[Open] As nightfall comes and shadows creep...

[distinctive_guy]

CHARACTERS: distinctive_guy and stabswithforks AND ANYONE ELSE
DATE: July 20th (Day Two, early night)
RATING: Violence/Swearing in galore
SUMMARY: Surviving the second night, moving from the Mall → East Dorms

Comments

TIMESKIP to some point after Eliot gets inside the East dorms

[whitestlie]

He would have to remind himself to block off the fireplace whenever this whole ordeal was over with, if he could survive through it, that is. If there was one thing those meaningless Christmas children stories had taught him as a toddler was that creepy, old fat guys could sneak into your room through the fireplace while you were sleeping. Replace creepy, old fat guys with creepy, toxic tentacle snot monsters, and you had Near's current situation.

No longer possessing the safety of his own room, he had no choice but to make a run for him. Somehow or another, he ended up at cornered at the stair case. There were two behind him and two more coming up from below.

Damn it.He was wearing his armor, which provided an extra layer of defense, but the monsters' acidic mucus was capable of burning through even that, as evidenced by some burnt portions and holes along lower left side of Near's armor. What "weapons" he had managed to secure before were now gone as well. He won't be able to last long at this rate

Way tl;dr.

[distinctive_guy]

NO SUCH THING AS WAY TL;DR! :D

[whitestlie]

Under normal circumstances, Near would carefully interrogate the stranger (he had not seen this man on the network, after all, and his appearance was not exactly the most convincing), fishing for ulterior motives first before just going with him anywhere. But under normal circumstances, the building would not be infested with toxic mucous tentacle creatures either. The smile offered less comfort than it did affirmation that the man had good intentions and was not going to harm him afterward, not that it mattered. The disgusting creatures were more of a threat than anything right now, and he had seen enough evidence to know this man was capable of acting as his shield

That's what you say

[distinctive_guy]

Re: That's what you say

[whitestlie]

Near had not even been aware of how tightly he was gripping until the man pulled his hands off. Well, that was annoying, having showed weakness, not that it wasn't completely warranted in a time like this.

Other kids? Near hadn't even been aware there were other people in the building. Well not exactly in that way. Sometimes when your own life was on the line, other people didn't exactly register as important. Nevertheless, antisocial Near had only come into contact with three people directly since moving in here anyway, his roommate, that healer girl, and Kira, though the latter was considered more as murder mystery puzzle than an actual person

[distinctive_guy]

[whitestlie]

More vague answers. What's with the people here always giving vague answers? Near disliked vague answers greatly, but he disliked getting burned by acidic ooze even more.

"Yes, it came in handy," Near answered almost with an eye roll. It was not exactly time for small talk. He didn't bother to consider in depth whether or not this man, Eliot it was, had given his armor much thought beyond "some nice gear." Though the mere fact that he had commented on it meant that it had gotten his attention, to what extent was another matter. However, he'll just have to deal with that later. None of that was important right now.

He nodded at the suggestion to relocate, indicating that he was ready to move whenever Eliot was.

His gaze shifted to Eliot's burnt arm. "Better pick up another weapon along the way too."

If worst came to worst, Near was willing to give up his suit and helmet as makeshift weapons, but he'd rather it not come to that.

[distinctive_guy]

Eliot spun what was left of the stick around comfortably in his hand. It was just a bit longer than a golf club now, thicker and with quite a bit of heft left in it still. But if the tentacles have the ability to eat through solid metal if exposed often enough, a longer weapon that had less weak points might be good.

"We'll keep an eye out for one," he agreed, motioning for Alan to follow him back down the stairs.

Or rather, that was the intention until he found there was another one of those creatures heading up the stairs. A glance up showed that leaving Alan on the platform wasn't an option either.

"Where're they all comin' from?" Growling under his breath, Eliot shifted the pole so he held it at its very end. No more close encounters. "Follow after me, but not too closely."

orz he's kinda useless atm... sorry eliot

[whitestlie]

"Alright." Eliot knew what he was doing, and if Near wanted to make it out alive, he was in no position to argue. He looked around him and picked an optimal distance to follow the man.

That last question was probably intended to be rhetorical, but Near answered anyway.

"If you were referring to the building, the ones in my room" (Indignant tone is obvious. Hmph. It was Near's room. What made those abominations think they could claim it?) "came in through the fireplace. As for where they originated, I'm likewise uncertain." But he intended to find out.

Near kept and eye on both Eliot and the creature, preparing himself in case anything out of the ordinary happened.

Eliot never expected a kid to fight anyway

[distinctive_guy]

[whitestlie]

As Eliot fought the creature, Near observed, analyzing every movement. This man almost made it seem easy, clearly having learned rapidly from what little experience he must have had in how to deal with these monsters, and Near was impressed.

"If possible, try only using the tip of the pole to deflect the tentacle." Near wasn't sure when they would see another weapon, but he wanted to preserve the one they had now for as long as it would last. Normally, Near would take the time to explain the how's and why's of his suggestions (usually so he could avoid the useless questioning afterwards), but he had a good idea of Eliot's capacity for understanding and forethought by now to know that explanations would not be necessary.

"Sounds good." He followed suit without another word.

[distinctive_guy]

"Not always 'possible', kid," Eliot answered but he did give Alan a nod in acknowledgment. The pole itself showed acid burns all along one end, bearing silent evidence along with Eliot's wounds to the battles he fought before getting here.

"First find a safe place, then work on securin' the building." The hitter kept his pace quick but strides measured to adjust for Alan's ability to keep up. "The bathrooms," he said, thinking on his feet, "There's only one door for entrance and exit, no windows..."

As they came down the stairs, Eliot put two fingers up to his right ear and seemed to listen to something. Shortly after, he turned to Alan. Although they were not near them yet, Eliot announced with certainty, "Downstairs bath areas are both empty. You can be safe inside."

[whitestlie]

That's why I said "if". But Near kept his mouth shut, as frustrating as it was, he had to keep his mouth shut for now. The boy might have been just a tad immature and defensive when anyone hinted at the idea that he might be wrong about something or overshooting in expectations, but he wasn't about to dismiss anyone under these circumstances.

He chose not to ask who it was Eliot was talking to either. Parker, perhaps, but he couldn't be sure. He'll definitely file that information away for future interrogation however

"Let's go then."

[distinctive_guy]

[whitestlie]

Near took a good look at the dead creatures as he dashed past them. Strange that such creatures existed. Was it even biologically possible for an organism to produce the kind of substance? Could there even chemically exist such a substance capable of burning through everything save for glass it seems? If what they're going to face in this "game" was essentially beyond science, then Near wanted to know ahead of time. He made a mental note to get that forensics lady to study these guys in addition to the worms later when this fiasco's over.

At Eliot's urging, Near continued running. He reached the bathroom door, catching his breath for a bit. He stepped inside, carefully investigating every stall. There had been a monster hiding inside the restroom in his own hallway, after all. He didn't want to take another chance. After making sure it was clear, he heard Eliot's footsteps coming up behind him. Right on time. He turned to look at the man. Apparently he found something to make fire with. Well done.

"This should be okay. It's clear in

[distinctive_guy]

Eliot joined Alan at the bathroom, giving the place a second glance around just to confirm the boy's estimate of the place. It really did look clear, and therefore, would likely be a good fort for the kid hold until Eliot could get the rest of the building secured.

"Alright." Getting down on one knee so he was at Alan's eye level, Eliot looked the young boy through the riot gear into the dark eyes within. So far, he hadn't seen Alan's face once, but that didn't matter when it came to saving a child, did it?

"Alan, I'm goin' to ask ye to stay here until it's safe outside. Don't leave this room no matter what you hear outside, okay? Push somethin' against the door after I leave and nothin' can get in. I'll come back when the place is clear."