Aishe heard shots fired and figured that was probably a good thing; she hadn't heard or seen too many zombies wielding guns, so either Kem or Nic was still up and active. She could feel Kem's emotions clearly, as well... and realized her lover was very much at the end of his tether. She'd been pleasantly surprised at how well he'd been holding up, but he had his limits, she knew.
Suddenly the zombie on top of her was yanked back with such force she could hear its neck snapping. Nic was there, asking if she could get up, dark muddied blue and red stars flying from his lips as he spoke. Fear, anger, insecurity, the back of her mind analyzed. Nothing unexpected, but it would seem the actor's calm was merely skin-deep and being shaken.
Snapping her mouth closed Aishe hopped to her feet. Her sweater was covered in zombie blood, so she pulled it off and lobbed it a good distance away. The light shirt she had on underneath would suffice for now.
"Kem."
Running over to him, she noted his face, pale and washed out. His left arm was clamped against his side but she could see fresh blood beneath it. His right held his gun loosely in fingers that seemed locked around it. He was staring, unblinking, at remains of a zombie's blown-off head, but somehow she didn't think he'd pulled the trigger.
[Kiamhaat, let it go. We've got to go now!]
Reaching out, Aishe gently uncurled Kem's fingers from the gun and slid the safety back into place. "No more guns. No more killing today, I promise. Not for you."
It was a promise she hoped very much she could keep; she knew Kem wasn't up to any more fighting. Mentally and physically taxed, she figured it would be all he could do to make it the few blocks back to Liefde in one piece.
Looking at Nic she said, "Thank you." Aishe was well aware that they'd be far worse off without him. Taking Kem's right hand and helping him to his feet she nodded at the manhole. "We're not far."
She said it for all of them. They were all strung out, all ready for a break, a bath, a drink, whatever their particular needs were. They were close now, and if Kem's route was clear it was a matter of minutues until they reached what was hopefully a safe haven.
Streets of Nachton - Infected Area
‘Waiting on you.’
‘Don’t.’
‘Waiting on you.’
‘I always hated when you did that.’
‘Still waiting on you.’
Simon Huntington and Ellis Duban stood precariously on the edge of Nachton’s industrial district and watched the flurry of large men move crates of something heavy from the warehouse one hundred yards away from them to a waiting moving truck. The gun runners in Nachton were easy to find, at least the human ones were, it was the infiltration of werewolves that made this otherwise quiet outing unbearably difficult.
‘Still waiting.’
Simon rolled his eyes and looked over at his ex lover and recalled that he had killed her once and almost let her die again. Stupid choices and poorly executed ones put him here now, listening to her odd sense of tainted humor as they watched the humans load the guns into the truck.
‘We’re here to watch.’
Ellis sniffed with disdain.
‘It’s called reconn.’
With a dramatic sigh, Ellis pulled out a cigarette and lit it, not caring that she was undoubtedly giving away their presence. ‘I don’t recall ever teaching you this pussified way of doing reconn.’
Simon turned away and rolled his eyes again, no her way was just going down and killing them all but the driver, who undoubtedly knew where he was going, if he didn’t know what for or for who – the rest they always winged. Her way was painful, reckless and … well her way.
‘My way. I said we’d do this my way.’ Simon said with a firm voice as he knelt down to peer over the side of the building roof top.
Ellis recognized the tone and immediately wanted to shoot his fucking brains out of his head. Flicking her cigarette off the side of the building, which landed next to one of the large men who was keeping a look out, Ellis held her hands up and signaled surrender.
‘Fine, your way.’
Ellis would have gladly continued with her scathing advice for Simon if it had not been for a series of car accidents in the surrounding area. Both vampires jumped at the consecutive car crashes all around them, evening garnering the attention of the humans below.
Slowly Simon stood. 'What the hell was that?' Looking over at Ellis he saw that she had already crossed the roof top behind them and was looking down at an accident. 'Ellis?'
'What the...' Ellis' eyes widened and she began to wave Simon over, her hand finally realizing that anything less than a frantic wave would not be appropriate. 'Simon. Simon come over here. Simon...SimonSimonSimonSimonSimon.'
In a blink he was beside her on her right, looking over the edge. That could not be right, he thought to himself as the sound of soft whispered wailing filtered up into the night air to them.
'That is SO not my fault,' Ellis said quietly.
Aishe
16 years ago
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
Kem winced with every shot fired, once, twice, three times. The man's head caved in. Blood spattered anew onto his chest and stomach along with little meaty bits of zombie/human. He just stared, feeling a mixture of horror, revulsion, and guilt, as the light faded from the remains of the man's eyes. It took him a moment to realize he hadn't pulled the trigger, but even that thought was scant consolation.
It was Aishe's voice that roused him from his stupor, awakening him once more to the fresh heat of injury in his left side and the reality that faced them all. He looked up at Nic, gave him a nod; it was his udnerstanding of what the man had done, his thanks for doing what he hadn't been able to.
He grasped Aishe's hand in his and braced himself, not completely able to ignore the fire in his side as he got to his feet. Only then did he recall Pak's sending, and as they made their way to the manhole cover he finally responded.
[Still clear down there? Are you all right, senet?]
Giving Nic and Aishe a quick once over as well, Kem noted they seemed to be shaken, but still well. Echoing Aishe's sentiment, he looked in the direction of Liefde. He could see the tops of the towers rising above the smaller buildings they stood among now.
"We're almost there."
His voice sounded ragged even to him, but he imagined none of them were exactly at their peak right now. He gestured down the ladder and nodded to Aishe. "I'll follow you." he looked at Nic, aware that being last man down was not the ideal spot. "Can you get the cover back in place?"
Nic was looking frazzled but hopefully the stench of the sewer would mask their own scents as they journeyed back to Liefde, and this would be the last difficult task any of them had to do. Kem would have been willing to be the last down the (ugh, not another) ladder, but he knew there was no way he could cling to the bars and maneuver the manhole cover back over the passage.
He waited for Nic's response as Aishe began to descend into the darkness below the city streets.
It was Aishe's voice that roused him from his stupor, awakening him once more to the fresh heat of injury in his left side and the reality that faced them all. He looked up at Nic, gave him a nod; it was his udnerstanding of what the man had done, his thanks for doing what he hadn't been able to.
He grasped Aishe's hand in his and braced himself, not completely able to ignore the fire in his side as he got to his feet. Only then did he recall Pak's sending, and as they made their way to the manhole cover he finally responded.
[Still clear down there? Are you all right, senet?]
Giving Nic and Aishe a quick once over as well, Kem noted they seemed to be shaken, but still well. Echoing Aishe's sentiment, he looked in the direction of Liefde. He could see the tops of the towers rising above the smaller buildings they stood among now.
"We're almost there."
His voice sounded ragged even to him, but he imagined none of them were exactly at their peak right now. He gestured down the ladder and nodded to Aishe. "I'll follow you." he looked at Nic, aware that being last man down was not the ideal spot. "Can you get the cover back in place?"
Nic was looking frazzled but hopefully the stench of the sewer would mask their own scents as they journeyed back to Liefde, and this would be the last difficult task any of them had to do. Kem would have been willing to be the last down the (ugh, not another) ladder, but he knew there was no way he could cling to the bars and maneuver the manhole cover back over the passage.
He waited for Nic's response as Aishe began to descend into the darkness below the city streets.
Pakpao
16 years ago
Pak could hear the gun fire, but all she could do was cringe, feel useless and hope everyone was all right. Cursing herself for a coward quite creatively in her native language she started up the ladder a bit, but only got one or two rungs up before she could hear well enough to know that what ever happened had gone down quickly and the other three would be on their way down.
She would kill for a clove right about now. Some how though she didn't think the sewer would be a good place to light up. Kem's sending temporarily jostled her out of feeling sorry for herself.
[Just a few rats down here. Should be fine.]
She refrained from answering how she was, as she didn't think any of them were too good at this point.
Fidgeting and waiting Pak remembered her laptop, she'd been dragging the thing around all night, and in the laptop bag was her blackberry! Fastest surfer on three continents and it wasn't much, but it's what she could do to aid them in getting the hell home. Whipping the mini computer out she managed to get a weak signal if she stood right under the open man hole cover and that was enough. Before every one had made it down she had a clear lay out of the sewer system between here and the Towers including heights. They'd have to make a few round about turns to avoid crawling but she had it and saved it to an off line file, knowing the signal couldn't possibly last.
Waiting for Nic to maneuver the cover she'd offer what little aid she could there as well. It would help steady it, at the very least.
"I found us a road map. We can't take a straight shot, but its not too out of the way."Â?
She had no issues being navigator but wanted every one to be ready.
God it had been a long night.
She would kill for a clove right about now. Some how though she didn't think the sewer would be a good place to light up. Kem's sending temporarily jostled her out of feeling sorry for herself.
[Just a few rats down here. Should be fine.]
She refrained from answering how she was, as she didn't think any of them were too good at this point.
Fidgeting and waiting Pak remembered her laptop, she'd been dragging the thing around all night, and in the laptop bag was her blackberry! Fastest surfer on three continents and it wasn't much, but it's what she could do to aid them in getting the hell home. Whipping the mini computer out she managed to get a weak signal if she stood right under the open man hole cover and that was enough. Before every one had made it down she had a clear lay out of the sewer system between here and the Towers including heights. They'd have to make a few round about turns to avoid crawling but she had it and saved it to an off line file, knowing the signal couldn't possibly last.
Waiting for Nic to maneuver the cover she'd offer what little aid she could there as well. It would help steady it, at the very least.
"I found us a road map. We can't take a straight shot, but its not too out of the way."Â?
She had no issues being navigator but wanted every one to be ready.
God it had been a long night.
Nicholae
16 years ago
It took a little restraint on his part, not to just grab Kem and toss the man over his shoulder, but Nic managed. There wasn't a thing he wouldn't do for his friend, and keeping that in mind he stayed close to him and Aishe as she tended to getting Kem moving. And the look from Kem, as well, told Nic he would manage.
Even as dull as Nic could be on occasion, he still figured out Kem was a very proud man. And with the bit of pride Nic held onto personally, he could just imagine what it would do for a man of Kem's stature, to be bandied about like a small child, whether it was the only alternative or not.
A half smile and a nod, was Nic's answer to Aishe's gratitude. It was odd accepting it, for something he had done almost instinctively, but there was also no time for false modesty either. Instead he merely followed his two friends to the opening to the sewer, and stood back to allow their descent first.
"Yes, yes, of course, no problem..." Nic waived Kem on, sure he would have no trouble pulled the heavy metal cover back into position. He spared another couple seconds mentally praising himself for his dedication to working out, and as he'd done a few times in the past, vowed to always keep that a part of his life's routines.
Just as soon as Kem was clear of the top few rungs, Nic took place on them, and started tugging on the manhole cover. There were more of the zombies down the street, headed their way, but Nic was pretty sure they hadn't smelled or sited the vampires yet. Of course Nic didn't want to do anything to test that theory either, and didn't feel any modicum of safety until he was on the floor of the sewer system, ready to move on.
"Let's get a move on, just in case, shall we? Everyone able to do that...anyone need help?"
He had to ask, even knowing it was a pretty good bet none of the other three would take him up on his offer.
Even as dull as Nic could be on occasion, he still figured out Kem was a very proud man. And with the bit of pride Nic held onto personally, he could just imagine what it would do for a man of Kem's stature, to be bandied about like a small child, whether it was the only alternative or not.
A half smile and a nod, was Nic's answer to Aishe's gratitude. It was odd accepting it, for something he had done almost instinctively, but there was also no time for false modesty either. Instead he merely followed his two friends to the opening to the sewer, and stood back to allow their descent first.
"Yes, yes, of course, no problem..." Nic waived Kem on, sure he would have no trouble pulled the heavy metal cover back into position. He spared another couple seconds mentally praising himself for his dedication to working out, and as he'd done a few times in the past, vowed to always keep that a part of his life's routines.
Just as soon as Kem was clear of the top few rungs, Nic took place on them, and started tugging on the manhole cover. There were more of the zombies down the street, headed their way, but Nic was pretty sure they hadn't smelled or sited the vampires yet. Of course Nic didn't want to do anything to test that theory either, and didn't feel any modicum of safety until he was on the floor of the sewer system, ready to move on.
"Let's get a move on, just in case, shall we? Everyone able to do that...anyone need help?"
He had to ask, even knowing it was a pretty good bet none of the other three would take him up on his offer.
Aishe
16 years ago
Aishe descended the ladder to find Pak at work on her little blackberry. The woman had obviously thought of something she certainly hadn't, and she was wililng to bet no one else had either. It wasn't until Pak mentioned it that Aishe realized she'd have been completely lost in the dark of the sewers.
"Nice job Pak," she said, hopping off the ladder and landing with a sickening squish on the bottom of the sewer pipe.
Ugh. She had to hand it to Kem for this idea... it was nasty but she couldn't imagine being followed down here. Even her vampiric sense of smell was overwhelmed by the odor. She was glad she could see very little. She didn't want to know what she was stepping in or through. Already she could feel muck seeping in through her sturdy shoes, and felt a good deal of respect for the Thai, who was truly barefoot.
Reaching back to the ladder she slipped her arm through Kem's as he came down after her. She wasn't sure if there was any way to support him that wouldn't hurt him, but she was there for him to lean on if he had to.
Trying to focus, Aishe gave up. She could see very vaguely the glistening wetness on the floor, and every once in a while some light filtered in from the streets above to show them the walls.
"Lead on Pak," she hissed once Nic had slid the manhole cover back into place and was safely down with them.
"Nice job Pak," she said, hopping off the ladder and landing with a sickening squish on the bottom of the sewer pipe.
Ugh. She had to hand it to Kem for this idea... it was nasty but she couldn't imagine being followed down here. Even her vampiric sense of smell was overwhelmed by the odor. She was glad she could see very little. She didn't want to know what she was stepping in or through. Already she could feel muck seeping in through her sturdy shoes, and felt a good deal of respect for the Thai, who was truly barefoot.
Reaching back to the ladder she slipped her arm through Kem's as he came down after her. She wasn't sure if there was any way to support him that wouldn't hurt him, but she was there for him to lean on if he had to.
Trying to focus, Aishe gave up. She could see very vaguely the glistening wetness on the floor, and every once in a while some light filtered in from the streets above to show them the walls.
"Lead on Pak," she hissed once Nic had slid the manhole cover back into place and was safely down with them.
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
Seemed they were all hanging on by a thread. As far as Kem was concerned they'd all had a chance to shine, and Pak was taking her turn now. Although she must have been completely freaked out by the fact that she was tromping barefoot through the Nachton sewers, she'd had the presence of mind to use her computer skills to map them the quickest route back to Liefde.
The smells down here made him want to heave, but that had been the point. He could only imagine their reception, however, walking into Liefde like this. At least there was something to be said for wearing Doc Martens. They'd been serving him well all night, and now as he dropped into the sewer muck he could at least enjoy the fact that his feet were dry. Face it, there had to be a perk to this night somewhere.
The sewers weren't really built for the tall of stature. For Kem, at the moment, it wasn't a problem. He doubted he could straighten all the way up even if he wanted to. His bleeding side was healing over, sort of. The regeneration was sluggish at best. getting better would require a whole lot more blood than he currently had available. So he slogged along with everyone else, left arm clamped down, right hand plugging up the hole in his side.
The last bits of real light disappeared as Nic replaced the manhole cover and he and Pak came down the ladder. They moved to let Pak through and Kem turned to Nic.
"You all right?"
Kem could honestly say he'd been in worse places over the course of his sixteen centuries, and the same probably went for Pak, from what he knew of he past. Aishe was Aishe, and while he knew she found this pretty revolting, she handled it with her usual sense of calm and purpose, focused on getting them to home base. Nic though, Kem wasn't sure about. He didn't know a lot about the younger vampire's past experiences. Hell, for all he knew he was claustrophobic. At any rate, diverting his attention to his friends' well-being got his mind off the fragments of rib-bone that grated over his fingers every time he moved.
The smells down here made him want to heave, but that had been the point. He could only imagine their reception, however, walking into Liefde like this. At least there was something to be said for wearing Doc Martens. They'd been serving him well all night, and now as he dropped into the sewer muck he could at least enjoy the fact that his feet were dry. Face it, there had to be a perk to this night somewhere.
The sewers weren't really built for the tall of stature. For Kem, at the moment, it wasn't a problem. He doubted he could straighten all the way up even if he wanted to. His bleeding side was healing over, sort of. The regeneration was sluggish at best. getting better would require a whole lot more blood than he currently had available. So he slogged along with everyone else, left arm clamped down, right hand plugging up the hole in his side.
The last bits of real light disappeared as Nic replaced the manhole cover and he and Pak came down the ladder. They moved to let Pak through and Kem turned to Nic.
"You all right?"
Kem could honestly say he'd been in worse places over the course of his sixteen centuries, and the same probably went for Pak, from what he knew of he past. Aishe was Aishe, and while he knew she found this pretty revolting, she handled it with her usual sense of calm and purpose, focused on getting them to home base. Nic though, Kem wasn't sure about. He didn't know a lot about the younger vampire's past experiences. Hell, for all he knew he was claustrophobic. At any rate, diverting his attention to his friends' well-being got his mind off the fragments of rib-bone that grated over his fingers every time he moved.
Pakpao
16 years ago
As disgusting as it was, Pak had accepted the situation rather quickly. The stench and the squalor weren't that much different than where she'd started out, she just didn't care to be reminded of those place. Of course, she wouldn't really want to be reminded of this places either. Yes, lets get together and go drinking and remember the time we ran through the sewers, some of us grievously injured while fleeing from zombie hordes! That was not going in her date book any time soon.
Hissing the Siamese equivalent of 'fucking no light' as Nic secured the cover, she again rummaged through her bag finding what she wanted. A tiny flashlight powered by a single double AA (it came free with the batteries) and a nifty little tool that had a screwdriver at one end and a pen light at the other. No sense stumbling around in total darkness.
"Flashlight?"Â?
She offered in general. The AA one was up for grabs, the pen light she wouldn't part with for money.
Balance was a bit tricky without shoes but she managed and headed them off towards home. They were going to have to cross several 'streets' and while she didn't relish that idea barefoot she at least had the grace to be the first one though taking solace in the knowledge she couldn't get tetanus, or rabies from the look of those rats.
"I just hope MARI lets us in."Â?
There were days even Pak wasn't sure about her AI friend, and arriving at the towers in this state... well they'd just have to see. It was very probably all of Liefde was locked down, but that was a bridge they'd have to cross when they came to it.
Hissing the Siamese equivalent of 'fucking no light' as Nic secured the cover, she again rummaged through her bag finding what she wanted. A tiny flashlight powered by a single double AA (it came free with the batteries) and a nifty little tool that had a screwdriver at one end and a pen light at the other. No sense stumbling around in total darkness.
"Flashlight?"Â?
She offered in general. The AA one was up for grabs, the pen light she wouldn't part with for money.
Balance was a bit tricky without shoes but she managed and headed them off towards home. They were going to have to cross several 'streets' and while she didn't relish that idea barefoot she at least had the grace to be the first one though taking solace in the knowledge she couldn't get tetanus, or rabies from the look of those rats.
"I just hope MARI lets us in."Â?
There were days even Pak wasn't sure about her AI friend, and arriving at the towers in this state... well they'd just have to see. It was very probably all of Liefde was locked down, but that was a bridge they'd have to cross when they came to it.
Nicholae
16 years ago
Watching the tenderness between Kem and Aishe reminded Nic of Livia, but those kinds of thoughts had no business in his head now. He knew if he considered her at all any anxieties he had been trying to belay, would hit him ten fold, as her safety would become an issue as well. And Nic logically knew there was nothing he could do for her at the moment. So instead he pushed thoughts and images of Livia from his mind, and looked to the other three to follow now.
Then too, more things to worry about could be what Nic would need, to allow him to move at all down there in that cesspool. Nic did not do sewage. Hell, Nic nearly gagged any time he even considered cleaning his bathroom, and now he was down in the bowels of all the bathrooms. He felt a small amount of imaginary bile climb up in his throat, before he held the sleeve of his shirt to his nose. Wearing cologne was something he had done for years, and now reaped another benefit from that action. Invariably what was on his skin was eventually transferred to his clothes, and as he breathed in the slight and softly scented fabric he felt his stomach start to settle. It was one thing to be able to ignore the vile offensiveness going on above ground, as his mind had been occupied more with survival, and a multitude of other distractions that prevented him from genuinely seeing what was in front of him. Now that his main objectives had dwindled down to reaching Liefde, and helping Kem to not fall apart, there was more room for other things to creep in. He had half a mind to make a mad dash ahead and run so hard that he wouldn't have time to let the sewer sink in any more than it already had.
"Fair to middling."
Was Nic's response to Kem, and as honest as he could get without breaking down and letting ALL his feelings spill out. Kem had no need to worry about Nic. Nic might be having a small mental breakdown - though that still remained to be seen - but at least Nic was still in one piece. Kem's injury had Nic very worried, but to keep his calm demeanor afloat, Nic would not let on. It never occurred to him that by letting Kem worry about him, Kem would be receiving the same distractions from his own condition.
"But that may change if we don't get moving."
Nic's grin was real, and it was taxing for him to not embrace the man before him, in gratitude, as well as support. Nic knew if he did that, he would probably inflict more pain to Kem than affection though, and stopped himself. There would be time for that later. There would be time to sit, look back and commiserate on tonight as an experience shared, and survived. But there would only be time if they got their asses out of these forsaken sewers!
Seeing Pakpao's flashlight, Nic shouted an expletive, and reached into his own pocket, and pulled out a similar flashlight he had attached to his keys. Not accustomed to carrying his keys around with him, for fear of losing them, which he did regularly, some reason had made him drop them in his pants pocket earlier.
Shining the light on the bottom of the sewer, Nic quickly raised the beam ahead of the group. He rapidly decided he didn't want to see whatever he was standing, and soon to be walking in. As long as nothing too large appeared, that might trip them up, he was a lot less disturbed just not knowing.
"Oh she'll let us in...she likes me."
And at the absurdity of that statement, Nic laughed. Sometimes his conceit really knew no bounds. His laughter quickly died down, once they began their trip.
Then too, more things to worry about could be what Nic would need, to allow him to move at all down there in that cesspool. Nic did not do sewage. Hell, Nic nearly gagged any time he even considered cleaning his bathroom, and now he was down in the bowels of all the bathrooms. He felt a small amount of imaginary bile climb up in his throat, before he held the sleeve of his shirt to his nose. Wearing cologne was something he had done for years, and now reaped another benefit from that action. Invariably what was on his skin was eventually transferred to his clothes, and as he breathed in the slight and softly scented fabric he felt his stomach start to settle. It was one thing to be able to ignore the vile offensiveness going on above ground, as his mind had been occupied more with survival, and a multitude of other distractions that prevented him from genuinely seeing what was in front of him. Now that his main objectives had dwindled down to reaching Liefde, and helping Kem to not fall apart, there was more room for other things to creep in. He had half a mind to make a mad dash ahead and run so hard that he wouldn't have time to let the sewer sink in any more than it already had.
"Fair to middling."
Was Nic's response to Kem, and as honest as he could get without breaking down and letting ALL his feelings spill out. Kem had no need to worry about Nic. Nic might be having a small mental breakdown - though that still remained to be seen - but at least Nic was still in one piece. Kem's injury had Nic very worried, but to keep his calm demeanor afloat, Nic would not let on. It never occurred to him that by letting Kem worry about him, Kem would be receiving the same distractions from his own condition.
"But that may change if we don't get moving."
Nic's grin was real, and it was taxing for him to not embrace the man before him, in gratitude, as well as support. Nic knew if he did that, he would probably inflict more pain to Kem than affection though, and stopped himself. There would be time for that later. There would be time to sit, look back and commiserate on tonight as an experience shared, and survived. But there would only be time if they got their asses out of these forsaken sewers!
Seeing Pakpao's flashlight, Nic shouted an expletive, and reached into his own pocket, and pulled out a similar flashlight he had attached to his keys. Not accustomed to carrying his keys around with him, for fear of losing them, which he did regularly, some reason had made him drop them in his pants pocket earlier.
Shining the light on the bottom of the sewer, Nic quickly raised the beam ahead of the group. He rapidly decided he didn't want to see whatever he was standing, and soon to be walking in. As long as nothing too large appeared, that might trip them up, he was a lot less disturbed just not knowing.
"Oh she'll let us in...she likes me."
And at the absurdity of that statement, Nic laughed. Sometimes his conceit really knew no bounds. His laughter quickly died down, once they began their trip.
Aishe
16 years ago
Judging by the sounds of their voices, none of them were thrilled about their current situation. That was pretty much to be expected. They were reaching the figurative (and literal) end of the tunnel though, and hopefully the proverbial light there wasn't the pretty white one where all the angels go.
Pak offered a flashlight, and Nic quickly produced one as well. Aishe relieved Pak of the second one and tucked it in her pants pocket, just in case any of them got separated somehow. She and Kem would still have light. She didn't intend to let go of him. Although, she had to admit, he was holding up pretty well. If it weren't so dangerous for them to stay in one place for long she'd have insisted he bolster his strength with some of her own blood but this wasn't the best time for that, and if he was still bleeding then it would be useless anyhow.
Trudging through the mud, she chuckled at Nic's comment about MARI. "I somehow doubt she'll deny us entry. Though the cleaning crew might have something to say about it."
She adjusted her position slightly, tucking herself up under Kem's good arm. "Truth be told," she added, "I can't imagine any three vampires I'd rather be stuck fleeing on foot through the sewers from zombies with."
It was said with a cheeky smile no one but her knew was there, but the inflection in her voice was plain. The absurdity of their situation, if one took the time to look at it from where Aishe had been just two years ago, was astounding.
Silently, she sent to Kem, who was leaning a bit more on her now, [Will you be all right, 'Isu-mery?]
Pak offered a flashlight, and Nic quickly produced one as well. Aishe relieved Pak of the second one and tucked it in her pants pocket, just in case any of them got separated somehow. She and Kem would still have light. She didn't intend to let go of him. Although, she had to admit, he was holding up pretty well. If it weren't so dangerous for them to stay in one place for long she'd have insisted he bolster his strength with some of her own blood but this wasn't the best time for that, and if he was still bleeding then it would be useless anyhow.
Trudging through the mud, she chuckled at Nic's comment about MARI. "I somehow doubt she'll deny us entry. Though the cleaning crew might have something to say about it."
She adjusted her position slightly, tucking herself up under Kem's good arm. "Truth be told," she added, "I can't imagine any three vampires I'd rather be stuck fleeing on foot through the sewers from zombies with."
It was said with a cheeky smile no one but her knew was there, but the inflection in her voice was plain. The absurdity of their situation, if one took the time to look at it from where Aishe had been just two years ago, was astounding.
Silently, she sent to Kem, who was leaning a bit more on her now, [Will you be all right, 'Isu-mery?]
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
Kem heard the others talking, vaguely. He knew he'd asked Nic a qeustion and his response had been failrly noncommittal, but at the moment moving one foot after the other was taking precedence over humor, no matter how much it helped diffuse the stress of the situation. Each step was more difficult and while he didn't really think he was in dire straits, he would be thrilled to get to safety and have a chance to recuperate.
Certainly, he wasn't about to point out that they didn't know for sure if Liefde was safe, but at this time it was as good a bet as any and he doubted any of them wanted to consider what would happen if it weren't.
He knew he was leaning on Aishe a bit hard but she didn't seem to mind. She just tucked herself in and let him use her shoulder, which was conveniently just the right height for leaning on. Very fitting.
Aishe's sending filtered into his brain and he looked down at her, although it was difficult to make out her features in the darkness, even with the flashlights.
[Nothing a few pints can't take care of, merit. Don't worry about me.]
Pints of blood, pints of beer, whichever happened to be forthcoming first, he'd take at this point.
He did manage to get one more question out, just so Pak and Nic would kow he was still there.
"I don't suppose we're, say, right around the corner or anything are we?"
Certainly, he wasn't about to point out that they didn't know for sure if Liefde was safe, but at this time it was as good a bet as any and he doubted any of them wanted to consider what would happen if it weren't.
He knew he was leaning on Aishe a bit hard but she didn't seem to mind. She just tucked herself in and let him use her shoulder, which was conveniently just the right height for leaning on. Very fitting.
Aishe's sending filtered into his brain and he looked down at her, although it was difficult to make out her features in the darkness, even with the flashlights.
[Nothing a few pints can't take care of, merit. Don't worry about me.]
Pints of blood, pints of beer, whichever happened to be forthcoming first, he'd take at this point.
He did manage to get one more question out, just so Pak and Nic would kow he was still there.
"I don't suppose we're, say, right around the corner or anything are we?"
Ellis Duban
16 years ago
Ellis struggled to regain her footing as she followed Simon back out the smoldering building and back into the shadows of the alley ways. He was irritated with her, to put it mildly. She smiled as she silently admitted to herself that the explosion was stupid and pointless - but still she enjoyed making things go boom. I mean - who wouldn't? The pyro in her looked back at the fiery destruction with glee but it was quickly squashed as she watched the streets surrounding the fire fill up with hundreds of zombies.
Instinctively she tried blend but instead was rewarded with intense throbbing in her head. Ellis was still too weak to utilize the one ability that could mean the difference between escaping or being eaten. Simon suddenly pulled her into a doorway and broke the lock off with a twist of his fingers. He pushed her in silently but she stumbled from another wave of pain in her head. Quickly he caught her arm and eased the door closed.
'I can't...,' was all she could manage. The explosion had done severe damage and it took everything to try and pull herself together. Her legs threatened to buckle, the pain ebbing to and fro. Simon reached out and steadied her with his large hands, one hand cupping her elbow while the other encircled her waist. Ellis shook her head, trying to chase the tunnel vision away when she looked up into Simon's face.
It was there, as if it had never faded away. The warm comforting look of concern he always had for her. The pursed lips and disheveled thick auburn hair that she just wanted to run her hands through. He had saved her...again. Painfully she wondered if it was just a thousand year old instinct or a real desire. Maybe?
A cold sweat covered her body as she was suddenly reminded of another time this kind of pain over took her. Angrily she pulled her arms away from Simon's steady hands and she pushed through the building to find an exit without so much as a thank you or a look over her shoulder.
Instinctively she tried blend but instead was rewarded with intense throbbing in her head. Ellis was still too weak to utilize the one ability that could mean the difference between escaping or being eaten. Simon suddenly pulled her into a doorway and broke the lock off with a twist of his fingers. He pushed her in silently but she stumbled from another wave of pain in her head. Quickly he caught her arm and eased the door closed.
'I can't...,' was all she could manage. The explosion had done severe damage and it took everything to try and pull herself together. Her legs threatened to buckle, the pain ebbing to and fro. Simon reached out and steadied her with his large hands, one hand cupping her elbow while the other encircled her waist. Ellis shook her head, trying to chase the tunnel vision away when she looked up into Simon's face.
It was there, as if it had never faded away. The warm comforting look of concern he always had for her. The pursed lips and disheveled thick auburn hair that she just wanted to run her hands through. He had saved her...again. Painfully she wondered if it was just a thousand year old instinct or a real desire. Maybe?
A cold sweat covered her body as she was suddenly reminded of another time this kind of pain over took her. Angrily she pulled her arms away from Simon's steady hands and she pushed through the building to find an exit without so much as a thank you or a look over her shoulder.
Simon Huntington
16 years ago
Simon picked up his jacket and stood with a look down his nose at Ellis. He said two words.
'Keep up.'
With that he quickly made his way through the building out to the alley way, away from Ellis' fiery cluster fuck. The streets were filled with the pungent smell of zombies, from one end of the street to the other they were running towards the orange glow emitting from the flame engulfed building, like proverbial moths to the flame. Simon tried concentrating again to try and contact Carol but he could not focus without pulling away from his perception which was barely keeping them and their scent far enough away from passing zombies.
Just then Ellis moaned softly and within his short perception range something slowed down enough to force Simon to seek refuge in another building. As quietly as he could they broke in another door, away from the alley and the street. He had to hold onto her arm to keep her from falling as he closed the door and backed them away from the windows and entrance.
'Ellis?' If she heard him, he couldn't tell by the dazed look in her watery green eyes. The explosion had wiped her out and the amount of blood he was able to give her without causing further damage to himself was barely enough to help her regenerate but not near enough to maintain. Her legs wobbled and she fell against him, forcing Simon to grab her around her waist and steady her.
'Whoa, hey hey.' For as reckless as her antics always are, they were memorable and even though he was fairly certain she had nothing to do with the evil rampaging that night he found it ironic that they ended up trying to survive it together. His rescuing her was automatic and without thought even after all these years of servitude and underlying hate - Simon was still there to catch her. He thought all of this as she finally focused her gaze onto his face and seemed startled. Despite everything, he felt himself grin.
The look of complete and utter innocence crossed her face. In a split second it was a warm early evening near a lake. A constable and a lady meeting exchanging smiles that would fuse two lives through a dozen lifetimes. The softness in her eyes changed just as quickly as it came and it was replaced by something seething with hate. Ellis tore away from him and regained her composure as she walked off to the back of the building, leaving him there and as always ...he followed.
(Ellis and Simon out to Duibne)
'Keep up.'
With that he quickly made his way through the building out to the alley way, away from Ellis' fiery cluster fuck. The streets were filled with the pungent smell of zombies, from one end of the street to the other they were running towards the orange glow emitting from the flame engulfed building, like proverbial moths to the flame. Simon tried concentrating again to try and contact Carol but he could not focus without pulling away from his perception which was barely keeping them and their scent far enough away from passing zombies.
Just then Ellis moaned softly and within his short perception range something slowed down enough to force Simon to seek refuge in another building. As quietly as he could they broke in another door, away from the alley and the street. He had to hold onto her arm to keep her from falling as he closed the door and backed them away from the windows and entrance.
'Ellis?' If she heard him, he couldn't tell by the dazed look in her watery green eyes. The explosion had wiped her out and the amount of blood he was able to give her without causing further damage to himself was barely enough to help her regenerate but not near enough to maintain. Her legs wobbled and she fell against him, forcing Simon to grab her around her waist and steady her.
'Whoa, hey hey.' For as reckless as her antics always are, they were memorable and even though he was fairly certain she had nothing to do with the evil rampaging that night he found it ironic that they ended up trying to survive it together. His rescuing her was automatic and without thought even after all these years of servitude and underlying hate - Simon was still there to catch her. He thought all of this as she finally focused her gaze onto his face and seemed startled. Despite everything, he felt himself grin.
The look of complete and utter innocence crossed her face. In a split second it was a warm early evening near a lake. A constable and a lady meeting exchanging smiles that would fuse two lives through a dozen lifetimes. The softness in her eyes changed just as quickly as it came and it was replaced by something seething with hate. Ellis tore away from him and regained her composure as she walked off to the back of the building, leaving him there and as always ...he followed.
(Ellis and Simon out to Duibne)
Nicholae
16 years ago
His eyes were like hot pokers from staring ahead into the darkness, only the small beam of light showing anything. Listening, trying to hear anything different in the sewer tunnel, Nic didn't think they would ever reach Liefde, and wasn't sure he'd know it if and when they did.
Without being too obvious he tried to also keep track of Kem, concerned still that his friend might be worse off than he had let on, and wanting nothing more than to find a safe haven for them all, where Kem could renew himself. NIc had always thought of Kem with the highest regard, and always felt the Egyptian could do just about anything, but with Aishe by his side, Nic didn't think there was anything Kem couldn't do.
Thoughts now traveling to Pakpao, Nic had to give her more credit than he had earlier. Even without shoes, down here in this dank, smelly hellhole, Pakpao forged ahead, and was doing fantastically. Maybe, just maybe Nic would try to get to know the Asian woman better, the next time he had the opportunity. Perhaps he had been hasty in his suspicions of her, as he now thought he was seeing a much better side of her.
"I think by now the cleaning crew must be pretty used to cleaning up after my messes." Nic joked, remembering the time Ellis had thrown him through the Liefde Tower lobby doors. Besides a ton of shattered glass, there had been a bit of blood strewn about that night as well. Blood...mud...sewage...was there really any difference?
Aishe's next comment made him chuckle again.
"I appreciate the sentiment, though I doubt you'll ever have a chance to check that out...at least I hope you never again find yourself traipsing through the sewers, fleeing from zombies. God help us all if this is a common occurrence."
They hadn't traveled much farther before the sounds around them changed. Above them he could have sworn a different set of noises had began to get louder. Metallic sounds, sounds of plumbing, and a hum of what he initially thought sounded like...bees? As large a building as Liefde was, Nic wondered now if they had finally reached there destination, and the new sounds signaled that. Stopping, he held up the flashlight for a couple seconds.
"Listen...do you think thats it above us?"
Without being too obvious he tried to also keep track of Kem, concerned still that his friend might be worse off than he had let on, and wanting nothing more than to find a safe haven for them all, where Kem could renew himself. NIc had always thought of Kem with the highest regard, and always felt the Egyptian could do just about anything, but with Aishe by his side, Nic didn't think there was anything Kem couldn't do.
Thoughts now traveling to Pakpao, Nic had to give her more credit than he had earlier. Even without shoes, down here in this dank, smelly hellhole, Pakpao forged ahead, and was doing fantastically. Maybe, just maybe Nic would try to get to know the Asian woman better, the next time he had the opportunity. Perhaps he had been hasty in his suspicions of her, as he now thought he was seeing a much better side of her.
"I think by now the cleaning crew must be pretty used to cleaning up after my messes." Nic joked, remembering the time Ellis had thrown him through the Liefde Tower lobby doors. Besides a ton of shattered glass, there had been a bit of blood strewn about that night as well. Blood...mud...sewage...was there really any difference?
Aishe's next comment made him chuckle again.
"I appreciate the sentiment, though I doubt you'll ever have a chance to check that out...at least I hope you never again find yourself traipsing through the sewers, fleeing from zombies. God help us all if this is a common occurrence."
They hadn't traveled much farther before the sounds around them changed. Above them he could have sworn a different set of noises had began to get louder. Metallic sounds, sounds of plumbing, and a hum of what he initially thought sounded like...bees? As large a building as Liefde was, Nic wondered now if they had finally reached there destination, and the new sounds signaled that. Stopping, he held up the flashlight for a couple seconds.
"Listen...do you think thats it above us?"
Pakpao
16 years ago
See her bag of pointless gadgets was useful in some situations after all. She would be using this as an example of why she couldn't take things out of her laptop bag the next time any one mocked her for having odd things easily accessible. Pak also decided she'd be getting herself a GPS as well, that would be a handy little toy about now; although, they were doing quite well with out it.
She was concentrating too hard on navigating to be very entertaining, or even responsive, although she did quirk an eyebrow at Nic for his comments about MARI. In different circumstances she'd be quite curious about his relationship with her creation. Pak was also a bit worried about Kem. However, a sister is a poor substitute for a lover and besides she didn't think he'd appreciate any one hovering over him. So she would trust Aishe to say something if either of the two of them needed help and stick to the task at hand.
"Yes."Â?
Pak answered Nic, although it was said a bit cautiously.
"And there should be a man hole cover just...."Â? she scowled at her blackberry, "just there."Â?
The little pen light just barley managed to illuminate a ladder back up to the street.
"There's no good way in from the main line to the Towers themselves. We'll have to go street level and in the front door."Â?
She let the question of who would be sticking their neck out, quite literally, hang in the air for a second before deciding that it might as well be her and climbing up the ladder a bit.
"If I can get a hand with this, we'll have a look and see if we've struck lucky."Â?
Please god let it be clear and let Leifde be safe. She didn't think any of them was up to more fighting, or running, or jumping, or anything else.
She was concentrating too hard on navigating to be very entertaining, or even responsive, although she did quirk an eyebrow at Nic for his comments about MARI. In different circumstances she'd be quite curious about his relationship with her creation. Pak was also a bit worried about Kem. However, a sister is a poor substitute for a lover and besides she didn't think he'd appreciate any one hovering over him. So she would trust Aishe to say something if either of the two of them needed help and stick to the task at hand.
"Yes."Â?
Pak answered Nic, although it was said a bit cautiously.
"And there should be a man hole cover just...."Â? she scowled at her blackberry, "just there."Â?
The little pen light just barley managed to illuminate a ladder back up to the street.
"There's no good way in from the main line to the Towers themselves. We'll have to go street level and in the front door."Â?
She let the question of who would be sticking their neck out, quite literally, hang in the air for a second before deciding that it might as well be her and climbing up the ladder a bit.
"If I can get a hand with this, we'll have a look and see if we've struck lucky."Â?
Please god let it be clear and let Leifde be safe. She didn't think any of them was up to more fighting, or running, or jumping, or anything else.
Nicholae
16 years ago
Before Nic could scoot up the ladder, Pakpao had, and pretty much all Nic could do was sigh. Jeez, what a pushy broad this one was, he thought, completely to himself of course.
Not that Nic didn't like strong, self-sufficient women, but there was a time and a place when they could let a guy take care of the more dangerous things. Not to mention, he wanted out of this cesspool tunnel badly!
Remembering Pakpao had no shoes on, Nic grew more generous in his estimation, and followed her up instead. At least if something bad was waiting, he'd be able to prevent Kem and Aishe from being swallowed up in its grasp.
"If you move a bit to the side, I can probably push it out of the way."
He said very calmly, and without a hint of displeasure. In fact, he even smiled at her as he shined the small flashlight beneath his chin, probably giving her a ghastly image of his very cute face.
Not that Nic didn't like strong, self-sufficient women, but there was a time and a place when they could let a guy take care of the more dangerous things. Not to mention, he wanted out of this cesspool tunnel badly!
Remembering Pakpao had no shoes on, Nic grew more generous in his estimation, and followed her up instead. At least if something bad was waiting, he'd be able to prevent Kem and Aishe from being swallowed up in its grasp.
"If you move a bit to the side, I can probably push it out of the way."
He said very calmly, and without a hint of displeasure. In fact, he even smiled at her as he shined the small flashlight beneath his chin, probably giving her a ghastly image of his very cute face.
Pakpao
16 years ago
If some one else wanted to risk their neck, more power to them. Pak simply hadn't been willing to ask any one to do something she wasn't willing to do herself.
She nodded to Nic and agreeably dropped back off the ladder making a rather nasty squelching sound that she did her best to ignore.
"All yours."Â?
Pak resisted a rather powerful urge to call him 'pretty boy'. She was still there and ready to scramble back up if he needed her to help or to grab the flashlight so he could have two hands.
In fact...
"Here let me hold the light for you."Â?
After all Nic had needed two hands to move the previous lid, he'd probably need them again.
She almost sent something to Kem about playing nice, but thought better of it. She couldn't remember if she'd ever told him she and Nic were... well... not the best of friends.
She nodded to Nic and agreeably dropped back off the ladder making a rather nasty squelching sound that she did her best to ignore.
"All yours."Â?
Pak resisted a rather powerful urge to call him 'pretty boy'. She was still there and ready to scramble back up if he needed her to help or to grab the flashlight so he could have two hands.
In fact...
"Here let me hold the light for you."Â?
After all Nic had needed two hands to move the previous lid, he'd probably need them again.
She almost sent something to Kem about playing nice, but thought better of it. She couldn't remember if she'd ever told him she and Nic were... well... not the best of friends.
Aishe
16 years ago
Aishe waited at the bottom of the ladder with Kem as the two vampires shuffled for position above them. Finally it was Pak who hopped off the ladder with a sound made even nastier by the remembrance that the Thai was in bare feet.
Nic, who'd given Pak a funny look from where he stood, had popped his flashlight into his mouth and moved the manhole cover away. There was some noise from above, but no shots or combat sounds.
Aishe peered up into the light from above as several faces looked down upon them. All familiar, all Liefde Security. Best of all, all Evenhet.
As they ascended to the streets finally, Aishe found that the Towers had been turned into a bastion of safety. Guards were stationed everywhere. there was some fighting, but not as much as she'd have expected. Apparently, zombies could find easier meals elsewhere.
Steping into the building, being greeted immediately by friends and kin, Aishe had the distinct feeling that they'd finally reached home.
Nic, who'd given Pak a funny look from where he stood, had popped his flashlight into his mouth and moved the manhole cover away. There was some noise from above, but no shots or combat sounds.
Aishe peered up into the light from above as several faces looked down upon them. All familiar, all Liefde Security. Best of all, all Evenhet.
As they ascended to the streets finally, Aishe found that the Towers had been turned into a bastion of safety. Guards were stationed everywhere. there was some fighting, but not as much as she'd have expected. Apparently, zombies could find easier meals elsewhere.
Steping into the building, being greeted immediately by friends and kin, Aishe had the distinct feeling that they'd finally reached home.
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
Kem was mostly asleep on his feet by the time they reached a new ladder. It occurred to him to send to both Pak and Nic, and thank them for being such good sports... or whatever appropriate term fit, but focusing his mind on that task, no matter how second nature it was to him, was impossible.
How he made it up he ladder and into the Towers was a bit of a mystery to him, but he suspected that more hands than Aishe, Nic, and Pak's were involved because within a few minutes he was off in another room and there was a very comforting IV dripping blood directly into his arm and a few people who decided that, yes, that rib belonged back inside his chest cavity.
Aishe was standing next to him, that much he knew, and he vaguely saw Nic and Pak heading for an elevator, presumably to escape to their own rooms for a well-earned break. That was observation enough. Tipping his head to one side he rested it against Aishe's chest and decided that was enough for one night. In a quiet corner out of the way of the more dire emergencies that seemed to be coming through the doors every few minutes, Kem simply let everything fade away into dim shadows and sounds.
Better luck next time, zombies. Muahaha. And all that.
((ooc: Kem, Nic, Aishe, and Pak all out for well-deserved showers))
How he made it up he ladder and into the Towers was a bit of a mystery to him, but he suspected that more hands than Aishe, Nic, and Pak's were involved because within a few minutes he was off in another room and there was a very comforting IV dripping blood directly into his arm and a few people who decided that, yes, that rib belonged back inside his chest cavity.
Aishe was standing next to him, that much he knew, and he vaguely saw Nic and Pak heading for an elevator, presumably to escape to their own rooms for a well-earned break. That was observation enough. Tipping his head to one side he rested it against Aishe's chest and decided that was enough for one night. In a quiet corner out of the way of the more dire emergencies that seemed to be coming through the doors every few minutes, Kem simply let everything fade away into dim shadows and sounds.
Better luck next time, zombies. Muahaha. And all that.
((ooc: Kem, Nic, Aishe, and Pak all out for well-deserved showers))
Amberelle DeEspionne
16 years ago
The area directly around Dubine was definatly not where any one still alive and remotely sane would want to be right now, Amberelle decided. She peered down cautiously off of a roof top at the steets below, not liking was she saw. The blonde's brows drew together and she tapped her chin lightly, then stopped and grimaced at the foul smelling blood that still clung to the leather. In fact she practically reeked from it now, but she knew they could somehow still smell her scent above it. A fact clear to her as several of the ones below seemed agitated and began looking around hungrily.
Silently she stepped back out of sight and was suddenly inspired. She grabbed up a handfull of gravel from the roof, sifting out several larger pieces. The Creole was thankful for her good aim as she used the rocks to smash out a couple of the windows on a building down the way, drawing all of the nearby undead's attention with the noise. Watching with glittering golden eyes as they rushed over and swarmed inside, she timed it just right so that none of them saw her quietly drop down onto the empty street and rush over to the corner.
Another pack of the frenzied zombies ran around from the cross street and towards the building that had captured so much attention, but none saw the small golden furred cat that dissapeared into the storm sewer drain. Amby moved under the sidewalks, now safe in the sheltered gutters. The cat began to run furiously along, right under the crowds above and towards her goal.
((Amberelle out and to Dubine))
Silently she stepped back out of sight and was suddenly inspired. She grabbed up a handfull of gravel from the roof, sifting out several larger pieces. The Creole was thankful for her good aim as she used the rocks to smash out a couple of the windows on a building down the way, drawing all of the nearby undead's attention with the noise. Watching with glittering golden eyes as they rushed over and swarmed inside, she timed it just right so that none of them saw her quietly drop down onto the empty street and rush over to the corner.
Another pack of the frenzied zombies ran around from the cross street and towards the building that had captured so much attention, but none saw the small golden furred cat that dissapeared into the storm sewer drain. Amby moved under the sidewalks, now safe in the sheltered gutters. The cat began to run furiously along, right under the crowds above and towards her goal.
((Amberelle out and to Dubine))
Steven
16 years ago
Steve Rowland had never seen anything like this. Zombies roamed the streets, looking for their next meal. Anyone who wasn't a zombie was about to get munched. These damn things were everywhere, and they were gaining ground. Steve had to make it to a safe place, but he first needed to find out what had happened to his sister. Nikki had just arrived when the disaster struck, and she was now running around in the streets, trying to stay alive. The last contact he had had with her had been an hour or so ago, and he was getting desperate. He had gone to the location she had claimed to be in, only to find a load of zombies and an odd looking mark on the ground. He was now somewhere in the industrial district, rolling with a purpose and looking for some sign of life. He was now having a new problem: he was low on ammo. He needed to get to an arms store or a police substation or something, and he needed it quick.
(hope you guys don't mind a little company!)
(hope you guys don't mind a little company!)