Log 022 | Monster Hunting

[neverbeamemory]

Characters: Sephiroth, Any Monsters & Anyone Else
Setting: Floors 41 -43 - 45 as in below & Sub-threads - throughout the Monster game event (15th-26th June)
Format: Usual long-Prose, Action prompts as Sub-threads. Can switch.
Summary: Somewhat catch-all: The ULTIMATE Jail-cell Tactic & Sub-threads as described. [Open at any point to All]  *OOC Note: This may turn into a 'running-log', depending on how the event progresses. I'll add more sub-threads/update the date range/warnings later. Sephiroth may not even keep this tactic up all event but this is the plan at least to start with.*
Warnings: Monsters-related fights/gore/injury/death. Sephiroth-related general warning.

Well clearly then, he's been playing the game wrong.

Though he's fairly sure that the first monster hadn't gotten back up after being decapitated Sephiroth hadn't hung around to check. Fact remains, it was becoming more and more dangerous every night after dark and more monsters had to be coming from somewhere. He'd started out so keen to hunt them all down personally if that's what it took to end this silly game.

Then there had been Ruana, taunting them all from the safety of the network. Though at least that had been a relatively good use of his time. He'd have to start putting monsters to people before this would get any more out of hand; not just for his own personal safety around the Tower anymore though. No, just to prove that he could do it. He could win. This game called strongly to a part of him that he'd spent a lot of effort keeping in check and only indulging in when it suited, that part that liked to kill. There was a certain jubilation in asserting enough control over another being to have the power to end it's life.

Each victory. Even against the usual fare of monsters in the Tower, reminded Sephiroth that despite the limited containment within the Tower, his skills weren't suffering as a result. He's still as sharp as the first day that he came here, perhaps more-so on account of what he- or rather, his soul- has learned experienced here.

There was a tactic that begged to be tried, but it could only work under the right set of delicate circumstances.

Step One, find a monster.
Step Two, capture/lure, or otherwise incapacitate/kill said monster and drag it to the 43rd Floor
Step three, throw it in a cell until morning
Rinse and repeat.

Then he'd deal with whomever turned out to be a monster, after they turned back.

Simple right? Not really. There was the question of how many floors around the jailcell floor he could afford to monitor whilst at the same time making sure (provided he caught one) that nothing somehow came out of somewhere to release the monster. Dealing with one at a time was bad enough, and sitting all night guarding one jail cell for one monster per night wouldn't be enough. Other monsters could be making more even as he ensured one wouldn't. On the other hand, Sephiroth knew he'd have big problems dealing with more than one of those at a time if they did get loose again before day. He might be an expert, appreciating of the challenge as well but he figured it'd take them all of a few seconds to rip him to pieces.

What a way to go. Though if this proves fruitful...

Sephiroth had settled for patrolling the stairwells between Floor 41 and Floor 45 to see how well this plan could be worked. Two up from the Jails, two down. Seemed logical. Floor 41 is an elevator-serving floor, this would be where the monsters could get under his radar. He wouldn't even have to step onto the floor much to launch a fireball at a mask if he saw one dancing inside the swarming, crushing mass of insects - just to attract attention before darting up the stairs. Floor 42 could be looked in on but he'd best be careful if one managed to chase him in there, he's not too sure about the extent these monsters disable powers but his telekinetic flight would be crucial there. He'd avoid leaving the stairwell on this Floor where possible. Up to Floor 44 and 45 would be patrolled as well just in case any one of them would come down behind him.

15th - 21st June Prompts:
A Bathroom Infirmary Cafeteria Dormitory Level 3 - Dorm 03-02

June 20th: 3rd Floor Library

Comments

[themonsters]

[And of course, Sephiroth is being pursued. No way is this monster letting potential prey get away that easily, and besides, four feet move faster than two feet, even on stairs. But Sephiroth still manages to stay ahead as they move up, and the monster lets out a frustrated-sounding growl as it swipes at the silver-haired man's legs.]

[neverbeamemory]

[On the last leap-step before reaching 43rd, the monster manages to connect it's swipe with the back of a leg. Slicing a neat set of claws across the bottom of a calf, though most of the depth was absorbed by his boot and so it's not that crippling. Surface wounds really.

Still, catching him in momentum like that causes Sephiroth to stumble towards the doorway into the jail cells rather than having the distance he'd prefer.

He doesn't stop though, and heads into the 43rd floor proper. Ignoring the stinging at the back of a leg, pushing for distance, summoning Masamune and turning back to face the monster once he's got the room. There are a few open cells just waiting for a monster to be flung into.]

[themonsters]

[Victory! Also curse his boots and their protective properties! But at least the prey got knocked off-balance...though not for long. The monster takes another swipe at that leg as Sephiroth stumbles onto the floor and misses, pausing when it ends up facing the end of a long blade.

It's smart enough to know that attacking the blade is a bad idea, and thus stays where it is for the moment, though it bares its teeth at Sephiroth.]

[neverbeamemory]

Come on you weren't so careful last time.

[Sephiroth mummers as he takes a small, sliding step forward towards the monster, flexing Masamune in it's scorpion tail-like position as if he were going to take a strike at the monster but doesn't actually commit for now.

He's very aware of where the open cell doors are. He might only need for the monster to lunge and then he could either slash out defensively or simply telekinetic-push it into a cell.]

[themonsters]

[A snarl's his response, as the monster moves sideways in response to Sephiroth's move forward. And then, with another snarl, actually will lunge, aiming to get its claws into Sephiroth's upper body this time. Arm, chest, face...it's not too picky.]

[neverbeamemory]

[The reaction is automatic. Masamune drops a fraction, turns and sweeps for the monster as it lunges for him. Hopefully knocking the monster closer to one of the nearby open cells.]

[themonsters]

[It's a minor success. The monster staggers from the sword blow, stumbling closer to one of the cells, but not quite close enough to end up inside yet. Once it regains its footing, it's trying again. Hopefully this prey is worth all of the effort.]

[neverbeamemory]

[Sephiroth shifts a little closer to the monster while it's regaining it's footing and again, slashes at it with his sword when it tries again. It's really going to have to try a different technique if it hopes to even get a taste of this one.

He just needs to herd it a little closer to the waiting cell...]

[themonsters]

[Hard to have much of a strategy without long-range attack capabilities against a guy with a six-foot sword. That slash nicks the monster's side, doing little to slow it down aside from drawing some blood. It doesn't try to attack Sephiroth this next time, but rather the sword itself, swiping at it in an attempt to knock it out of the man's hands.]

[neverbeamemory]

[Fair point. No pun intended. It's all about keeping an enemies distance within range.

Sephiroth thought to press the advantage even more when the monster looked to be launching it's next attack. Though once he raised the sword for his next strike a swipe to Masamune itself near the hilt sent vibrations right through his arms. Not enough to disarm him but to at least block the next strike from coming.

If it was quick enough it may be able to get inside his defense in that moment.]

[themonsters]

[Blocking isn't as good as disarming, but it works. Well enough for it to go for another attack, lunging for Sephiroth's blade arm--he can't swing a sword as well if that limb gets bitten off, right?]

[neverbeamemory]

[Always the arms, apparently.

After somewhat of a struggle against the leather of his jacket the teeth will sink through and into Sephiroth's left forearm, though immediately the blade is switched into his other hand and the pommel is bashed onto the top of the monsters head. Trying to get it to release enough for him to wretch his arm free and then kick the monster back into his attack range.

Clearly, he can't afford to lose a limb here.]

[themonsters]

[The arms are the most delicious.

That said, it's mouth remains clamped down on Sephiroth's arm for as long as it can, attempting to tear the limb off at the elbow while it's being beaten over the head. If Sephiroth's tangled with a monster of this type before, he might recognize the sudden building rage he'll feel as a side effect of being bitten.

It keeps trying for a couple minutes before releasing, shaking its head like it would help get rid of the feel of the sword pommel and ignoring Sephiroth for long enough for the kick to connect. This causes it to stumble closer to it's potential cell--possibly a good chance to get it inside if Seph cares to attempt it again.]

[neverbeamemory]

[To say his arm is left in a bit of a mess is an understatement, the ripping and determined tearing of the monster to get it removed at the elbow is brutal. By the time the monster lets go it's bleeding profusely through the tears in the leather and the muscles inside are ripped into pretty savagely. He doesn't have time to check, but his left hand would be pretty hard to move now. It throbs, and it hurts almost blindingly, not that Sephiroth is going to let that stop him.

Newly enraged from the bite, he lunges for the monster, Masamune still gripped tightly in his right hand. He makes a bold slash for the monster, putting all of this newly sparked rage behind it. This emotion is not foreign to Sephiroth at all, though nothing is now more important to him than ending this fight.

Hopefully it'll back off or be knocked into that cell now and he can quickly press the button for the door before it can get back out.]

[themonsters]

[Not backing off, nope. It's still determined to kill, growling as it's forced back by the sword swipes into the cell, trying to duck under or around the point of the sword to get at Sephiroth again.]

[neverbeamemory]

[He's not letting go of the sword now, despite the weight holding it in only one hand. Sephiroth holds the sword out directly at the monster, taking what necessary swipes at it to keep it from dodging around the blade again.

Once he'd backed the monster into the cell far enough, he'll drop the sword and punch at the nearby button to close the cell. Hopefully the door responds in time.]

[themonsters]

[Just in time, as as soon as the sword goes down, the monster's lunging again, getting to the jail door just as it shuts and crashing facefirst into the barrier.

And then again, trying to claw at the barrier before slamming its weight against it. Nope, it's trapped.

You've caught your monster, would you like to name it?]

[neverbeamemory]

[Sephiroth takes a few seconds to register that the monster is actually contained. He backs up from the door with Masamune poised as best it can be in one hand; he doesn't trust the door not to fail.

After a few minutes, Masamune is dropped from reality and Sephiroth takes the next moments to gingerly examine his mauled left arm; that's going to need some patching up. Grunting a little against the pounding pain he tries to flex out the fingers on his left hand. The digits respond alright, but it's delayed. Trying to steady his pulse against the pounding rage still ripping through every fiber, he sits down next to the door and will wait for the effects of the bite to wear off so that he can concentrate on healing some; at least to stop the bleeding before it may become a problem. It's still night time and there may be other monsters around.

As for the monster itself, well now would be the time for waiting. He's no idea what exact time it is, but he has to make sure the monster somehow doesn't get free before day time. Then he'll finish it.]

[ooc: How about arm-mauler? Also are we going for the finish as well??]

[themonsters]

[Ooc: Sure, if you'd like! Should we skip the next couple hours until it's morning?]

[While Sephiroth is tending to his wounds, the monster inside the cell is alternately trying to claw the door down and prowling back and forth, growling irritably. It's all it can do, really, unless the door is reopened.]

[neverbeamemory]

[ooc: yep yep!]

[Once his mauled arm isn't bleeding out or twitching quite so much Sephiroth will periodically patrol to the stairwell and back to the cell containing the monster. Then watching the monster for a while with a slight smile on his face.

Just to make sure nothing else will come along that may present a problem to keeping the monster in the cell.

It's tedious keeping this up for the rest of the night but necessary. Sephiroth's determination is iron-willed. He will kill whomever this monster turns out to be.]

[ambassadorasshat]

[For a while, Sephiroth will return to a monster, who snarls when he approaches and tries to break through the door to get at him.

Then, after a couple hours, there won't be a monster in the cell anymore, but a confused teenager with no recollection of ever coming near this floor, let alone ending up in a cell. Coincidentally, his hair matches the monster's mask.]

What the...? When did I get in here?

[neverbeamemory]

[At least there were no more monsters to fight tonight. With his mangled left arm throbbing painfully Sephiroth was already forcing his own regeneration not to rush into repair mode too far. He might need the energy later, besides, it had to be morning soon.

The next time he passes the cell, he'll stop to observe the red-headed teenager but will remain silent. The calm before the storm, his face expressionless as he lingers fingers of his good hand on the release button; as if considering if he even would fill in some of the blanks for the guy.]

[ambassadorasshat]

[Luke doesn't know the other guy's intentions, but Sephiroth is outside the cell and he's inside, so of course he's going to ask for help. Sorta.]

Hey, are you the one who stuck me in here?

[Depending on how easily Sephiroth volunteers information, his next question will probably be 'why?']

[neverbeamemory]

That's right.

[Sephiroth is curiously looking over Luke, as if he might be able to figure out what might make this one susceptible to turning where he is not. Apart from the obvious of course, Luke seems human enough and they are a weaker species.

Maybe this time, Sephiroth's will has managed to overcome the admins control in light of the fact that he knows the truth of his existence now and his spirit naturally would retaliate. This inkling would have to be tested later, as if true he would be a fool not to take the advantage. For now, well, Sephiroth doesn't bother to hide the smirk that creeps across his face as he backs up from the cell. Monster or not, he's going to enjoy this.

If Luke's going to try and make him pause, he'd better have a good question quickly. Masamune is already held fast in both hands, though leading with his right on account of his mauled left forearm. A thought at the release button might be enough to open the cell and then it'd be over as quickly as Sephiroth could deliver a deathblow.]

[ambassadorasshat]

[He's a little creeped out at the staring and the scrutiny, stepping back from the cell door a couple paces.]

Why? And quit staring at me like that, it's creepy.

[Dammit tower. One minute he's trying to sleep in one of the lounges, and the next he's in a jail cell talking to a guy who may or may not be planning to stab him to death.]