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

[bloodyashes]

[To his credit, he hears enough to turn his head, just barely enough to see a rush of hospital gown and blond hair. He's also able to throw up a hand - not to stop himself, but to provide some cushion between his head and the wall, slamming his skull onto his forearm instead of the hard surface.

It doesn't hurt much less, but at least he's not unconscious. He starts to twist, getting ready to slam his other arm back into his assailant's stomach -

Until he recognizes her in the corner of his vision, as far as he can turn his head around, and goes completely still, damn near limp.

Hi, Zelda. It's nice to see you.]

[sageprincess]

[Her own forearm doesn't move from its place across his shoulders once she has him pinned, applying more pressure as he tries to twist out of it. Her other hand searches for his own, or rather, the blade within it, and the first thing she does when given the opportunity is immobilize it.

Not that it's strictly necessary, but it's easier for her fatigued mind to simplify the game into 'threats' and 'non-threats,' and Asch made it very clear which category he would fall under once the third day passed.

She doesn't let him go, not yet, but his stillness gives her a chance to speak.]

You got too close.

[bloodyashes]

[He doesn't resist the pin or the hand going for his weapon - in fact, he hardly moves at all, only shifting his weight to a little less tiring of a stance. His breathing has the forceful evenness of someone who is trying very hard to keep it that way.]

Didn't even know you were there. I'm slipping up.

[If it had been one of the other members of her little group... Well, if it had, he would be resisting a hell of a lot more, but he could also have been dead. For now, he's going to trust her.

His grip on the sword loosens - unless Zelda is supporting it directly, it'll fall to the ground next to them.]

I have to say, I didn't expect Ruana to drop one of her own in here.

[sageprincess]

[Which is precisely why she's the one doing the assailing, as rough and undignified as it is. This way, none of her friends get seriously hurt. This way, they might just survive.

The sword falls to the ground with a clatter, and Zelda shifts her weight to kick it out of the way. Then and only then does she start easing up, though her body remains tense in preparation for any sudden movements.]

It is his maze, and Riki said he was the one behind the explosions.

[She should have known, but fear and guilt do awful things to critical thinking.]

Are you going after him?

[bloodyashes]

[No sudden movements, though he does slide his arm down when she lets up enough that he can manage it. Please don't squash his face against the wall now that there's nothing in the way, Zelda.]

It's still up in the air. I'm not suicidal enough to try on my own.

[Just because Jason's been dumped in here with them doesn't mean they shouldn't take him seriously.

Another few forced, even breaths, then he folds his free hand behind his back where Zelda can easily pin the two together.]

Are you?

[sageprincess]

[No, she won't, but she will take the given opportunity to hold Asch's hand's behind his back. He may or may not be relieved to note that her grip is not the firmest - even if she wasn't tired, hungry, and dehydrated, brute strength has never been her forte. Still, with him sufficiently pacified, she lets up, allowing him to move away from the wall.]

It is strange to think, but... he now represents hope of escape.

[She's still not over the irony of it all, may never be over it.]

It would be suicidal of us not to at least attempt it.

[Kill Jason, or be hunted for another three days. The choice is fairly easy, even if the task is not.]

rest of the team is free to tag in now I think?

[bloodyashes]

[He breathes a little easier when she lets up, but not much. His voice is still carefully neutral around the measured pattern of his breathing.]

She's only going to let one out. That's the way she works.

[It's not going to be him. If they let him along, he'll make sure of it, one way or another. Breathe.]

Get yourself out, or one of the kids. The rest of us will deal.

now she's specifically calling for them wheeee

[sageprincess]

We will figure something out.

[Though she hardly knows what or how, there's a will for it, whatever it might end up being. At least her determination to try hasn't been suppressed by the memory of past failures.

She calls out down the corridor she rushed out from.]

He is unarmed!

[stop_calling_me_zelda]

[Tetra's been keeping back, just as she should have, and keeping track to make sure no one else is nearby. As soon as Zelda calls for them, she darts out, grabbing the sword just in case. If someone else approaches, she doesn't want them to get to it first.]

[faithstaynight]

[Ruler had obediently kept back as well, despite her desire to run to her friend's side the minute the scuffle started. But... perhaps it was better this way, considering the bad feelings between the two of them.

But the moment Zelda calls out, Ruler is instantly by her side, the grip on her spear firm. Just because he's disarmed and currently immobilized doesn't mean he's completely harmless.]

What do you wish to do with him?