o p e n.

[madannoshashu]

Who: Xigbar's Nightmarish Creation, these lovely people, and YOU!
When: Tuesday, October 9th through Thursday, October 25th.
Where: Anywhere the creature finds you.
Summary: Plot info posts - [1] and [2]. If you want to have a random encounter with the monster or be an investigator, please check in on Plot Post #2.
Warnings: Violence, gore, horribleness. Also copious amounts of darkness.

[ The day has finally come.

He raises his head, a stark, hooded figure peering across the slate-gray waters as the sun sinks slowly below the waves. It's an hour before evening sirens, and everything is set. He has his list, as well as the instrument of judgment. Whether or not it succeeds is up for debate, but truly, he cares little for AGI's agenda. Entertainment, curiosity, and keeping himself appropriately positioned are the really driving components behind this little escapade. The old man heightened his understand of the power he now holds, and this is the perfect opportunity to put it to the test.

The call is silent. He doesn't even have to snap his fingers for the monstrous shadow he's created appears at his side. He turns, looks at it, and rests a hand on its muzzle.

The targets appear one-by-one, seared into the mind's eye of the "hound" he's created. The creature softly snarls, and butts its head against Xigbar's palm.

Xigbar merely smiles. ]

Happy hunting.

[ A feral rumble sounds in the twilight, and the Heartless vanishes without a trace. Xigbar stands for a moment, unmoving, before darkness wraps around him and carries him away. ]

~~~~

Comments

[madannoshashu]

[ The hour of twilight is approaching.

Though the creature generally haunts the darkness, the lengthening shadows are homey enough as they are.

Watching in silence, it lies in wait for that one perfect moment. With any lucky, it'll tear this one to shreds in no time at all. ]

[retraced]

[He walks past it without noticing. Though he's checking the shadows, at this moment he's got his eyes trained on the ones across the street, the ones that appeared to be moving a moment ago. Probably nothing more than a tiny lizard creature or something, but even they can be troublesome at times.]

[madannoshashu]

[ The target is distracted.

Hurtling out of its dark corner, a gust of air is Gilbert's only warning before a giant beast wreathed in shadows swipes its claws in an efficient, deadly arc. ]

[retraced]

[He catches the hiss of air a second too late to completely evade it, but he is quick enough on his feet to turn and attempt to step out of the way, bringing his weapon up to aim straight at it. Unfortunately for him, though, the claws cut across his chest and arm and throw his aim off for the meanwhile. He stumbles back in shock, one eye closed as he focuses the other one the best that he can.]

What--?!

[madannoshashu]

[ The Heartless doesn't even slow, disappearing briefly into the surrounding shadows before resurfacing. It has every intention of charging Gilbert, knocking him off his feet, and then, tearing off his head. ]

[retraced]

[When it appears again, he's more ready for it, feet planted and ready to evade, gun raised with his finger on the trigger. Traveling through shadows is something that he's used to, but what he's not used to is the power behind the blow that lands. It hits so hard that he's knocked off of his feet and slammed into a wall nearby, head ducked just low enough that it doesn't take it off, but it does leave a nice deep slash across his face.

Though he's thrown down with the wind knocked out of him, he still has enough sense to fire the gun at the monster, though his aim is definitely not as accurate as it normally is.]

[madannoshashu]

[ The bullets pass harmlessly through the creature, and it isn't long before the Heartless will come crashing into Gilbert's perch. ]

[retraced]

[He watches each bullet fly through with a painful, empty, desperate sensation aching in his chest. There's no other choice but to use Raven, then, but this close to the Core it could be dangerous.]

Raven!

[He calls out his Chain's name, but the Chain doesn't materialize completely. A few large black feathers fall from the sky, and with a sweep of his arm, Gilbert calls out for it to transport him away from this fight to somewhere else, even a few blocks away would be good. Except, it's not just the Pull that stops him, it's the ache of the seal that he's placed on the Hatter that stalls him. He winces and grunts under his breath as pain shoots up his arm from where the Chain is bound to his left palm, and in his moment of distraction, the Heartless has attacked. Instinct kicks in, and he turns to run, one arm up over his head to shield his face from the falling rubble. Running away from a fight isn't exactly preferential, but there's no other choice now.

He's stumbling enough that the Heartless will definitely be able to catch up, though, and any other swipes taken at him will land at the rate that he's struggling.]