There were times when his Norse mentality would show through even after all these years; Alfarinn felt it was better to simply take the punches that the man dished out in order to get in a few more of his own. He knew that while the man had obviously been very skilled in life, he was a newly turned vampire and therefore was not likely to hurt him terribly by punching him and besides the little shit was quite agile.
"I'd give it up. Ellis has long left you and from the looks of things she has bigger problems to worry about than whether or not you get Nova. "
He hmmphed from another punch and continued.
"Which is a terrible task. She's a nice girl and a wonderful dancer."
Alfarinn grinned and hoped Nova was no where around to hear his last comment. He wondered if somehow Ellis managed to survive the pack of wolves; if anyone could find a way out of that mess it was that woman. Like a cockroach, she was. Simon, on the other hand, might not be so lucky. He really doubted there was much he could do for the Tacharan at this point other than hope. If Simon was going to survive the wolves then he was likely long away from here.
Have a holly, jolly Christmas... (private)
Nachton Mall stood in all its glass and brick glory as Simon shoved his hands into his pockets and grunted. This wasn't any mall, this was "the mall". It was 'high falootin' as Carol would put it, he thought with a small grin. An outdoor and indoor mall, Nachton boasted one of the most exclusive and high priced malls in the region with names found normally on Rodeo drive. Simon blinked the snow out of his eyelashes as he looked at the glass marvel under the thin dusting of snow. The growing cold and accumulating snow would be ideal for the upcoming winter festivals starting, which is where Simon wanted to present Carol with her Christmas gift. Just what that would be, he wasn't sure yet. That's why he had brought Nova.
Looking down at the ironically bronzed beauty next to him, he wondered if her tastes actually suited his heathen woman's needs. Carol was picky and feminine, Nova...picky yes, but feminine - far from it. Still, he smiled at her as they stood at the entrance of the outdoor section of the mall. At the far end, the large Harold's retailer stood under construction. Reaching up to scratch his lip, he noted the that all malls shared one thing in common.
The loud and obnoxious Christmas music.
Have a holly jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
Well I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer ...
It's the best time of the year
Well I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer ...
Simon closed his eyes and sighed. 'Ok, where to?'
Alfarinn
17 years ago
Ichiro Taiji
17 years ago
Tai sparred with the long-haired man a bit more, shrugging off the blows readily, and realizing as he did that simple punches and kicks weren't going to have much effect on either of them.
It wasn't as if there weren't plenty of shattered glass, broken boards, and all sorts of useful tools he could use to incapacitate this unwanted assailant. Thus far, the talk hadn't bothered him in the least and Tai hadn't necessarily felt the need to respond to it. He'd made it clear he had nothing against Nova. A job was a job. Even this one wasn't really worth it, as the man said.
Tai's mercenary side agreed. Wolf packs and falling off of escalators were well out of the normal job description, but Ellis' smile and Ellis' laughter were wrapped around every little move of every little muscle, and there was nothing he could do about that. He had to see it through. Quickly, if possible.
He ducked and swung, noting in the back of his head that if they weren't on completely opposite teams, he might actually be enjoying the challenge. Even so, he tried to get the taller man in a position Tai could take advantage of. There was a broken window nearby; that would do. It appeared to have done for Nova, so there was an element of convenience as well.
It wasn't as if there weren't plenty of shattered glass, broken boards, and all sorts of useful tools he could use to incapacitate this unwanted assailant. Thus far, the talk hadn't bothered him in the least and Tai hadn't necessarily felt the need to respond to it. He'd made it clear he had nothing against Nova. A job was a job. Even this one wasn't really worth it, as the man said.
Tai's mercenary side agreed. Wolf packs and falling off of escalators were well out of the normal job description, but Ellis' smile and Ellis' laughter were wrapped around every little move of every little muscle, and there was nothing he could do about that. He had to see it through. Quickly, if possible.
He ducked and swung, noting in the back of his head that if they weren't on completely opposite teams, he might actually be enjoying the challenge. Even so, he tried to get the taller man in a position Tai could take advantage of. There was a broken window nearby; that would do. It appeared to have done for Nova, so there was an element of convenience as well.
Nova
17 years ago
Nova hung, simian-style, from the scaffolding with her feet swinging in the air and the ground a long, long way below. For once she had managed not to slip or stumble when it really mattered – her leap out of the building had been damn near graceful. Jan, she thought, would be proud.
The hardest part, as it turned out, was not catching the metal bar that helped form the scaffolding, but holding onto it. One hand had immediately slipped free and it was only good luck that allowed her to get her elbow up in time to catch the support beam. Now she was dangling out in space by the crook of her elbow.
Well. Now what? She could climb up and lie in wait should the killer try to go by the same escape route she’d taken, or she could climb down and jump back into the fray. If only she knew for certain whether or not Arin was still back there!
Realizing she probably should have had a plan –before- she jumped, she let her aching arm decide for her. Hauling herself up onto the bar, she stretched out, flat on her stomach, and inched forward. After a moment she realized that wasn’t the most efficient way of doing things and flipped herself so she was upside down, hanging onto the bar with her arms and legs.
The hardest part, as it turned out, was not catching the metal bar that helped form the scaffolding, but holding onto it. One hand had immediately slipped free and it was only good luck that allowed her to get her elbow up in time to catch the support beam. Now she was dangling out in space by the crook of her elbow.
Well. Now what? She could climb up and lie in wait should the killer try to go by the same escape route she’d taken, or she could climb down and jump back into the fray. If only she knew for certain whether or not Arin was still back there!
Realizing she probably should have had a plan –before- she jumped, she let her aching arm decide for her. Hauling herself up onto the bar, she stretched out, flat on her stomach, and inched forward. After a moment she realized that wasn’t the most efficient way of doing things and flipped herself so she was upside down, hanging onto the bar with her arms and legs.
Alfarinn
17 years ago
It appeared that this guy was content to continue the useless battle between them. He had no reason to kill Ellis' child but at the same time it seemed the man was going to be singularly hard headed about staying until his job was done.
They were inching closer to the window and though that seemed to be his assailant's plan, Alfarinn decided to go along with it. The opening might be useful to either one of them. The new vampire had inherited the toughness that some of the Tacharan were famous for, so pounding on him was proving futile.
Pulling one of the knives off the walking weapons arsenal in front of him, Alfarinn made several quick jabs and slashes with it. Hardly a great sword but it was sharp enough. Once he had managed to cut his opponent, he curled the knife handle in his hand so that the blade ran parallel to his arm.
"You can still bleed....and you can still die."Â?
It was the last warning he was going to give.
((OOC: playing with Tai's toys with permission. ))
They were inching closer to the window and though that seemed to be his assailant's plan, Alfarinn decided to go along with it. The opening might be useful to either one of them. The new vampire had inherited the toughness that some of the Tacharan were famous for, so pounding on him was proving futile.
Pulling one of the knives off the walking weapons arsenal in front of him, Alfarinn made several quick jabs and slashes with it. Hardly a great sword but it was sharp enough. Once he had managed to cut his opponent, he curled the knife handle in his hand so that the blade ran parallel to his arm.
"You can still bleed....and you can still die."Â?
It was the last warning he was going to give.
((OOC: playing with Tai's toys with permission. ))
Ichiro Taiji
17 years ago
Tai was growing frustrated, but he hid it fairly well. He was far too disciplined a fighter to let it get to him, but at the same time entirely unused to not being the winner. Assassins who lost ended up dead, and while he couldn't exactly claim to be alive, Tai could at least have faith in the fact that he'd had a winning record before meeting Ellis.
Still, the few hits he was getting on this tall man were ineffective, and if he were going to end this he needed to do something soon. It was taking a distressing amount of concentration just avoiding the man; Tai depended on every ounce of natural and unnattural agility he possessed and even those weren't one hundred percent, as evidence by the fact that somehow the man was able to reach over and forcefully pull one of the knives from the its sheath on Tai's left wrist.
Tai took the cut on his upraised forearm, retaliatating in kind as they closed in to exchange a few more blows, letting the knife on his right wrist drop into his own hand. Ignoring the stranger's jibes, Tai turned a bit, angling the man at the window and aiming the knife for his ribs. Hit or not, the move put the man in a bad position that Tai hoped to take advantage of.
Still, the few hits he was getting on this tall man were ineffective, and if he were going to end this he needed to do something soon. It was taking a distressing amount of concentration just avoiding the man; Tai depended on every ounce of natural and unnattural agility he possessed and even those weren't one hundred percent, as evidence by the fact that somehow the man was able to reach over and forcefully pull one of the knives from the its sheath on Tai's left wrist.
Tai took the cut on his upraised forearm, retaliatating in kind as they closed in to exchange a few more blows, letting the knife on his right wrist drop into his own hand. Ignoring the stranger's jibes, Tai turned a bit, angling the man at the window and aiming the knife for his ribs. Hit or not, the move put the man in a bad position that Tai hoped to take advantage of.
Nova
17 years ago
Nova scooted along the beam like an upside down inchworm, squishing up with her legs, then stretching, then scrunching again. Her coat and her long hair hung loose in the wind and if she were being honest with herself, she felt a little bit badass right now.
She was close enough to the broken window to hear the sounds of a struggle, but not so close as to be seen. Another few inches, though, and they were sure to notice her. If, of course, they weren’t too distracted by other things. Hadn’t Jan said something about people never looking up? Visions of ninja crazy surprise attacks crossed her mind, but those were wiped away when she moved another couple of feet up and found herself looking directly at the assassin sent to end her life.
‘Damn,’ she thought, stupidly. ‘Didn’t realize they were so close.’
Arin had his back to her but all the killer had to do was glance up and he would meet her eyes.
‘Well, come on Nova. Jump in there like you said you were going to. Superhero ninja, remember?’
Somehow the idea didn’t seem nearly so compelling now. Besides, if she tried to jump in now all she was liable to do was to knock Arin over or possibly into the knife in his opponent’s hand.
She supposed the best thing she could do was to turn the surprise around – after all, which was more alarming, two guys hanging out near a window or a crazy monkey chick coming out of nowhere?
“Hey fuckstick, you forget something?”
She was close enough to the broken window to hear the sounds of a struggle, but not so close as to be seen. Another few inches, though, and they were sure to notice her. If, of course, they weren’t too distracted by other things. Hadn’t Jan said something about people never looking up? Visions of ninja crazy surprise attacks crossed her mind, but those were wiped away when she moved another couple of feet up and found herself looking directly at the assassin sent to end her life.
‘Damn,’ she thought, stupidly. ‘Didn’t realize they were so close.’
Arin had his back to her but all the killer had to do was glance up and he would meet her eyes.
‘Well, come on Nova. Jump in there like you said you were going to. Superhero ninja, remember?’
Somehow the idea didn’t seem nearly so compelling now. Besides, if she tried to jump in now all she was liable to do was to knock Arin over or possibly into the knife in his opponent’s hand.
She supposed the best thing she could do was to turn the surprise around – after all, which was more alarming, two guys hanging out near a window or a crazy monkey chick coming out of nowhere?
“Hey fuckstick, you forget something?”
Alfarinn
17 years ago
They were by now fighting right next to the broken window and Alfarinn figured it was time to end this so that he could find Nova and Simon. He frowned in concentration as they exchanged blows, his assailant choosing a knife of his own. Well, he guessed that choice was made. If he killed the man then Ellis would just have to make another cold hearted killer; he was quite certain she would be able to find one somewhere. It was a shame that a life was wasted on something that the man obviously didn't believe in but that was his decision.
He could feel that someone else was close, another set of emotions and from what they were, Alfarinn suspected that it was Nova. She was...above them? There was a shuffling sound from over head and he paid it more attention that he should have. Tai's knife stabbed cleanly through his ribs.
"Fy Faen!�
Alfarinn dropped his own knife and pushed the other man up against the window. All the ducking and dodging had gone from annoying to irritating but there was a way to solve that problem. He wrapped his arms around his opponent in a tight vampiric bear hug. Struggling for a moment with the instinct to drain the man dry, he thought of Thaddeus' renewed connection with him. He did not want his partner feeling something so primal from him so soon. Alfarinn lifted the smaller man up and tossed him out the window. It looked like he'd survive after all.
He could feel that someone else was close, another set of emotions and from what they were, Alfarinn suspected that it was Nova. She was...above them? There was a shuffling sound from over head and he paid it more attention that he should have. Tai's knife stabbed cleanly through his ribs.
"Fy Faen!�
Alfarinn dropped his own knife and pushed the other man up against the window. All the ducking and dodging had gone from annoying to irritating but there was a way to solve that problem. He wrapped his arms around his opponent in a tight vampiric bear hug. Struggling for a moment with the instinct to drain the man dry, he thought of Thaddeus' renewed connection with him. He did not want his partner feeling something so primal from him so soon. Alfarinn lifted the smaller man up and tossed him out the window. It looked like he'd survive after all.
Ichiro Taiji
17 years ago
The momentary surprise of seeing Nova in the broken window wasn't enough to truly distract Tai although he did hesitate a second. Reflexes being what they were though, his knife still slithered in. Assassination had its perks. While normally he wouldn't go for a stab (too damn many ribs in the way), his sensitive hands still managed to guide the blade adeptly between the bones and into the flesh of the torso.
It probably hurt, but unfortunately it only seemed to piss the other guy off for now. The fair-haired man dropped his stolen knife and shoved Tai up against the window with unbelievable strength. Shards of glass dug into Tai's back as he shoved back, but it was a futile effort as the man locked him in an iron grip. No break, no amount of training Tai had could help him determine how to combat this type of force.
He was thrown over the edge of the window, unceremoniously, and had a brief glimpse of the pavement below before instinct had him turning, trying to regain some kind of balance, but the momentum was too much and the pavement was rushing up to him instead of waiting politely for the inevitable splatter.
There was a sickening crunch... several sickening crunches, maybe a few more as he hit a pile of something or other and then the pavement. Tai figured Nova or her pal might be down at any second to finish the job, but he couldn't find anything in him that actually cared. He tried to turn his head to the side and kissed thepavement, and his consciousness, goodbye.
((ooc: Tai out. Hopefully no street cleaners nearby))
It probably hurt, but unfortunately it only seemed to piss the other guy off for now. The fair-haired man dropped his stolen knife and shoved Tai up against the window with unbelievable strength. Shards of glass dug into Tai's back as he shoved back, but it was a futile effort as the man locked him in an iron grip. No break, no amount of training Tai had could help him determine how to combat this type of force.
He was thrown over the edge of the window, unceremoniously, and had a brief glimpse of the pavement below before instinct had him turning, trying to regain some kind of balance, but the momentum was too much and the pavement was rushing up to him instead of waiting politely for the inevitable splatter.
There was a sickening crunch... several sickening crunches, maybe a few more as he hit a pile of something or other and then the pavement. Tai figured Nova or her pal might be down at any second to finish the job, but he couldn't find anything in him that actually cared. He tried to turn his head to the side and kissed thepavement, and his consciousness, goodbye.
((ooc: Tai out. Hopefully no street cleaners nearby))
Nova
17 years ago
Oooh, that didn’t go as planned. Nova winced in sympathy as the knife slid into Arin’s side, mentally cursing herself for distracting the wrong person.
Arin got his own back, though, and then some. Nova wrapped both arms around the support at the elbow, worried about getting knocked off even though there was plenty of clearance for the killer to fall neatly through the air. She turned to one side and watched his decent, wincing again when he splatted on the ground. Then she turned her head to look (or gape, depending on how generously one chose to describe her) at her rescuer. Who knew the sexy teen idol would turn out to be such a bad ass? It was actually a little scary, come to think of it. She spoke somewhat tremulously from her perch.
“Uh…yeah just so you know, I was calling –him- a fuckstick, not you.” She paused and swallowed. “And…hi. I mean…thank you. God.”
Could she ever say the right thing? She was still a little wary of making sudden moves though Arin seemed pretty controlled now. Probably not a bloodluster or the assassin would have been a pile of dust. Then again, what were the odds that Arin Bjorn would turn out to be, not only a vampire, but a Tacharan as well?
That was the first time it truly occurred to her that the man would probably survive this encounter. Should they do something about that? Nova shuddered and clung tightly to the beam. She didn’t want to go down and see. Besides, there were more important things to worry about, like the fact that Arin had been stabbed and Simon had run off with Ellis (Ellis! Alive!) and a pack of fucking wolves after him.
“You okay? Wait, this is stupid…” She hoisted herself up onto the beam, then gripped it with both hands and kicked out with her feet, launching herself back through the window with a great deal more force than necessary. Landing gracelessly on her ass, she gave a soft ‘oof’ before quickly shoving herself upright and dusting herself off, feeling just about as ridiculous as was possible.
Arin got his own back, though, and then some. Nova wrapped both arms around the support at the elbow, worried about getting knocked off even though there was plenty of clearance for the killer to fall neatly through the air. She turned to one side and watched his decent, wincing again when he splatted on the ground. Then she turned her head to look (or gape, depending on how generously one chose to describe her) at her rescuer. Who knew the sexy teen idol would turn out to be such a bad ass? It was actually a little scary, come to think of it. She spoke somewhat tremulously from her perch.
“Uh…yeah just so you know, I was calling –him- a fuckstick, not you.” She paused and swallowed. “And…hi. I mean…thank you. God.”
Could she ever say the right thing? She was still a little wary of making sudden moves though Arin seemed pretty controlled now. Probably not a bloodluster or the assassin would have been a pile of dust. Then again, what were the odds that Arin Bjorn would turn out to be, not only a vampire, but a Tacharan as well?
That was the first time it truly occurred to her that the man would probably survive this encounter. Should they do something about that? Nova shuddered and clung tightly to the beam. She didn’t want to go down and see. Besides, there were more important things to worry about, like the fact that Arin had been stabbed and Simon had run off with Ellis (Ellis! Alive!) and a pack of fucking wolves after him.
“You okay? Wait, this is stupid…” She hoisted herself up onto the beam, then gripped it with both hands and kicked out with her feet, launching herself back through the window with a great deal more force than necessary. Landing gracelessly on her ass, she gave a soft ‘oof’ before quickly shoving herself upright and dusting herself off, feeling just about as ridiculous as was possible.
Alfarinn
17 years ago
Alfarinn stared for a long minute through the door at the man on the ground. He pushed aside the emotions that came from his victim before unconsciousness hit him. It was difficult to harm someone when you feel what they are feeling; in the past it had required an enormous amount of hate on his part. He hadn't any loathing for the new vampire and indeed, considering the man's creator, he had felt a bit sorry for him.
Turning his thoughts inward, he connected with the comforting emotions that he sensed from Thaddeus; they were a rock and an anchor, no matter what the actual feelings were. In as calm a mental state as he could muster, Alfarinn sent to his companion.
[I'm alright, Beloved. It was a lucky shot and I should have been paying more attention. The fight is over for now; though we will need to find Simon.]
Turning his attention upwards, he gave Nova a small smile. The target of her name calling was fairly apparent but it was nice of her to clarify. Realizing that she blamed herself for his injury, Alfarinn said.
"It was not your fault."Â?
He favored her with a bigger grin at the last of her remarks.
"Hello, and it is a pleasure seeing you whole and well again."Â?
Frowning down at the wound and the ripped and bloodied shirt, Alfarinn considered what was the next best action before taking off after Simon. The bleeding would stop on its own eventually and would only be a problem if they had to make their way through a multitude of people. Reaching down a hand to help her up, he said.
"I'm fine. Let's move out of here before the police come. You wouldn't happen to know if Simon's phone is set to vibrate would you?"Â?
If the Tacharan was hiding then he would really hate to have his position given away with a telltale cellular ring, however funny that might be in the movies he didn't think Simon would appreciate it. He hoped they were already out of danger and had eluded the pack of werewolves somewhere in the sewers and that a simple phone call would be enough to let them know that Simon was alive and out of harm's way.
Turning his thoughts inward, he connected with the comforting emotions that he sensed from Thaddeus; they were a rock and an anchor, no matter what the actual feelings were. In as calm a mental state as he could muster, Alfarinn sent to his companion.
[I'm alright, Beloved. It was a lucky shot and I should have been paying more attention. The fight is over for now; though we will need to find Simon.]
Turning his attention upwards, he gave Nova a small smile. The target of her name calling was fairly apparent but it was nice of her to clarify. Realizing that she blamed herself for his injury, Alfarinn said.
"It was not your fault."Â?
He favored her with a bigger grin at the last of her remarks.
"Hello, and it is a pleasure seeing you whole and well again."Â?
Frowning down at the wound and the ripped and bloodied shirt, Alfarinn considered what was the next best action before taking off after Simon. The bleeding would stop on its own eventually and would only be a problem if they had to make their way through a multitude of people. Reaching down a hand to help her up, he said.
"I'm fine. Let's move out of here before the police come. You wouldn't happen to know if Simon's phone is set to vibrate would you?"Â?
If the Tacharan was hiding then he would really hate to have his position given away with a telltale cellular ring, however funny that might be in the movies he didn't think Simon would appreciate it. He hoped they were already out of danger and had eluded the pack of werewolves somewhere in the sewers and that a simple phone call would be enough to let them know that Simon was alive and out of harm's way.
Nova
17 years ago
It seemed sort of surreal to be exchanging pleasantries in the midst of all of this, especially considering the fact that Nova’s manners weren’t the greatest in the best of situations. Arin was, of course, unfailingly polite; she very nearly gave a girlish sigh as he helped her to her feet.
“Thanks…again…and you’re sure you’re alright?”
She approved of Arin’s stoicism – of course any damage to that near perfect form was nothing short of a tragedy but he would get better. She took him at face value when he said he was ready to go on.. That wasn’t to say she wasn’t worried about him but she knew if she were the one hurt and bleeding she wouldn’t want people making a big deal about it.
She was a little concerned about getting around without being noticed but she figured they could cross that bridge when they came to it. Her coat could conceal the dirty streak down her front from the bar but there was no helping her bloody hand or Arin’s bleeding side.
Nova nodded her head before really thinking about Arin’s last question, and replied absently as she led the way to the stairs. “Um, yeah he should have it in silent mode…” It occurred to her then that she’d never heard a ringtone from Simon’s phone. Each possibility that came to mind was more outrageous than the next. Maybe he used a Christmas carol. Or porn voices. Or Brittany Spears.
She decided she didn’t want to know – getting Simon back in one piece would do just fine.
“Why don’t you let me call?” She thought, in spite of them both getting roughed up in this battle, that right now he was the worse for wear, and her instinctive bossiness took over.
Flipping out her phone, she scowled when she looked at the small screen – it looked like the call would have to wait until they got out of the construction.
/ooc both out, unless Alfarinn would rather not be out, of course. Knowledge of the state of Simon’s phone done with full and informed consent
.
“Thanks…again…and you’re sure you’re alright?”
She approved of Arin’s stoicism – of course any damage to that near perfect form was nothing short of a tragedy but he would get better. She took him at face value when he said he was ready to go on.. That wasn’t to say she wasn’t worried about him but she knew if she were the one hurt and bleeding she wouldn’t want people making a big deal about it.
She was a little concerned about getting around without being noticed but she figured they could cross that bridge when they came to it. Her coat could conceal the dirty streak down her front from the bar but there was no helping her bloody hand or Arin’s bleeding side.
Nova nodded her head before really thinking about Arin’s last question, and replied absently as she led the way to the stairs. “Um, yeah he should have it in silent mode…” It occurred to her then that she’d never heard a ringtone from Simon’s phone. Each possibility that came to mind was more outrageous than the next. Maybe he used a Christmas carol. Or porn voices. Or Brittany Spears.
She decided she didn’t want to know – getting Simon back in one piece would do just fine.
“Why don’t you let me call?” She thought, in spite of them both getting roughed up in this battle, that right now he was the worse for wear, and her instinctive bossiness took over.
Flipping out her phone, she scowled when she looked at the small screen – it looked like the call would have to wait until they got out of the construction.
/ooc both out, unless Alfarinn would rather not be out, of course. Knowledge of the state of Simon’s phone done with full and informed consent
.