Lad
New Member
[SIZE=11pt]"-- and that's why i'm no longer allowed within three miles of any observatory haha"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You shake your head and kick distractedly at a piece of discarded carapician armor lying on the ground as you walk next to Katrin. You look at the checkered landscape surrounding both of you. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"well <- i'm bored + i don't think there's anything left to gather here <=> we'll just have to report back empty-handed to dem--> <ooh> there"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You point excitedly at a dark cave not too far from where you are standing and look at Katrin. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"look at it <- that thing's just begging to be explored + come on <- just you and me <=> like old times /right\ + won't take a sec"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Looking towards the cave they've pointed at you manage a thin smile. It is really....,not begging to be explored actually. In fact it seems deep and foreboding and the kind of way designed specifically to scare off overzealous travelers. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"Maybe..., some other..., time...,"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You say hesitantly already feeling as though you know exactly how this cave thing will go, something is going to try and kill you two down there. You'll need help and neither of you will die, because you can't, but it'll still hurt. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"..., Look...., we, should get back....,"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You wave away Katrin's concerns and start walking towards the cave. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"it'll be fine <- i'll heal any injuries you get anyway => this'll be <fun> <= it's been way too long since we both went on an adventure together anyway"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] What is Katrin worried about? You've gone through far worse so many times by now. Okay, so your relationship has been a bit strained over the past few weeks; you're not exactly sure why, she mostly just seems a little more reserved than usual. But that makes it all the more important to have an adventure now, and have fun like before![/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]"..., I know you will....,and, it probably does..., seem like fun, to you....,"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You say with a sigh as they start walking towards the cave without you. Stopped in your tracks you wait for them to notice you aren't going. It has been a long time since you went on an adventure. But you just haven't been able to bring yourself to ..., support Soreim's, more reckless, behavior, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"...,they're going to wonder..., where we are Sor....,'"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]"it'll just be a sec -> just a sec"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You keep walking for a while before you notice Katrin isn't following you. Is she getting cold feet? You turn around with your hands on your hips and a grin on your face. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"/what's the matter\ <- don't tell me you've suddenly turned into a cluckbeast"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You walk back to her and grab her hand, dragging her towards the cave. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"it'll be fine -> the others can wait <= they're not that important <- let them wonder => we'll get to surprise them"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]"..., that's not...," [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]You begin to protest in vain, why is it so hard to believe that you just don't want to go on an adventure today? Soreim doesn’t get very far pulling you along before you tug your hand free of their grip, exclaiming [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"I'm..., not going!"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You don’t want to be angry, but they just won’t listen, crossing your arms you frown and add more forcefully[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] "..., and don’t say...., they're not important!"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You keep walking for a few seconds before it registers that you're not pulling Katrin along anymore. You turn to look at her with a puzzled look on your face, puzzlement that turns to a frown as you hear her words. You force another smile. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"come now -> come now"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You open your arms wide as you walk back towards her. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"i just want us to relax -> to have a good time => you know <- /like we <used to>\"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Their last part is punctuated by small green electric arcs running across their fingertips, as the dance they walk with seems to subtly change. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"/why so serious kat\ <- /why so serious\ hahaha"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You hold your ground as they start walking back towards you, watching as sparks play over their fingers. It's time to put your foot down,[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] "...,Well..., things..., aren't like..., they used to be...,"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You can feel a snicker welling up in spite of your grave attitude as Soreim starts laughing. It's not supposed to be funny, you're acting serious because it is! It’s not something you should be laughing about, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"..., one of us has to..., take things seriously, I mean...., and, you can't do it!"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]She's so funny when she looks all serious like that. You try to imitate her pose, exaggerating her features. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"oh bluh bluh bluh -> i'm katrin and so serious -> fish pun <= we can't have fun because it'll <hurt> us <- bluh bluh"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You giggle at your own impression and shake your head. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"aaah -> well <= if you don't want to go looking for fun"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You walk right up to her face, still grinning as broadly as ever. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"<let's make our own>"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You twirl, lift your leg up in the air, then jump up and land a kick against her face. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"haha -> <let's dance>"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Almost scowling by the time they'v walked up to you you're thinking you should just leave them and let them find their own fun here if that’s really what they- Soreim makes a twirling motion and then you stagger as pain explodes across your face.[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] "Ow!..., what the...,Fine, let's!"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Snarling you barrel forward into them swiping quick open handed bows at their face [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"...,You cod do better..., than that!" [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You dodge most of her blows easily with your increased agility, but some of them manage to land nonetheless. One in particular makes your eyes water, and your grin turns into a snarl. You skip around Katrin to get behind her, then grab her by her arms and lift off into the air. You continue twirling in mid-air, holding her at arms' length. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"<see> -> isn't this much more <fun>"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] you say as you let go of her with a flourish, launching her away from you.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Struggling against Soreim as they pick you up, your hopes are answered as they let go of you. You soar up and what would certainly be a painful landing never comes as your wings catch you flying in midair,[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] "...., shore....., SO much fun!"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Dropping down to hover on your stomach almost upside down just above them. Just because you can you reach down to shake them by one of their horns.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]"ow ow ow ow -> nope -> not the horns -> ow"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You stretch out your arm, equipping your pen as you do so, and try to aim it in the general vicinity of your horns. You slide a ring and click it twice. The air above you explodes with an invisible concussion, sending both of you flying apart. You pirouette and rotate as you glide, your wings beating in harmony with the Music. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"ahaha"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] you exclaim as you right yourself, turning to face her again. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"let's make this more interesting then"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You push off a nearby tree and rush towards her, your pen charging up another attack.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The force of the concussion catches you full front and sends you tumbling through the air, leaving a sore feeling across your face like you'd been punched. You feel yourself falling for a moment before your wings work up enough force to catch you again. Regaining your balance in time to see Soreim charging at you with their pen, you equip your 3xneedle. Rushing at them and then dropping at the last minute to stab at their legs instead[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You cry out as the needles hit your legs. It's all you can do to hold on to your pen and grab Katrin by her hair. Your pen finishes charging up, and wincing through the pain, you bring it down on her neck, writing a hastily-scraled "S" with its iridescent ink. The surrounding are immediately turns red and swells up as the corrosive ink seeps into her skin.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Shrieking you claw at the burning mark on your neck as though you're going to try scratching the acid out. Eyes watering you bite down against any other crying out as Soreim holds you suspended by your hair. Instead baring your teeth you let your needle fall to free you other hand and grab their hand where it's fisted in your hair sending arcs of purple tinged electricity up their arm.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You let go of Katrin the moment the electricity starts coursing through your body, as your arm spasms irregularly. Despite the pain, you're still enjoying this; it's just like those early days, when you just faced whatever came at you head on. With a few flaps of your wings you back away from Katrin and begin writing letters in mid-air with your pen. The letters seem to hover in the air, spelling out Katrin's name in incadescent writing. As you finish writing the last letter, you press another button and point your pen at Katrin. The letters turn into long streams of green fire and start wrapping themselves around Katrin like ropes.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You let yourself drop, hitting the ground heavily and scrambling for your fallen needle. Pulling yourself to your feet again you use The Power of Love and a sharp pain erupts in your chest as you split your soul off into two translucent pink copies of yourself. One of them leaps at Soreim without command slashing the air with a single needle. The second stands nervously darting back and forth as though it can't decide whether to fight while you stumble trying to ignore the burning in your neck long enough to peel away the burning strands leaving blistering welts on your skin as they curl around your limbs. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Ho ho, three Katrins? That's perfect. You easily dodge out of the way of the first copy and jump on to the second copy's back. With all the strength you can muster, you begin strangling her with both hands while your hands glow green, slowly but surely draining what little Life this copy has been given. You fly back up into the air to avoid the other two and holding on as steadfastedly as you can.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You are still on the ground trying to escape the fiery bonds Soreim’s et on you before when Soreim grabs your hesitant double. It doesn't fight dropping its needle and the weapon shimmers out of existence as it falls, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"..., Don’t just..., fight them! What's..., wrong..., with you!" [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]You curse at it and the fragment resorts to tearing at the hands at its throat. Sneering angrily the first fragment throws its needle as Soreim flies out of its reach, and then pulls the weapon back to its hand by a thin thread of pink to try again. Another pain flashes in your chest as Soreim’s hands glow green, this one low and throbbing compared to the sharp quick one from splitting yourself. Resigning yourself to the burning on your hands you dig your claws under the ropes finally gaining some purchase to begin tearing them away.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]As you keep constricting the fragment's chitinous windhole, you can feel her getting weaker. Holding on with only one hand, you reach for your pen, click once to deploy a sharp tip and jam it into the back of her neck, hoping fragments are weaker than a normal troll.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The fragment cracks as the pen jams into its neck and shatters in a burst of fine glass shards. You stamp the ropes out at last and rise unsteadily grasping your needle in painfully burned hands. A hollow emptiness has replaced the pain of the dying fragment of your soul, but it leaves you feeling strangely, uninhibited. Holding a hand out you coil your psionics around Soreim.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You laugh as the fragment shatters beneath you. Its life force is sucked into your body and you feel a temporary boost of speed, which you immediately use to jump at the other fragment. As you do so however, you feel the air around you become heavier, as if something is closing in upon you. You ignore it for now, focusing your attention on the other fragment. You use your heightened speed to try to dodge its attacks in order to get close to it, your pen crackling with leftover energy.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The remaining fragment makes up for what its counterpart lacked in enthusiasm stabbing wildly at the other troll as Soreim dodges all of its attacks. It seems to grow increasingly frustrated and it's slashing grows more and more reckless. Before Soreim can get too close to your remaining fragment you constrict your psionics around the other troll pulling them back towards you as hard as you can and brandishing your three pronged needle.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You're so close! You stretch out your arm, pen ready for stabbing, when something starts to pull you back. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"hey -> that's <cheating>"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] you yell out at the Katrin behind you, as you invest all your energy in resisting the pull. You quickly give up, as you don't see any way of fighting it, and instead opt to turn on the real Katrin. She's looking so fiercely at you now; that's pretty funny. You start to chuckle as you are drawn in closer and closer and begin to write on the air, ignoring the remaining fragment completely. The words you pen are significantly more elaborate than your previous ones, but none of them make any sense taken as a whole. You write faster than you ever have as you keep approaching her.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]“..., if you don't like it…..,clam it and cry to your lusus…., landhag!”[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You snap, squeezing your psionics around them. They have the gall to call that cheating after taking a piece of your soul? Indignation reverberates in the empty space it left. You see them writing in the air, the memory of the ropes still burning painfully in the wounds they left behind, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]“No moray of that!”[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] you stop pulling abruptly and your psionics crackle with a burst of electric energy, your fragment takes the opportunity to catch up holding its needle in two hands as it leaps for Soreim.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You gasp as the electricity courses through your body, causing you to lose your concentration. The extra Life you're still holding on to manages to block some of the pain, but you still feel the bulk of it. You're pretty sure your pump biscuit is skipping a few beats. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"n-no no no-o <- noo-oot <re-ready>"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Your lack of concentration breaks the joke you were crafting, and the words spiral out of control around you, equally hitting you, Katrin and her remaining fragment. Nonsense joke fragments force their way into your head, etching themselves in arcing letters in your vision. You can't even remember the joke you were writing, but you're sure it was going to be a… killing joke. Hahaha. That's funny. You laugh at that too. Suddenly, the nonsense words seem to make more sense too. Beautiful. Wait, hold on, you've got a heckler trying to stab you. Everybody's a critic these days. You swipe at the fragment with your pen, aiming for one of its eyes. You're having trouble seeing because of the electric fire dancing in your eyes, but at least it makes for a pretty sight.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The words from Soreims writing lash out as they cease writing, wheedling into your mind in bits and pieces of bilge. Punchlines and disconnected setups to jokes that don’t make sense anyway echoing through your head in duplicate from the fragment as well. Something about it must be funny, you can feel yourself starting to laugh. You should be laughing you decide, this is fun, just like before! It’s taking every bit of concentration you can muster to think through all the rubbish being put in your head joining the purple lights of your psionics as the words flash over your eyes. But you have to keep it up, you’re going to win! There’s another sharp pain in your chest as Soreim swipes at the remaining fragment leaving a gash in the translucent material of its face. You hiss dropping your psionics to clutch at the pain. It hurts more than the first one did, but the fragment staggers forward again with a motion that is less like stabbing this time, more akin to falling needle first at the other troll.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You feel the pressure around you disappear suddenly moments before you violently hit the ground. Geez, Katrin really needs more practice with her psionics, this is just lousy. You're about to complain to her when you notice her looming over you - or, more appropriately, lunging at you with her needle out. You raise your hand, placing it directly in the needle's path. It passes cleanly through, the incision leaving little room for blood to trickle through. You think that's kind of odd, and also kind of EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFUL, but stranger things have happened. Somebody is screaming too. Oh, hey, that's you! This makes sense. You blink at Katrin and smile through the pain as your scream dies out, your hand still held up. "[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]your fish puns suck"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] is all you can manage.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The fragment shatters leaving a gaping wound where its needle had pierced through Soreim’s hand. Everything hurts, and someone is screaming- is it you? -oh thank cod it’s not you. Part of you says that you should sit the fuck down and take some deep breaths, but you think that part of you had the life strangled out of it so what does she know. Kick their gut, stomp their teeth in, make them be quiet, this is the fun part! Win! That’s another part of you, but both of them just got themselves killed so whichever one this one is it can’t be all that bright either. You pull yourself to your feet, the searing pain in your chest is gone. Of course it’s gone, you let those things die. You had planned on having a firmer grip on your needle but it hurts to clench your fists and you stumble over to stand next to Soreim. Their screams peter out, good it was getting- are they…, making fun of your fish puns again? [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]“....,Sounds like …..,somebouy, is a little …..,jellyfish…..,”[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You say between with a predatory grin breaths heavy with pain, dam you’d forgotten how much it hurt to do this without them healing you all the time., [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]“..., You shoal-d quit…, baiting…., badder fish….,”[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You twirl your pen with your one good hand as Katrin towers over you. You're pretty sure you've lost, but at least you had fun in the process. You look up to her, your smile wavering slightly as you start to feel the pain more and more. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"i guess you're right -> never did know when to quit + so"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You breathe in deeply; did you also break some ribs when you fell? What a day. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"this is my last performance /huh\ + welp -> only one thing left for me to do"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You stop twirling your pen and instead plant it in the ground, spin its cap quickly until it falls off and hit the button. A red light starts to blink faster and faster. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"<time to go out with a bang>"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You see the blinking red light as they jab their pen into the ground, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]” …., Whatta carp out!...,” [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]You snarl, Blowing both of you up just because you were about to win. Clenching your hand around your needling, smearing purple over the grip from your raw hands, you imagine the pain is going to become very insignificant shortly. You bring the needle down hoping for one last strike as the flashing peaks into a continuous stream of light.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The air flashes white just as the needle connects… and then the pen emits a small whirring noise. Both of you watch as the pen deploys a tiny little metal pole up into the air, followed by the unfurling of the attached miniature flash with the word "Bang" on it. You start to giggle in between ragged breaths; you can feel the needle in you, and it seems like it's gone through one of your lungs. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"haha--aah ha + got you /did-idn't i\ hahhhah"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] With your remaining strength you raise your unpunctured hand and turn it into a finger gun. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"watch out -> hhahah -> i'm gonna sh-shoot you now <- pew <- p-pew"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Your laughter slowly turns into wheezing gasps as blood keeps pouring from your wounds.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You cringe and brace yourself as light erupts from the pen. Nothing explodes. Staggering and collapsing you release a shaky breath. You’re caught somewhere between wanting to shake Soreim senseless for that….., coddamn flag, and maybe just taking a nap while you see if the vascular palpitations from, the same event, clear up. For a moment you think you must be hearing things because you can hear Soreim laughing, but as you look over, no of course they’re laughing. Gathering your thoughts, you nod slowly doing nothing to hide your still shellshocked expression [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]“..., yeah…., you, did….,”[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Reaching forward you grasp the needle left in their chest, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]“....,But….,” [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]you continue, wrenching it out roughly, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]“….., I think….,I got you…., too…,”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You gasp in pain as Katrin pulls out her needle. You're pretty sure you should be unconscious at this point, but the last amount of Life you are clinging to is still keeping you awake. You look at Katrin and manage a wink. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"yeah -> s-sure looks like thaa-at + so <- /guess t-this is goodbye\"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You meditate on this for a second or two, but then shrug your shoulders. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"okay <- m-might as well then"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You get up on your elbows and, draining your last reserves, you raise your head as high as you can and give Katrin a quick kiss on the lips with your dying breath. You then let your head drop back down, and darkness overwhelms you.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Looking towards the cave they've pointed at you manage a thin smile. It is really....,not begging to be explored actually. In fact it seems deep and foreboding and the kind of way designed specifically to scare off overzealous travelers. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"Maybe..., some other..., time...,"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You say hesitantly already feeling as though you know exactly how this cave thing will go, something is going to try and kill you two down there. You'll need help and neither of you will die, because you can't, but it'll still hurt. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"..., Look...., we, should get back....,"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You wave away Katrin's concerns and start walking towards the cave. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"it'll be fine <- i'll heal any injuries you get anyway => this'll be <fun> <= it's been way too long since we both went on an adventure together anyway"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] What is Katrin worried about? You've gone through far worse so many times by now. Okay, so your relationship has been a bit strained over the past few weeks; you're not exactly sure why, she mostly just seems a little more reserved than usual. But that makes it all the more important to have an adventure now, and have fun like before![/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]"..., I know you will....,and, it probably does..., seem like fun, to you....,"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You say with a sigh as they start walking towards the cave without you. Stopped in your tracks you wait for them to notice you aren't going. It has been a long time since you went on an adventure. But you just haven't been able to bring yourself to ..., support Soreim's, more reckless, behavior, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"...,they're going to wonder..., where we are Sor....,'"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]"it'll just be a sec -> just a sec"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You keep walking for a while before you notice Katrin isn't following you. Is she getting cold feet? You turn around with your hands on your hips and a grin on your face. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"/what's the matter\ <- don't tell me you've suddenly turned into a cluckbeast"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You walk back to her and grab her hand, dragging her towards the cave. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"it'll be fine -> the others can wait <= they're not that important <- let them wonder => we'll get to surprise them"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]"..., that's not...," [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]You begin to protest in vain, why is it so hard to believe that you just don't want to go on an adventure today? Soreim doesn’t get very far pulling you along before you tug your hand free of their grip, exclaiming [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"I'm..., not going!"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You don’t want to be angry, but they just won’t listen, crossing your arms you frown and add more forcefully[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] "..., and don’t say...., they're not important!"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You keep walking for a few seconds before it registers that you're not pulling Katrin along anymore. You turn to look at her with a puzzled look on your face, puzzlement that turns to a frown as you hear her words. You force another smile. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"come now -> come now"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You open your arms wide as you walk back towards her. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"i just want us to relax -> to have a good time => you know <- /like we <used to>\"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Their last part is punctuated by small green electric arcs running across their fingertips, as the dance they walk with seems to subtly change. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"/why so serious kat\ <- /why so serious\ hahaha"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You hold your ground as they start walking back towards you, watching as sparks play over their fingers. It's time to put your foot down,[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] "...,Well..., things..., aren't like..., they used to be...,"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You can feel a snicker welling up in spite of your grave attitude as Soreim starts laughing. It's not supposed to be funny, you're acting serious because it is! It’s not something you should be laughing about, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"..., one of us has to..., take things seriously, I mean...., and, you can't do it!"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]She's so funny when she looks all serious like that. You try to imitate her pose, exaggerating her features. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"oh bluh bluh bluh -> i'm katrin and so serious -> fish pun <= we can't have fun because it'll <hurt> us <- bluh bluh"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You giggle at your own impression and shake your head. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"aaah -> well <= if you don't want to go looking for fun"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You walk right up to her face, still grinning as broadly as ever. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"<let's make our own>"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You twirl, lift your leg up in the air, then jump up and land a kick against her face. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"haha -> <let's dance>"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Almost scowling by the time they'v walked up to you you're thinking you should just leave them and let them find their own fun here if that’s really what they- Soreim makes a twirling motion and then you stagger as pain explodes across your face.[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] "Ow!..., what the...,Fine, let's!"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Snarling you barrel forward into them swiping quick open handed bows at their face [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"...,You cod do better..., than that!" [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You dodge most of her blows easily with your increased agility, but some of them manage to land nonetheless. One in particular makes your eyes water, and your grin turns into a snarl. You skip around Katrin to get behind her, then grab her by her arms and lift off into the air. You continue twirling in mid-air, holding her at arms' length. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"<see> -> isn't this much more <fun>"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] you say as you let go of her with a flourish, launching her away from you.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Struggling against Soreim as they pick you up, your hopes are answered as they let go of you. You soar up and what would certainly be a painful landing never comes as your wings catch you flying in midair,[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] "...., shore....., SO much fun!"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Dropping down to hover on your stomach almost upside down just above them. Just because you can you reach down to shake them by one of their horns.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]"ow ow ow ow -> nope -> not the horns -> ow"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You stretch out your arm, equipping your pen as you do so, and try to aim it in the general vicinity of your horns. You slide a ring and click it twice. The air above you explodes with an invisible concussion, sending both of you flying apart. You pirouette and rotate as you glide, your wings beating in harmony with the Music. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"ahaha"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] you exclaim as you right yourself, turning to face her again. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"let's make this more interesting then"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You push off a nearby tree and rush towards her, your pen charging up another attack.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The force of the concussion catches you full front and sends you tumbling through the air, leaving a sore feeling across your face like you'd been punched. You feel yourself falling for a moment before your wings work up enough force to catch you again. Regaining your balance in time to see Soreim charging at you with their pen, you equip your 3xneedle. Rushing at them and then dropping at the last minute to stab at their legs instead[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You cry out as the needles hit your legs. It's all you can do to hold on to your pen and grab Katrin by her hair. Your pen finishes charging up, and wincing through the pain, you bring it down on her neck, writing a hastily-scraled "S" with its iridescent ink. The surrounding are immediately turns red and swells up as the corrosive ink seeps into her skin.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Shrieking you claw at the burning mark on your neck as though you're going to try scratching the acid out. Eyes watering you bite down against any other crying out as Soreim holds you suspended by your hair. Instead baring your teeth you let your needle fall to free you other hand and grab their hand where it's fisted in your hair sending arcs of purple tinged electricity up their arm.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You let go of Katrin the moment the electricity starts coursing through your body, as your arm spasms irregularly. Despite the pain, you're still enjoying this; it's just like those early days, when you just faced whatever came at you head on. With a few flaps of your wings you back away from Katrin and begin writing letters in mid-air with your pen. The letters seem to hover in the air, spelling out Katrin's name in incadescent writing. As you finish writing the last letter, you press another button and point your pen at Katrin. The letters turn into long streams of green fire and start wrapping themselves around Katrin like ropes.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You let yourself drop, hitting the ground heavily and scrambling for your fallen needle. Pulling yourself to your feet again you use The Power of Love and a sharp pain erupts in your chest as you split your soul off into two translucent pink copies of yourself. One of them leaps at Soreim without command slashing the air with a single needle. The second stands nervously darting back and forth as though it can't decide whether to fight while you stumble trying to ignore the burning in your neck long enough to peel away the burning strands leaving blistering welts on your skin as they curl around your limbs. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Ho ho, three Katrins? That's perfect. You easily dodge out of the way of the first copy and jump on to the second copy's back. With all the strength you can muster, you begin strangling her with both hands while your hands glow green, slowly but surely draining what little Life this copy has been given. You fly back up into the air to avoid the other two and holding on as steadfastedly as you can.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You are still on the ground trying to escape the fiery bonds Soreim’s et on you before when Soreim grabs your hesitant double. It doesn't fight dropping its needle and the weapon shimmers out of existence as it falls, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"..., Don’t just..., fight them! What's..., wrong..., with you!" [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]You curse at it and the fragment resorts to tearing at the hands at its throat. Sneering angrily the first fragment throws its needle as Soreim flies out of its reach, and then pulls the weapon back to its hand by a thin thread of pink to try again. Another pain flashes in your chest as Soreim’s hands glow green, this one low and throbbing compared to the sharp quick one from splitting yourself. Resigning yourself to the burning on your hands you dig your claws under the ropes finally gaining some purchase to begin tearing them away.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]As you keep constricting the fragment's chitinous windhole, you can feel her getting weaker. Holding on with only one hand, you reach for your pen, click once to deploy a sharp tip and jam it into the back of her neck, hoping fragments are weaker than a normal troll.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The fragment cracks as the pen jams into its neck and shatters in a burst of fine glass shards. You stamp the ropes out at last and rise unsteadily grasping your needle in painfully burned hands. A hollow emptiness has replaced the pain of the dying fragment of your soul, but it leaves you feeling strangely, uninhibited. Holding a hand out you coil your psionics around Soreim.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You laugh as the fragment shatters beneath you. Its life force is sucked into your body and you feel a temporary boost of speed, which you immediately use to jump at the other fragment. As you do so however, you feel the air around you become heavier, as if something is closing in upon you. You ignore it for now, focusing your attention on the other fragment. You use your heightened speed to try to dodge its attacks in order to get close to it, your pen crackling with leftover energy.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The remaining fragment makes up for what its counterpart lacked in enthusiasm stabbing wildly at the other troll as Soreim dodges all of its attacks. It seems to grow increasingly frustrated and it's slashing grows more and more reckless. Before Soreim can get too close to your remaining fragment you constrict your psionics around the other troll pulling them back towards you as hard as you can and brandishing your three pronged needle.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You're so close! You stretch out your arm, pen ready for stabbing, when something starts to pull you back. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"hey -> that's <cheating>"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] you yell out at the Katrin behind you, as you invest all your energy in resisting the pull. You quickly give up, as you don't see any way of fighting it, and instead opt to turn on the real Katrin. She's looking so fiercely at you now; that's pretty funny. You start to chuckle as you are drawn in closer and closer and begin to write on the air, ignoring the remaining fragment completely. The words you pen are significantly more elaborate than your previous ones, but none of them make any sense taken as a whole. You write faster than you ever have as you keep approaching her.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]“..., if you don't like it…..,clam it and cry to your lusus…., landhag!”[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You snap, squeezing your psionics around them. They have the gall to call that cheating after taking a piece of your soul? Indignation reverberates in the empty space it left. You see them writing in the air, the memory of the ropes still burning painfully in the wounds they left behind, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]“No moray of that!”[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] you stop pulling abruptly and your psionics crackle with a burst of electric energy, your fragment takes the opportunity to catch up holding its needle in two hands as it leaps for Soreim.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You gasp as the electricity courses through your body, causing you to lose your concentration. The extra Life you're still holding on to manages to block some of the pain, but you still feel the bulk of it. You're pretty sure your pump biscuit is skipping a few beats. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"n-no no no-o <- noo-oot <re-ready>"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Your lack of concentration breaks the joke you were crafting, and the words spiral out of control around you, equally hitting you, Katrin and her remaining fragment. Nonsense joke fragments force their way into your head, etching themselves in arcing letters in your vision. You can't even remember the joke you were writing, but you're sure it was going to be a… killing joke. Hahaha. That's funny. You laugh at that too. Suddenly, the nonsense words seem to make more sense too. Beautiful. Wait, hold on, you've got a heckler trying to stab you. Everybody's a critic these days. You swipe at the fragment with your pen, aiming for one of its eyes. You're having trouble seeing because of the electric fire dancing in your eyes, but at least it makes for a pretty sight.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The words from Soreims writing lash out as they cease writing, wheedling into your mind in bits and pieces of bilge. Punchlines and disconnected setups to jokes that don’t make sense anyway echoing through your head in duplicate from the fragment as well. Something about it must be funny, you can feel yourself starting to laugh. You should be laughing you decide, this is fun, just like before! It’s taking every bit of concentration you can muster to think through all the rubbish being put in your head joining the purple lights of your psionics as the words flash over your eyes. But you have to keep it up, you’re going to win! There’s another sharp pain in your chest as Soreim swipes at the remaining fragment leaving a gash in the translucent material of its face. You hiss dropping your psionics to clutch at the pain. It hurts more than the first one did, but the fragment staggers forward again with a motion that is less like stabbing this time, more akin to falling needle first at the other troll.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You feel the pressure around you disappear suddenly moments before you violently hit the ground. Geez, Katrin really needs more practice with her psionics, this is just lousy. You're about to complain to her when you notice her looming over you - or, more appropriately, lunging at you with her needle out. You raise your hand, placing it directly in the needle's path. It passes cleanly through, the incision leaving little room for blood to trickle through. You think that's kind of odd, and also kind of EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFUL, but stranger things have happened. Somebody is screaming too. Oh, hey, that's you! This makes sense. You blink at Katrin and smile through the pain as your scream dies out, your hand still held up. "[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]your fish puns suck"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] is all you can manage.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The fragment shatters leaving a gaping wound where its needle had pierced through Soreim’s hand. Everything hurts, and someone is screaming- is it you? -oh thank cod it’s not you. Part of you says that you should sit the fuck down and take some deep breaths, but you think that part of you had the life strangled out of it so what does she know. Kick their gut, stomp their teeth in, make them be quiet, this is the fun part! Win! That’s another part of you, but both of them just got themselves killed so whichever one this one is it can’t be all that bright either. You pull yourself to your feet, the searing pain in your chest is gone. Of course it’s gone, you let those things die. You had planned on having a firmer grip on your needle but it hurts to clench your fists and you stumble over to stand next to Soreim. Their screams peter out, good it was getting- are they…, making fun of your fish puns again? [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]“....,Sounds like …..,somebouy, is a little …..,jellyfish…..,”[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You say between with a predatory grin breaths heavy with pain, dam you’d forgotten how much it hurt to do this without them healing you all the time., [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]“..., You shoal-d quit…, baiting…., badder fish….,”[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You twirl your pen with your one good hand as Katrin towers over you. You're pretty sure you've lost, but at least you had fun in the process. You look up to her, your smile wavering slightly as you start to feel the pain more and more. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"i guess you're right -> never did know when to quit + so"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You breathe in deeply; did you also break some ribs when you fell? What a day. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"this is my last performance /huh\ + welp -> only one thing left for me to do"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You stop twirling your pen and instead plant it in the ground, spin its cap quickly until it falls off and hit the button. A red light starts to blink faster and faster. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"<time to go out with a bang>"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You see the blinking red light as they jab their pen into the ground, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]” …., Whatta carp out!...,” [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]You snarl, Blowing both of you up just because you were about to win. Clenching your hand around your needling, smearing purple over the grip from your raw hands, you imagine the pain is going to become very insignificant shortly. You bring the needle down hoping for one last strike as the flashing peaks into a continuous stream of light.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The air flashes white just as the needle connects… and then the pen emits a small whirring noise. Both of you watch as the pen deploys a tiny little metal pole up into the air, followed by the unfurling of the attached miniature flash with the word "Bang" on it. You start to giggle in between ragged breaths; you can feel the needle in you, and it seems like it's gone through one of your lungs. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"haha--aah ha + got you /did-idn't i\ hahhhah"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] With your remaining strength you raise your unpunctured hand and turn it into a finger gun. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"watch out -> hhahah -> i'm gonna sh-shoot you now <- pew <- p-pew"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Your laughter slowly turns into wheezing gasps as blood keeps pouring from your wounds.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You cringe and brace yourself as light erupts from the pen. Nothing explodes. Staggering and collapsing you release a shaky breath. You’re caught somewhere between wanting to shake Soreim senseless for that….., coddamn flag, and maybe just taking a nap while you see if the vascular palpitations from, the same event, clear up. For a moment you think you must be hearing things because you can hear Soreim laughing, but as you look over, no of course they’re laughing. Gathering your thoughts, you nod slowly doing nothing to hide your still shellshocked expression [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]“..., yeah…., you, did….,”[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Reaching forward you grasp the needle left in their chest, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]“....,But….,” [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]you continue, wrenching it out roughly, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]“….., I think….,I got you…., too…,”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]You gasp in pain as Katrin pulls out her needle. You're pretty sure you should be unconscious at this point, but the last amount of Life you are clinging to is still keeping you awake. You look at Katrin and manage a wink. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"yeah -> s-sure looks like thaa-at + so <- /guess t-this is goodbye\"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You meditate on this for a second or two, but then shrug your shoulders. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]"okay <- m-might as well then"[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] You get up on your elbows and, draining your last reserves, you raise your head as high as you can and give Katrin a quick kiss on the lips with your dying breath. You then let your head drop back down, and darkness overwhelms you.[/SIZE]
