
Setting: Tower staircase, nighttime
Format: action
Summary: America is being chased by a hellhound. Maybe he should stop going out at night.
Warnings: character death is very likely

[America stumbles up the staircase, sliding precariously on ice-slick steps before he finds his balance and takes the stairs as fast as his legs will carry him. The hellhound, fire and rage, is just behind him, but the snow slows it down and America has a head start anyway. Of course, it's so much larger than him, its paws carrying it so much more distance than America's legs, and every near-slip on the staircase makes his heart skitter painfully against his chest all over again.

He knows he shouldn't be out after dark, but this wasn't the first time he'd sneaked out. This is the first time he's run into anything like this--made of smoke and fire, nothing he can punch or throw. He clutches a yellow bunny hood in his hands--the speed was what got him such distance, but he can't go up the stairs with them or he'll slide right off.

The hellhound growls, and America whines. He's too scared to cry.]

Comments

[glassceiling]

[Assassin is out at night, practicing her newly regained powers. After almost a month, a good amount of her powers have returned. She is weaker than she is used to, but she is no longer powerless.]

[As she slinks down the staircase, she trails blood behind her. It's the remains of the monsters that she has killed.]

[Her eyes go wide as she seems the flickering flames and the escaping child.]

...You! Child! What are you doing? What is that?

[colonial]

A hellhound! [America slows down only enough to avoid crashing into her as he runs up, though he slips on the blood and has to grab at the next stair up to keep from tumbling backwards.

He rode one once, and that's why he knows, but he can't do that now, so--]

You gotta run!

[glassceiling]

[She hurries after him, reaching out with one of her arms to support and hopefully steady him.]

So it is one of the monsters that haunt this Tower? Is there no way to fight against it?

[colonial]

[Steadied, he continues scrambling up the staircase, glancing back at her to make sure she hasn't fallen behind and shivering as he catches a glimpse of the monster chasing after.]

No, you just gotta run!

[Or that's what he's been told, and he knows he can't punch something made of fire.]

[glassceiling]

[She gives a dissatisfied grunt before she reaches at America with a bandaged hand.]

...Then, would you want me to carry you as we ran? It would be more efficient that way.

[Plus, she feels bad looking at him shivering and risking falling down the stairs.]

[colonial]

[Normally, America likes doing things on his own. But, with that dog so close behind, he reaches to take her hand. He's a little hesitant--he hasn't shed his shyness entirely--but he doesn't seem afraid of her. There are better things to be afraid of.]

Okay. We have to get up to the bedrooms.

[glassceiling]

I understand.

[She stops, bends and scoops him up. She then starts running quickly, trying to make up for the time she had lost. Still, she can smell the smoke and hear the hellhound. And the bedrooms seemed so far away...]

[colonial]

[America clings to her easily--he's used to being carried, even in dangerous situations. He peeks back around Assassin at the hellhound, but the sight of it is distressing and he buries his face in her clothes instead.]

It's not as fast up the stairs.

[Still fast, of course. He glances up at her.]

Um--I have something that lets people run really fast. Can you run real fast up stairs without falling?

[glassceiling]

[Her arms are a little stiff as she holds him since she fears possibly hurting him with her unique body. However, she still holds him tightly.]

[She considers the question for a second. Even without heightened speed or strength, her agility from her training is intact.]

...Yes, I believe so.

[colonial]

[America holds up a yellow bunny hood, still clutched tightly in his hand.]

If you wear this you run real fast. That's how I got to the stairs without it catching me.

If you wear it you have to give it back once we're at the bedrooms though!

[It was his very first birthday present, after all.]

[glassceiling]

[She stares at the yellow bunny hood, not exactly convinced. But finally, she decides to have faith and put it on. Awkwardly maintaining her hold on the boy with arm, she frees one hand to take the hood and slip it on her cloaked head.]

When will it begin to work?

[colonial]

It works real fast!

[Indeed, as soon as the hood is properly seated on her head, she should find her speed enhanced greatly.]

[glassceiling]

[The sudden boost in speed is a welcome one, and she doesn't even stumble as she zooms up flights of stairs.]

It does. Thank you for the help.

[Though, she can still hear the hellhound, even if it seems further away.]

So where did you get this cap from? Or were you the one who enchanted it?