Entry 595; Day 1177

[misterblackbird]

I had forgotten the depths of the cruelty of which the City was capable.

~C.

[ooc: tl;dr incoming--Cain just had to kill a ghoul version of Suzette. It all happened off-stage, but (gore warning; proceed with caution)...she seemed almost to have just arrived in the City as another newcomer. This, of course, is not true at all, and Cain was suspicious, though also hopeful--maybe she had been brought into the City. But, she attacked him, of course. Cain tried to shoot her (having taken to carrying his pistol with him after the ghouls starting showing up), but failed in striking her sufficiently in the head or heart (perhaps as much because he couldn't bring himself to as anything). Caught in her grip and trying to escape, he ended up having to beat the ghoul to death with a fireplace poker. She did succeed in biting him--several times. So he'll be feverish fairly soon hereafter. If anyone needs him, he'll be sitting before that same fireplace with (or perhaps watching over) the manged remains, still bloodied and bruised and bitten. Please consider all responses to be somewhat delayed in coming. Also: no filters!]

Comments

[beyourarmy]

You okay? It's kinda dangerous out there right now. You didn't go outside, did you?

[misterblackbird]

No, I didn't go outside.

[beyourarmy]

But you're still not okay, are you?

[misterblackbird]

No. I don't think that I am.

filtered;

[beyourarmy]

You got company?

filtered;

[misterblackbird]

I suppose you might say that. Or perhaps that I had company.

filtered;

[beyourarmy]

Oh.... I meant if you had anyone there with you now?

Not so sure you should be all alone right now.

filtered;

[misterblackbird]

He-Who-Kills is here, as he always is, though he has some plan in mind. I don't understand it.

I'm not feeling very well. I wouldn't be very good company.

[Come see him anyway, if you like.]

filtered;

[beyourarmy]

From the sound of it? You're not the one that should be making an effort to be good company.

[He's going. Cain will get a knock on the door sometime after Setsuna's message. He's trying to be different from the ghouls, otherwise he'd just go right in.]

[action;]

[misterblackbird]

[Yes, ghouls don't typically knock. They seem to either mysteriously appear or simply burst in. Cain is still carrying his pistol, though, just to be on the safe side. But he still opens the door.

He doesn't look too good, though--the first stages of fever are starting in him. He still hasn't washed either.

Flatly:]

You came all this way, monsters and all.

[action;]

[beyourarmy]

I can fly, remember? Bypassed all of that.

[He starts off with a smile, but it fades when he notices Cain's state.]

You really don't look good. You should take a bath. You dealt with a ghoul, huh?

[action;]

[misterblackbird]

How fortunate for you.

[The gun goes back in his pocket for the time being.]

Is that what they're calling them?

[action;]

[beyourarmy]

[Frown.] I'm lucky there, yeah.

I don't know what they're calling them. Monsters. Zombies. They kinda remind me of the ghouls I ran into in Hades, though. Miserable things.

[Speaking of, Cain looks pretty damn miserable, too. He's not sure why, but for once, he can't hold back around him and reaches over to attempt a hug.]

Seriously, Cain, you don't look well. What happened?

[action;]

[misterblackbird]

[Don't take it personally when he doesn't really react. He's in shock, you understand. Which, when combined with his own personality, results in his standing motionless for this attempted hug (the hug is successful, if not returned).]

I knew the ghoul who came for me. I knew her very well.

[he_who_kills]

Tsk-tsk-tsk. [Should have let him handle it.]

[misterblackbird]

[Probably should have...

He's just keeping weird vigil over the corpse for the moment. He'll probably burn it later.]

[he_who_kills]

[Tugging at your pant leg.] Me need you do favor.

[misterblackbird]

[Ah--that gets his attention.]

A favour? What--?

[he_who_kills]

Me see much good body outside! [Points to fire poker.] You break vessel, free spirit.

[misterblackbird]

I don't--what do you mean? No, I know what you mean, I suppose, but what are you thinking of doing?

[he_who_kills]

You sick now, they no want. Me go out and help much.

[misterblackbird]

Won't you be trapped in whatever body or thing you go to?

[he_who_kills]

Me can leave bodies when me want.

You break vessel now! Me have much work to do!

[misterblackbird]

[A moment of consideration...and then he stands and picks up the fireplace poker. It's still bloodied. Perhaps he cares. He raises it.]

All right.

[What does one say?]

Happy hunting, He-Who-Kills.

[And brings it down again, hard.]

[he_who_kills]

[Roaring wind rushes out of the broken doll. Within its immediate vicinity, the swirling force knocks over or sends things flying, but doesn't touch Cain.

Roars to the front entrance, exiting the house thru the tiny space between floor and door's bottom.

Still and silent the Opera House is now.]