sirenspull_logs | (no subject)

WHO: Duo, Claire, and Mr. Muggles
WHEN: backdated to the afternoon before the blizzard happens as well as during the worst of the blizzard
WHERE: Underground Mall
WHAT: Claire was planning on helping Duo find out what his power was for one night, and then all of a sudden the weather took a turn for the worst. Uhh-- Also, killer cyborgs will show up at some point for a bit.
WARNINGS: nothing??? will update if needed

She'd told Duo to meet her at the Mall for some 'power discovery'. She still hadn't managed to think of a good word for it, but it would work for now. She sat on a nearby bench, holding Mr. Muggles in her hands and trying to feed him a treat. He really was spoiled- any of the 'bargain brand' treats she tried to feed him, he wouldn't take unless he was nearly dying of hunger.

Franz had no doubt kept up the tradition of her mother spoiling him to death. Not that she minded, really; she wouldn't break her bank to make sure he had the best treats. It was his own fault if he didn't want to eat it at first.

The thought of Mr. Muggles having an ability of his own crossed her mind as she sat there waiting for Duo. The idea hadn't even occurred to her until Helen and Haruhi had mentioned it, and now it wouldn't go away. Though, really, how likely was it that she would be the owner of a super-powered dog?

... On second thought, maybe she didn't want to think something like that in a city like this.

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Duo started to follow behind Claire, heading for the exits through the crowd. But just as they were about to get there he stopped and wobbled on his feet, his head suddenly sharp with pain that nearly blinded him. People trying to get by held no care for his sudden affliction and he found himself on the ground when several shoulders crashed in to him hard, one after the other.

"Fuck... what the hell..." he groaned, pressing the heels of his hands to his temples, trying to will the pain away.

Claire glanced over her shoulder, scowling when she didn't spot Duo. She pushed her way out of the crowd, off to the side by a store's entrance, glancing hesitantly at a nearing robot and hoping that the people fighting against it would be able to take care of it.

"Duo?" Claire shouted his name, walking against the crowd. Her eyes widened when she saw him on the ground, and she made sure to tie Mr. Muggles' leash to a secured post in the store and rushing over to him. She couldn't risk him getting trampled in the crowd.

"Move-" She pushed people out of her way, reaching out for him. "Get up, we have to leave!" She held strong above him, despite the people pushing past her.

His hand latched on to hers, a pained groan sounding as he forced his legs to move. Getting back to his feet was the easy part - remaining standing while people shoved around them frantically was another story entirely.

He didn't scare easily, but this actually frightened him. His body just giving up on him when he needed his strength the most... he felt even more helpless than when he'd simply watched Claire run off in to the fighting.

"Don't leave me..." he begged in a weak, pathetic sounding voice, clinging to her arms desperately.

"I won't." She remembered that feeling from the eclipse; complete desperation, utter hopelessness. She headed back over to where Mr. Muggles had been tied. There was still fighting going on, but Duo had to be awake for them to get out. She led him to a chair, kneeling down and putting a hand on his knee. It was relatively empty in this space, save for the occasional frantic screamer. Claire kept her focus on Duo, worried that he'd pass out or ... worse.

"What's wrong? Is it your power?"

Duo dropped down hard, on the verge of passing out but fighting it with every passing second. He felt Claire's hand on his knee and went to reach for it, but finally saw that the dark energy he had summoned was all the way up to his upper arms.

"... Jesus... it's like I can't control it..." he groaned, putting his hands over his face. "This is not good..."

"Just try to relax, okay? This is only your first time using it." Claire hoped it wouldn't be anything like Ted or Stephen's ability, where if it was too much at any point they would explode. She didn't want to find out, either, so her only option was to keep him as calm as possible.

He didn't feel like he was going to explode. That was a good sign, wasn't it?

He forced his lungs to pull in slow, even breaths, and it slowly started bringing the energy down from his arms. When his vision was no longer tilting he looked up again, blue eyes scanning the area slowly. He sat up, staring at one of the exits. There were still a whole lot of people there, and no one seemed able to get out.

"... Claire..."

Claire followed his gaze, scowling immediately. "Why are they just standing there?" She glanced around; Mr. Muggles was barking uncontrollably, people were running in every direction, and those stupid robots wouldn't stay down.

"There has to be a back exit somewhere." Hopefully. She untied Mr. Muggles, gathering him in her arms.

"Something... something's blocking the exit maybe?" Duo offered tiredly, managing to get to his feet despite feeling like he'd been hit by a Mack truck going 60.

"But what..."

"I don't want to stick around to find out." Obviously something was going on- maybe bigger than just the robots. She stayed close to Duo (in case he collapsed again), though she was definitely in a rush.

She didn't know what she was looking for, honestly. She knew what she wasn't looking for- a battle with another of those robots. She tried to switch directions when she saw one, but there was only so much space in the Mall. She hoped she'd find something before they ran into one.

"Me either..."

He felt better now that he'd calmed down. The power was still at his hands, but not as draining as it had been. Still, he could do little more than follow Claire, praying that they didn't have to fight again. His body was aching dully, a headache starting on the back of his head, and he really didn't know how much longer his strength was going to last.