action log ‡ And like naked babes we go. Aka, Investigating the Jungle.

[mayo_maniac]

[standing around Shinsengumi HQ, chain-smoking like whoa. Got his sword, just sharpened, enough mayo and nicotine in his system to kill thirteen cows. He hates waiting for Itou. What's the man doing anyway?! Polishing his glasses? Packing underwear?]

Oi, sensei. Still alive back there?

Comments

[loneprodigy]

[appearing from his room with the usual frown he wears whenever he has to deal with hijikata, he shoots the vice-commander a glare]

Very much so, Hijikata-kun.

[he swipes the smoke away from his face as he pushes past, shoulder just brushing against the other man's]

I hope your respiratory system keeps up when we're at the jungle.

[mayo_maniac]

[Follows Itou out, glaring. He doesn't like this, but he's doing it anyway, for the Shinsengumi's sake.]

Hasn't failed me so far.

[Don't trust Itou. The bastard's definitely plotting something. Did he think we wouldn't notice those strange absences? Patrol my ass. He's too...ambitious. He doesn't see Kondo the way the rest of us do. I'd trust my instinct over him, any day, and it's telling me to watch him.

Maybe this is a good thing. I'll be watching your every move, sensei. I hope I'm wrong, but if I'm not...]

Why, disappointed, sensei?

[loneprodigy]

I'd be disappointed if you get killed by the cursed later.

[itou continues to walk ahead. he meant what he said, because he doesn't want hijikata to be kill by anyone but him. it's a pity the person who understands him the most has to be his enemy.]

[mayo_maniac]

[Streets. Bodies, here and there. Trails of blood.]

Oh? I'm more concerned about you, sensei.

[Won't let you die, sensei. Not until we get to the bottom of this, anyway. We need all the manpower we can get, even if it's from the likes of you.

'Sides. I promised Kondo-san.]

What with the yorozuya and Kiheitai running mad, I'm surprised it's still us people call dogs.

[...oi, yorozuya. Where's that soul of yours now?]

[loneprodigy]

[glancing to his left, the trail to the jungle beckons. they aren't too far off from the temple now, as part of it can be seen protruding from above the trees.]

I wonder if they possess the cat's senses of sight and smell.

[a flock of birds depart frantically from some trees in the jungle, and a commotion from within can be heard.]

Did you hear that?

[mayo_maniac]

[Slightly startled by the sound, was so concentrated on thinking. Wasn't it said animals could tell better than humans when trouble was up?

Ch'. This had better not be a bad omen.]

...yeah.

[Takes one last look; starts walking.]

...let's go. All paths lead to the jungle, anyway. Better assume they've got better faculties than us: agility, sight, smell, whatever. The greater numbers of civilians rather than mutants killed seem to point to it.

[loneprodigy]

[the vice-commander is right, the corpses scattered on the ground show many tell-tale signs of the beasts' abilities and brutality.

tightening his fingers around his sword, he stands up and follows hijikata, but his pants is caught in some weeds with thorns. as he tries to free the hem-]

...Cat attractants. Valerian.

[mayo_maniac]

[Expression dark, words more like growling.]

...ch'. Thorough bastards. You'd think the sudden craving for human blood and flesh would be enough to keep these fuckers on their side.

[Moves on ahead without Itou. Why is he so mad, anyway? It's not like he hasn't seem bloodshed before. Kondo-san had better be safe--he'd left behind enough bad how-to romance books to hopefully occupy the man until it's time. Sougo'd better have the sense to stay with him. He and Itou can take care of this.

Almost steps on the corpse of a woman, the left side of her face eaten out, chest cavity torn out and exposed. Grips sword. Turns.]

Crazed homo kitties don't wait for you, sensei. And neither will I, if you keep this up.

[loneprodigy]

[slams his book shut]

To put it bluntly so you'll understand, yes, that's right. They'll be attracted to it for a short while, and you may proceed to either kill or flee.

[the number of corpses littering the ground increases at an astounding rate as they get closer to the jungle. the scene is unnerving, and itou hates being unknowing of what to expect. it's not that he can't defend himself with his skills, but he's a strategist, unlike his partner for the day, a warrior who can deal with sudden confrontations. knowing this fact should have calmed him, however, it only makes him loathe the other man even more.]

[mayo_maniac]

[Walks, unconsciously positioning himself in front of Itou in case of attack. Will never admit it, but it's a good thing Itou took some of the plant when he saw it. Confident they can take down some of the cat-things, since not all were warriors to begin with. And for the others, Plan Throw Weeds and Run will take effect.]

...we'll see.

[Turns around tree, steps into...what seems to be part of a face. Crunching sounds, major ew. Half-growl, half-pissed mutter.]

Ch'. Don't even have the sense to fucking clean up after themselves. Not even the usual crazies like Takasugi and Kojiro who're just jumping in.

[loneprodigy]

[following behind hijikata, he, too, steps onto a body unceremoniously at the turn, his well-polished leather shoe now matted with blood and minced flesh. the trail they're about to follow stretches deep into the trees, and from what he can see, it seems to be paved with corpses.]

This surface will be hard to fight on.

[mayo_maniac]

[Hides grimace with smirk.]

Scared already, sensei? Too--

[OUT OF FUCKING NOWHERE, vine snaps to action and tangles firmly around Hijikata's ankles.]

WHA--

[Ground disappears, barely has time to react when he’s suddenly upside down, hanging from vine in the air, in front of what looks like a giant daisy with fangs. Giant polka-dotted daisy with fangs and cat ears. Tastes pollen in his mouth and eyes and nose, tries to yell but chokes.

Fan-fucking-tastic.]