Topic: Family Matters - Something Wicked This Lain Comes

Lain Amthras

Date: 2008-10-02 18:47 EST
Poster's Note - The following is taken from a log of live play with permission of both muns. Thanks~!! ]

Double double toil and trouble, nothing is normal where the Doll is concerned.

Slipping behind the bar, some coins were quickly tilled, as Brian then tapped himself an ale. A glance around once more, as he slipped patron side once more, and then searched for a table.

Beneath a table, then a chair where It bubbled and boiled into the crown of a white head and mere slivers of crystal blue became visible. And panned around, slitted in a smirk that was hidden by the floorboards.

A table found, as he took a seat. A long sip taken, as he tried to relax a bit.

Damn, not the right table. But it was nearby enough. The blob of murky black rippled and oozed out from Its hiding place... where it grew into that of The Doll. It cracked Its neck and stretched Its back with many pops and whines of ancient, strained joints. "Well, well..." smirking expression tossed around the commons.

A glance around and quite the raised brow, as he saw the 'Doll', was it? A slow sip, as he nodded to what appeared to be the bat, herself.

Random pieces of the room are caught in Its ever-moving gaze, but he's not the one It wants to notice. No, there was another that was more on Its mind, and It couldn't control the snicker that escaped its glossy lips. "You're rather cordial, Ravenlock. Funny, isn't it, Lain..?" Tilt of the head, talking to Itself. That smile spans ever wider.

"Raven-- Lain? Very funny.. It's been a while, so how have you been?" A raised brow yet again, as he looked upon his family. A faint smile offered to her, as he sipped his ale once more.. Yet quite the tense feeling came over him, for some reason..He could not place a finger on it, so to speak.

Did he not know? How could he not.. It was blue, It was black, It was sneering, It was heckling. "You're.. how should I put it.." Slow strides take It to his table and two slams later, for It had smashed Its palms against the would and leaned forward, It spoke. "You've gotten even more stupid.."

He placed it, just a bit.. Calmly his eyes watched her once more, as he realized what he may be dealing with... His mind raced back to that night where he and Wyheree, along with others, fought what was Lain, and Alex.. The night he had been thrown from the horse.. So long ago, and yet the feeling was as if it were happening all over again, as he eyes what was Lain before him.. "What are you doing, back?"

One thin hand lifted, fingers wavering, reaching for his forehead. Its head tilted dangerously to the side, looking unnatural. Causing a crackling sound to pierce the air. " .. you remember me, Ravenlock..? How sweet.." Nails drag on the table as It pulls Itself to Its natural height. Another sneer, leaving his question unanswered.

"I do remember you, unfortunately.. What have you done to Lain? Why are you here?" Slowly the chair shifted back, as the drink was set down. His eyes never leaving her, however..

Another crack of the neck and Its head was righted. Its tongue slid over Its lips, rewetting them. "Who says I've done anything to her..? Do you care, Ravenlock..? Aww..." Heckles best befitting some sort of evil beast hissed from behind clenched teeth. "Do you hear that, Lain..? Lain.." Crystal blue eyes narrow to knife-slits and lock on Brian's. "She doesn't believe you."

Spectacled blues narrowed, as he lifted his hand to remove his antique specs.. A cant of head took hold, as Brian regarded the Doll, carefully once more.. A short time ago he would have easily leapt into the fray, but this was not that time.. Things were happening, and this seemed like something more than what he was seeing, firsthand.. Still he asked once more. "What have you done with Lain...?"

"Wonderous, it is, isn't it, Lain..? Lain.. such concern for you and, yet, lacking.. for Alex." Its eyes flared wide, and shadowy noodles undulated from the tips of Its fingers. It brought them up before Its eyes and watched them dance along the digits, across that glass ring. "Does he know about that, Lain..? Probably not. As you can see, Ravenlock, she's fine. She's right here, she's with me and..? She's quite perturbed with you. Tell me, fake brother, do you play Family only when it suits you..?"

Oh that stuck a nerve... And Brian made NO effort to hide that whatsoever, as his eyes narrowed more so, coupling with the open tremor that took over his being. The specs were tucked into a pocket, as Brian sprang to his feet, coming to full height, and closed the gap between them to barely an inch or two. The anger evident, as he replied in kind. "Let me tell you something, you #$%^&* b***h ! My brother lived his life, and that was that, what I feel or do not feel is no one's concern save my own, and I will be damned if someone, calls my loyalty to my clan and family into question, let along some #$%^&* parasite with NO being of their own!"

It laughed, Its mouth opening wide, too wide. Nearly tearing the flesh at the corners of Its lips. "Yooouuu'rrreee fuuunnnyyy.." It wasn't wavering an inch. Did It want to get hit? Wasn't It always like that, though? Stark white bangs were limp and sliced Its features to pieces. It stared up at Brian through eyes that were flat but alive. Like stained glass. "Such vulgarity.. It's true, he did. And yet you rebuked him. Countless times.." waving Its hand like he mattered little more than a fly. Which, in Its mind, he probably did. "You're lying, Ravenlock. Your image is dear to you. Otherwise you wouldn't have fought so hard for redemption. All those sins. I hear your dirty soul makes me look clean.."

"My soul is of no concern to you, or anyone else.. What I have done, is what I needed to do, and I made peace with myself, a long time ago for that.. You have no place here.. None! Bring her back, you filthy b***h .. Find someone else to infect, and leave her be. She does not deserve this.." A slight quiver of lips, as yet another nerve was struck! His hand flexing a bit, as the notion to strangle the hell outta her came to mind more than once, yet he refrained..

"No you didn't. You're too easily riled about.." Lowering Its voice to a dangerous hiss. "What will your children think..?" Tutting Its tongue now, It took a few steps back, extended Its arms, and waggled Its fingers. It noticed that look.. "Bring it, Hero. Because much like what you think doesn't concern me, what I do to Lain doesn't concern you either."

"Anytime you want.."

"Violence waits for no woman, Ravenlock," upnodding to him, then touching Its mouth. "I'll give you a free one even. And please, don't run. What do you prove by running? Do you think you're strong? Do you think you're protecting someone? This world is made up of all of sooooorts of idiots waiting on a spine donor.. Although.. you always DID have a stick up your ass, perhaps THAT's what's standing you up." Leather grinds against leather as It crosses Its arms. "You.. are.. pathetic."

"You gonna talk, or are we gonna walk, sweet cheeks?" A hand slid to his sword belt, as a pair black leather gloves were slid on.

"From my recollection.. it was your turn to attack me, Hero. But let's take it outside.. you never know who many be watching." Ominous..? Perhaps that's what It was going for. Its duster billowed behind It, hard soles of boots thunking relentlessly on the floorboards. Complete with the jangle of spurs even though It lacked a horse. Its eyes slid around in their sockets. It was expecting a cheap shot. Why? It DEALT out cheap shots.

He had had more than enough, if she wanted a cheap shot he would give it her in spades! Rearing back, he let loose with right handed hay maker, upside her head from behind, and followed with a twist around elbow from his left arm. Hands grasping her with a hard nature, as he let inertia take the pair to, and right through the alley door way!

"Nyah haaaaa.." a wheezing gasp as It allowed Itself to be ushered out. "I'll be sure to tell your whore.."

"Tell the devil first bitch!"

And out they went.

Lain Amthras

Date: 2008-10-02 20:17 EST
Loosing his grasp on her, Brian tumbled to the moist cobblestone, eventually crashing into a nearby pair of crates.

It danced. Here, there. Turning on a heel, Its boot grinding into the cobblestones. To add to the flare of this, Its coat kept billowing with Its movements, hands pulled from pockets and clenched. "Mhmhm.. You're getting clumsy."

"I'm just getting started!" To his feet he went, as he undid the sword belt, tossing it aside. Gloved hands clenched, as he stepped towards her once more.

"You sure..? I mean, are you really sure..? Your mouth should be your fists, they're the only things you use.." It strides in a wide arc, positioning Itself before the mouth of the alley, and bounces on the balls of Its feet, Its knees bending. "How much cuter can this get, Lain..?"

"I am #$%^&* sure as hell.. And I will show you, just what I can use." Making to attempts to veil anything he had planned, Brian strode directly towards the Doll, herself.

Standing Its ground. "You've still got a free one. Promise." Arms fold even, new leather creaking with the motions, fingers gripping Its elbows. Are you watching? Are you laughing? It thought as much.

"I don't want a free one, damn you!" Coming to a stop before, her.. He simply stood there, and looked to her, his body trembling with such an anger, he could not describe it if asked.. "I don-- No.." He shook his head a moment, as gloved hands lifted to his head in a somewhat motion of disbelief, as his eyes stared to her once more. "What do you want?!"

Its eyes, once more, whirled in their sockets. Like coins spun on a desk. Everything was unnatural about how It moved - everything. Because everything that was controlling Lain's body wasn't natural. "Yes." It was quick in Its movements. Knees bent, then It sprung into the air, catching the nearby wall with the sole of Its boot and using it as leverage to launch Itself forward. The pointed toe of a boot was sailing, quite fast, towards his mouth.

Barely a second, he had and what little good it had done. Her mark was held true, as he was struck hard on the jaw! Turning with it, he went into a somewhat spiral effect from the kick, landing nearby on his stomach, with a thud and heavied cough. "Izzat it?" Moving to his feet once more, he looked to her, as he wiped the blood from his mouth.. "I deserved that."

Landing gracefully, with but a mere scratch of pebble on stone, It growled. "You deserve a lot more than that, Ravenlock.." There was something odd about Its voice then. Too feminine, too familiar. Too... Schwayer. But It was swallowed quickly. "Come oooon, Hero.. be what you claim! Crusher of evil, protector of Family. RIGHTEOUS IDIOT EXTRAORDINAIRE! FIGHT BACK, PISSANT! COME ON!" Holding Its arms out wide, It heckled, and that soon turned into wheezing laughter.. " .. do I have to go through other things first..? Perhaps you need motivation.."

"Lain?? LAIN!" Brought back to the here, and now more than ever, he looked to it, and shook his head once more. "No.. We will find another way.." His arms went to his side, as he remained exactly where he was.

"Wrong.. nyah haaaa.." Its head rolled on Its neck with continuous pops and cracks from joints too overused. "I'm sorry Lain, I cannot speak dumbass, you'll have to forgive me.. Get it through your head, Eldest Idiot. You cannot reach her. And even if you could, she doesn't want your hand.. You see, because, you're not the great Hero that you profess!" Dipping low, Its leg sweeps over the ground to try and catch his kneecaps from the front.

Brian listened carefully, and said nothing more, as his body went into a reactive nature. Dropping to his knees, a forearm came forward to take the brunt of the sweep, as his other hand went into motion with a reaching backhand sent to her face as hard as he could muster.

An audible grunt could be heard, as he could easily tell this was a far cry from what he dealt with well over two years ago.. This was far stronger, and carried a much harsher intent, by the feel of the strikes.

Metal bones, metal blood. Such things came in handy. Stopped at the leg, It shifted most of Its weight to one hand while the other formed a fist and it was sent directly for his oncoming attack. To meet it head on. Entity loved this body, and would love this body later behind closed doors.

Fist met fist, as is knuckles cracked in response, giving way to what felt like solid steel! Recoiling, he went into a backwards roll, and came to one knee, as his hand flexed time and again, the pain registering all too well.. Still, he would say nothing else, as his eyes watched her.

" .. she laughs at you, Ravenlock.. can you hear her..?" On cue, mirth spilled from Its lips, tainting the air in Its dual voice. One husky and dark, the other light, albeit sad and weak. Its caught leg drawn back, bloody knuckles were brought to Its laughing mouth and licked relentlessly. If It had fangs, It would have bitten down. "As I said Lain.. Lain..? Are you listening..? He's funny.. he's not on your list.."

"We love Lain.." said in an almost defeated tone.. "She is family.." Moving to his full height once more, he pointed towards her with his good hand. "We'll find some way. You now have my undivided attention."

"No you don't.." Its head craned, and a drop of blood It missed ran over Its chin. It stayed there, crouched. Like a vampiric animal, watching Its prey. "You all barely know her. Brian, you trust her when it suits you, just like you do the rest of this world. Miss Priss could give less than a rat's shit.. Alex was the only one, and now he is gone. The rest of your pathetic clan are nothing. Mere idiots adding to the already heightened idiocy of your combined brain. Let it forever ride on your conscience that your affection is hooked to your whims. How long until THEY feel the backlash.." Knees crack dangerously as It keeps Its eyes on him, forcing Itself to Its full height as well. "Will they forgive you, Hero..? Or will you be left with your demons.." A bloody smirk was given to him then, pink coating Its teeth in a grisly display.

"I know enough.. And I not let anything ride, until you give her back, and she tells me to my face.. Yes, Alex is gone, bu-- No, we will not debate this, you and I.. You know nothing of myself, you have no substance.." Reaching for his sword belt, he slung it over his shoulder, and eyed her once more. "Find someone else to torment.."

Leaning forward, clean fingers sweeping blood from her chin, and suckling it off. "Are you sure about that, Hero..? What makes you think I haven't already.." Cue the snickers that don't quite make it out of her mouth. More like her throat was tearing apart or crunching gravel.

"Ignorange may not be bliss, Ravenlock.." Its head tilted as It endured Lain's screams for Alex. "He cannot hear you, child.." Immediately, they stopped. Had she forgotten that's what he used to call her..? Probably.

He said nothing... He knew this was a ploy, it had to be.. If she was going t--m No he would give it any vocalization.. Instead, he watched speechless for a moment, until he softly let the words come forth. "Lain... I am so sorry."

There was a full body twitch, a grimace on Its face, and a hard swallow. Entity figured he owed her this. The voices finally became one, the most familiar one, that of the actual Lain. As had Its face. Bright crystal blues narrowed and studied Brian. She would make him see that she was still there. Make him know there was nothing she'd even want him to TRY and do. "Me too, Brian."

"You deserve better than this, Lain.. Please don't let this happen, Lain.. Please, I am begging you.. I don't want this for you, for anyone, Lain.. Please." His eyes pleading as much as his voice, as his hardened face began to soften somewhat.

A tired smile creased Its features, Lain's spiritual control over her own body wavering. Was she letting it? Entity laughed silently as he pushed himself to the surface. That dark, dusty shadow ran over Its features, dulled Its eyes, crept into Its voice, but held off long enough to speak. "I don't care.. I died with Alex, and I'm not going to fight for you, or for anyone. Not even against Him." There was another grimace like the first, and It coughed, a sneer reworking Its mouth. Good job, Lain.. "Keep that in mind, Hero. While you're trying to piddle along in your futile existence." Bootheels slid back on the cobblestones several steps before It finally turned Its back on him.

"LAIN! You didn't die, you don't have to fight for anyone, Lain! Just fight for YOU!"

Its right hand raised and flicked a wave to Brian. It knew that they were being watched, and that had Its smile growing ever wider into that disgusting splice of an image that better fit a joker. Or someone in an asylum. "You don't know her at all, Ravenlock. You think you do, but thinking isn't the same as knowing. Schway?" The disgusting word was spat out of Its mouth with force enough to rival a raging bull. Entity hated that word, hated everything about it, and never wanted to speak it again.

"I know enough.. For now. We will meet again."

"Keep your attentions on those things that you can actually do something about," another set of snickers at that. It didn't pay his last words any mind. And neither did the shackled Lain inside Its head. It was glad It took on this proposition. "Lain..? Lain.. did you have fun, child? Yes.. I promise, I'll eat one of them just for you.." It tossed a look back as spirals of shadow coiled up Its legs and enveloped it. Soon, Its whole form had disappeared from the Alley.

He understood this was not their time, as she left the alleyway.. When she was finally gone, did he crumple to his knees, and let himself breath once more, so to speak.