002. Runaway Bride
Setting: Floor Six
Format: Either is fine. I’ll match.
Summary: Francis needed a bit of nature. Francis got a bit more than what he asked for.
Warnings: CRACK! Oh… Maybe language?
The first time he’d visited the sixth floor, he’d stumbled across it by mistake. A forest with lush foliage had greeted him and as much as he’d craned his neck he couldn’t see the end of it. It seemed impossible to have something that large confined indoors. So, like any good man he had explored without much consequence. In regards to tower-based activities he’d been lucky.
Considering his impaired urge to seduce everything under the age of 35 in the tower and all, he had an unsettling amount of free time on his hands. The sketchbook tucked away in his chest hadn’t been touched since he arrived at the Tower, so Francis, in his brilliant (naïve) mind, had gone back to the forest.
To be promptly run deeper in than he’d ever thought possible. The creature that had approached him immediately looked like a rabbit. On steroids out of a child’s nightmare. He’d lost the beastie but was now stuck wandering through underbrush with no recollection of where the exit was. This was not the forest he’d experienced the first time and admittedly, he was concerned.

//nervous; feel free to ignore tag if you want orz
In addition to that, there were also monsters. Not animals -- she'd had to fight off more than one aggressive woodland critter with ungodly jagged teeth and strangely shifting skin, and cute woodland creatures werent supposed to have either of those, so these were surely monsters.
Keyblade drawn, Aqua surveyed her surroundings with a frown. The staircase wasn't visible in any direction; she really should have been more careful and made a trail back. The sound of rustling put her on the defensive immediately, and she raised Stormfall in anticipation of an attack.
"Hello?" tried the young master warily, on the off chance that the presence was non-hostile.
/i love kh ;; don't be nervous! <3
Francis wasn't tired, not really - but he was nervous that the were-rabbit would come back after him (perhaps his family? Did were-rabbits produce quite as much as their normal cousins?). Or something worse! Something much larger. Oh, he knew he'd wake up after it killed him and such but he wasn't exactly looking forward to such a thing.
He'd taken shelter behind a nice line of trees when the rustling first popped up. Taking a deep breath, Francis tried to become one with a nearby tree. Russia would have laughed. But a voice called out, sounding just as cautious as he was feeling right about now and he let that breath out, peeking out in the direction he'd heard said voice.
A girl with a large weapon-like thing. Well then. More of the blond's head became visible as he stepped out from the tree, hands up to show he was fairly harmless. "Allo--" He didn't know quite where to go from there. "Please tell me we are nearer to the staircase than my lack of direction is telling me..." Francis could be polite later. He was already wanting a hatchet to get him through the thicker foliage. Looks like she had something close enough.
/that makes me feel better ;w;
When the response was a voice and decidedly not more jagged teeth, she sighed, letting her muscles relax. The forming spell slipped away, dissipating into the air and out of her control. The face that emerged from behind the tree was not familiar in the least -- she expected as much, however. Aqua hadn't really prioritized socializing since she'd come to the Tower.
Instead of answering his question immediately, she lowered her weapon about halfway, turning her head to scrutinize the surrounding flora with a critical eye. Maybe she had missed some indicator or landmark. But, with a twinge of frustration, she realized that was impossible; she hadn't been paying close enough attention. She had gotten far too used to wandering into nothing on a path to nowhere.
"I don't know," replied Aqua honestly as she returned her attentions to the blond man. She was cautious, as the humans (or humanoids) in this place could probably be just as dangerous as anything in this forest. But this man didn't appear to be armed; or at least, if he was, he was not ready to attack. And then, "I'm looking for it too."
Following that, she turned and took a few steps, taking a low branch and gingerly lifting it from her line of sight so that she could duck and peer further into the woods. Still nothing. "How long have you been searching?" queried the woman calmly.
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Cutting down what he thought was a deer path, he caught a glimpse of familiar blond hair. He couldn't help but grin and sneak up behind the French man and grinned.
"Lost again Francis?"
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The blue-haired girl was strangely calm for being lost in a forest full of worrisome animals hungry for whatever they could get. As if reminded by his own morbid thoughts, he continued in a lowered tone. "What's brought you out here this far mademoiselle? I cannot think a stroll amongst beasts is inviting for a lady such as yourself."
He doesn't know exactly what the blade killed, having never dealt with her homelands; merely extending a few thoughts to get answers about his unlikely companion.
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So this only made sense, really. He'd hidden in the underbrush to keep an eye out for the shape-shifting creatures that called this place home. The only problem with being near running water was the fact he couldn't hear every rustle and crack.
That was unfortunate, very unfortunate, for France's man card. Yelping, high and mighty (girly), he swung around to give his friend a scathing look and a smack on the chest. "You son of a bitch! Oh my heart..." Sniffing, he tried to regain his composure, muttering now. "Again? What do you mean again?"
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He didn't comment on France's wonderfully girly scream, but he was wary. A noise like that would bring out all kinds of nasty creatures that'd want a snack on the two of them.
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When a few minutes passed and they were still intact he finally replied to Prusse's lovely queries.
"This forest goes forever. It wouldn't surprise me if I were to walk and walk for days and not find a wall. Paper bag," he scoffed. Sniffing, he looked at the stream once more. "Following the stream should lead to the staircase." A pause, then sounding more confused than ever; "What are you doing out here?"
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His reply found her sparing a glance in his direction. She looked him over once. If he was chased, then he probably really was unarmed. Aqua had a hard time fathoming how anyone could go weaponless in this tower; maybe she was just being paranoid, but his situation seemed to confirm that it was a bad idea.
The Keyblade wielder's lips pulled into a tiny smile. A lady such as herself, huh? "Training," she answered simply, releasing the branches she had in her grasp to readjust her hold on Stormfall. If she saw it fit to elaborate, she seemed to be waiting for her conversational partner to ask first. In that time, she crouched to examine the forest floor in the immediate vicinity, peeking through grass and brush.
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Mary was very happy to just walk around and feel each tree, enjoy the sensation of grass brushing against her ankles where her shoes and dress didn't cover. Thus far, she'd refused to give up the style of clothing she was most accustomed too, during her time on Lost Jerusalem, and still couldn't understand the turn that clothing styles had taken in Shion's year. She was very caught up in enjoy the simple sensations, that she almost didn't notice how far she'd gone and she certainly didn't notice the other gentleman until she actually bumped into him.
And she promptly squeaked and took several steps back. Mary reminded herself that, as an immortal being, she shouldn't have been startled by running into someone.
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"Training," he repeated. It wasn't truly a question, though his attention was brought back to the keyblade. So that thing was a weapon. Well, more than he'd originally thought. "With that? It's rather ornate, very pretty." What Francis didn't want to say about Stormfall was that it looked highly impractical as far as weaponry went. Then again, he would say the same for any keyblade. "I suppose I cannot talk having left my protection back in my trunk. So-" Francis paused and pushed off past her with a teasing smile. "Have you ever seen creatures like the one here before? Does that sword work for them?"
A tiny bit of question there on the sword part.
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"Yes," came the confirmation to the nature of her training, as her focus was drawn away from the high-up leaves to the blade in her hand. The Keyblade didn't respond, seeming even sleepier than it normally was in its dormant state.
Her hopes for the forest had been that she would be able to draw magic more easily from lush, natural surroundings, as she'd discovered was the case very early on in her training under the Master. But, to the contrary, this place actually seemed to take her further away from magical energy, and buffer it completely when the monsters approached.
Aqua inclined her head to look at the Frenchman. "No, I've never seen anything like them," she denied, "but my weapon works just fine." It wasn't exactly the same as slaying Unversed, but a Keyblade was charged with enough innate magic (and commonly had enough sharp metal, failing that) to raze nearly any enemy it was presented with. "If you can't protect yourself, maybe we should stay together," she eventually suggested. "I can handle the monsters."
A glance down to her Keyblade was punctuated with a knowing smile. "I promise it's more powerful than it looks," assured the mage, a lightly playful edge to her voice as her gaze returned to the other.
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"You need to spend more time out in the woods France, getting soft and domestic in your old age?"
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Something brushed against his back and he froze, stuck with a lungful of air as he held it. The squeak made him turn around quickly - for he was a man that faced whatever would eat him. Or so he liked to think. Rather than a scary beastie in sheep's clothing a woman, who seemed equally shocked by discovering another person in her path.
"Today must be a popular day to be lost amongst nature, non?" Yes, that's right. Make light of a slight woman with a large bust nearly shocking him out of his own skin. This tower had made him an anxious mess alright... Francis let out that poor trapped breath and offered a friendly enough smile, holding up his hands to show he was UNFORTUNATELY without weapon. A slight miscalculation on his part, surely. "Unless you are not lost?"
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"I.. I don't think I'm lost. I'm certain I can remember the way I came." Mary glanced back in the direction she had been coming from, thinking for a moment each turn she'd taken, and the landmarks before smiling to the man. "Yes, I'm sure I could... maybe."
Well, given a bit more time, she very likely could. And maybe a few wrong turns here and there... They couldn't stay lost there forever, after all.
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Well, technically it was his pipe that was stuck. But with his pipe stuck, he wasn't going anywhere. He had gotten turned around at some point in the forest, lost sight of the door, when the animals came out. If one could even call them animals--they were something more akin to monsters, if he was to name them.
He had been very close to smashing one particular monster's skull open--and maybe getting some meat for himself, as opposed to all icecream all the time, which the tower had very recently implemented as their monthly menu choices--when the weapon was yanked harshly out of his hands, torn up to a high branch of a tree. And he could swear he hear the sound of some sort of beast laughing at him.
Russia didn't find it quite as funny.
As it was, Ivan was not tall enough (which was a rarity) nor was he able to find anything to stand on... and the trees branches were not low enough for him to climb. All in all, he was not a happy Russian.
When he heard the sounds of rustling nearby, he immediately drew a gun--because with his pipe currently taking a break, he would have to use his gun, and waste bullets (though that was better than getting killed, in the scheme of things), and he shifted back, waiting for a long moment, very nearly firing when he caught sight of the Frenchman... until he realized it was the Frenchman, and lowered the gun. "Ah, Frantsiya!"
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"I probably scared them off, sot. Either way-" He stood straighter, looking around just for the hell of it, or because the scream wouldn't have scared a damned thing away and he was cautious. So very cautious. "I came out here to enjoy nature. It is not my fault I forgot a gun." He was not soft. "I could give you a run with a sword and don't you forget."
Grumbling, he started off in the direction Prusse had indicated before prodding his pride. "Pest." Not like he was grateful, oh no...
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"You might be able to but with that tiny rapier you used to enjoy so much you couldn't do much against me." Now Prussia was just goading him, it wasn't meant with any malice, it was just how the albino was.
"This pest is an awesome pest."
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And then a snort, ruffled feathers smoothed out easily enough. Pushing a branch aside that nearly smacked him in the face he grimaced. "My boots are going to be ruined" he lamented to himself. Not to mention his jeans. What had he been thinking?
"Not that I am ungrateful you stumbled across me..."
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"Boots can be cleaned, if you were coming into the woods why did you bring clothes like that then?"
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Very love/hate.
"I only have nice clothes! I would rather wear boots and denim than loafers and a nice slack, non?" Because this was his 'sporty' look. Stopping for a moment--he thought he'd heard a noise off in the distance--he pressed up against a tree and grimaced. Hushed now, "Shall we break into a run now or wait until whatever is out there is gnawing on our ankles?"
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That didn't matter at the moment. A bird called out overhead and he looked toward the tops of the otherwise lush trees with a worried grimace. "I am guessing that the birds are just as intimidating as the rabbits, ouais? This sucks," came the quiet complaint. She'd sounded amused almost...
"It is not everyday a damsel does the protecting; however I cannot say I am against it. Once we're out I will find some way to express my gratitude." A smirk that looked a little tighter than normal met his lips. "What's your name, savior?"
[ooc: I am so sorry for the wait. I can't brain things.]
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He put on that smile that he'd simply allotted a number to: 39. It was one of his more complacent grins and he looked over her shoulder before speaking. "Ma chere, would you be willing to point me toward the staircase? I think I have had enough nature for today." More than enough for a decade if he was honest, but a decade was a blink of the eye for the likes of Fran. "I came here to sketch and ended up chased by the wildlife. I would not be suggesting your continued stay in the forest."
He winked. Lady-killer, this one. "A lovely lady such as yourself need not be amused to the joys of this place."
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"Oui. Frantsiya. The man you do not want to shoot?" He's a little grumpy from being stuck out in the forest with the beasties too long. Sighing, he stepped forward. "Russie...what are you doing out here?"
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"Ma chere? That's... french, isn't it? I haven't heard that in many, many years." Mary said, thoughts distracted for just a moment before nodding, indicating the direction she'd come from.
"The stairs should be that way. I can go with you, just in case I'm mistake. I may recognize something I passed."
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Mutant rabbits were bad enough without the threat of toothy birds -- Snow White would turn in her glass box at the sight of these things. Despite Aqua's stance, her side of the conversation was delivered as coolly as ever. "You don't need to do that. I'm just doing my job." Slowly, she relaxed back into propriety to look at her companion, offering a friendly smile. She wasn't completely familiar with all the words he used (another language, she assumed), but he seemed nice, or harmless enough that it wouldn't be too dangerous to escort him.
"My name is Aqua, sir." Absently, she began to weigh their directional options, as far as path-picking went, though her eyes didn't stray from the man as she introduced herself; that would be terribly rude. "It's nice to meet you."
After the formalities were concluded, however, it seemed fair game to break eye contact. She looked away again -- specifically, once more towards where the sound of birds originated. The woman pondered casting a Thunder spell to flush them out, while she was out of range of their strange magic absorbance, but she wasn't sure if it would work to scare these animals like it would normal ones. "Can you remember anything you might have noticed near the stairs?" Aqua prodded. "Like a land mark?"
She'd never picked out anything in particular sans the stairs themselves, but maybe she was just missing something.
[ooc: it's okay! i've been busy anyways, so no worries.]
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"You really need to invest in some clothing for doing more practical things like walking in the woods or cleaning." The noise caught Gilberts attention but he wasn't worried. He had a broadsword, his hand gun and an extra clip of ammunition on him. Not wanting to use the gun or sword he had his bootknife but that was only good for close combat.
"....Let's head for the exit."
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He was going to ignore the practicality of his clothing being questioned by Rambo over here. He was much more interested in following this trail back to the staircase to reprimand. Nodding at the suggestion he headed forward, careful of his footing to avoid stepping on any fallen branches.
"Smartest thing you have said all day, I will admit..."
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"Of course, why would I want to be shooting you?" he replied and smiled a little, humming a little and glancing back at his pipe. "Ah... Doing here? In forest? Ah, I was trying to find another way out of tower.... And then I was getting little bit lost." he gave a sheepish smile, and a tiny shrug. "Ah... What are you doing here? This does not seem like your type of place to be liking."
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"It seems as if you are getting along with the wildlife as well as I am! Wow, look at that." Francis returned the same sort of whoops! smile before standing beside the larger man to look up some more. Oh, he wasn't going to square off with the creature, but he could at least APPEAR concerned. "Maybe if you shoot it the thing'll let go of your pipe?" Thinking out loud again, Francis.
"Oh. Bah! I was feeling artistic, cheri. This place is much more attractive near the staircase."
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"Let us head toward the stairway then. Oh, where are you from exactly?" Francis could question and walk at the same time and took a step in the direction she'd seemed to be coming from. "I hope you do not find it rude that I am so ah, eager to rid myself of this place, petite. I am usually a better gentleman to those I meet, even with duress."
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GIlbert didn't stop, making his was for the exit and drawing his sword when a bush nearby rustled and shifted.
"I hope that's a squirrel..."
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Ivan's eyes shifted back towards France and he let out a little laugh. "I would have to be agreeing. Much more friendly, too," he replied, and gave a small, childish giggle, which didn't quite look right given that he was already raising the gun again, and setting his sights on the creature. Before another moment passed, he fired off a shot, narrowly missing a killing blow, hitting the thing in the side, splattering blood, but at the very least the creature bolted, dropping his pipe from the tree, leaving the Russian in better spirits as he picked up the pipe and wiped it clean.
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He was feeling halfway good about this on the right track thing when a bush rattled on near them, giving him due cause to PAUSE. "Shit... I would rather have a possessed bush. Squirrels are spry--"
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"Ah... it's just a rabbit." he sighed and took a step toward it. When he did the rabbit hissed showing massive fangs and a maw that looked like it belonged on some alien creature.
"NOT A BUNNY, RUN!" he yelled and slashed at the thing when it leapt at his throat. The sword cleaved the creature's head clean from it's body and Prussia was already running by the time the thing's body had hit the ground. "Dear god, let's get the fuck out of here!" he said and made sure he had a firm grip on Francis' wrist as he crashed through the undergrowth along the path.
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It wasn't going to help his reputation, but Francis was good at running. Retreating. Saving his own skin. Etc. As long as he lived he would stand by the excuse that this was nothing to be shamed by - after all, he was still around, no? It had been awhile though and he was so focused on going forward that he wasn't bothering to look around.
"Where are we, Prusse?!"
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"... Francis.... Run for the door and when I come through slam it shut behind me." he swallowed and looked behind them at all of the creepy little white rabbit things that were edging their way into the clearing from the direction they had come. He had never seen so many creatures in one area, and it wasn't long before the earth under their feet shifted with the sound of something massive walking toward them.
"Fuck it, GO!" Prussia gave up and made a sprint for the door, like hell he was sticking around to find out what the bigger thing was.
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"They took your pipe. Silly creatures that they are. Perhaps you should tuck it away for now, mon ami?" No need to keep the thing out when they needed to get the hell out. "I do not know what bastardization of an animal will come try to grab at it next."
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He huffed a little moving to dust off the pipe, and hold it by his side, putting the gun away, again not wanting to waste bullets if he could help it. "Da, but I would rather be using this than gun to be killing them. My pipe is not breaking. Bullets can be becoming unfireable...."
He paused a moment and gave the other a now-pleasant smile, nodding toward him. "Would you like to be finding the way out now?"