FernStone

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

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Interactions: Sloane @Atrophy
Artifact Team

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As Clancy talked, Luca nodded to show that he understood. Clancy was right. He would just get in his way. Luca trusted Clancy to handle it… more than he did most of the people there. Well, it wasn’t so much a lack of trust as it was worry that they’d get hurt. Or worse, killed.

There was no time to think further. Alizée and Layla ran forward without waiting for a boost… It was time to go. No more questioning or arguing.

”Let’s go,” Luca said to Sloane, glancing over at one of the Amara’s too. Hopefully she’d follow the plan but if not… Luca could watch Sloane’s back while she got the door open, and she could watch his if he had to step in.

He didn’t wait for acknowledgment from Sloane- he knew she’d follow, or even go ahead of him. It would be fastest to go directly across the large room, but with the Starving Dog there… he couldn’t. So he stuck to the walls, running as fast as his rotting legs would allow. By the time he reached the other side he was out of breath, stopping in the corner right beside the door. A hand went out to support him against the wall, rock starting to chip underneath his fingers.

”You… do what you have to… I’ll stop anything getting you…” he panted out to Sloane, eyes fixed on the fight that was starting. For now he’d get his breath back and wait… but if people started to get hurt he wasn’t sure he could stand by because of Sloane’s worries. He would get through faster than her, even if it was with brute force and a possible sacrifice of his own health.

But why wouldn’t he for people with so much more to live for? Why even suffer like this if he couldn’t use it one of the few times it would be a benefit?

”Just say if you need me to step in.”

Recollections: Primal Sinister

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Interactions: Everyone, in a way
The Cozy Bakery

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Loni’s gaze towards Elena as she described her plan could only be described as desperate. Fear pushed through the magic caused apathy. If she went out, she might get hurt- this stranger who’d already protected her daughter. Now she was going out to get something to help her. Loni wanted to tell her it wasn’t necessary. She was fine. She couldn’t even feel the wound on her shoulder! It barely hurt! Even if that only came from her losing touch with her body as she slipped away from her Green side…

But she couldn’t. She needed the help so she could keep protecting them. If the bleeding was slowed she’d stay conscious until she could get to a healer…

“Nooooo!” It was Luciana that protested the most, not understanding why she was being left. The warmth and safety was gone, her wails piercing through the cafe as fat tears streamed down her cheeks. She crawled towards Loni, chubby hands grasping her thighs as she awkwardly tried to pull herself up.

"I’m sorry, baby, ’m so sorry," Loni whispered, barrier wavering again as she pulled Luciana up onto her lap. The little girl waved her arms to get up higher- to be held close in her mama’s arms where it should be safe. But Loni couldn’t hold her like that. Not with her shoulder, and keeping the barrier up. She could only gently press her head down and into her stomach. "It’s ok, it’ll be ok."

But she wasn’t sure if she believed it, watching Elena reach the sugar. She looked over to the man who’d been actively fighting the creature. He asked for help before disappearing.

She could help now the creature was injured. But could she help, and keep the protective circle up? It would be a push normally… she had to. It didn’t matter. She couldn’t just sit here until her magic failed and it came and killed her. She wouldn’t let it get Luciana. It didn’t matter how hurt she got. She just had to hope Elena would get back and slow the bleeding before she pushed herself too far.

Loni didn’t say that she could help. She didn’t want to draw attention to herself. Instead, she just did.

Her eyes went completely black and emotionless. The barrier remained as stable as it had been, even as its casting was moved to the background. Threads of black mist came off her fingers as they carefully pointed towards the Doppelganger. That same faint black mist began to appear around it. Weakening it. She started to press against it with her Black Lux, actively suppressing it.

The barrier flickered, before solidifying. She put everything into casting. The world around her grew distant, as if there was a layer of film between her and it. She didn’t feel anything. She visibly paled, strain clear in her grimace and shaking body. Her chest heaved up and down as if she was running a marathon. She’d never weakened something this strong. She only could because Elijah had already hurt it so badly… but it wasn’t rebounding. She was doing it, no matter how difficult it was.

She didn’t let up - and she wouldn’t, until it was dead.

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The Doppelganger

Interactions: Elijah @Theyra, Quill @PatientBean, Elena @Qia
The Cozy Bakery

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“Did you really think that would work a second time?”

The Doppelganger’s sinister voice whispered as Elijah turned visible- and it disappeared into the shadows before the spear hit it. Its voice seemed to come from everywhere. It was like it was right beside Elijah’s ear, but also on the opposite side of the room. The Blinds that had been frozen in confusion turned towards him, coming for him once again with unsteady steps.

But there was a tell now where it was even as it slipped through the shadows. A trail of blood across the floor from where Elijah had stabbed it. It led towards the counter.

“How surprising. Impressive, honestly.” the Doppelganger whispered from behind Quill. Before she had a chance to turn around it was gone again, eerie laughter echoing around the room. It seemed to be taunting them all… or was it buying itself time? “I’ll leave you till last, for giving me such a good show. Thank you. Don’t try to run.”

It reappeared for just a moment, slitting the throat of one of the women that Quill had knocked out with sharp, unnatural claws. But only one. Then it disappeared again.

More dripping blood, from behind the counter to around it. The Doppelganger reappeared in front of Elena- in between her and the circle. Its smile widened until sharp teeth took up all of its face, which twisted around and up to stare at her. It was mocking- telling her she’d made a terrible mistake by stepping outside of the protective barrier. It would be so easy for it to kill her- then, the rest.

“What a sweet gesture,” the Doppelganger taunted. Sharp claws raised up- and then it froze. A pained look crossed its unnatural eyes and the wound in its arm seemed to widen. It could feel its strength reducing, even as it fought against it.

It tried to slip back into the shadows but found it couldn’t. The hit from the spear had badly hurt it, and now this. Its unnerving smile didn’t shift. Its swipe towards Elena continued- but all of its movements were sluggish. It was slower, easier to avoid… and easier to hit.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

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Interactions: Adora @Mixtape Ghost N, Sloane @Atrophy, Clancy @Zombiedude101, Artifact Group
Artifact Group, Outside the Vault

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”Adora, you’re not good,” Luca said bluntly- and hypocritically. But it was different. The thing hurting him also helped him. He knew his own limits… he’d had ten years to test them. Adora hadn’t. And he wasn’t just going to stand there and agree to her getting killed- just like Sloane said, perhaps not in the nicest way but… she was right.

While Luca was happy they’d avoided anything on the way there, he wasn’t stupid enough to believe they’d just be let out. They could get out- he absolutely believed that- but he was realistic enough to know it wouldn’t be easy. If Adora was knocked out or, worse, killed… It won’t happen.

”I agree with Sloane,” Luca observed the door from a position slightly away from the group. Metal… It was hard to tell what type. But metal was easy to rust. There was no need to worry about how the door functioned- he touched it, and he’d make a hole big enough for them to step through. The speed of it was just dependent on how thick the door was… ”I can probably get through the door in a minute- assuming it's not incredibly thick- but I agreed to let Sloane open it. I’ll only step in if she can’t. But we’ll get through it easily between us… without anyone sacrificing themselves.”

Luca looked over at Adora, gaze almost pleading. He understood, but he needed her to stay safe too. And she wasn’t the only one that could hold it off…

”How much can you handle like this, Clancy?” Luca asked, looking over at the shadowy boy he considered a friend. The shadow where there’d been a hole in his torso was difficult to look at but he knew that he couldn’t die… As much as he didn’t want to suggest it, if anyone was to step in against the Starving Dog, it should be the person who couldn’t die. ”If you’re less hurt than Adora then… you’ll be able to hold it back best.”

He then looked over at the statue, frowning. They would need to get back past it after breaching the vault. If they didn’t destroy it they’d just be dealing with the same problem on the way out- and he was useless when it came to carrying artifacts out.

”If Layla, Alizée, Aislin and Britney can immobilize the statue… I could also destroy it. It’ll erode like any other stone I bet. Then we won’t have to deal with it on the way back out. Unless we’re hoping for a secret passage inside the vault, or a perfectly timed teleporter?”

Recollections: Primal Sinister

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The Doppelganger

Interactions: Elijah @Theyra
The Cozy Bakery

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The Doppelganger almost seemed shocked as Elijah disappeared, creepy, disembodied laughter temporarily ceasing. There was a horrible crack as the spear went for its head. Its skin stretched, shifting and snapping as all of its limbs were twisted to one side.

Where there had been a head was now an arm, sticking out from between two shoulders. The spear embedded into it and the Doppelganger stumbled forward. Blood dripped down the arm as it twisted around as if made out of putty, and reached out to grasp the spear.

“That was a nice trick,” it laughed, head turning one-eighty where it sat in the shoulder socket. A too wide grin revealed sharp teeth. The blow had hurt it- badly- but it wasn’t going to let its prey get away. It would kill this one first… it could leave the girls cowering in a ‘protective’ circle.

The man that had gone for Elijah and missed recovered from his near fall, coming around to his left. To his right was the man that had been going for Elena- head bleeding, face burning and barely able to see… but he didn’t need to when controlled like this. Their arms reached out in an attempt to grab Elijah.

Sickening crunches echoed round the room. Snap, snap, snap. The Doppelganger’s whole body twisted around to face Elijah, even with the spear still stuck in it. Nothing was in the right place anymore. The hand grasping the spear tugged hard, trying to pull it out of Elijah’s grip. The other arm came out of its stomach, lashing out with sharp claws for Elijah’s abdomen.

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Interactions: Elena @Qia
The Cozy Bakery

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Each moment without anyone else in the protective circle was like torture for Loni. All she could do is maintain it and watch as a man tried to get Elena- and tried to get her baby girl. It was difficult to breathe. Just keep it up, just keep it up-

They made it. For a moment, she thought the man was going to get them, beginning to push up onto her feet to completely leave the circle behind. But they made it. Luciana was right there, held carefully by Elena. Thankfully she’d made the right choice…

Loni gave a shaky nod and a weak smile to Elena, body trembling. She could keep up this barrier for hours normally, but hurt as she was… she didn’t know. But

"Thanks- Can y’keep holdin’ her for me?" she whispered.

Luciana started wriggling in Elena’s arms. Soft cries of ‘mama’ over and over again spilled out as she reached her little chubby hands out towards Loni. The glowing barrier flickered again as her heart trembled, (sorrow) pushing through the apathy that came. It hurt so much to see Luciana upset like this, tears still flowing down her cheeks. Loni reached out with one hand, curling around her daughter’s. It didn’t stop her crying, but she stopped struggling. She was terrified, but she recognised that her Mama was there and she’d been safe while held by this stranger.

“Mamaaa.”

"I’m sorry, baby, Mamá‘s here. I can’t hold you but I’m here," Loni’s hand completely covered Luciana’s. It was a small amount of warmth against the coldness that was her Black Lux creeping in bit by bit. She looked up from the little curly head to Elena with eyes that looked a little more dead than before. "I gotta keep it up. Soon as I focus everythin’ on her it’s gone."

The circle wasn’t so large she couldn’t talk - with space for maybe two more, at a tight squeeze. But the active casting required at least half her concentration, and as soon as she held Luciana all of her focus would go to calming her down. Then they’d all be vulnerable again.

Loni’s head snapped around at the sound of a chair crashing into the ground nearby. It was the man continuing on his mission to grab Elena, following whatever commands had been pushed into his head. He was incredibly unsteady, with blood leaking down his temple, but he continued as if it was nothing. Shit- briefly, Loni’s eyes went black. There was still only one bright spot in her vision.

The man wasn’t an Apparition even if one was controlling him.

"Get away-" For a brief moment the lightly glowing barrier dropped, the man’s shoe toeing the line of salt. Loni pushed up, better arm snapping up and over Elena. There was a brief pungent scent in the air, a chemical compound coming out of Loni’s hand and hitting the man right in the face. The man stumbled backwards, hands coming up to scratch at his burning skin. Blinded eyes stared back at Loni as he half fell, then snapped his whole body around as if pulled by a thread in another direction.

Away from them.

With just a moment of concentration, the slight shadowy shield reforming from the salt circle. Even if it didn’t protect them from the people, it protected them from the biggest threat… the Doppelganger terrified Loni.

"It don’t protect against the living," Loni explained between panicked panting, slumping back down onto her knees. A hand moved back over to Luciana, comfortingly rubbing her head before taking one of her smaller hands again. An almost apathetic gaze moved towards the fighting in the centre of the room- someone wielding a spear, the horrible twisting of the Doppelganger as it took the hit.

The spear wielder clearly knew what he was doing. Loni was still panicked, even as the numbness of Black Lux was creeping in. She had to stay focused on keeping that up… but she couldn’t bear the cold feeling of apathy. She wanted to hold her daughter… but she couldn’t. Instead she just kept hold of her little hand, rubbing it comfortingly.

"I’m glad you got magic," Loni said quietly, turning to face Elena slightly. The barrier stayed strong as she talked. It helped her with the little feelings- the fear, the crushing guilt at seeing Luciana trembling in Elena’s arms while grasping Loni’s hand. But she had to be strong to protect her, half her mind on continuously casting. "It can’t get in our heads. It ain’t- ain’t gonna get us in here. It ain't livin' like we are, so I can keep it out. I wish I could do more- like my twin, they can fight these things, I can't... Thank you so much for protectin’ her."

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Interactions: Paloma @Atrophy
South Side, Circle Neighbourhood, David Smith’s Home

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”What, surprised by how hot I am without the fur?” Bleary eyes looked up at Paloma as she stopped in front of Vin, hand covering her mouth. Yeah, it was pretty bad. Bad enough that someone like her, even as a Southsider, would probably run or faint-

Or not. If Vin could feel much at all in that moment, they would probably feel shocked.

”Yeah, yeah, sure- I got another arm,” Vin grunted, taking the folded sweater square and pressing it into their bleeding side. There was no reaction even as they used their less injured, but still damaged, hand to press it hard into a nasty wound.

There was no reaction to Paloma’s scars either, even though they were clear as day. They’d seen damage like that. Nyrah’s acid burning away friends, and closer… But they had a fair few scars themselves, even if the acid hadn’t left a lasting mark on them, and would only have more after tonight. Magical healing was great but it didn’t fix everything. Shit had to be sacrificed- and a nasty scar was a small price to pay. They could already picture all the lines they’d have on their leg when it was magically regrown and spliced back together.

That was going to hurt like a bitch too.
If they survived that long.

”I’ve survived worse,” Vin let out a bitter laugh that turned into an aching cough. They knew she was right- they wouldn’t be okay for long. Normally they weren’t force out of their Beast Form like this. In that form they could heal from most things, and at least stabilise themselves. They just had to hope Malik had actually gotten help and one of the Hollow’s healers showed. If not… they’d be legless at best, dead at worst. Both had the same fucking end really.

Vin’s lips twisted into a frown when a magical sledgehammer slammed into their Emotional Field. The Ghost… it couldn’t get in unless they let it. Did they really want to let that in? To be frozen at the whims of an annoying, nosy woman? But it would keep them alive.

They had to stay alive, for Loni and Luciana. No matter the personal cost… the annoyance was a small price to pay.

Their emotional field dropped as Paloma’s reaction shifted. They were frozen in place squinting at her in confusion, one eyebrow slightly raised and still frowning. What was she scared of? That they’d turn back into a tiger and eat her- that would be fucking ridiculous. A few years ago they wouldn’t have bothered saving her but… ah. No, they saw it now. She thought they might have lost. As if.

But unfortunately Vin couldn’t even mockingly smile, frozen in place by the Bystander Effect, stuck with only their thoughts.

Recollections: Primal Sinister

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The Doppelganger

Interactions (Doppelganger): Elijah @Theyra, Quill @PatientBean, Elena @Qia
Interactions (Loni): Elena @Qia
The Cozy Bakery

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The doppelganger looked at Elijah’s spear, then up at the man himself. It’s far too wide, twisted smile parted and a sinister laugh came out. The lights flickered. “That’s nice, Elijah, but it won’t be so painless if you struggle.”

Its head turned towards Quill, skin stretched as it did a complete one-eighty without moving its body. Like an owl, jet black eyes staring at her as its unnerving smile didn’t shift. Knife like fingers screeched across the counter. “If you want a last meal, don’t let me stop you. I’ll make sure you have company…”

Its chilling laughter echoed around the bakery as it vanished again, disappearing into the shadows behind the counter. The lights dimmed. There were muffled, confused cries from the Blinds still in the bakery- trapped in there just like the few Paranormal. Then, they were silent. Two eyes turned to stare at Quill in the dim light. Another two stared at Elijah, and the final Blind started at Elena. Eerily, emotionlessly staring. Then, they started shuffling towards their targets.

“You’ll all have company.”

The doppelganger’s voice seemed to come from everywhere, and nowhere.

Loni shivered as she stepped back out into the main cafe, slipping right past Quill without any acknowledgment. She just needed to get back to her daughter, she needed to get to Lu-

“Going somewhere, Alondra? Now, now, why don’t we continue our talk from earlier?” The doppelganger appeared from the shadows in front of Loni.

She screamed, momentum still carrying her forward. Her body twisted to the side as it swiped at her, knife-like claws tearing through her jumper and cutting deep into her shoulder. She fell forward, dropping the container. The lid came off and salt spilled all across the floor. No, no, no, I need that-

"Stay back!" Loni shoved her hands up, spraying the doppelganger in the face. It was enough that it reeled back with a hiss, neck snapping entirely and stinging eyes staring at the ceiling. Loni shuffled forward on her hands and knees, scooping up the salt as she did. She managed to get round past the corner, just, before it came for her again.

She had no choice. A foot and hand swept out, shoving the spilled salt into as wide a circle as she could manage around her. The other hand came up, black tendrils curling off her bracelet. A translucent, slightly shining barrier shot up from the salt circle as the Doppelganger swiped at her. Its hand hit the barrier and bounced off, pushing it back.

"C-come in the circle, it can’t get in!" Loni shouted, head snapping over to look at Elana with Luciana trembling in her arms. The barrier shuddered for a moment before it held strong. She just had to actively cast… ignore the pain in her shoulder, the blood ruining her clothes… get her baby inside. It could fit everyone. It was meant for everyone. She had to make sure Luciana was safe first- but she couldn't move. She could just keep it up and hope, heart thudding in her ears.

Undeterred, the doppelganger slipped into the shadows again. More clicking filled the air… whispers…

“Just accept it…”

Suddenly the shuffling Blind customers ran.

Two women came for Quill. Their eyes were blank, as if they had no soul. Once came from behind, arms reaching out to try and trap her. The other came from in front of her, grabbing a handful of donuts and shoving them towards her mouth- as if she was trying to choke her.

The man that had been cowering behind a table near Elena was now mindlessly running for her. He was older, his feet unsteady, but it didn’t stop his unnatural approach. Hands reached out towards her in an attempt to grab her shoulders, or anything he could get hold of.

“How do you do against people like you, Elijah?” The whispered laughter came from the shadows.

A young, well dressed man lurched towards Elijah, clenched fist aiming for his face. At the same time the doppelganger came out from the shadows behind him. It’s sharp claws once again went for the man, aiming for his back.

Recollections: Primal Sinister

@NoriWasHere when you come back gimme that Co-GM rule so I can slap this fucker down

Recollections: Primal Sinister

Hi! Nori (GM) is sick atm so they might not be around for a while, but the rp is definitely open to more joiners!!

Recollections: Primal Sinister

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Interactions: Paloma @Atrophy
South Side, Circle Neighbourhood, David Smith’s Home

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“Shit, I’m calling anyone who will come,” Malik nervously responded as he watched the crowd swarm the two. He eyed the strange girl with an apprehensive look as a strange itch began to present itself on his emotional field. He took a step back as the crowd fussed over the girl, tried to get her to safety and more. He then watched as the crowd dispersed a moment later. “The fuck, you some kind of cult leader-YES, we need backup,” Malik spoke into the phone, “Caleb is dead. Vin is holding it off but we’ll need a response unit…. Yeah, confirmed dead…. Yeah…okay get here quick.”

Malik placed his phone in his pocket as he looked back towards the girl. “If you don’t mind, we’d like you to stick around. We need to figure out what happened and all, and you got a really good look at the monster.” He motioned for the girl to follow him across the street as the sound of the fight continuing was still ever present outside. While this girl was not really his concern she was a local, and everyone had to look out for each other down here.

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VS
The Doppelgänger

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The doppelgänger roared as it saw that the girl did not take the bait and was escorted outside. He would be sure to track her down after the pain on its back was taken care of. The doppleganger shot forward at frightening speed, jumped up to the roof, before it grabbed hold of it. It held itself there for a second before it pushed off and sent the two crashing into the hallway below.

Fuck. Now this was a proper fight. Vin let out a grunt of pain as they once again were slammed into a solid surface. They shoved a clawed foot into the doppelgänger's back, detaching as they tried to roll to the side and away from it.

”That all you got? Hittin' me into walls?” they snarled, new wounds on their back ones again beginning to stitch up painfully. But they didn't show any sign of pain - instead there was only joy shining in their eyes.

The doppelganger just laughed, a sinister sound that echoed around the damaged house. It's arm twisted into a spear again that shot towards where Vin had been. Vin's strong arms came up, hitting the spear and redirecting it as they scrambled to the side. Ethereal black light coated them and the doppelganger as they magically defended against its attack. Their hand snapped out to grab the spear, sharp claws digging into it and yanking the Doppelganger towards them.

Now it was a proper fight. Facing each other, no hits to the back, no slamming into walls. The maw on its torso sneered at them. Vin sneered back, lips pulling back to reveal their sharp, bloodstained teeth.

They jumped forward, claws digging into the doppelganger’s shoulder as they tried to kick its legs out from underneath it again. With sickening crunches, its legs snapped to the side. The spear curled back around and stabbed into Vin’s shoulder.

Vin didn’t even flinch. They twisted their head to the side and bit down on the appendage- snapping the bone and further. Crunching it until they ripped it off. The sharp end remained in their shoulder, blood sluggishly leaking around it. They smiled, licking blood off their lips. Bitter.

The doppelganger’s lengthened appendage shortened. Its arms, now like strong tendrils, wrapped around Vin’s waist. They were thrown through the hall wall, leaving behind a tiger sized hole before slamming into the back wall. Plaster fell on them and they grimaced. More broken ribs, even as the others started to snap back into place-

Gnashing teeth and sharp claws fell on them as the doppelganger launched itself onto their slumped body. Claws like theirs, but different - shorter, more like thorns - ripped down their chest. They kicked where it’s dick would’ve been- part of them hoped it was still there.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t, but it succeeded in dislodging the doppelganger slightly. Vin flipped them, arching their back to avoid the chomping maw. Teeth and claws tore into flesh as they grappled. Each time the doppelganger hurt them there wasn’t pain- just thrill. To have something that could hurt them so much. The blood- its and their own- went to their head. A rush, grinning as they tasted iron on their tongue.

If only this could last forever.

Their back slammed into a wall again- ah, that was getting boring.

Snaps, cracks, bodies contorted in near tandem. Short and sharp bone spears stabbed through Vin’s stomach as their legs and tail morphed. Feet lengthened, claws become sharp enough to decapitate anyone lucky enough to be at the other end of them. The thick tail balanced them as they delivered a powerful kick to the doppelganger’s lower half.

Two.

Limbs went flying. Excitement filled Vin’s chest as they watched a twisted leg, bone completely broken, fall to the ground. Excitement turned to elation as the doppelganger completely replaced the limbs. It’s stronger. Oh fuck- finally!

Hoarse laughter bubbled up in their throat. The doppelganger’s arm shifted into something akin to a club, slamming into Vin’s arm like it was made of steel. The cracks that followed were like music to Vin’s ears. Intense pain, breaks so bad their regeneration could just barely knit the torn muscles together- It’s going to be so fun when I kill this thing.

Even with the broken bones they could still use their arm, muscles threading back together in a strange form of regeneration that aimed to keep them in animalistic fighting condition. They slammed another foot into the doppelganger and pushed it away, scrambling to the side.

A sharp coldness froze them.

Another mouth. What remained of David’s head, barely hanging on, teeth elongating into fangs that bit into Vin’s shoulder. Icy poison shot into their veins. They fell onto their stomach. They struggled to flip themselves over, chest heaving up and down. It was difficult to move. Venom like theirs.

Weaker than theirs. A mimicry of theirs.

Work work work work work- All the ribs that weren’t broken shoved through their back, spearing the doppelganger as it went for their throat. Sharp bone shoved into its body and poison enhanced with black lux caused enough pain that it reeled back.

Three. Ribs pulled into their back with a squelch, and kangaroo legs lengthened back into a tigers. They had to finish this soon. No more transformations. End it. It was hurt. Tear it apart.

Vin pushed themselves to their feet, swaying slightly as their vision went blurry. Pain and blood loss was starting to take its toll… But not enough. They refused to go down, and if they did, they’d go down fighting.

”Last chance to surrender,” Vin grunted, eyes narrowing at the doppelganger. It was a mess of flesh and blood, black smoke curling from all the places Vin had hit it. Its arms shifted into thick tendrils, spikes made of sharp bone shoving through. Its gaping maw formed a mocking grin and it laughed.

No answer, no surrender. Good. Beat it, bound it, serve it up to the girl for questioning-

Using the wall as leverage, they launched themselves at the doppelganger. Teeth tore through already damaged flesh, and their claws scratched whatever they could reach. Trying to find the most vulnerable spots- to reach its organs.

The spiked tendrils wrapped around their waist, slamming them into the ground before it followed. Their leg shot up to kick it away, going right into the gaping maw as it moved to catch them.

It snapped shut, jagged teeth ripping through fur and flesh. Grotesque snapping filled the air as Vin's leg shattered, bones fracturing into multiple pieces. The doppelganger chomped down again and again, trying to devour their leg as if it was a piece of chicken. A thorn covered tendril wrapped around their body, creeping around their throat. Stabbing, choking.

Agony. Dying. Fight. Survive. Kill.

For them.

Dark green and black mist curled out of their hands as they channeled all of their magic into one final spell. The Final Blow.. It was kill or be killed. No time for thoughts. Only fight. Kill. Survive.

”Die.” A savage hiss ripped itself from Vin's mouth as they bent at their torso, forcing their entire body up even as the doppelganger slammed them into a wall like a dog getting especially aggressive with a toy. Their claws ripped through its back and powerful black lux surged through their skin.

It tore the Doppelganger apart as much as Vin's claws did.

It gave one last dying bite before the blow killed it. The mutated body went limp on Vin, and they kicked it off with their other leg. It revealed what was left of the one it got to. A mutilated mess, skin and muscle ripped apart to reveal the cracked bone within. It was hanging together by thin threads of sticky, red flesh. Blood painted the floor red.

It was agony. Now that the adrenaline was gone it was even clearer. They were going to die without a healer… but that wasn't the only concern.

The final blow... No magic.

What little magic they had sustaining their beast form, regeneration pathetically cauterising the wounds so they wouldn't just die, was snuffed out. Fuck, fuck, fuck-

Vin bit into their good arm to suppress their scream. Claws pulled back into their fingertips, leaving bleeding holes. Bones snapped and twisted as they pulled back in, growing shorter and more human. It was agony. Their vision went black as their body was forced to transform back in its battered form. Their injured leg jerked, skin painfully shifting. It was worse than being a chewing toy of the creature- all the pain multiplied as their body tried to twist itself back into its normal shape, through broken bones and barely hanging together flesh.

They leaned to the side, throwing up the alcohol and bread they’d eaten earlier. The agony from the transformation subsided, leaving only the agony from all of their injuries. Fuck. They’d live. It was difficult to get back to their feet- well, single working foot. They leaned heavily against the wall and hopped towards the open door. They couldn’t get much further. Didn’t want to like this. They slumped back down, legs shoving out and into the path leading up to it.

They were a state. It was only made more obvious now that they were human again without the covering of their striped fur. Bruises bloomed across their tanned skin, sports bra and boxers combo hiding very little of their injuries. There were deep wounds all over them- a particularly nasty looking laceration where claws had ripped into their side still bleeding, and another across their cheek and dangerously close to their tired brown eyes. Their right arm hung limp at their side, shards of bone shoving through it.

Then there was their leg. It was torn apart, skin stripped apart to reveal the shattered bone beneath. The only thing connecting their upper thigh to their calf was a few stringy threads of sinew. What little muscle and skin remained was torn beyond recognition, and the white bone was coated in blood - even if the active bleeding was now sluggish. It looked bad, it was bad, and it hurt like a bitch.

But they still had the energy to shout.

”Malik! When the fuck is a doc gettin’ here?!”

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

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Interactions: Adora @Mixtape Ghost N, Sloane @Atrophy, Everyone
Artifact Team

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With the monster beheaded by Britney, Luca pressed himself back against the wall. The remaining flesh on his hands completely rotted away, leaving them as clean as they’d started. With a grimace he pulled his gloves back on. His chest heaved up and down, head tilting to the side and squinting against the fire still blocking their way out. He inched towards it has frost crept towards them - preferring the heat radiating off it to the gripping frost that could easily hurt someone as sick as him.

But it wasn’t over yet. What could he do? Adora said to run. To where? Back and out? No way. If he got closer-

Part of the roof caved in. Dirt stung his eyes, and dust filled his lungs. Luca took a heaving breath, before coughing. Rough, horrendous sounding coughs tore through him as he breathed in more and more dust. His knees buckled underneath him and hit the floor. He curled forward and into himself. Even as the dust began to clear, hacking coughs still ripped through his frail body. Rotten lungs barely functioned under the best circumstances… It was so difficult to breathe. But he had to. Deep breaths, slow breaths.

Dark coloured bile was forced past Luca’s lips, spat out onto the floor as he forcefully coughed up as much dust as he could. Eventually, breathing got easier. His limbs stopped shaking, and. It was just a short lived attack brought on by the dust. He’d be fine.

One hand grasped at the wall as he pushed himself back to his feet. His hand went into his backpack, pulling out an unlabelled tub of pills. He threw a couple in his mouth and washed them down with the small water bottle he’d brought with him.

That should relieve the agony in his limbs a little, at least. Either way he’d just push through like normal.

”A- Adora, are you alright?” he coughed out, squinting to try and find his friend. She… seemed to be alive. He wanted to stay behind and make sure she was alright, but what could he do? He’d just hurt her more if he got close. It was better to press forward, find the artifacts and get out of here.

”Let’s keep going. We still need to get past the guard dog… Gotta be quick since we’re lit up.”

Before he started moving forward Luca moved back towards Sloane, pausing a short distance away - long enough that she wouldn’t quite feel the prickling of his aura, but it was almost there. He looked at her with completely brown eyes - no hints of the rotten green that was a telltale for the rot taking over. Not that he knew she had the bronze needle on hand.

”I’m alright, in case you’re worried,” he said quietly - talking about the coughing like he was dying… which she knew he was. ”It was the dust, not the rot. It hasn’t progressed at all because I… well, I can tell when it does.”

His eyes creased slightly, reassuring smile hidden behind his black surgical mask. He held up a gloved hand. ”Let’s go- I’d offer you a hand, but that’ll end badly for us both.”

Recollections: Primal Sinister

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Interactions: Hopefully not the world’s biggest idiot @Atrophy, Not David @NoriWasHere
South Side, Circle Neighbourhood, David Smith’s Home

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Being slammed through two walls wasn’t fun. It was the opposite of fun. Vin managed to twist their body so their back took the brunt of the impact, teeth and claws still sunk into the Doppelganger. Blood matted the fur across their back - and it was the only thing hiding the bruises undoubtedly blooming across their skin. It started to painfully stitch together. At least another rib was broken.

But fuck it. They’d suffered worse.

Their teeth ripped into its shoulder, tearing out a whole chunk of flesh and spitting it out onto the wood floor. Blood stained their sharp canines, bared for another bite. Their sharp yellow eyes momentarily left the creature they were wrapped around to look at Paloma - still alive, still there.

And it was trying to convince her to talk them down.

”Are you fuckin’ serious- don’t listen to it. That ain’t David, it’s a fuckin’ Apparition - an evil fucking Ghost! Nothin’ like the one you got inside, lady,” Vin snarled. His legs dropped back to the ground with a thud, pawed feet pushing out into a wider stance. ”Go with Malik! Get outta here!”

There was a chaotic, joyful glint in their gaze that shifted back to the doppelganger. Their front teeth lengthened, forming sharp, viper like fangs. Their claws pulled out of skin only to grab it and dig in further. Then Vin pushed against it with all of their weight and strength, head shooting forward to bite down on the doppelganger again. There was two aims - get it on the floor, and shoot it full of enough venom to paralyse it for enough of a moment they could fuck it up more.

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Interactions: “Bill” & Elara @NoriWasHere, Varnan @Blizz
Bill’s Tattoo Shop

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At least one of the outsiders fucked off. The one still with them could handle himself - thankfully. They did need the help, as much as Bryn didn’t want to admit it. She turned her head towards Elara as she pulled out her phone, recognising Adam’s voice. Of course.

"Callin’ help in so soon?" Bryn snorted - though she was grateful for it. While she hadn't used her full abstraction yet, not wanting to burn the shop down, she had a limited supply of ash with her… and there were no dead bodies around.

"Only a couple? We got this, we ain’t fought during the Cataclysm for nothing." Her eyes narrowed. Watching, as Elara notched an ice arrow. Waiting. Her eyes lit up with an amber light, as if they were smouldering. Glowing amber lines spread out in her vision towards all the useable bones- none that she could actually see. Roadkill, probably. But she could get to them if she had to.

The ice arrow barely seemed to stop it as it burnt out. She didn’t expect it to. Maybe if she had a few bodies worth of ash… fuck, don’t think about that. Work with what she had. One hand went on the cold ground as she crouched in a position she could easily dodge in.

Then she shot hard balls of burning ashes at the Doppelganger - each one tightly packed and flaming hot, like magical bullets, aimed all over its body.

”Now would be a great time for some’a that freezin’ bullshit!"