Movement

[sable_cloak]

((I'm so sorry for flaking out on you in the middle of this. School has been insane, but I can post as I get time at least!))All three foes of Shiwan Khan had been correct in their statements that Khan would not be silent much longer. There was yet another passage of time where things remained quiet. The younger Shadow kept his distance from New

Comments

[evillurks]

As the Old Tiger has hinted before, he works in his alternate's city at a severe disadvantage. He is without agents, without resources beyond that which his younger self parcels out to him. Although he is no stranger to working alone, the only method to which he can resort to track criminal movements in the underworld is to fall into that kind of role himself. He makes a good act as a washed-up old drunk, hanging on the fringes of things and looking too unreliable to be hired, but also to harmless to bother curtailing their talk around. The cigarette smoke that tends to make a heavy cloud in such gatherings always leaves him the worse for wear, however

[evillurks]

The Shadow scowls, gradually letting just a fraction more light scape between his fingers for the sake of getting a good look. It is not the snakes themselves that bother him, but rather the other ramifications of this room's conversion.
This room is pointless to us. The throne's been moved. We won't find Shiwan here. I have one other set of coordinates stored, for further up the hall, but it's a more exposed spot.

[golden_master]

Show it to me. I will look for an ambush. Our presence may be noticed, one way or another. The Tulku stares at the snake that watches them, and it turns its head to the priest. His body sways very gently, a simple charming technique that takes the snake's focus from The Shadow allowing him more freedom of movement.

Back in the shop, the younger man waits anxiously, a weapon readily in hand, and PINpoint ready to transport him. He knows the Old Tiger and the Tulku are formidable men, and for something to delay their contact, is of great concern. His hands feel painfully tied as he waits idly, but it is preferable to his more novice techniques betraying their presence to Khan.

[evillurks]

((I could have sworn he sampled coordinates further up the hall... but I can't find it in the original thread.))

He's grateful for the distraction, since it allows him to dash off a quick text message to his alternate.
Throne rm moved waitAt the least that will stop the younger man from the minor annoyance of the snakes. The Shadow is acutely aware of them now, but so long as none make an aggressive move, they're easily dismissed. He casts his mind back over that first journey here, down through the garage and past traps. He was forced to pause around a bend in the hall, just around a corner view of the other side of the very doors at his shoulder now. Not knowing how far in he could get, he marked the spot for coordinates, but dismissed that when he found the better hiding spot here behind the curtains. He lets the memory of that spot in the hall linger, recalling every detail he can, and gently pushing that memory towards the Tulku. He can't help but send a strong sense of where it is in relation to where they are now, since it's

[golden_master]

((So could I. Eh, I don't mind saying he did, I had it planned out as if he had.)

The Tulku's movements slow as he receives the image of the location, and starts to focus on searching out naljorpas and threats that may be in the area. As he does, the snake's attention returns to the glowing fist.

his presence follows the Old Tiger's path in reverse, searching every corner for the slightest quiver of presence, finding a few well-hidden naljorpa in the hallway leading to the snake temple, and a couple patrolling soldiers that happen by the spot where they will appear.

Withdrawing from the search, he sends the information to The Shadow. It does not appear that Khan has an immediate presence permeating the area.

[evillurks]

Although he's been giving them little regard, when the snake's attention shifts he is quick to note the change. While the Tulku makes his search, he moves the fist clenched around the flashlight. Slowly his hand sways in the air, hypnotic. The motion actually helps him maintain his own state of calm, pushing himself deeper into a trance state to conceal his own presence. He is hoping to maintain that calm throughout any fights with naljorpa, but it's a tall order and he can only pray he is up to the task.

[golden_master]

The massive reptile is placated, but the light has now attracted others nearby that are making their way over to investigate, slithering along the floor toward the gentle glow. One runs along the wall, tongue flicking about at the feet of the Tulku, and then The Shadow.

There's a threatening hiss as it rears back slightly, eying the glowing fist as a coil surrounds the feet of the Old Tiger.

[evillurks]

Apart from the swaying of his fist, The Shadow remains very still, so as not to give the serpents any provocation.
We must move soon, whether to the hall or back to the room from which we came.
It has occurred to him that whichever beast is now exploring his ankles may be drawn along with them by the PINpoint, either way, and therefore he must be prepared to deal with it swiftly when the time comes. There is a large knife at his back, but he'll have to delay the animal to buy himself time to grab the weapon, should it react in a startled fashion.

[golden_master]

There's a moment of silence as the Tulku appraises the reptile at their feet. What is sent to the Old Tiger's mind is a sort of mental nod.

Is there a chance the snake will be brought with us? Perhaps we should return to the room and then return with our younger companion. Even we are unlikely to go unnoticed once we appear in the hallway.

[evillurks]

A fair chance, yes.
He's perfectly resigned to this, and prepared to deal with it, but it might be better done someplace they won't attract attention. He does not wait for further approval, but slowly reaches his other hand into his pocket. He pulls up their last coordinates and punches the button to PINpoint them without ever removing the device from his pocket. He'll need his hand free as soon as they arrive to deal with the menace at his feet. His younger alternate may be startled and dismayed to see them return so soon.