Heel

[animusmods]

Characters: open to characters who signed up for the Heel event
Setting: a familiar labyrinth
Format: any; party style
Summary: A game of hunters and prey.
Warnings: potential for violence, gore, angst, etc.

Event details are here. Please make sure to include the IC date and if your thread is open or closed in your subject lines. Please mark threads for any specific warnings.

Comments

[First day - CLOSED to Team Ladyprey]

[bloodyashes]

[Hunter's duty aside, there's something more pressing to take care of. He hadn't been able to catch Zelda in the elevator before their groups were separated - so for right now, it's down to hunting her down the old fashioned way.

As for what Ruana wants them to be doing... Well, that can wait. They'll be down here a while, after all.

So when he spots the familiar blond hair after turning a corner - ]

Hold up a minute!

[Yeah, that's really going to work, and he knows it. The girls will probably hear the clash of metal as he throws his passed-out sword against the wall, stepping away from it with hands lifted in a nearly-universal gesture of "no harm meant."]

I want to talk.

[Standing there in a hospital gown - farthest thing from his choice in attire - he manages to look a little sheepish as he takes another few steps away from the weapon.]

[sageprincess]

[Of course it had to be the labyrinth. Of course it had to be the site of her first strike against the administrators and her first failure against them all that time ago. Of course, of course, of course--

Tetra is grabbed even before Asch calls out, before his sword is thrown against the wall. Being mentally a few steps into the future is... disorienting, but it could have its advantages in avoiding conflict so long as she has it. She holds the girl close as she turns to face her (former?) ally, an unfamiliar look of fearful anxiety in her eyes.

Her future sight has the unfortunate side effect of making it seem like she's cutting Asch off when she responds:]

Make it quick, please. We cannot stay in one place for long.

[First day - OPEN to hunters and unfortuante prey]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[The littlest hunter in the group was more than likely Veronica. She was small, and actually pretty young for someone who slaughtered groups of people on a regular basis. This was no surprise, nor would it be a difficult thing once she got down to business.

Although... did they really have to make her wear a hospital gown? It only stretched down to her knees, and exposed the multitude of scars and stitches that lined her arms and body. She hadn't even been given the option of keeping her fedora.

Whatever, it didn't matter. She had a job to do, and a reason to do it. Someone was going down... right?

Uncertain, Veronica made her way into the maze along, sword held loosely at her side. She didn't want to kill anyone that didn't deserve it but... what if she had to?]

HI

[regenleif]

[Capell felt slightly ill. He had no known at all what the note meant, but he had gone without struggle.

He very soon regretted it, though the note had given him very little choice. Still as he walked, sword in hand, feeling strange in the gown he had been given, he wished he had tried harder to not come.

He didn't want to kill anyone, even the fear of his friends being brought to this place was not enough for him to hunt innocents. His friends would not want him to hunt innocents, to hunt anyone.

He saw the small figure, looking as uncertain as he felt and noticed the scars.] Hello?

[idkworldruler]

[Mitchell was currently at ease, or perhaps he was just simply bored out of his mind as he looked for victims. If it was up to him he would be listening to some Rammestein right about now. Perhaps "Weidmann's Heil". Yeah, that would be so freaking awesome. But to those who know the song, it would most likely be nothing short but a very loud alarm to any of the current hunted. And even worse, a calling card to the hunters. Lord knows what some of them may do to other hunters.

Then he spotted a familiar head and hat. Pausing to take notice of her garb, the same he was wearing, before cautiously, and silently approaching her. Dagger concealed within his gown somewhat.]

[First day, open to all]

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji is trying not to look afraid as he enters that labyrinth. He knows what he needs to do, knows what is his only option if he doesn't want to lose one of the most important people in his life forever... but he's not a killer. Even after all these months here, he hasn't wanted to kill. Even after dealing with Sephiroth, he didn't have the capacity to hate someone so much that he would kill them himself, snuff out their own life...

But they'd only lose that life for a short time, wouldn't they? A day or so and they'd be back, just as they had been before. If Ryoji loses, Yukiko will never come back.

He keeps his sword lowered, but his grip on it is tight as he wanders around, and he's quick to raise it when he hears the sound of shuffling footsteps in front of him.]

Who's there?

[Day One, 16th Feb: OPEN]

[neverbeamemory]

[Even though he'd known, by the heart-signed note received earlier, there really is no point resisting retrievals when they come for you. Sephiroth would prefer to avoid another death so soon after completing his transition into real powers and so, quite unusually considering his normal attitude towards these games, is escorted to the elevator as opposed to being dragged. He remains silent, attentive completely to all others as they descend, taking a careful account of who is selected for prey - he's already figured out that the rest of them are to hunt, this is a hunting game after all.

Hospital gowns with only a sword though - talk about bare bones. That motivation though, overrides all discomfort within Sephiroth soon enough, despite the painfully obvious power-strip. What is a little indecency in a body that's not really his, in order to obtain his own? Besides, all hunters are the same and he does love a challenge. This will be a skillful hunt indeed.

Thirty minutes might well have been thirty hours, for all his inspecting of the various others ready to be released into the Labyrinth. Once they are released, Sephiroth takes a final look back around at the other hunters before striding out on his own. A hand feeling along the wall of the giant maze quite often, exactly as he had been when learning the last maze he'd needed to fight in.

He makes steady, but not hasty progress out and away from his starting position. Figuring distance and patience will be his tactic, at least for now. He'll need to conserve his too-human energy, and remember to take sustenance when it presents itself. Each footfall is more than careful, more often with his back to the wall and his left hand firmly around the hilt of his provided sword. It's not Masamune, and that's a crying shame while at the same time such length of a blade might encumber him more in this close environment. The more he tests the weight of this sword as he's proceeding deeper into the Labyrinth the easier it will be when it comes his chance to deal death with the same.

It's just another game, Ruana. He's played the murderer for you before, and much prefers it to last time.]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[While he is going along, the Labyrinth is pretty empty in this part. It's unlikely that he'll run into someone over here.

...Until he does, because a girl is going to appear from thin air a few feet in front of him, falling to the ground along with a clattering sword.

Veronica groaned loudly, picking herself off the ground, and readjusting her hospital gown, she grabbed her sword and rose from the ground. And she noticed Sephiorth.

For a moment, she simply stared, unsure of how to proceed.]

Day One → Open to hunters or prey

[wrigurun]

[The moment they had been released she took off running. There was no point in standing around and asking questions, they already said she was a target and Wriggle wasn't going to sit around and get shot.

As her legs pumped under her she kept taking long bounds, trying to get airborne but what powers had returned to her were nowhere to be found. She scoffed to herself as she turned a corner, what a load of good getting her real powers turned out to be. She ran until she couldn't run anymore and staggered to a halt to catch her breath.

She held herself upright with her legs pushed against the wall and her arms hung loosely at her side.

Wait a minute.

Wriggle stumbles back, startled at the sudden appearance of an insectoid limb near her face. It takes her a moment but she counts seven more of them. Could that we what they meant by other advantages?]

ooc [Wriggle is open to hunter or prey interaction, injury is fine but killing her is not an option right now]

since you're open to hunters...

[evokingfool]

[Once the hunters was allowed into the maze, Minato walked through the many turns and passages with careful ease. He's probably in another area from where he used to travel the last time he was here.

But the maxe was familiar to him.

Time to find the selected prey and end this game as soon as possible.

And so, he peeked around a corner, a sword in his hand, and spy someone there. He recognised her as one of the people being selected as the prey. Albeit he didn't remember her having those extra limbs. But still, how to approach her...]

(OOC: I'm all for Wriggle escaping to live another day, so no worries on your end.)

part one | mostly open

[sicharia]

I. Closed | For god_damned
[Considering her recent disappearance, Claudia had made a point to inform anyone who might notice her absence about Ruana's note after receiving it, so her presence here shouldn't come as a surprise to Kirei. Even so, when she approaches him during the thirty minute gap between one group leaving and the other, she feels at a loss for how to speak to him now.]

K, Kirei...

[Where they're wrapped around the dagger she carries, the knuckles of her pale fingers seem especially white.]

II. Open | Solo
[Though most don't truly realize the extent of it, Claudia doesn't look particularly out of place in the garb they've been given, fragile and pale as she is. There are even scars visible in places on her bare skin, many of them barely faded despite their age. All in all, she doesn't make a very frightening portrait of a hunter, though the plain bracelet on her wrist marks her as such.]

[There are times when she can be found unaccompanied, apparently hoarding food she comes across in the labyrinth. If noticed or approached by anyone, hunter or prey alike, she'll make a show of placing her dagger aside in a show of good will. The smile she greets others with is nervous, her demeanor just as wary as any of the hunted.]

H— Hello.

III. Open | w/ Kirei
[...Otherwise, though, Claudia remains at Kirei's side. They make a mismatched pair, one delicate and skittish while the other is serious and strong, but they traverse the labyrinth together regardless, apparently trustful of one another in spite of the circumstances.]

[For now, at least.]


{ ooc: Option II can also lead into an encounter with Kirei, if you'd like! }

[god_damned]

[ Unlike Claudia's obvious unease, Kirei remains impassive. He wonders if that will unnerve her, or if she will simply dismiss it; she does know of his work as an Executor, and is this much different?

No. Not really.

He watches her, but it's between his attempts to survey the space around them. While Claudia chose the dagger, Kirei preferred the sword. Either would have suited him, but it works in his favor that they have separate weapons: Kirei can easily ask Claudia for her dagger instead, should it suit him better. ]

Are you afraid?

[ The question is flat and blunt, his tone lacking any empathy. ]

[First Day]

[miseris_socios]

[Open - beginning]

[Ken is antsy as they wait for their turn to head off. He recognizes this place, and it makes him feel sick. He remembers charging at Shinjiro's Persona, being dangled, and the sick feeling of his own bones crunching. Of death and blood all around and horrible creatures.]

[But he's grown since that, hasn't he?]

[Even still, he shakes as he leans on his borrowed spear.]

[puppy_lancer]

...You alright, Ken?

[Lancer inches closer to Ken, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder. He can get why Ken might be shaking. They have an ugly task in front of them, even if it should be all for a good cause.]

Day One

[idkworldruler]

[Mitchell cautiously walked around the maze, pausing only to briefly adjust his dagger, which he kept partially hidden within his gown. Or at least as best as he could. Really he just stuck the thing behind him, blade running through the cloth so that only the tip and handle could be seen.

He supposed that there were other ways to keep it hidden. Such as taking off his gown and bundling it up with. Would also certainly help with carrying around any provisions he could find. Something that should be first priority.

He who controls the food and water could potentially come out on top. There was also the added plus that prey and other hunters may be gathered within those areas in search of sustenance. So, he decided to strike out in search of these supply catches with the hopes of running into his quarry. As well as a safe area where he could rest and plan.]

[Day One]

[ninjainviolet]

[First 30 minutes in the labyrinth: Open to all.]

[To say Sheena isn't very happy right now would be an understatement. To be dragged here without warning and forced into these clothes was one thing, but to be arbitrarily turned into prey for a hunt? That's something else entirely.

She recognizes a couple of people in the hunters' group, and to see that one of them is Zelos only makes things worse--especially when she hears the instructions for the hunters. What the hell had they done to him that he'd go along with that?

For one brief moment, she lets her eyes meet his, the confusion there replacing any anger she feels when the signal to move comes, and she's off into the labyrinth like a shot--grabbing the hand of whoever she can to help them along if they stumble. If she can get far enough in, she may be able to think of something.

And survive.]

[Day One--after 30 minutes and losing the others. Closed to Zelos Wilder.]

[How the hell had she gotten into this mess? One moment she had been with several others, the next: alone. Damn, she hated mazes. Well, at least this one came stocked with something to eat and drink--both of which she rationed carefully as she slowly made her way deeper into the labyrinth. The problem with running pell-mell into one like she had was not knowing exactly where you'd wind up even after taking so many turns left and right. For all she knows, she can be right next to the entrance.

Suddenly, that feeling of being watched kicks in and she ducks around the next corner, slowly peeking around it to see who may be there.

And when she does, her heart practically stops.

Zelos...]

[Day One]

[cursedchosen]

[Zelos had spent the better part of the time after he was released in the labyrinth wandering lackadaisically. There was something about the event and the way they were being puppeteered that made him uneasy. Killing other people was also never particularly fun, especially when it was at the request of Ruana.]

[But, it was Seles that was at stake, so he'd do what he'd have to. The event was still in it's relatively early stages, so the chances of him running into anyone were relatively slim. He'd probably get more aggressive in the later stages, once the others were more tired out, but for now it made more sense to bide his time.]

[At least, it would have made more sense, until he turned the corner and saw the last person he'd wanted to see.]

[Shit. Of all the odds.]

[He'll stand for a moment, watching, and waiting for Sheena to say something or make the first move.]

day 1, open!

[chainsawn]

[ Urotsuki's hospital gown looks like it's a little bit too big for her and so does the sword, yet she wears them like it's just any completely normal day instead of all of them being stuck inside some sort of hunter's game. Those who know her and spot her around the labyrinth shouldn't be very surprised to see she just looks like she always does - with a completely blank and actually somewhat calm expression despite the sword she's carrying around.

Then again, her usual way of acting might be unsettling to people who don't know her, especially when she just stops walking and stares, standing perfectly still and hardly blinking, whenever she spots someone else. But those who know her should know it's just Urotsuki acting like Urotsuki. ]

[averytinyparticle]

[Having gotten used to her general quiet, somewhat-creepy demeanor, when Quark runs into Urotsuki in the labyrinth he seems the opposite of deterred by her stillness and lack of blinking. He approaches her, a measure relieved to see that he's not in this game with just a bunch of strangers.

Even Quark can't find the energy within himself to smile, though. It's a serious situation and there's nothing about it that he can find to joke about.]

Hey, Urotsuki.

[He looks at her sword, then down at his own dagger. It looks so flimsy in comparison. He supposes, though, it's a big step up from the scalpel he would've been using had he come with the possession formerly on his person.]

I'm glad to see you. It's such a big maze I thought I'd never run into anyone.

[They were on the same team and all, right? What was there to worry about from another hunter?]

Day 1 - OPEN

[evokingfool]

[Minato looked so calm when he entered the labyrinth, once the prey was given a head start. For him, the maze was unfortunately familiar to him. The sight of the game competed in and lost, right near the end.

But this time, he will at least survive to the end.

With a sword in his hand and his head awfully silent--his Personas were locked away--his steps were careful and steady as he travel through the maze. To win, he must kill a prey.

If he was approached, Minato would turn around and raise his sword, only to lower it if he notice they're a fellow hunter. As for prey, he would have his guard up...

With how he looks in the hospital gown, as well as his demeanor, Minato might seem almost creepy or unsettling.]

[notsogrimreaper]

...Minato-kun...?

[When he spots his friend in the labyrinth, he almost doesn't recognize him, but... there's no way he can deny it. No matter how unsettling he looks right now, this is Ryoji's friend, and Ryoji isn't about to leave him alone right now.

He approaches quickly, walking beside him and trying not to look too nervous.]

Are you okay? I'm sorry you were chosen for something like this...

day 3 - closed to wriggle

[chainsawn]

[ The days were passing by in the labyrinth. How many of the prey had already been killed? Urotsuki honestly wasn't sure of it, but she kept on wandering all the same, the promise she had been given in the back of her mind. Two bracelets and she'll get to see Kidou again. Just two bracelets.

Still, it's more of a droning in the back of her mind than anything else, so on the outside she looks very much like usually. Calm and sort of blank. She drags her sword along with her as she walks, keeping her eyes out for other people.

It's then that she spots someone familiar in the labyrinth - someone she's spoken to even before all of this. As if this is a totally normal situation to meet up in, she raises her hand and waves a little at Wriggle. ]

[wrigurun]

[It had been three days of running. Even through she'd managed to find enough provisions it was the emotional strain that exhausted her the most. If she could just survive until the end it would all be fine, but she had difficulty sleeping and if the circles under her eyes got any darker she might not last long.

It was the sound of the sword dragging along the ground that alerted her more than anything. In the back of her mind she knew she should run but she was just too tired. Instead Wriggle climbed near the top of the wall and peered round the corner. If they weren't too big, maybe she could attack them and steal their weapon. At least then she might have a better chance.

To her surprise, it wasn't a stranger]

Urotsuki!

[She inches out from her hiding place, just a little. Urotsuki doesn't seem too dangerous, in fact she didn't seem much of anything at all. Just like normal, even if she never showed any happiness or sadness it didn't bother Wriggle too much, in a way she always knew what to expect. Surely not someone that posed a threat, right]

They got you too?

day one.

[bydefacto]

[open; first hour or two. (no death or serious injury yet please!)]

[To say that Sealand isn't taking this well is an understatement. He can feel rapidly rising horror and hysteria before the announcement telling them all what they'll be doing is even made. He's near tears by the time they reach the entrance to the maze. He wants to be brave, and he'd be trying far harder to do so if he knew those back in the tower could see him.

Sealand starts running as soon as the prey are given their head start, and the air around him soon erupts in flames, a consequence of the panic rushing through him. He won't stop running until his chest begins to hurt, slowing to a jog. The orange flames are beginning to fade somewhat as he gets further from the opening of the labyrinth.

At least until he comes across others in the maze.]

[closed to Zelda, Tetra and Ruler.]

[A few hours have passed and Sealand is by now... a little calmer. The air around him still seems to spark uncontrollably a little every few seconds, but otherwise he's trying to keep himself under control. He's trying very hard not to panic, because if nothing else the flames around him are disorienting, even if he's realised by now that they can't hurt him. They're tiring too, he's realised; he already feels exhausted, like he's been here all day.

So, he's calm. At least, he is until he hears the unmistakable sound of people rounding them next corner. Then he's backing up, the air surrounding him hot on fire as he falls over himself.]

[faithstaynight]

[Ruler, of course, is sticking at the head of their little group. If they were going to run into trouble, she wanted to make sure that she was the one that was in immediate danger. Not Zelda or Tetra. She was supposed to be protecting them, after all.

So of course, she's the first one to feel the hot lash of nearby flame as they round the corner, and she immediately halts, taking a fearful step back (possibly running right into one of her companions) and biting back a strangled noise of panic.

Fire. Of COURSE it had to be fire.

She doesn't immediately notice Sealand. All she can see is the flickering flames surrounding him, and just that is enough to send her mind into overdrive.]

S-Stay back!

[Day Two, 17th Feb. CLOSED to Zelda, Tetra, Ruler, Sealand and Sephiroth]

[neverbeamemory]

[At some point, over the last 24 hours, Sephiroth had at least found a dead end within the Labyrinth to at least rest from his constant wanderings, for about an hour or so. Somewhere to sip slowly at the bottle of water he'd come across and was gradually draining throughout his meanderings around the giant maze. Backtracking his thoughts painfully over all the left and right turns he'd taken, and more pointedly which direction he needed to head in after this short reprieve.

Sleep, -if he had dozed off much at all- sat back against a wall, may well have been the lightest in his entire existence. It strained at too-human senses with his motivated instincts screaming that he needs to stay awake, needs to stay alert for any sound or hint of movement that might be passing just around the corner. The pressing silence within the Labyrinth quickly becomes too much to bear.

Sweeping to his feet in one motion Sephiroth stretches out and heads out of the dead end, leaving nothing but the empty bottle of water behind as he again takes the sword to his hand. Time to head off in the direction he's been pondering about for perhaps the last hour of his rest time; just how big could this maze be, anyway-]

[OOC: Preliminary test-skirmish is a go since four all in one group is a big temptation! Set up a tagging order if you like guys but remember please, GMT-er here!!]

[sageprincess]

[Gradually, Zelda is becoming used to the foresight forced upon her. Compensating during conversation or when trying to navigate the maze without bumping into walls is difficult, but the benefits far outweigh the inconveniences.

As she proves when she suddenly stops moving forward, grabbing Tetra's shoulder with one hand and Sealand's with the other, the anxious hiss in her whisper a warning in an of itself.]

No, we cannot go that way!

Day 1 and 2

[averytinyparticle]

[This labyrinth is huge. At first, all Quark can think about is how he really doesn't want to be a part of this game. But he has a dagger, his hat's gone, and it doesn't really feel as if there's any sort of choice. Last time he played one of Ruana's games, he died because he couldn't win...and even though he had been revived, the notion of undergoing something scary and painful like that again is still frightening enough to the child to get him to at least entertain the idea of playing along.

Not that he's ever killed anyone before. Not that he wants to start.

But the more twists and turns he goes down, the more his focus dwindles. More than once he reaches up without thinking to reach for the compartments of his hat that hold nutrition bars as an emergency supply. He whines each and every time he finds nothing but hair, and continues walking if only to find more bars and water. Back home, he was good at rationing. That didn't make it any easier or more fun, though. Especially since he was a growing boy.

When he stops to rest, curled up with his knees tight to his chin in dark corners of dead ends, he can often be seen looking at his dagger as if he doubts it's actually real. Clearly he doesn't know how to use it--has probably never even held one like it before.]

[midday 2?]

[bloodyashes]

[Sooner or later, the fact that everyone keeps moving is going to lead to people running into each other. Most likely, Quark won't hear this fellow hunter approaching before he turns the corner - Asch is trained for assassinations, after all, and for all that he's usually as loud and conspicuous audibly as his hair makes him visually, he does know how to be quiet.

His sword is ready when he comes around the corner, halfway into an attack, but it stops short when he assesses that Quark isn't prey. He lowers it instead, cursing under his breath.]

One thing to make kids the target...

[Sorry about the probable scare, Quark.]

[Day 3]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[The third day in the labyrinth. Veronica was almost beginning to grow accustomed to the twists and turns of the maze, and the almost darkness that permeated the area. Even after being thrown into this game by Ruana, she still found ways to adapt, as she always did.

This time was a little different though, and she knew it. The rules had changed; she had a reason to do this and it was a damn good one too. Her friends were in danger, she had to do this.

...Right? Whatever. The maze was still quite confusing, Veronica had just walked out of the newest dead end she had found, going back through the winding ways to find the right branch. Apart from the sword that never left her grip, she had come across some food and a water bottle to help keep her going. It'd help, but not for long. She had to keep moving.]

Day 1, closed to Ken and team blonde prey

[puppy_lancer]

[Even with his powers removed, Lancer's tracking skills aren't bad. With Ken's help, he's picked out the slowest moving group of prey, as well as the largest group. If they could win the fight against them, then they might be able to end the game quickly, before anyone started starving in the maze or anything like that.]

[He maintains his silence as he follows along on the trail, giving a look over to his partner to see if he was ready to attack.]

[miseris_socios]

[Ken nods, creeping along quietly. A few years of living on the streets gave him enough to know how to walk without being heard, and so he keeps his footsteps light and on his toes.]

[He tightens his grip on the spear, and tilts his head forward slightly, getting ready.]

the 20th; after the Jason announcement | closed to blondeprey team

[sageprincess]

["Kill him. You will be rewarded."

Those words echo in Zelda's mind long after the retrieval unit saying them has stopped talking. Jason is in the labyrinth. Jason, who she personally fell to the last time this damnable maze was used, is even worse than prey.

She cannot help a breathless little laugh, exhausted and frazzled as she is after four days of being hunted, which her companions will likely notice. She's hardly been anything but grave and distressed thus far.]

I cannot believe it. How ironic...

[faithstaynight]

[Ruler's knuckles are white from how tightly her hands are clenched. This was bad. This was very bad. She knew things would only get worse as time went on, but this? This she wasn't expecting.

She's broken away from her thoughts by Zelda's voice, and a look of confusion crosses her face as she turns away from the now blank screen to face her friend.]

Ironic?

20th | after announcement | open

[regenleif]

[It had been a strange four days, Capell had managed to find some nutrition bars and water and was rationing them carefully. It didn't do much to stop his hunger though and he was light headed from dehydration.

He was resting, slumped against a wall when the screens came on. Capell had not been in the tower long enough to witness most of Jason's cruelties but he had heard of them. He had decided when this had started that he would not hurt anyone, but Jason was not an innocent... He was one of those who tortured the residents of this tower.

He stood up, and looked around, smelling the air. Smells seemed to be stronger, and he realised he could hear better, hear the footsteps of the others.

He set off, following the new sounds and smells.]

[neverbeamemory]

[It really was something of one of the symptoms of this place, that being able to tell the passage of time and what roughly the time of day that it was. Despite his continued, fruitless hunt in the Labyrinth, Sephiroth had at least been lucky to have came across sufficient sustenance - however sparsely it had been spread around.

Sephiroth had peered down at his new number for a few moments (0025) as the wall opposite him had lit up with a broadcast. By the time it was over, he moved to stand himself up straight and carry on-

But found that his head was stuck, so far forwards that his chin rested almost on his collarbone. A dull ache already present at the back of his neck which he raised his free hand around to rub at; but quickly discovered that the pain from even managing to raise such a weight only a fraction blossomed almost dazzling pain.

What the-

But Jason has been released into the Labyrinth, they've all been pointed at him for a quick win to this game. He had to keep moving, he had to win this game. But -damn- talk about complications, on top of the bruises and scrapes, slight dehydration and fatigue that was starting to eat at him. Starting to make this harder. Sephiroth flexes his hand around the hilt of the sword once more and -keeping his head down, looking forwards between silver bangs- carries on.

It's as he turns the corner that he was presented with Capell coming the other way towards him. Sephiroth stops and eyes him carefully on the approach.]

Day 3 to Day 4, open

[puppy_lancer]

Day 3

[Lancer drags himself through the maze, trying not to agitate the injuries that Zelda had given him during their encounter. Maybe having a ruined arm and a disabled spear would stop someone else, but Lancer is notoriously stubborn. Besides, he has too much at stakes. He needs to save Misaya.]

[At least there's food and water sprinkled throughout the maze. That's why Lancer hasn't starved to death yet, even on the third day.]

[Still, as an injured hunter, he needs to do his best to ensure that he doesn't become someone else's prey. He keeps on full alert as he goes through the maze.]

[He notices a shadow from out of the corner of his eye as he turns a corner and grabs a water bottle.]

...Who's there!

[He barks out toward the voice.]

b>Day 4, after the announcement

[Knowing he gets to hunt Jason makes Lancer feel more excited than ever. His powers might not be what he's used to, but he's used them to repair his weapon. There was never any doubt. He'd hunt down Jason first, before he hunts down anyone else.]

[In his current mood, he'd be more than willing to call a truce with anyone so long as they help him find Jason.]

Day 4, after the announcement

[neverbeamemory]

[It could only have been a matter of time, after all, before these two hunters crossed paths.

Sephiroth's awkward condition now hasn't done anything but increase his fervor in sweeping the corridors of the huge maze in earnest, however slower his movements are now on account of fatigue. Even if he found Jason first though, Sephiroth had no intention of opening up an attack, but he'd need to keep up with the Admins' movements the best that he could.

There are plenty of other hunters that came in the Labyrinth with him, that were capable enough to not have died of consumption yet. Like this certain blue-haired Servant, for example.]

Still alive then, hm.

[Though that intimidation Sephiroth has when fully powered is significantly lacking and not only on account of the fatigue creeping in. It's obvious in the way he's carrying himself, as he approaches Lancer, that there is something significantly off with his bearing.]

[animusnpcs]

[Jason moves at a rapid, efficient sort of pace through the labyrinth, carrying himself on his extra arms to facilitate his speed. He's been dropped near to the center of the maze, but apparently he has no trouble navigating it--as he works his way to the outside, he never reaches a dead end or hesitates at an intersection.

He's trying to avoid running into anyone, but that can only continue for so long.]

Day 4; Closed; Four prey and a redhead enter a bar -

[bloodyashes]

[He's not paying so much attention - even aside from the situation, the lack of sleep is getting to him. It's too quiet in the maze if he stops moving, just the sound of his own breathing and footsteps, sometimes the crunch of a dried-out nutrition bar or a squeezed water bottle.

It's making him jumpy, but it's also causing his attention to slip. Right up until that announcement, which gets all the focus he can muster.

Well, hell. Didn't expect that one.

When the group catches up to Asch again, he's started tugging distractedly at the band on his wrist as he moves, leaving a red ring around his wrist. He's listening, more than looking, around the corners, which is probably going to bite him in the ass about...

Well, now. This can't end well.]

[sageprincess]

[No, it can't. Their "amnesty" period is up, after all, and Tetra has seen red hair within range of her new powers.

Which means Zelda must make good on a promise.

She holds her breath until the man passes the corner she hides behind, stealth quickly becoming second nature (again) despite how utterly exhausted she feels. And then, in one quick, fluid movement, she rushes forward shoulder first, summoning as much force as her slight frame can muster into slamming her knight against the opposing wall.

Hi, Asch.]