(Untitled)

[cardio_swindle]

[It's a Tyki. In that outfit. You know the one. White, form fitting, revealing. Black leather pants. He doesn't seem particularly bothered by his own appearance at least, long hair neatly tied back, posture relaxed

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[cardio_swindle]

[Tyki is beginning to realize there is something wrong with his friend. The movement, the leaning. The hand that doesn't go away, the fact he's still in contact. It has him turning his head to look over his shoulder at the man, at the mirror images facing them.]

[Allen's fall, the fall of the Crow, the change in scene--maybe he's just used to this place now. There was surprise and then it's gone, because really, they could have turned into puppies and it would have been par for the course in this place, right?]

[But Solo is acting injured. Even if Tyki can't actually see anything wrong with him.]

It has to be you. [The mirror image says it with kind patience and good humor, leaning lightly back against the figure in white behind it, hands propped on it's cane.]

You're getting too easily sidetracked.

[Tyki nudges Solo with his shoulder, shifting it back to get the other's attention. Not sure if he moves the other will stay upright.]

My my, I didn't know you missed me so. I caught a leech, that's all. [His eyes, as much as they can be are on his own mirror. How did it catch up so fast? He thinks that perhaps they shouldn't be talking to these images of themselves, he's not too fond of them.]

Lovely catching up, but say goodbye to your friends. We really must be going.

[solo_insanity]

[Tyki's vision stops showing him spots, and he straightens no longer leaning on the other. The pain had been reduced to a dull throbbing. A reminder at best. He adjusts his gloves and makes a nod at the younger man to indicate he has taken note of the second shadow and that he needs a minute. He's not quite done here yet. He does, however, give a slight grin at the sight of the iguana. How had he managed to keep a hold of that the entire time?]

Am I? If you have any pointers, I'd like to hear them. As it stands now, there aren't really any options, are there? I don't see how moving now will be anything more than a slaughter, and I hardly believe in miracles. You'll need a cheating boy for that.

[The last part drips with heavy sarcasm intentionally. After all, he didn't enjoy the Order walking free after their victory. And while it hadn't been the foremost goal in mind, he hardly neglected it. Or that's what he told himself at least. But he's too intrigued to just walk away right now. If there is something that can help or put a plan in motion he needs to know. Even if his retirement plans don't include his own world, he can't pass up this information.

However, that hardly means he trusts the pair. Not in the slightest seeing how the other is describing his shadow. But he could entertain a possible devil, couldn't he? At least for a moment.

The younger shadow snorts at the insult and meets Cardio's gaze. Well as much as a blurred face can meets someone's gaze. But there is a quiet aura about it. Like calm before disaster daring the other to try to leave before the man with the cane was finished. It was up for another game of cat and mouse.]

[cardio_swindle]

There is a price for everything. [The man with the cane twirls it and then points at Cardio with it.]

When you think something is free is when you should be most concerned. Where do you think you'll go, when you go with that one? What do you think you'll give up for it?

Is it worth the cost of admission?

[Tyki really doesn't take well to challenge--or rather, perhaps he takes to it too well. He can't resist rising to it. The cat materializes on Solo's shoulders as Tyki closes his hand around his companion's wrist, keeping his eyes on his own shadow.]

We'd love to stay but really, left the stove on, have to be going.

[And then he's tugging Solo with him. Trying to pull them both down a side tunnel--he can see the ghost of fading golden pawprints that way, after all.]

[solo_insanity]

[He narrows his eyes at the words and a tide of possessiveness crawls throughout his skin. In reality, Tyki should have sat down and thought about it. Skipping off to other worlds did nothing for his own. Not that this was any great loss, but it would mean that he'd lie to his own Boss. Not to complete the task at hand he was left. Ignoring the man's dying wishes.

But the hell will reality. Expectations. This is what he wanted. And he wasn't going to give it up. Not even an ounce of it. Who says he couldn't go world hopping and conquer his own world as a five year milestone?]

Such a terrible thing to say. I suppose you mock all the offers of free samples when you go to the market as well.

[He shifts his gaze when something furry brushes his cheek and then he's being pulled along. He doesn't resist for the first few steps. Actually, after a moment or two he's all in favor of leaving the two ghostly figures behind.]

[Cardio's shadow grins with malice as he watches them go. He taps the other, older being on the shoulder. A silent exchange that needed no sound. He begins snapping his fingers one per second.

One. Two.

The pair are probably out of eyesight by now. Their footsteps following the path back to the edge of the cave opening.

Five. Six.

Going around a bend. From here the loud crashing of the waterfall can barely be heard. But they aren't at the beginning of the golden trail yet. Not to the overturned boat.

Nine. Ten!

And it's lights out again. A dark chuckle echoes from the walls.]

[cardio_swindle]

[The shadow just smiles at Tyki's words. Not responding as the two leave. He will let the other think on it, come to terms--or perhaps not think at all. After all, that's how Tyki seems to work best. But it is there, and he will be confronted with it again. A choice must be made.]

[He turns to look at his companion with the blurred face, grin getting wider as the man snaps his fingers.]

[Meanwhile, back down the tunnel, Cardio stops abruptly as the lights go down.]

Why is it, [He asks, conversationally, fingers tightening on the other's wrist.] That any time the lights go out something bad always follows?

You know I'm starting to think you're cursed.

[He doesn't sound put out by it.]

[The sound of the waterfall is behind them, and then there's the sound of both of them, and water dripping near by. But no indication but memory of the direction the way out is.]

[solo_insanity]

[Just when his eyes were adjusting to the dim light everything goes black. At one point he was contemplating the merits of learning how to navigate in the dark. Blind fight even. It might be a good time to look into that again.]

You know, I might be. Are we going to have to start canceling Friday poker nights because of it?

[Tyki places the hand not captured on top of the other's. Fingers brush the back taking feel of the skin. Trying to confirm somethings he wasn't sure of. But then he takes a large step up in the air and tugs the other to do the same. Time to break the rules. Who says there were only two exits to this cave anyway?]

[The shadow draws a line in a kill motion across his throat almost in question to the man with the cane. It is jovial mocking of course. He couldn't kill the one man because then there would be no choice between duty and negligence. And he couldn't kill the other, because then who would chose? So with a wordless chuckle and a wave, he heads off now that the seconds had gone past ten.

The longer haired shadow seems to have no qualms walking in pitch blackness. Nor does it feel it needs to hide its movements either. The sound of footsteps breaking the surface of water drowns out the dripping. A lazy stroll. Faint but getting louder and louder.]

[cardio_swindle]

[His skin is hot. Much like the lizard. Too warm. Otherwise nothing seems too unusual.]

And miss all the fun? I wouldn't dream of it. [He sounds like he means it. He's actually enjoying himself.]

[Tyki follows the other up, reaching above them to see if his fingers contact stone at any point. Hate to knock his head into something he could phase through.]

[The man with the cane smiles at the shadow and shakes his head, tucking the cane under his arm as the other takes off ahead to chase and maim. A little pain is a good lesson. A little adversity builds character.]

[But the real problem is making sure the character builds in the right direction. The younger shadow is too eager for long term planning, but this one has a goal. And it will return to see it bloom, tend it, nurture it. In the mean time, the chase will be interesting enough to watch.]

[The splashing of footsteps is close now, right beneath them. And though this reflection doesn't seem to speak, or perhaps doesn't want to, it does laugh. Something cruel and hungry and then Solo will feel something slam into his side.]

[solo_insanity]

[Tyki wrist gets wretched out of the other's hand as he gets knocked over from the stage right. Whatever had hit him was living. There was flesh and squishiness to it that gave it away despite the tackle that felt like a ton of bricks. Well, that and the laughter should have been a clue. He doesn't fall far choosing to slam into nothing but air a few feet away. Then he's shifting to get some leverage.

A bit irritable. Perhaps. Tyki was always a little off balance, but the conversation with top hat and cane had still yet to settle in his stomach. So when he reaches to Joyd for Dark Matter it is raw and unrefined. Black and purple energy that seems at home and at odds in the darkness. Tyki uses it as a ram of his own to knock aside the opponent with blunt force.]

Think you can manage a skylight?

[They were close to the top, weren't they? Cardio's fingers will tap up against the rough ceiling. If he tries to press through it will work, though, it feels more like trying to wade through jello than the phasing he's used to. But he can make it through nonetheless.

The iguana will flick out its tongue once on reflex. If the other listens he can hear the very faint sound of wing beats. Hundreds of them flying higher in the cavern. Cardio will feel a few of them land on his back and arm and try to burrow into him. As if their rightful place was inside alongside the rest of the Tease.]

[cardio_swindle]

[Tyki winces at the feeling. Lets the things pass through, or in if they wish. More instinct than thought, there. He's concentrating on the jello-y ceiling. Once his arm is through to the elbow he rejects it all. Instead of a neat blast the roof cracks and rocks begin to fall around the men, but there are now shafts of light at least, illuminating the scene.]

[Meanwhile the shadow in white is regaining his footing from the blast the other slammed him with--definitely injured but already healing. The light helps track his movements as he jumps up, climbing through the air to grab Solo's ankle and pull him down, trying to get on top, punch to the face, the ribs, sink fingers under flesh if he can.]

[The Tease are also blocking visibility, flying everywhere.]

[solo_insanity]

[Three or four make their way through before the remaining scatter at the explosion. The dim light doesn't do them justice, but they are a sickly green color. Wings slightly frayed on the edges as if coming apart. They nestle themselves along the other healthy butterflies and curl their wings to sleep. To wait until they are needed.]

[Tyki sneers as it claws at him. Letting any falling rocks just pass through him even with their odd not quite liquid feel.]

If you are truly that desperate for a date, why don't you ask the nice man back by the waterfall? I'm sure he'll take you up on it.

[Then something dawns on him. If this really was the reflection of the other man then it probably came with all the weaknesses of him. He let's his assailant think he has the upper hand. He earns wounds against his side and stomach for the effort until it gets into the right position. A grin. He doesn't need full light for this.

He aims a strike powered by dark matter at the other's chest. A particular wound not caused by Allen Walker, but one where a knife was pulled and pushed into skin by the hands of a rather beautiful green woman.

Wounds like that never healed properly no matter how much love and care were put in them.]

[cardio_swindle]

[No more thought given to that, as they settle down. He concentrates instead on blasting more of a hole in the roof, looking down at the fight below with amusement. Why should he help when Solo seems to have it handled?]

[The reflection sneers in triumph as it seems to gain the upper hand, taking a moment to gloat in victory, ready to tear at Solo's collarbone and shoulder. But then Solo moves, striking hard and expertly, and the expression turns to shock and pain.]

[A perfect hit, and well-timed. Blood oozes out readily, the scars failing to withstand the blow as well as healthy skin might. Above them, Tyki whistles in admiration of the cruelty.]

[The reflection snarls and strikes Solo's face in retaliation.]

I think he's rather fixated on you. You seem popular these days. [Tyki comments, seating himself in mid air and holding his hand up to let one of the sickly Tease land on a finger.]

You should be happy you're in such high demand.

[solo_insanity]

[The strike catches him across the temple and his vision changes to white again. Honestly, he was going to have a concussion after all this. He smears the blood of the creature on his forehead as he rubs the spot. The fact that it could even move without screaming in pain after that was rather shocking. He gives another shove to try to disentangle. To pull from combat and join the other. Killing it wasn't on his agenda. For some reason he didn't feel it necessarily to end the lives of either of the pair.]

With the ladies perhaps. But I'm afraid I'll have to pass on the two of them.

[The Tease walks up and down the length of his finger. Feet wobbly yet surprisingly sturdy at the same time. As it walks it seems the left legs gave of a sense of warmth, but the right a sense of cold. Unlike his own Tease, ragged tears took the place of poker suits. After a few more rounds of pacing, it finally settles upon his wrist finding exposed flesh and biting down. It hardly feels like a needle prick.]

From above small flakes are falling mixing in with the light. Almost like ash or soot, but the color was too light.]

[cardio_swindle]

[The reflection seems permanently manic. Angry and fiercely amused all at once. Screaming might not even be possible for it, or perhaps it's too mad to vent the pain. Either way the shove does work, the earlier strike was debilitating enough to disable it from stopping Solo's escape.]

Oh I don't know, I think you make a fetching pair.

[Tyki casually pinches the butterfly wings between his fingers, offering the biting thing to the lizard. Reptiles like bugs, right?]

If you're done fooling around, the exit is this way.

[Tyki stands, offering the other man his hand. Solo looks a bit worse for wear there, and the other doesn't seem like it's ready to follow quite yet.]

[solo_insanity]

[The iguana moves forward with claws like needles digging across Cardio's arm before it does snap at the Tease. It gets half of it into its maw before it tilts it head up taking bites and readjusting to make sure no pieces fell out during the meal.]

Ah, but then you'd be jealous. And it would be poor to have my maid of honor at the wedding be jealous.

[He accepts the hand and is hauled back up. He motions for the other to go first since he is closer. Upon exiting, Cardio will feel a cold breeze of wind rush over his skin followed by snows falling on his hair. Everything before them is draped in a white haze. Their exit is in the middle of an ice sheet that looks like a lake. In the distance they can see home, sweet home. Or the only building in their current prison depending if one was the half full or half empty kind of guy.

Tyki follows behind almost losing footing when his feet hit the ice. Someone should have told him he needed his skates.]

My, my, what a surprise.

[The Winter Courtyard. So that is what was hidden under all those layers of ice.]

[cardio_swindle]

[Tyki actually does try to steady the other man, a hand on his shoulder, instead of letting him fall. The lizard and how it might fair in the cold is not considered as he steps carefully on the ice, keeping one hand under Solo's elbow in case the other decides a broken tail bone might be the perfect addition to the outing.]

Jealous? I don't know who you're mistaking me for, but I'm just happy you're making friends.

[He raises his free hand to watch the snow melt in it, cheerful enough, happy enough to see home.]

You know as adventures go that wasn't half bad. [He lets his fingers, cooled by the snow, reach over to turn the other's face his way, check for real injuries. He himself is still aching from the earlier fight but it wasn't anything too bad, sort of a freshing tumble really.]

You're a bit out of shape though, it looks like.

[solo_insanity]

[The iguana just curls up behind Cardio's head using his ponytail as an impromptu blanket and shield from the cold. And then it stays as still as it possibly can in order to avoid losing any more heat.]

[He grunts in thanks at the help in stabilizing. Though eyebrows do get raised when his face is tilted. He's got blood on his forehead and down the front of his coat, but none of that is his. The glaring thing out of place is the fact that his eyes seem out of focus are aren't quite dilating. But given enough booze, he has the same expression.]

Come now, I'm not one to get up before the crack of dawn and get morning exercise. I make due with what I have. Besides.

[He raises a hand to tap the '+' on the other's throat that had some minor bruising.] It seems as if I wasn't the only one having fun.

Though, I suppose I should ask. Get everything you wanted out of that trip? We'll have to check the lost and found if you left anything behind.