As Ran and Anika rose and fell, continuing to beat each other with their wings, swapping forms and grappling mid air only to fall, shift, and repeat, Continued to try to keep her from getting loose. Eventually she got so mad with him that she sank her talons into him and gripped tightly. He shifted, but her hold only seemed to get tighter.
He shifted back. As he did, he finally heard repeated gunfire. Four blasts fired off, but Ran had little time to analyze before he felt the bite of metal in his side. Ugh. He wanted to point out that Ambrose had hit the wrong bird, but even as he pumped his wings he had to acknowledge that hitting either of them was a major feat... and, as he finally registered Anika's shrieks of pain, it appeared Ambrose hadn't hit just Ran.
Struggling and thrashing with renewed fervor, Anika tried to pull away from Ran. She lost all lift, and while he could fly in spite of his own pain, she clearly could not. One wing wasn't moving at all, and as close as they were he could smell her blood.
She was bigger than him and heavier than he was. Her struggling dragged him down, even as he tried to maintain altitude. He shifted, hoping to free her claws, but the immense pain in his side prevented him from being able to bend in any way to where he could reach her claws, which were clearly stuck in his piercings, rendering his ability to move her himself useless. With Ran shifted, they fell from the sky.
Ran's heart pounded again with a surge of fear that had nothing to do with a taser or a freezer. He was a bird, yet he was falling! It seemed impossible. He gritted his teeth, shifted back once again with a huge effort, and did his best to arrest their fall, but they were spinning out it control and wherever Ambrose's bullet had hit was clearly something that was monumentally unhappy right now.
The world spun, the ground approached at a much faster rate than he preferred, and Ran felt the concussion as they crashed into the side of a house, spun, hit a tree, and then came down on the pavement of an alley between two rows of houses, sliding across it into a pile of trash and wooden pallets.
They both shifted back, bruised and bleeding. Ran grappled with Anika, rolling on top of her, grabbing her wrists, and ignoring her cries of pain. He attempted to shout for Ambrose but air wasn't moving in or out of his chest too well. Hopefully his partner had seen them.
Well, in the meantime, Ran thought... he bent down and bit hard into Anika's neck, drinking urgently. Fine by him if she was already weak from blood loss. He didn't want her strong enough to escape, and he definitely needed what she had. It wasn't enough, but he was already mending anyhow, and would continue to do so. Maybe he could slow hers down a bit.
Fishing For Fun and Profit (attn: Ambrose)
Ran had scouted around the back alleys of the industrial district the previous night. He wished he could say he'd never been here but he recalled doing exactly this not too long ago, working with Hana. He despised this area just as much now as he had then, but he had to admit this area of Nachton was pretty much ideal for getting away with literal murder.
The evening shift had long since ended; those who worked in the factories and warehouses here during the daytime hours had already gone home. The people on the streets here now were a motley mix. Some were the unlucky night crew of said businesses, but not as numerous as during the day. Some were junkies or alcoholics, here to frequent the liquor stores and smoke shops. In the shadows between buildings Ran's sharp eyes had already caught numerous drug deals and more than a handful of quick and dirty fucks against a wall, wads of bills hastily exchanged and condoms or even needles discarded in the dirt.
Fuck, he hated this area. He stayed where he was, slumped against a brick wall, blended enough so that no one took notice of him, waiting for Ambrose. On this occasion Ran dressed mostly to blend in. He wore a pair of dirty grey joggers, black trainers, and a black sweatshirt with the hood pulled up. He had his hands tucked into his pockets. His blue hair peeked out of the front of the hoodie, and he wore neon green glowing contacts with a cat's eye pupil. No one would notice him until he wanted them too. Soon enough Ambrose would get here and Ran could hook up with him and tail him while he hunted.
They would either catch someone, or they wouldn't.
Ran Iyala
4 years ago
Reginald
4 years ago
It didn't take long for Reginald to finish subduing and confining the few people still present. They wouldn't be going anywhere unless one of the three of them let them out. As he didn't know what this particular assignment was he hadn't wanted to make any assumptions or over step himself.
He ran back upstairs and outside and in time to see some of the aerial theatrics. It was some impressive work from both vampires and yet Ambrose had his gun drawn. The cowboy had to be mad. Reginald had shot any number of birds for sport and he wouldn't try this, too small, too fast and too much of a risk you'd hit your partner.
He was about to say something when Ambrose fired. Not only fired but apparently hit his target. He regarded his one legged cousin with something akin to respect for the first time in their lives. And then the two came dramatically crashing down. Perhaps Ambrose had done too good a job. Without waiting to be asked or questioning he ran towards where he believed they'd fallen Ambrose following close on his heels. Reginald wasn't at all surprised to see the blue haired fellow drinking from the other woman or to hear Ambrose's rather gruff matter of fact voice behind him.
"Well that was a bit more than we were planning on."
He ran back upstairs and outside and in time to see some of the aerial theatrics. It was some impressive work from both vampires and yet Ambrose had his gun drawn. The cowboy had to be mad. Reginald had shot any number of birds for sport and he wouldn't try this, too small, too fast and too much of a risk you'd hit your partner.
He was about to say something when Ambrose fired. Not only fired but apparently hit his target. He regarded his one legged cousin with something akin to respect for the first time in their lives. And then the two came dramatically crashing down. Perhaps Ambrose had done too good a job. Without waiting to be asked or questioning he ran towards where he believed they'd fallen Ambrose following close on his heels. Reginald wasn't at all surprised to see the blue haired fellow drinking from the other woman or to hear Ambrose's rather gruff matter of fact voice behind him.
"Well that was a bit more than we were planning on."
Ambrose
4 years ago
"Fuck."
Ambrose muttered quietly under his breath. He'd be pleased with the shooting later, when he thought about it. Right now all he knew was that he'd done enough damage to bring them -both- down and without much control potentially further injuring Ran which might allow hawk lady to escape and that seemed like a bad idea.
Without hesitation he followed Reggie and was pleased to see that Ran appeared to have come out ahead. Not unharmed, not without what could only be a gunshot in his torso, but looking better than the woman and taking care of getting himself fixed up. Waste not want not, Ambrose approved of the practicality.
"Sorry I got you in that too."
He said matter of factly. He was sorry but not guilty about it. He'd gotten their target too and Ran would be fine soon enough. Funny old world of the three of them the only one who -hadn't- been shot was Reg. Figured.
"Should have room for her in the trunk if you're planning on keeping her."
After a display like that Ambrose very much doubted this was still a catch and release operation. Oh he could still use command, he could still question her and he wanted to but this was feeling above his pay grade now, or he'd just gotten a promotion no one had told him about.
Ambrose muttered quietly under his breath. He'd be pleased with the shooting later, when he thought about it. Right now all he knew was that he'd done enough damage to bring them -both- down and without much control potentially further injuring Ran which might allow hawk lady to escape and that seemed like a bad idea.
Without hesitation he followed Reggie and was pleased to see that Ran appeared to have come out ahead. Not unharmed, not without what could only be a gunshot in his torso, but looking better than the woman and taking care of getting himself fixed up. Waste not want not, Ambrose approved of the practicality.
"Sorry I got you in that too."
He said matter of factly. He was sorry but not guilty about it. He'd gotten their target too and Ran would be fine soon enough. Funny old world of the three of them the only one who -hadn't- been shot was Reg. Figured.
"Should have room for her in the trunk if you're planning on keeping her."
After a display like that Ambrose very much doubted this was still a catch and release operation. Oh he could still use command, he could still question her and he wanted to but this was feeling above his pay grade now, or he'd just gotten a promotion no one had told him about.
Ran Iyala
4 years ago
Ran let up at the sound of more than one other person entering the alley. Anika's eyes were half-closed and glazed over in pain and shock; she was going nowhere for now. Ran indicated that one of them could carry her, since he was more blood and meat than person at the moment.
He shook his head at Ambrose's apology. "Nothing to be sorry for,†he said honestly. "Damn good shooting.†He kept his sentences short... there was probably still a bullet inside him somewhere, given the issues he was having drawing in air for speaking.
Anika's left arm had clearly been hit twice, and Ran's left side had been hit. If the two of them hadn't been rotating, Ambrose might well have hit her with all four bullets.
He lurched unsteadily to his feet. "Need to get her back to the Manor. Some folks are going to have questions for her.â€
For a moment he wasn't sure he was going to be able to stay upright. Apparently a few other pieces of him hadn't fared too well versus the side of the house and the impact with the pavement, but after a few seconds something in his knee stabilized and he was able to walk shakily off toward Ambrose's car.
"Thanks for the help.†He indicated the other man that Ambrose seemed to know. "Did the other one get away?â€
He meant Bob, because the humans hadn't seemed too keen on fighting. Or too well trained.
He shook his head at Ambrose's apology. "Nothing to be sorry for,†he said honestly. "Damn good shooting.†He kept his sentences short... there was probably still a bullet inside him somewhere, given the issues he was having drawing in air for speaking.
Anika's left arm had clearly been hit twice, and Ran's left side had been hit. If the two of them hadn't been rotating, Ambrose might well have hit her with all four bullets.
He lurched unsteadily to his feet. "Need to get her back to the Manor. Some folks are going to have questions for her.â€
For a moment he wasn't sure he was going to be able to stay upright. Apparently a few other pieces of him hadn't fared too well versus the side of the house and the impact with the pavement, but after a few seconds something in his knee stabilized and he was able to walk shakily off toward Ambrose's car.
"Thanks for the help.†He indicated the other man that Ambrose seemed to know. "Did the other one get away?â€
He meant Bob, because the humans hadn't seemed too keen on fighting. Or too well trained.
Reginald
4 years ago
Before he could think about it Ambrose simply bent and scooped up the woman tossing her over his shoulder without any ceremony. Honestly he wasn't so much eager to help as he was quite curious. If his guess was right Ambrose couldn't have been part of The Hunt long and now he was going out retrieving other vampires for questioning? Interesting.
He shook his head in the negative when Blue Hair addressed him.
"No. Anyone was in that basement is still there. I'm afraid the gentleman in question maybe in a freezer as he was a little on the sturdy side. I didn't notice if the thing was plugged in or not."
The humans had been easy enough to subdue, the vampire had been stubborn. The freezer had been a lucky find.
"I'm afraid I came in in the middle of all this and didn't know the plan. 'Alive' seemed to offer more flexibility."
He'd never forgive himself if he'd killed off someone they needed to question. So out of habit Reginald had just hedged his bets. It was natural.
He shook his head in the negative when Blue Hair addressed him.
"No. Anyone was in that basement is still there. I'm afraid the gentleman in question maybe in a freezer as he was a little on the sturdy side. I didn't notice if the thing was plugged in or not."
The humans had been easy enough to subdue, the vampire had been stubborn. The freezer had been a lucky find.
"I'm afraid I came in in the middle of all this and didn't know the plan. 'Alive' seemed to offer more flexibility."
He'd never forgive himself if he'd killed off someone they needed to question. So out of habit Reginald had just hedged his bets. It was natural.
Ambrose
4 years ago
With hawk lady slung over his shoulder like a bag of feed Ambrose started to wonder what the hell they'd put their foot in. This sure as hell wasn't the straight forward baby vamp assignment they'd been anticipating. He didn't care to ask any questions just then though.
For starters Ran seemed to be having some issues talking. For seconds he might not be cleared to know. Ignorance might not be bliss but sometimes it was necessary and he understood that.
He started them to the car popping the trunk as they went. It sounded like Reggie had handled the rest of them. Turned out the ass had some uses, if it had been just him alone he probably couldn't have gotten away to try and help Ran with his fight in the sky.
"Trunks not that big. We can send someone back for them or Reggie and stand watch..."
He thought about that for a second and then amended.
"Or both. Both is good."
Of course Reg had those commanded thugs and a body to take care of too. Teach Reggie to pull a stunt while he was working. Yeah, Ambrose was so not feeling bad about volunteering Reg for this minor duty.
For starters Ran seemed to be having some issues talking. For seconds he might not be cleared to know. Ignorance might not be bliss but sometimes it was necessary and he understood that.
He started them to the car popping the trunk as they went. It sounded like Reggie had handled the rest of them. Turned out the ass had some uses, if it had been just him alone he probably couldn't have gotten away to try and help Ran with his fight in the sky.
"Trunks not that big. We can send someone back for them or Reggie and stand watch..."
He thought about that for a second and then amended.
"Or both. Both is good."
Of course Reg had those commanded thugs and a body to take care of too. Teach Reggie to pull a stunt while he was working. Yeah, Ambrose was so not feeling bad about volunteering Reg for this minor duty.
Ran Iyala
4 years ago
Ran toppled into Ambrose's passenger seat and zoned out, waving his hand while his partner settled all the details. They'd get someone out here to clean up, so to speak. His attention span was currently limited.
When Ambrose joined him in the car, he rolled his head to look at him. "Are you ok? Your shirt is bloody."
It was difficult to talk; blood which had smeared across his face before was now drying and caked; it cracked as he moved his face and opened and closed his mouth. Everything was uncomfortable. A quick examination of his own body had revealed no exit hole, so there was a bullet in his lung somewhere. Overall, he was unworried. None of his wounds were serious; like all of his kind, he'd mend. Most of the superficial wounds were already healed.
He grabbed his phone where it had rested in the glove compartment of the car and sent a quick text. "They'll meet us there when we get back," Ran said to Ambrose. "Who's your friend by the way?"
When Ambrose joined him in the car, he rolled his head to look at him. "Are you ok? Your shirt is bloody."
It was difficult to talk; blood which had smeared across his face before was now drying and caked; it cracked as he moved his face and opened and closed his mouth. Everything was uncomfortable. A quick examination of his own body had revealed no exit hole, so there was a bullet in his lung somewhere. Overall, he was unworried. None of his wounds were serious; like all of his kind, he'd mend. Most of the superficial wounds were already healed.
He grabbed his phone where it had rested in the glove compartment of the car and sent a quick text. "They'll meet us there when we get back," Ran said to Ambrose. "Who's your friend by the way?"
Ambrose
4 years ago
Reg gave him a cold irritated look but nodded affirmation. Good. Even Reginald had to realize Ambrose wasn't out to be an ass, well not exclusively, it was just a matter of practically, sure Ran could -probably- get himself back to the manor or they could call for backup and wait but with the three of them this just worked out better.
"We'll get someone back here quick."
He assured Reggie before locking the trunk settling in the car and starting them back to the manor.
Ambrose barked a short laugh when Ran asked if -he- was okay.
"You should talk. I only got shot. I'm impressed you're still making sense."
He was too. Ambrose didn't know what they'd done to Ran before he'd gotten there but Ambrose had to admit his partner had a good old rumble after that and the person who shot Ran had better aim than the moron who'd shot him.
Ambrose gave a snort of derision at the next question.
"He's the reason I'm late and the reason I'm shot. Name's Reggie... Reginald. He's one of your lot. He'll keep 'em in line for a bit and you can give him hell when you're in better shape."
Honestly Reggie had really ticked him off this time. That dumb stunt could have really cost them. Ambrose chuffed to himself, maybe they'd have to give up their grudge after all. Nah. Where would the fun in that be?
He'd worry about it later. Now he just wanted to get Ran and their hostage back to the manor and taken care of.
((OOC.. all out with permission))
"We'll get someone back here quick."
He assured Reggie before locking the trunk settling in the car and starting them back to the manor.
Ambrose barked a short laugh when Ran asked if -he- was okay.
"You should talk. I only got shot. I'm impressed you're still making sense."
He was too. Ambrose didn't know what they'd done to Ran before he'd gotten there but Ambrose had to admit his partner had a good old rumble after that and the person who shot Ran had better aim than the moron who'd shot him.
Ambrose gave a snort of derision at the next question.
"He's the reason I'm late and the reason I'm shot. Name's Reggie... Reginald. He's one of your lot. He'll keep 'em in line for a bit and you can give him hell when you're in better shape."
Honestly Reggie had really ticked him off this time. That dumb stunt could have really cost them. Ambrose chuffed to himself, maybe they'd have to give up their grudge after all. Nah. Where would the fun in that be?
He'd worry about it later. Now he just wanted to get Ran and their hostage back to the manor and taken care of.
((OOC.. all out with permission))