bakerstreet | ex dono.

[ Not the most literate of girls, but Soi is definitely drawn towards the books with nice pictures of creatures small and great; of ladies in their beautiful dresses and lords on their tall steeds. Sitting in a corner with her selections flanking her left and right, her fingers trace over the text and figures lining the pages.

She looks up from time to time at noises or perhaps at some movement within her peripheral vision, ready to call on electricity at the tips of her fingers. Only after a few moments, when she feels reassured that there is no danger, does she pore through her book again.

However, it happens again -- a sound, a movement -- and she looks up... ]

(( OOC: Coming across Soi in the library? Are you a character in her book? Or is she the character in yours? Roll away, I'm cool with anything~ ))

[ This bull of a man is poring through the shelves, looking for something (1) to read to his young charges, and (2) for his blind colleague. The former can use something to entertain them after a hard day of training (they certainly deserve it!) and the other... well, it would certainly be hard to read books in his state -- Aldebaran thinks he might just share one of his favorite tales.

Now if he can just find the books he needed. He browses through a book from time to time, only to set it back if it's not what he's looking for. There are a few that hold his attention however... ]

Edited (character and series ahaha '''orz) 2012-08-19 16:43 (UTC)

[Asmita can only brush his fingers over the spines of the books, as he accompanies Aldebaran in the library. Whenever the letters are engraved or embossed, he can actually more or less read the title-- whenever he does, he whispers it under his breath.

the silence is comfortable otherwise. he can easily sense where Aldebaran is, where he is headed and follow if he so wishes. always with a hand trailing the books or shelves, as necessary.

he might not see the change, lights dimming ever so slightly -- he wouldn't see it even if it were immediate -- but he can feel it. he can feel the chill on his face, the draft that suddenly picks up and moves his robes. it changes from peaceful and safe to something else, something he can't quite put his finger to, but he has a feeling it's nothing good. though for the moment, the only two presences he can still feel in the library are himself and his companion.]

Is there a window open here?

[quiet question, but not in the slightest alarmed.]

[ In his perusal, Aldebaran looks up from time to time at little noises. Aside from Asmita's soft murmurs, there was the occasional squeak from a hinge or a ladder, or the distinct sound of a book being placed on a surface or slipped back into a shelf -- just the librarian at work, truly.

After a few moments however, it seemed as if the "librarian" just stopped working. Or did he just miss the sound of the main door opening and closing? Has it just become overly quiet? And when has it become so late already?

Aldebaran barely noticed the chill since he is more tolerant to weather in general but now that Asmita mentions it -- ]

Possibly. This window's closed though.

[ -- and the quick-setting darkness bothers him more, really. ]

Do you remember at what time we came here? Thought it was a little after noon-- have we been in here that long?

[ Whatever book Aldebaran is holding, he clips it shut so as he can peek around the shelves, hoping to catch a glimpse of the librarian to ask for a lamp or for them to light a few extra candles... if there had been a librarian to speak of in the first place. ]

Interesting.

[he murmurs, seemingly looking around, but actually simply listening for sounds, trying to get a feeling of the situation. for Asmita, it's curiosity that's triggered first-- not fear, not worry, just curiosity about what and how it happened.]

No, I don't believe we've been here longer than two hours at the most.

[it's difficult to keep a track of time when he has no points of visual reference of the sun like other people, but just like with about everything else, Asmita has learned different ways of doing that. but Aldebaran's question makes him ask--]

Did it get dark as well?

[which would mean it wasn't just the place's aura, so to speak, that darkened.]

[ Despite Aldebaran's own misgivings about his colleague, Asmita's presence brings some kind of comfort, because if there are things that irks the bull, they are the ones that he cannot initially discern very well. He grumbles a bit at the response about the time as he steps out into the open area where tables and chairs are lined up.

There is a tinder box lying about and Aldebaran uses that to light the nearest candle. ]

Really dark. Not something that can happen in two hours.

[ The light that the candle gives off is weak, and Aldebaran can barely see the shelves that flank the tables, but he picks up the holder nonetheless. He is also definitely not liking the bad feeling he is getting at the moment, but he doesn't voice that out. Not just yet -- better not to worry his colleague.

-- and suddenly, a sound, like a loose hinge. Aldebaran speaks considerably lower. ]

That must be your open window.

[it's very easy to pick up on Aldebaran's uneasiness for Asmita even from just his tone. he doesn't need to see him to know he's bothered and probably trying to ignore it for now.]

It must have happened at the same time I felt the aura darkening.

[he turns towards the sound, right as Aldebaran points it out.]

Then we should close it. The sounds it makes are distracting.

[and with that said, with a hand on the shelves and one on the wall, he heads in the direction of the sound, robes rustling softly with every step Asmita takes.]

[ Aldebaran briefly gives his colleague a look, always puzzling over how he always seems to read what's on his mind and it made him uneasy -- as if he had left a button undone and no one is telling him. Then again, he will take that unease over the one that seems to have fallen over them.

For a moment, Aldebaran looks up, and the second floor of the library seems to stretch on til forever in the darkness. ]

I don't like this.

[ Seeing Asmita paw his way around, Aldebaran reaches out a hand to hold that of Asmita's -- a gesture of camaraderie, truly. not that his colleague had any real trouble navigating around, but the darkness is just too disconcerting. If anything, Aldebaran's hold would not be constricting and Asmita can let go as he pleases. ]

Here. Let's go.

[ As they come closer, the creaking sound is joined by that of shuffling -- scratching -- very different from the sound of Asmita's robes against the floor. It's not fear that Aldebaran feels, but more of bottled anxiety; if it isn't a god or a Specter messing with them, then what...? ]

[briefly, Asmita startles at the touch. that he actually hasn't expected. Aldebaran having the element of surprise on him makes sure Asmita doesn't pull his hand back from the contact, but at the same time it works in Aldebaran's disfavour--]

I did not realise you were one to take comfort from the touch of my hand, Aldebaran.

[he says that with relative ease, what's more with somewhat obvious playfulness in his tone. it's not that he isn't bothered in the slightest, because the atmosphere is starting to get to Asmita as well, it's because that's, frankly, how he is.

however the new sound makes him become somber again-- his expression loses the slight hints of teasing and amusement. when he next speaks it's quietly, almost a whisper and he pulls Aldebaran to the side, between shelves (which he still kept one hand on).]

Someone is following us.

[what bothers him the most is that he almost can't sense the presence that's making those sounds. it's like nobody's there, yet the sounds tell him another story.]

[ Disfavor indeed~ Aldebaran was just about to voice a protest until the sounds become more evident -- and all the more disconcerting, specially with Asmita's observation.

The Saint of Taurus holds his tongue, and does not like the fact that he cannot sense whatever it is that is moving -- animal, human or Spectre. He is quiet for a long moment, gauging the timing of the sound.

Indeed it is rhythmic enough. Not perfect, but enough to for them to say that there are feet shuffling on the floor, and randomly a hand -- or something else -- is brushing, scratching against the wood of the table, the shelves.

The sudden sound of a chair's leg scraping against the floor fills the room, sharp and loud after the moments of relative silence. Aldebaran feels as if his heart had taken a stop, despite it going a mile an hour, but shows nothing of it. Voice low and controlled -- ]

It's coming this way.

Let me handle this.

[he says ever so quietly, shutting off any and all outside distractions the very next moment to focus instead on seeking out the intruder's presence.

it takes a longer moment and a lot of focus on his part, filling the room with Cosmo so thick as it almost would feel tangible to those sensitive to it. finally he catches it, a form-- not really human, not really a Specter either, definitely not a Saint. or a God. but what he can make out is that it's vile, it's dangerous and violent, full of anger.

another moment and he makes his presence mroe or less physical in front of the creature. sitting in a lotus position, floating in the air one or two feet off the ground. when he speaks, neither body's -- his real one's, or the projected body's -- mouth move, but Aldebaran may still hear it.]

You'll go no further. Not with this attitude and darkness you seem to be carrying with you.

[but his words seem to have no reaction-- his presence does, though. the half-growl, half-moan could freeze a grown man's blood in their vein. it is loud and piercing. Asmita senses it preparing to strike and easily brings up the barrier around his projection with an exclamation of KAN--

what happens next is something he least expects. the creature strikes right through his barrier, slashing across the projected body's neck, shoulder and chest. what's worse, when Asmita immediately dissolves any and all of his presence from around the creature, the damage somehow carries through. he falls to his knees with a strained gasp, blind eyes actually open out of shock for once. when he puts a hand to his neck, he feels sticky moisture which... he can easily guess is his blood.

in the distance -- neither too far, nor too close -- the creature roars again, before resuming it's shuffling in their general direction.]

As you say.

[ With a nod, Aldebaran allows Asmita to do as he pleases. If there is anyone in Sanctuary who can deal with things from a distance with just his Cosmo (he had even heard that the man can walk through the Underworld and come back), that person is Asmita. Aldebaran lets go of his hand and shields the candle from snuffing out...

The Cosmo is warm and potent, and for the briefest of moments it almost seems as if it chips away at the darkness, even for a little. Aldebaran stops short upon seeing Asmita's form materialize, glowing, and it allows him to discern what kind of creature it is -- human, but far from it. If the dead could walk the earth, only after being treated like a careless child's ragdoll, then this person -- creature -- would be it. It moves sluggishly, but with purpose, and from Aldebaran's vantage point, it almost seemed to have moved faster towards the source of light.

Its cry almost froze his blood for he has not heard nor seen anything so horrifying.

Aldebaran keeps his eyes on the creature as Asmita attempts to push it back -- and as he does so, he feels a throb in his head, as if things were coming to a blur. But what comes after is definitely something he did not expect, and soon as Asmita's projection dissolved, he quickly turned to his comrade, sudden clarity at the candle light and shock at the injury -- ]

Asmita!

[ He bites back a curse as he sees distinct shade of blood red on Asmita's robes and skin. He can hear the creature coming for them and thus he stands his ground to shield his wounded colleague. With another of those blood-curdling cries, the creature slashes at Aldebaran's back. The pain barely registers in the urgency and the Taurus Saint does what he finds reasonable at that point: he grabs the creature by its neck and with summoned force (god damn, why is his head pounding so much), tosses the thing like a rag doll far across the room.

Quickly, he turns to Asmita, and only a quick -- ] Let's get you out of here and get you looked at.

[ -- is the other man's warning before Aldebaran crouches down to pick him up ungraciously to sling him over his shoulder like a child. A door... he needs a door to get them out, distance between them and the creature and time to do some minor healing but first A DOOR. ]

[nothing could have prepared Asmita for this-- to ever come across a creature that with such terrifying ease slashed through his barriers and wounded him. even when he wasn't actually physically present.

how did the creature manage to deliver such a swift and powerful hit to his Cosmo. and more importantly, how did the creature's blow find his flesh through his Cosmo. it shouldn't be possible-- and yet here it is, it happened. the blood running down his neck and shoulder is enough of a proof.

how--

it takes effort on Asmita's part to snap himself out of the shock, but he does, at least to an extent. he might be unable to see, but he can hear the creature slashing at flesh again. close-by. this time not his, instead he realises just what Aldebaran is doing. everything is happening so quickly. too quickly. one moment Aldebaran is shielding him, the next he's throwing the creature away, and yet the next moment, Asmita finds himself being carried, over the shoulder.

and yet he cannot find it in himself to be overly insulted by the gesture. the part of him that regains full clarity, finally free of the influence of the shock, pain, surprise, dizziness, is aware that if he were to attempt to run on his own, he would be a hindrance. and running, in the current situation, is their only option.

there is not a whole lot he can do the way he is right now, except try to sense if the thing is still following them or not-- after a few long seconds of running, of bouncing around over Aldebaran's shoulder and dividing his attention between making sure he doesn't upset their wounds further and seeking out the creature responsible for said wounds, he finally whispers:]

It doesn't seem to be aware of where we've gone.

Good.

[ Aldebaran doesn't manage elaborate responses at the moment, focusing on getting out of the library. Running might not have been the smartest of moves, but their choices are slim. Both the motion and an eerie gust of cold breeze snuffs out the candle. It is both a curse and a blessing: one because it is just dark beyond comprehension and the other, Aldebaran cannot risk burning Asmita's robes.

Eventually, his eyes adjust to the darkness (just how big is this library anyway??) and after passing through windows, there is suddenly a larger gap between shelves -- and in this gap, a large door. ]

Hang in there, we'll patch you up.

[ In the midst of the sound of his own heart pounding in his ears, he can hear it -- the sound of rubble being displaced (just how far did they run?) and the growl of the creature were distinct. It only drives Aldebaran to open that large door, slip inside and shuts it closed. It isn't the most discrete of doors as the hinges groan and squeal, and its shutting feels as if it echoed in the library halls.

They come upon what seems to be a storage room -- shelves and cabinets on either side of the wall, and a table at the back where a candle weakly flickered. It isn't the biggest of rooms, but it is enough for Aldebaran to maneuver about without letting Asmita's head knock on something (though it might have brushed against the side of a shelf).

Aldebaran stands by the door first, listening. He doesn't put Asmita down yet, in the case they need to make an escape again, but so far, the growls and groans have subsided. After a few moments, he sets his colleague down to sit on the table --]

How did that... that thing do that?

[ Without further delay, Aldeberan's hand glows gold and he lightly hovers it about Asmita's neck to put a stop on the worst of the bleeding.

What he does not know is that the light, weak as it is, escapes in slivers through the fine gap between the floor and the door. ]

[when the door closes behind them, Asmita does try to dislodge himself off of Aldebaran's shoulder-- but the other man's grip is too tight and yes, he does almost knock himself out on the egde of one shelf from all that movement.]

I'm not a child, Aldebaran.

[it's the first thing he says with something of a light scowl. but, for what it's worth, he doesn't lean away from the touch of Cosmo and his expression softens after a moment.]

But [it doesn't come easy at all to him.] thank you.

[there's a moment of silence here, before Asmita speaks up again to answer the question posed.]

I'm uncertain how it happened. The creature barely has any presence and yet it managed to affect both my Cosmo and my flesh, if indirectly. [what he doesn't mention is that he's certain that this blow, if it was done on his physical body, would likely be lethal as he were.] I don't know how it happened. I do know that it is evil, though, and mindless. Almost like a puppet, but without any strings.

[when he feels the sounds start closing up, he puts a hand to Aldebaran's wrist--] That is enough. Don't waste any more. [his voice is firm, leaving no room for argument.] Allow me to treat your back now.

[ If Aldebaran were the type to roll his eyes, he would have done so already. Immediately after Asmita's word of thanks -- ]

Save your energy.

[ Aldebaran is quiet as the other man gives his account, now moving towards the deeper wounds on his shoulder and chest. ]

I saw it. I saw it move towards you-- your projection. It just... seemed to zero in on you that time.

It wasn't human.

[ At Asmita's grabbing of his wrist, Aldebaran immediately stops the flow of his Cosmo, leaving the room once more in the very dim light of the dying candle. ] It's-- it's not as bad as yours, I'll be fine.

[ Except that he does turn around, intending to show that he is indeed "fine" -- except that it is completely the opposite. The creature's claws have slashed through two layers of fabric, three large cuts that go from the middle of Aldebaran's back towards his left hip. They were no way deep, but it would take more than just gauze and bandages to patch him up. ]

No, it's not human. It might have used to be, but it's difficult to tell.

[Asmita says, completely disregarding Aldebaran's protests about his own wound. but as he cannot gauge the severity with sight, he needs to touch and he murmurs a polite apology as he does. his touch is gentle, brief, and as he locates the worst of it, he lets his Cosmo cumulate in his hands, lighting the room slightly more than Aldebaran did earlier.]

Don't move.

[those words border on a command, but one polite enough and said only in Aldebaran's best interest-- and as the wounds heal, he continues speaking ever so quietly. his voice seems even, but for someone who can pay attention to the little details, and someone who knows Asmita well, the tones of concern and worry and hints of, perhaps, anxiety, are likely audible.]

Would you say it was more drawn to the sight of me or the sound I made? I don't believe it can sense Cosmo, however, as it did not become agitated until I created my projection.

[back in the library, a safe distance away from them (for now) sounds another blood-curling half-groan, half-moan. and this time it actually makes Asmita shiver slightly, but his flow of Cosmo doesn't flicker.]

[ Only a short, affirmative hum is Aldebaran's reply to the 'command', until the sound of a long, shaky breath follows as Asmita inspects the wounds.

Like he'd ever admit out loud that it actually hurt, now that the adrenaline had subsided. The pain gradually lessened as Asmita goes about with his healing. ]

I couldn't really tell.

I think it was following us -- we were talking, moving after all.

Though I-- [ And then Aldebaran remembers, bid by the sound they just heard. He had first heard the creature shuffling and moving when he first lit the candle. Then when Asmita's projection disappeared, the creature headed towards them -- not because it had sensed their presence, but it was drawn towards the light of the candle that Aldebaran had been holding then. With Asmita's brighter Cosmo, Aldebaran is able to spot the gap between the door and the floor. ] I think it might be drawn to light. A source of light.

I see. It is unfortunate that neither of us can see in the dark, in this case.

[dry humour, as Asmita focuses more of his Cosmo in his hand-- making it even brighter, to speed up the healing process. not to endanger them, but quite the opposite. so it doesn't brighten the room for too long, just in case.]

Could you describe what it looks like to me?

[he withdraws his hand after a moment, once the most damage is healed-- it still needs attention, much like his own wounds, but it's not lethal, it shouldn't hurt, and it shouldn't hinder Aldebaran. Asmita finds it unwise to waste both Cosmo and time to heal each other up completely at this very moment. first, they need to find a way out. or find a way to defeat this creature.]

[ Aldebaran lets out half-amused huff, catching the humor in there. ]

Not in this darkness.

[ He tenses a tad when he realizes that Asmita raises his Cosmo, wary of drawing the beast towards them; but he sees the sense in it, and the supposedly shorter moment for the worst of his wounds to pass cannot come any sooner. He breathes a sigh of relief once Asmita finishes and he turns to face his colleague. ]

It was... it was grotesque. Human in shape but-- [ Saints have seen their share of horrors, and what violence and their own attacks can do to a body -- but there was something about the mere thought of such a thing existing... ] it was as if it were pieced together from different cadavers. Instead of hands, it had claws.

Which what did this to us.

[ Not that he's reading Asmita's mind, but the thinking of the creature's claws and what it's able to do brings him to -- ] If Cosmo attacks can't do it in, then brute force seems to keep it away.

That may explain why I'm unable to sense it, if it's merely a reanimated corpse.

[there is not much to say to the description-- more or less, with what he he has already sensed of the creature, he can tell its general appearance. not really something he wants to focus on.]

The trick is to avoid its blows when it strikes back, or when it gets the first strike on you.

[he slides off the table he's been sitting on up until now, but he doesn't move away very far. being unfamiliar with the room, he doesn't want to grope his way around. not in such a moment.]

Brute force is a good defense plan, but not attack. Your earlier throw doesn't seem to have damaged it much, as it's again wandering. We may need to learn more about it first.

[ Aldebaran merely makes a sound of agreement. Tossing the creature around can buy them time, but as for how long that can prove to be effective is definitely limited.

When Asmita moves, Aldebaran is reminded of something, and he takes to looking around the shelves for items of interest. ]

There's something else that's bothering me.

[ He finds a blue bottle -- relatively clean, with liquid contents, the smudged writing on its label says "laudanum". After a bit of inspection, he judges it to be still good (surprisingly!) and tucks it into a pocket -- they might need it later. ]

It's not just the sudden darkness and the chill. The whole place changed. The walls are different-- even this room. I don't think this was supposed to be here.

[Asmita turns his head towards where he can hear and sense Aldebaran is standing--]

We're not under any illusion. [he states simply, voice soft.] Perhaps we've been transported somewhere else, but even Hades doesn't have enough power to do so without either of us noticing.

Who [--or what--] could be more powerful than the Gods?

[outside, back in the library, Asmita first hears the shuffling-- then a roar and he turns his head towards the door they came through a moment earlier and he listens carefully to the noises-- extending a weak aura of Cosmo as well to sense the creature.

it's getting closer again. slowly, but surely. from the sound of one step, then the next and yet another, he can tell that it's moving towards them, rather than away from them.

he takes a step away from the door and adds--] I believe it's heading our way again.

[ Having been raised in Christian Portugal, Aldebaran had an answer to that -- ] The only thing that gods can't do anything about his human will...

[ If this were any occasion, Aldebaran might have said that with more humor. Illusions were one thing -- but wills, enough to summon something that was, in all accounts, supposed to be dead that was full of anger and hatred, is a whole different matter entirely. ]

[ Aldebaran follows his colleague with his gaze and takes a moment to listen in the deafening silence that followed Asmita's statement -- the door might be thick, and normal humans should not be able to properly hear what's going on through it, but Aldebaran could make it out: shuffling, grunting. With a quick whisper -- ] The light-- !

[ He looks to the candle, and quickly thought of snuffing it out -- but they might need the light for later. A quick look up on top of the shelves revealed a small, overturned crate. He plucks it out and placed it over the candle. There's enough space so that the crate doesn't catch fire, and it wasn't completely air tight. It is suddenly, very dark, save for the tiniest slivers of candlelight through the cracks of the crate.

Aldebaran had his suspicions. It was drawn to Asmita's projection. When it disappeared it was immediately drawn to him, the one holding the lit candlestick. Time to test his hypothesis... ]

[the next few moments are tense and Asmita knows better than to speak out loud-- yes, the main hypothesis is that the creature is drawn to light, but there's no point in taking chances by making noises and potentially drawing it towards them. especially not before they figure out what they're dealing with and how to go about it.

instead, he enveloped Aldebaran's mind with his Cosmo. gently, subtly, not prodding, but simply delivering his thoughts -- the words he wanted to say, questions he wanted to ask -- directly into his mind.]

Human will is capable of great many things, indeed. And the human nature is capable of creating something like this.

[though it still bothers Asmita how this monster -- because that is what it is -- has almost no presence at all, how it takes a lot focus out of him to keep track of it.

the shuffling grows more audible now, so much closer. anxiety isn't an emotion Asmita is used to feeling, he is confident of his skills, of his abilities and power. some would say almost to the point of conceit, but what happened earlier has shaken him more than he bothers to admit.]

The creature itself, however, doesn't seem to possess any will besides the murderous intent. It doesn't seem to possess any thought either.

Edited (cries I shouldn't be writing tags when I'm tired. "shook" to "has shaken" to make it sound better orz) 2012-09-04 12:07 (UTC)

[ Asmita's little technique only comes as a surprise, just because it does not happen too often. Otherwise, Aldebaran is receptive to it, and takes a moment before responding through the Cosmo channel. ]

If that's the case, then someone might be controlling it...

[ Aldebaran almost holds his breath, but otherwise does his best to keep it steady. He doesn't like this -- not having enough pieces to work with, to work out a plan with. He doesn't like that the creature seems to perceive them and that they don't in turn. ]

How else can something like can be given form? Get it to move and even stand against us?

[ Ever closer the shuffling sound comes -- closer, closer -- until it pauses. Hard to tell if it's right in front of the door. In the meantime, Aldebaran's concentration wavers, disturbing the connection between the two of them, feeling as if something is weighing down his mind. It is beyond anxiety: it was the onset of fear that Aldebaran stubbornly fights against. ]

[just as he's about to respond to Aldebaran, Asmita feels the distress. feels how Aldebaran wavers against him-- not physically, of course, but for Asmita it almost feels like that.

he turns his head towards the other man -- he might not see him, but he knows where he is and where to turn his head. what's important though, Asmita upkeeps his end of the connection-- he continues pushing his thoughts forward, without being overly invasive. just enough to be heard.]

Close your eyes, Aldebaran.

[it'd be a lie to say that Asmita himself doesn't feel fear right then, but it seems that his own reactions aren't quite as extreme as Aldebaran's. for whatever reason.]

Or focus on me.

[it's enough that one of them keeps an eye on the creature, so to speak. and it seems to come easier to Asmita. "easier" being quite relative in this case, as upkeeping this divided focus is difficult. but something here seems to be affecting Aldebaran's peace of mind much more than Asmita's own.]

[ It takes a few moments -- ones that seem to stretch for an indeterminate length of time. The drag is what Aldebaran feels after all, not when the darkness, the presence of the monster seems to grate at his spirit, as claws would on chalkboard.

He knows himself to be stronger than this -- physically, mentally, spiritually -- but the anxiety and doubt planted in his conscious no thanks to the creature's attack on the both of them do not help matters. They are no mere foot soldiers, they are goddamn Saints of Athena of the highest rank and there is two of them no less, and yet...

And yet...

Aldebaran shuts his eyes and tries to calm his breathing. He opens his mind once more and does has he is told -- ]

I don't understand-- I don't understand why this is happening...

[ The silence is broken by a distinct scraping of claws against the door -- softly? Loudly? Everything seems amplified in the thick atmosphere. Aldebaran's breath caught and his Cosmo wavers again. However this time, he remains firm in focusing on his colleague. ]

It has to take more than an undead monster to mess with me like this.

[ A reassurance -- more to himself, but also to Asmita. Aldebaran won't have other people worrying after him. ]

[Asmita's grip tightens on the edge of the counter he backed himself into at that sound.]

There must be something else at work here as well.

[he does respect Aldebaran enough to fully admit that the man is formidable and most certainly not easily frightened. it's bizarre and worrying that both of them are affected quite to this extent, but thinking about it-- about the differences between them and how differently they're affected, he does come to one conclusion.]

Whatever abilities, or effects on its surroundings, it might have, likely have something to do with our senses. Sight, hearing, smell. Were you looking in its direction just now?

[at the very least, keeping still to not make a noise always comes easy to Asmita-- so now with the palpable tension in the air, he is still capable of it, even if it's a touch more difficult to do. he stays where he is until the creature leaves. or enters. whatever happens.]

[ Despite his stand-out physical stature, Aldebaran is very capable of finer movements and is able to keep perfectly still. If it were not for Asmita's voice in his head or him somewhat focusing on the sound of the scratching against the door, to his ears, his heart probably sounds like a giant stomping in a cave. ]

I was. And I had seen it-- heard it.

[ He understands that Asmita is also trying to figure out what is going on around them. Aldebaran swallows his pride and inwardly thanks his angels that Asmita is not the type to mock what usually are perceived as weaknesses (he only questions and shuns them, Aldebaran had observed, but now is not the time). He decides to offer one more bit of information. ]

And the darkness. It's-- it's troubling. It had troubled me ever since this... this whole thing started.

[ A hiss and a growl punctuates the scratching, until, moments later, the scratching comes to a stop. ]

[the scratching comes to a stop-- but the growling doesn't, the important thing though is that the growling seems to moving further away. for a moment, Asmita shifts his entire focus to the creature, just to make sure it's leaving-- and just to know where it's leaving, before he returns his attention to Aldebaran.

still, he doesn't dare use his physical voice yet:]

I'm afraid your sight puts you at an odd disadvantage, in this case.

[a simple fact-- no self-pity for his own lack of sight, no bitterness, no bragging either-- simply, a fact.]

I can sense the bizarre atmosphere, but it doesn't seem to affect me as much as being able to see the darkness affects you.

[and while Asmita can sound plenty judgemental even when he tries not to-- this is one of the rare time he doesn't! simply listing more facts.

finally, he speaks up very quietly--]

It seems to have left.

[ Under any other circumstance, Aldebaran would have laughed that off. ]

I'd gouge my own eyes out if that's what it takes, but thankfully I still have some use for them.

[ With his eyes closed, at the least, Aldebaran can hear the sounds of the creature better and can make out that indeed it was getting further away. He purses his lips at Asmita's second remark -- not because it upset him, but more of thinking of his options. Making full use of individual senses is something that is taught to Saints, but very rarely were they considered to be a "disadvantage".

When Asmita speaks again, Aldebaran lets out a slow, controlled sigh in relief. He doesn't remove the crate that covers the candle however -- not just yet. ]

Think we can make a run for it?

[ A brash suggestion, but just about the only one that would (1) get them nearer a possible exit ~~or a closet~~, and (2) put a considerable distance between them and the creature. ]

If you can see well in the dark. [is the very dry response.] We'd need to leave the light source here as to not attract it.

[as usual for Asmita, despite the anxiety he feels, despite how grim and dark their situation, he finds some amusement-- he finds it in himself to tease. he turns towards where he knows Aldebaran is standing, gives him a small smile:]

And I am not letting you cart me around like a rag doll again.

[and then the vague amusement wanes to give way to seriousness again--] No, I do believe being discreet and careful is a better choice for us.

[ It is more of the unease brought by the intense atmosphere of the place that had drawn Aldebaran towards the less sensible decisions, and Asmita's dry response snapped him out of it. He brings the heel of his palm to his brow, as if to ease some phantom pain from it. ]

No-- you're right. As quietly as we can. And hopefully the monster won't come after us again.

[ Opening an eye to look at his colleague. ]

As long as I don't have a reason to carry you around then I won't.

[ He gives a final glance at the weakly glowing candle hidden under the box before stepping towards the door; Aldebaran doesn't open it right away, opting instead to listen closely against the wood. ]

Wait.

[as usual, there isn't a whole lot of urgency in Asmita's tone, but the simple fact that he asks Aldebaran to wait a moment longer should speak volumes.]

If we are leaving the light here, we should use it as a distraction. Uncover it before we head out, leave the door open.

[it's a small thing, but considering Asmita's impression of the creature, and it's lack of intelligence, it could buy them a couple of minutes-- or moments at least.

he does gracefully ignore the comment about carrying him if Aldebaran gets a reason to.]

[ At this point, any word that comes out of Asmita's mouth is counsel. Aldebaran trusts the man enough to not put him in deliberate danger, despite his off-duty misgivings. ]

Right.

[ After acknowledging Asmita's suggestion, Aldebaran heads back and carefully (though not exaggerated) takes the crate off of the candle. The light is still weak, but in the darkness, the difference is stark enough. He heads back to the door -- ]

Let's go then.

[ to open it once more into the darkness. Aldebaran keeps an eye and ear out for the creature, and he only barely stops himself from being startled at a gust of chilly wind that makes the candle flicker.

He looks down the corridor and sees what seems to be a very faint pool of light and he will be heading that direction at a fair pace unless Asmita had other ideas. He dares not talk for the time-being though. ]

[ the darkness surrounding them slowly starts to affect Asmita himself as well. in a way different than it does Aldebaran. it starts seeping through his remaining senses. with the gust of wind, for a moment Asmita almost becomes completely blind-- unable to even sense his surroundings with his Cosmo. he loses track of Aldebaran almost completely.

and in that instant, he swallows his pride, takes a quick step forward to where he knew Aldebaran was last-- where he headed and he reached out to grab a fistful of his shirt. if he calculated right, that is. it's entirely possible that he will simply grab a fistful of nothing-- of air.

not a single word escapes his mouth, neither does he try to reach out with his Cosmo-- it still feels blocked, he still doesn't know where exactly to direct it.

the confusion annoys him, it's unpleasant, but there's nothing he can do about it except to try to focus and ignore the darkness and anxiety seeping through. ]

[ After a few steps, Aldebaran takes to touching his hand to the wall. It's to lightly trace their path, and at the same time, make sure that there's some other form of physical stability he can tap into. The floor feels as if it was no longer made of smooth marble, but of cobble stones, or uneven bricks.

Used to somehow feeling a bit of Asmita's presence, and suddenly not feeling it, or feeling it flicker on and off is definitely disconcerting. He stops in his tracks briefly -- ]

Aa-- Asmita?

[ to feel his colleague grab for a fistful of his long hair. Aldebaran looks over his shoulder. ]

Are you alright?

[ feeling hair in his hand, Asmita makes sure his grip is not too tight as to not pull and cause Aldebaran unnecessary pain, but he doesn't let go just yet.

there are many ways in which Asmita could answer that question-- he could be more elaborate, explain what is happening to him, give his thoughts on the matter and his suspicions. but this isn't the time and place for drawn out monologues--

his answer is short and brief and seemingly stating the obvious, but: ]

I'm blind.

[ and someone who knows him at least relatively well, will know that he doesn't mean the simple and obvious fact that his eyes can't see-- Asmita never considered himself in any way disabled by this after all. more over the fact that he didn't speak through his Cosmo to Aldebaran, but used his voice instead, quiet as it is, should speak volumes too.

the darkness is affecting him in quite the unusual ways. his tone makes it obvious Asmita doesn't like that fact. ]

[ It sometimes surprises Aldebaran as to how he has come to catch onto Asmita's "quirks" -- the relative ease in which he moves despite his not being able to use his eyes, his manner of speaking -- despite his ever existent wariness.

And so Asmita had no need to further elaborate: the transformed library affected him too.

Aldebaran is silent for a moment, thinking of ways as to how he will not lose track of his colleague in the dark like this -- he does not have a sash or any long material which would have been both more practical. In the end however, the Saint of Taurus is far from being fussy. ]

Hold on, then. There's another room with light ahead of us. I just hope we find something more helpful to get us out of here.

[ Asmita actually found it a little rude for him to be holding on to Aldebaran's hair; he hasn't released it yet due to the worry that he'll lose his colleague if he does.

but as Aldebaran doesn't offer his hand, Asmita doesn't suggest it either-- there must be a reason, after all. perhaps he needs both his hands to make sure he doesn't walk into anything and make unnecessary noise. there could be plenty of logical reasons, Asmita is well aware of that fact. ]

I'll try not to pull.

[ while his anxiety didn't leave exactly, Asmita's tone is light, displaying some obvious hints of teasing and playfulness. always the one to smile at the seemingly (and only seemingly) inappropriate times. ]

Lets not waste time, in this case. Hopefully this room will hold at least some clues.

[ Indeed, Aldebaran at that very moment, feels more secure in having both of his hands free -- to effectively defend with both his arms, shove strongly and (he hopes it no longer has to come to that) to carry Asmita if need arises.

Aldebaran doesn't contest that and heads on with sure steps, keeping his eyes on the light. ]

Almost there.

[ As he was about to take the last step to get into the lighted room finally, a chilly breeze comes to make the flame of a nearby torch stir -- and yet there are no immediate open windows to produce said chill. Furthermore, there seems to be indecipherable whispers that comes with the breeze -- haunting whispers of the tormented, sorrowful, and afraid.

Finally crossing the threshold and making sure that Asmita is inside with him before shutting the door closed -- ]

Did you hear that?

[ The room is quite large, what with the lone torch can help unveil -- a lounging room it seems, with decayed furnishings in disarray, paintings missing or hanging haphazardly, and strangely, there is an incredibly dusty piano -- untouched for quite some time. Shadows still hid things from view, but with further perusal, other items might be found. The room smells musty and almost stuffy. It might have been a warm and welcoming place once, but lack of care and human presence reduced it to a mere deformed shadow of what it once was. ]

[ the breeze cuts Asmita right to the bone-- it seems to seep right through his robes, directly touching his skin, making him shiver as he drops his hand from Aldebaran's hair. the whispered words only serve to sink him further into the darkness and for the moment, Asmita stays right here he is. trying to gather his senses about himself.

at the posed question, after the door are closed, he speaks up quietly: ]

I did. You are not going mad alone, do not fear.

[ the humour is dark, Asmita's voice somewhat more serious than he normally is, lacking the usual light and teasing undertones. he notices it about himself too, realizing full well that he needs to step up his game. after all he cannot provide the necessary support or be of much use, if he feels like cowering inside himself.

he smooths his hand down the wall he is standing by, moving finally to slowly and quietly explore the room with his hands. an armchair here and he moves to circle it-- ]

But I did not catch a single word. Or traced the source--

[ or felt anything in those whispers.

on the other side of the armchair he comes across a pair of door. and well, first some crates which he nearly trips over. but there are door behind those crates. ]

[ For the first time since the onset of the darkness, Aldebaran managed an amused huff. It really isn't like him to shelf humor away for very long, and he shakes his head at the remark. What he says, he hopes to come across as equally humorous, but it also carries both relief and genuine gratitude. ]

Glad I'm not alone.

[ He had taken to looking at scattered pieces of paper -- music sheets of a half-finished composition and notes the date; a generation's worth of time had gone by since the composition had been started on, but the name of the composer is absent. ]

Wait-- we were supposed to look for this mansion, right...?

[ His last word is in time with the sound of crates being displaced -- who would put crates in front of a door anyway? Aldebaran abandons the piano and walks over to where Asmita is. ]

What've you got there?

[ He sees the door -- another door? A walk-in cabinet? ]

[ Asmita does note the relief and gratitude in Aldebaran's tone, but he doesn't comment on it-- he can understand, more or less, where it's coming from. especially when it comes to a man such as Aldebaran, unused to the supernatural and usually uncomfortable with anything out of ordinary like this. ]

Indeed. Though it seems it found us instead. [ he steps aside when Aldebaran approaches, to make space for him, so he could see for himself-- ] I have to wonder if this is a coincidence, or a planned occurance.

[ being blind in more ways than the obvious had Asmita feeling quite useless, but he could still share whatever insight he had. still though, he couldn't inspect the walk-in closet by himself, he needed Aldebaran's help to move the crates without making too much noise and to simply see what's inside. ]

Whatever this mansion is though, I would risk saying it doesn't really exist in the same realm we do. [ usually, at least. ] Though I'm unsure whether that can explain the creature we met earlier--

[ and speaking of the devil--! its steps and the noises the creature was making were becoming louder and louder again, which could mean only one thing. ]

Well. That gives us fair less road to cover.

[ Aldebaran has his misgivings. They have -- had -- a plan of investigation laid out, and even though they are prepared for some inevitable factors, the object you are supposed to find having found you instead certainly is jarring.

Aldebaran had started moving the crates aside, hoping that the doors give way to another room, as he recalls what they had been briefed about with regards to what they were set out to do: find the source of the spiritual/supernatural disturbances occurring around the area, secure and/or eliminate the source. ]

No. There's something else at work here, and we have to find it--

[ The word "fast" dies at Aldebaran's lips as he hears that now familiar shuffling and groaning. A curse that Aldebaran holds back only comes out as a hiss as he pauses for a moment, inwardly debating on snuffing out the torch or to set more of the crates aside. He opted for the latter. ]

We should get out of here.

[ He tries to be as quiet as he can, but completely preventing sound is simply impossible. What he thinks as sounds of crates noisily being stacked is actually the sound of the creature banging, clawing against the door. Now that was fast. Equally fast is the feeling of fear and anxiety that threatened to get the best of him, and it is far from good news.

Without further delay, and once the way is clear for one door to open freely, he takes the door and ushers Asmita in -- the better to have him get hit by the creature, than Asmita. ]

You first.

ex dono.

Soi | Fushigi Yuugi

Taurus Aldebaran | Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas

horror! B> went with casual clothes instead of Cloths

this works beautifully~! /o/

\o\

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I just noticed my own typo > "his" --> "is" '''orz

tis cool~ I figured what you meant!

|D <3

♥

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one walk in closet for nefarious purposes!

/rubs hands eagerly~ :3<

ufufuf~ soon! >3

:3c /sits and patiently waits!