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Sissmuth had been chewing on the last of his Ba-ugan pod, and wasn't much worried when the stranger held up the gun to Akira's head, for he'd felt the familiar pattern of footsteps some distance away and somehow could judge it to be either of the anthros he'd just met.

So his name is Rusty, Sissmuth thought. He stored this new bit of info away and spat out a Ba-ugan pod seed to the floor.

Upon Akari's gratitude, he nodded and the corners of his mouth upturned in a toothy grin. The red Ba-ugan pod juice was thick and dark, making his teeth appear eerily bloody in the pale gleam of moonlight. Finally, he flicked his forked tongue around his snout, and cleared his throat. "The one with the bag got away," he said. Then, turning his head to Sirus he wondered aloud. "Those crystals they were bartering... I've never seen anything like those before. What were they?"

(OOC: There is a major problem with Rusty's computer right now and we can't continue until it is fixed. The reason for this is because we all need to discuss something over Skype about the magic mechanism in the story, and can't do it until Rusty's is working again. Dr. Rex, if possible could you get Skype? It's free and it would make a group discussion a whole lot easier. Again, there's nothing wrong, it's just that it would be best to address this detail now so that we have the best possible story flow later. )

[Okay, I just downloaded Skype, although, I must say, I'm quite new at this program, so it might take me a while to get used to. In any case, my skype name is draconius_rex. If there's any other alternative, I also have MSN messenger if you use that as well. Just ask if you need any more info. ;D]

[BTW, novelization of "Defense of a Crippled City" is going well. I ought to put a teaser up sometime soon.]

(OOC: Clear! -zaps topic with defibrillator- Yay! XD Thought I'd bump this, since it's a little scary seeing it on page 5. Since our planned Skype convo won't be entirely necessary at this point in the RP, we could keep it going so we keep ourselves in the feel for how this RP is going.)

Battered, the human slowly rose to his feet, keeping one eye closed from the dirt that got in. Barely able to see clearly through the eye he was using, he leered at the young anthros. It seemed like they dropped most of their watch on him; sure would be easy to escape unnoticed. He clumsily backed slowly but stopped suddenly when he heard the hallow note of wing playing near his ear.

”You know, if I remember correctly, your lot have been much more discreet with their actions years past,” came Jollanel. ”I wonder, what sort of contraptionistic idea has your leader brewed up? I’d like to think you’d be a gentleman in a different scenario; care to tell me the answer to my question?

“I rather not talk to you,” said the man clearly trying to infuse his words with the venom from his tone, “Now, get away from me ya flee-bag.” As if dotting his sentence, the man threw a wild punch at the old cougar, but it was knocked away by an open-handed block.

”Humm…figured as much. And with such an overused slur. Why— !”

Jollanel suddenly hunched forward with a large exhale; the man had struck him in the gut with a hidden punch following the first. A vile smile grew from the corners of the man’s lips from the feat me managed to land. “You talk too much for an animal.” But then his glee disappeared when Jollanel spoke.

Almost just as clearly, and with a sort of chuckle, Jollanel said, “Aye, but do you know what makes animals so unpredictable and dangerous to those who don’t understand?” Jollanel unsheathed his right hand’s claws and quickly slashed at the man’s torso. He missed his intended target but his claws purchased on the inside of the man’s right forearm, at which point Jollanel pulled back, leaving bloody lacerations. Stumbling backwards, the man yelled from the excruciating pain but managed to stay erect.

”Since pawns such as yourself are not taught what I’m about to say, let those cuts be a reminder: sticking your finger at an animal is an offering of a lovely treat.” Jollanel wickedly said. ”Now, scram before you end up looking worse.”

And, without a second thought, scram he did, holding onto the bloody mess that is his arm.


---Update---
Due to the results of the first Group Chat, I've rewritten the magic system as well as change some things in other areas to agree with the new ideas. I've completed Jollanel's history for the time being. I've also added an Extras section to include Project: Defense of a Crippled City.

Akari watched in a state of awe as Jollanel dealt with the overconfident (not to mention racist) mugger with such calm that he didn't notice that Jollanel was hit in the gut. Akari had seen Jollanel demonstrate some fighting skills before, but never in an actual combat situation.

As the mugger fled the scene, Akari bowed a bit in reverence. "He didn't see that coming!" he noted, "although I've got a bad feeling that that's not the last we'll see of the guy. Any idea on who he was or why he was here?" he asked Jollanel, "I mean, you seemed to have an idea of who he might've been..."

---------------------

Meanwhile, the mugger had run into the woods, regrouping with the others. Upon noticing his bleeding arm, one of them inquired, "what happened to you?"

"It's not important," he replied, "we just need to get outta here with what we have. Did we lose anyone?"

"One guy never made it back..." explained another, "his friend came back with busted eardrums, though. Can't hear anymore."

"C'mon," urged the first one, "let's cut our losses and get back."

Upon agreeing on that, the four other mysterious men attempted to flee back to their base of operations. Along their way, however, they had to cross a minor road in Asper, which was bad for them, as a patrol anthro from the Apser Militia was there, and spotted them. Upon seeing the four men, the Husky anthro raised his rifle, pointing it at them. "Identify yourselves, NOW!" he called out to them.

Immediately, the four men drew their own weapons. The patrol anthro opened fire on them with a loud banging noise that echoed throughout what was otherwise a silent space, killing one of them and wounding another in the right leg. However, being outnumbered, one of the men managed to hit the anthro in his side, causing him to fall to the ground in pain, which quickly faded away. The men snickered a bit, and ran past him, continuing on their way.

Unbeknown to them, the patrol anthro had only faked his death, and had extended his arm towards them as they fled the scene. Focusing what energy he had left in his body, a thin, frosty mist emanated from his palm, and reached the wounded man's other leg. Within minutes, the leg was frozen stiff in a large block of ice, and unable to move it. The man cursed and one of the others fired a few more shots in the direction of the anthro. The shots mainly missed except for one that grazed the Husky's helmet, leaving a mark on the front end of it, as he was lying on his back. At this point, the anthro could only hope that one of his comrades or a civilian would come by to help him, but it needed to be soon.

The tip of Sissmuth's tail wriggled into the dirt, and the frills on the back of his neck fanned out slightly as he saw the bloodied man off. He was sure whatever just happened was against SOME sort of law, but it was a thought he didn't allow himself to dwell too much on. He thought the chaos this night had brought was finally over, and he could get some much needed rest -- that was, BEFORE he heard gunshots being fired in the direction the man had disappeared. He felt a body hit the ground. And another. One was apparently still alive.

He signaled at the others to keep their voices down. "Wait here," he hissed. And tapping his Bo staff out in front of him like a blind man does, he stealthily slinked off to investigate some more.

Over your head. You're in over your head, he kept saying to himself as he felt his way over to the two bodies. His natural animal instincts were urging him to flee -- lizards were never the most courageous creatures in the planet. And yet, he continued on, taking little baby steps at a time, drawn to the scene by pure curiosity and fascination. Maybe I'll see a dead body. I've never seen a dead body up close before. I wonder if it smells.

And a dead body, he saw, upon pushing away a small shrub. It was one of the men from earlier. Death stared at Sissmuth with empty eyes, and for a moment, Sissmuth thought to turn around and run back. If another Sissmuth had been with him, he'd be tugging hard on his arm, begging him to leave, and yet here he was, cocking his head down at the corpse as though it were a lost puppy. He prodded it with his staff. "How fascinating."

He heard a rustle not far away, and instantly, Sissmuth flipped over to the defensive. He held his staff out before him as he advanced of the curious sound, pushing back another wall of shrubs.

And then he was staring down the barrel of a rifle. The husky that held it to his face looked startled, bemused, and in shock. With a slow, easy twitch of his tail, Sissmuth pushed the barrel away. "They're gone," he said down at the guard.

Akari's head snapped towards the direction of the gunshots as they were fired. He drew his swords and took a sideways stance right before Sissmuth headed off in that direction.

Although he wanted to heed Sissmuth's warning to not go after him, he decided not to, and crept off after him. What's the worst that could happen? he thought, I'm wearing Kevlar, for crying out loud! With that, he raised his swords, so he could move to fight at a moment's notice, and pressed on.

It was not too long before he heard Sissmuth talking to someone, assuring the anonymous person that "they" were gone. Akari paused, then took a step forward. His foot stepped on something that felt very oddly shaped: it wasn't flat or hard enough to be the ground or any ground cover. Looking down, what he saw made Akari take a shocked breath and he jumped. It was a dead body of a man not unlike the ones that he and the others encountered earlier. Upon recovering from the shock, he bent over and took a closer look at the body. It had been shot multiple times in the gut, and had a gun in its own hand, as well. Apparently, he might have fired one of the shots he heard earlier. He nudged the body, just to be sure it wasn't going to suddenly shoot him as well, and then crept up near where Sissmuth and the wounded guard were.


-----------

The soldier sighed in relief. "Thank the gods," he said, relieved, and tried to sit up, but only managing to bend up a few degrees above the horizontal before he felt the pain in his side again, so he lay down on his back again. He looked over the mysterious lizard anthro that stood above him. He could tell that the lizard wasn't from around here, but he was told only to be wary of humans. "I'm glad you came," he continued, "I was the only guy assigned to this area, and I had a bad feeling this would happen..." he paused. He heard some rustling behind the lizard, and he pulled out his sword that he carried at his side as a secondary weapon. "Someone's coming," he whispered.


-----------------


Akari, hearing the dialogue, stepped forward through the shrubs, and barely managed to parry a blow from the husky anthro. Akari quickly tried to diffuse the situation. "Hey, hey..." he said, "I mean no harm! OK?" Akari sheathed his swords and held up his hands.

"Sorry, Sissmuth," he said, "I couldn't help but try to see for myself. Besides, I'm wearing armor under my shirt," he explained. Then he turned back to the Husky guard. "You OK?" he asked.

The Husky nodded. "I'm fine," he said, "although this bullet in my side is a pain..." he continued, wincing a bit.




((OOC: I'm going to be away until next Saturday. I hope this post will suffice until then! I'll see you all soon!))

Wow, that had been way too close. Cyrus had decided to follow the others close behind, watching their back while giving himself some time to think. What kind of idiot goes charging after someone like that? Thank goodness for Sissmuth and the others: he would have been zapped into next Tuesday if it weren't for their reinforcing his assault. Still, Cyrus couldn't bring himself to believe what he did was too rash- something had come to life inside of him, something that not only motivated him to throw his life on the line but that somehow brought his instincts to tell him the attack would work. And hey, it did, didn't it?

Brushing aside a tree branch he came up upon Sissmuth and Akari. When the scene became clear to Cyrus everything changed. This was no longer a streetside robbery situation. The reality hit: this was deadly.

Strangely, the unmoving body on the trampled ground wasn't an unfamiliar sight- he had witnessed much worse in his training. Master Regulus's focus had been to prepare the minds of his students for the most horrific situations- innocent eyes only cause weakness and hesitation when the need for sudden action is thrust upon someone. Cyrus had learned to appreciate the trials he had been put through, however terrible they were at the time.

Therefore, though the stale air of death now hung about, it was not what disturbed Cyrus. It was something he couldn't handle nearly as well, another looming feeling that was growing out of proportion as the night progressed:
He had no idea what was going on.

"Sissmuth and Akari, I can only guess this is going to get worse. If we chase these guys we need to keep a good distance between us and them.” he said quickly, turning his head toward the human scent trail, “In all actuality, I’m not sure if we should continue this pursuit. Don’t you think we might be getting in a little over our heads here? If you guys think we should keep chasing them, believe me I’m totally in on it, I’m just saying, this is getting dangerous. That much is obvious.” He nodded toward the dead body. Maybe Jollanel will know what to do.
Cyrus glanced around, seeing nobody in the trees, though he heard rustling in the distance. It must be Rusty and Jollanel. “Let’s wait up for the others before we do anything.” said Cyrus as he walked a few steps over to a trunk and leaned against it, his hands in the pockets of his white overcoat.

Rusty couldn’t help but take a few steps after the rest of the group, but he had an odd sense that a rope was tethering him to something and holding him back. He halted and turned to look past his shoulder.

Jollanel wasn’t moving; he just stood there in the clouded moonlight as if he was part of the landscape. He had his head down and was rubbing his temple with his fingers, the tips still stained with drying blood. The posture darkened his figure, almost to the point where he could have disappeared into the night like a ghost. Rusty could tell he was lost in thought—a grim one—and it seemed it was the only thing of importance to Jollanel despite the events taking place outside his mind.

Jollanel suddenly broke his own focus and tried to get away from the thought but it kept creeping back into his mind, it wasn’t going to go away without action. “What a headache,” he said, sighing a bit. Then, he cocked his head up and looked at Rusty. He had a scared expression that sent a shiver and a wave of lifting fur down Rusty’s spine; such an expression didn’t belong on Jollanel as far as Rusty knew him.

“Rusty,” he said softly. He cleared his throat and made his voice the usual firm, “are you and your skills ready?”

A blank stare came over Rusty. He had no idea how to answer the question or any idea as to why Jollanel would ask it. But if there was anything he learned about Jollanel from living with him, it was that you had to give him a definite answer; not giving him one would just give him leverage for his sarcasm. This is what made this question difficult.

Rusty took a long breath and went with the most honest words that came to him. “No. My skill in magic is so limited and though I’ve been able to keep up with you when we spar, combat is still basic….” He trailed off. He hadn’t realized that Jollanel’s expression had suddenly changed: still grim looking but a weak grin held itself there.

“A solid answer,” Jollanel whispered, the grimness still continuing to wane away, “but even the unprepared are able to pass many of life’s challenges.” His grin broke into a smile out of pride, “Actually, history tells us it happens most of the time.” He brought down a heavy hand onto Rusty’s shoulder. With a pat, he said, “I’d say you’re ready.” Then he walked pasted Rusty in the direction where Sissmuth and rest had gone.

Rusty’s mind was left blank, not knowing how to process what had just happened. He shrugged it off and followed in step behind Jollanel. As long as Jollanel understood what was going on, his riddles didn’t matter in the end to anyone else, but Rusty couldn’t help but think that something was bothering him.

Pushing aside tree branches, Jollanel could hear Cyrus talking a few more paces away. He parted the curtain of leaves and walked upon the group. “You’re fore thinking and cautious natures are excellent characteristics that keep you safe,” He stopped to face Cyrus, “but sometimes fast and instinctive actions are best for given situations.” Noticing the wounded husky and the body of the man in the dirt, Jollanel stood ridged and started speaking to the group as a whole. “Dealing with these vandals has gotten very dangerous by the second, but will such young soles as you be willing to face the challenge? Lives have already been wounded and even taken, yet, will you still risk yours to do what you must?” He paused. A breath, and then he continued, “I can’t yet say how important it is to take action against this group but know that the citizens of Asper will not be the only ones you’ll be helping,”

He kneeled over the injured husky to examine his wound. He cocked his head up at everyone else. “Will you do what I ask?” Not waiting for an answer, he began to treat the husky to make him suitable to carry with as less of a threat to his health as possible. “Follow the trails the men left. Considering the direction, it’s likely they’re headed to Desdon. If you happen to come across them on the road, hide yourselves and keep a watchful eye on them.” He couldn’t help but pause for some moments to contemplate a thought that had started haunting him: He never left his past after all.

Akari listened intently at Jollanel's words. It was clear he was distraught by the situation at hand, but at the same time, Akari didn't blame him. There was, after all, a wounded soldier and a dead body within twenty or so feet of each other! Although Akari didn't think that this meant that a war was imminent, it certainly meant that things were likely to turn much more violent if stuff like this kept up.

As Jollanel asked the four of them if they would follow the muggers, likely to Desdon, Akari realized something: Jollanel had perhaps gained enough confidence in their abilities that he felt that at least Rusty and he could come out of that alive! Akari bowed his head in reverence to Jollanel as he finished speaking. "I shall," he replied, and then lifted it up, "I stood up to one of them three years ago, and I got this scar, which I wear proudly. There will be little difference, to me, in dealing with these men."

"By the way..." added the Husky soldier, after a silence, as Jollanel lifted him up in the fireman's hold, "I froze one of the guy's legs solid. The divots he makes with that for as long as that ice will last should make them easier to follow. But you'd better get going. As soon as whoever else heard the gunshots gets here, particularly the Militia, you'll get bombarded with questions."

Akari nodded. "Point taken," he said, "if anyone else is with me, we best get going." Akari stared at the other three, wanting to see if any of them were to accompany him. Although he was mostly sure that Rusty would, he was not so sure about Cyrus and Sissmuth.

-------Update------
I added some background info on Akari's profile, due to an event referenced in this post.

(When I wrote this earlier today I had not read Swords's post so there are minor continuity errors if this is not read with the disclaimer lol: This was meant to occur right as Jollanel arrived. Cyrus talks to him and Jollanel responds to the group as he does in Rusty's post. Sorry guys, I've been away way too long so consider this my catch-up fill in the blank post.)

Though Cyrus didn't know Jollanel personally, he found his compliment easy to treasure. Just by judging from the reactions of the others through the past hour, it was apparant that such praise was rare and only surfaced when well warranted. One thing's for sure, it made him feel much less stupid about his earlier decision.

He looked him straight in the eye. "Mr. Jollanel, we're unsure if we should continue chasing these guys." said Cyrus. His tone was grave. "We're on deadly terrain now. While it would seem a waste to let them escape after all of this, and I personally think we should press on, I'm wondering what your thoughts on the matter are. You seem infinitely wise sir, and I'd like your council before I throw my life on the line. After all, it's up to us to stop these guys- They will blend in once they get to Desdon and no police force would be able to find them before then."

Cyrus noted Jollanel's clear stare. The cougar smiled a bit and nodded, and that was all.

(enter the part of Rusty's post, a.k.a. Jollanel's response.)

He kneeled over the injured husky to examine his wound. He cocked his head up at everyone else. “Will you do what I ask?” Not waiting for an answer, he began to husky to make his suitable to carry with as less of a threat to his health as possible. “Follow the trails the men left. Considering the direction, it’s likely they’re headed to Desdon. If you happen to come across them on the road, hide yourselves and keep a watchful eye on them.” He couldn’t help but pause for some moments to contemplate a thought that had started haunting him: He never left his past after all.


(exit Rusty's post, then enter Swords' post. Then exit Swords' post. lol. The following is my post after Swords', up to date )


Cyrus looked back at Jollanel and nodded. "Will do." He walked forward to Akari and Rusty, followed by Sissmuth. "Let's hurry and give these guys what's coming." he said to them with a wink.

Cyrus knew he should be feeling more worried now than he was, but something allowed it to be suppressed. His fury at these injustices masked any fears. The people of Asper had been robbed of their cherished crystals, and an innocent person had been murdered. For greed. For savage, power craving fools.

It was up to them to stop this, and them alone, so Cyrus had no hesitation. Besides, he had known for certain that he was supposed to go to Desdon before the night was over, but not why. Could this be that reason?

Cyrus turned his head and glanced back at Sissmuth, Rusty and Akari close behind. Perhaps his path begins with these people he met tonight, their purposes intertwined somehow. Being a student of magic and the son of a prophetic sage, he wasn't about to discount this notion. He thought back to his teachings, about how to hear the messages in the wind, the subconscious whispering that most never know propels them...

For the first time tonight, he felt like he knew what he was doing. He walked forward with renewed vigor.

Jollanel huffed, gathering strength to counter the weight of the husky on his back. "It's good to see you all haven't faltered in the decision," he said, a bit of strain in his voice. "I advise you to leave now; no telling how much of a lead those goons have gotten and you wouldn't want to increase their advantage by too much." He huffed again and started back into town, but he stopped next to Sissmuth who still had yet to comment on the things that were unfolding. Jollanel spoke to him aside: "I apologize, my scale-skinned friend. Seems we have forged words for you on this matter." He glanced behind him at the three teens. He switched his tongue: ["Would you do me a favor, Sissmuth?"] He turned back, ["Would you take my place as guardian for those three? I shall make my time here short so that I may possibly meet you on the road."]

Initially, Sissmuth thought to be honored by Jollanel's request, but he couldn't hide the slight frown that upturned his face as the Dragonese words he spoke began to sink in that he wouldn't be coming with them at first. Nonetheless, Sissmuth placed a fist over his chest and bowed slightly, deciding then to keep the following thoughts to himself...

It wasn't Sissmuth's intention to become involved. Never was. He had to admit with some feeling of guilt that if he'd known taking a young, injured fox to safety would get him in on this, he probably would've just left him alone. It weighed down his heart a little to find himself arguing that this was, indeed, true about himself... his kind lived in secluded villages in the middle of nowhere for a reason. To keep themselves from getting involved; from having to "choose sides" like he was now.

Then there was Jollanel, who reminded Sissmuth so much of his village Elder. Surely, neither would disapprove of him poking out his staff to someone in need, but that fact that deep down, Sissmuth would've rather kept all to himself was a mindset that had him mentally cowering back in their lights. It was unsagely... another fault to add to the many he'd acquired on this night.

He stowed this burden away somewhere in the back of his head. He couldn't afford to be weighed down by them now. Seeing that he was headed back to Desdon anyway, if he fates would determine that their paths be crossed in this manner, then so be it. Perhaps he'd even find some consolation in making up for the things he'd done by taking up Jollanel's request and not failing him.

"Ssa Ssasshin farass sserin ssi, Ssaga [The honor shall be mine, Sage.]."

"Good, good," Jollanel said, shuffling his feet and readjusting the weight he had, upturning a grin has he did. ["Thank you, Sissmuth. Now, we both better hurry."] He started past Sissmuth but stopped not a few steps out. ["You needn't be so formal with me, Sissmuth, despite how our positions make it seem."] He paused a bit at the stir of old thoughts. ["This old feline has much to thank and repay to the Valterians, especially to the lizard-folk."]
In a final gesture, Jollanel bowed his head and continued on towards town.


* * *

"What was that all about?" That was the husky.

"You needn't concern yourself with the matter."

"I'm only curious. Where did you come to learn such a complex language?"

"Aren't you injured?"

"Yes, but I'm fin--AHHH! Ok, ok, I'm not fine. Just don't touch my side, I beg you."

"Then, hold your tongue so that I don't break focus and have to readjust you."


((I feel entertained now. =D)