The Dead Want to Play

[Donovan Siroaki]

Zeke interjection was perfectly timed as Chika's accusations had almost pushed Donovan to the breaking point. The interruption gave Donovan a little time to compose himself before retorting.

"I ain't saying sorry for nothin' and as for being indignant, at least I'm not abusing my authority and harassing travelers. Do you people get some kinda rise from giving people a hard time, or is that just you enjoy making baseless accusations. And how do we know if your job is what you say it is? So I've got an idea. How about you give me your name, where you're from and references that can prove that you are indeed with the law and who you say you are, after all it shouldn't be a problem if you really are with the proper authorities. "

Donovan grinned, hoping to get some rise out of the woman. He didn't appreciate being labeled by some stranger based on some fact-less assessment and decided to attempt to turn the tables in hopes he could figure out who she was, either that or have her wig out and give them reason to discredit her connection to the authorities.

[chika]

Chika's hard stare slowly melted into a smile as her eyebrows raised at Donovan. As Zeke had been chatting, she'd held her hand up almost as a signal that she didn't care to hear him or Kouji - her attention was strictly on Donovan at the moment.

As Donovan continued, Chika's smile turned into an amused grin, and then slowly that grin turned into a chuckle. She set her hands on her hips, tilting her head to the side, and blinked.

"Haha, I think I like you. You're cute, and have the memory of a goldfish," she giggled, "I've already stated, my name is Chika and I am from Guasto. I'm not abusing my authority, I'm doing my job by asking suspicious people to prove they are not a danger to the people of Guasto. I have no qualm with the other two men with you, I have only suspicions of you because you are being unnecessarily obnoxious with me when I've done nothing to you."

At that moment, her dress gave off a slight glow before it suddenly flashed into a more roomier black and blue outfit. She kept her grin as she batted her eyelashes and said sweetly, "Now we'll try this again - who the hell are you?"

[Donovan Siroaki]

"I know what your supposed name and country of origin are, but I'm still waiting for your references to dictate whether or not those are actually true. And by the way, if you stepped of that high horse of yours and listened, you'd have heard from my companion, Zeke, that I'm Donovan and that were travelers. I'm not sure if you make a conscious effort to not listen, or if your just allergic to facts, but regardless maybe you should base your assessments of people on actually information rather then half-baked theories. And on another note, your the suspicious one here, as I don't remember any of us appearing out of no where and just, coincidentally, running into three wanderers in a barren wasteland. Care to field that one, princess?"

Donovan was starting to get hot headed and he knew it, but the relentless questioning from this waif was starting to get on his nerves and he was determined to brow beat her into submission and get a straight answer from her.

[chika]

"I'm flattered, you're calling me your princess already!" Donovan's insults did nothing to Chika, but rather she giggled and used them.

"I find it more suspicious that three people who don't even look like they belong in Guasto are wandering the barren wasteland - I at least have a valid reason for being here Mr....Zeke, Donovan, and...?" she looked over at Kouji, "I know I've seen you before. You were at the Dämmerung Ball awhile ago, weren't you? Regardless of how I know you, the three of you could ask anyone near the Phasmatis area and they'll all know my name - Herrlock. Chika Herrlock."

She had the feeling there was more to them than being "just travellers", but she still could not fully prove that. She'd rather waste her time and energy with people she knew for certain were supposed to be part of the group of heroes from Earth.

That being said, she'd push his buttons until he'd reach his breaking point. It would at least prove he was a warrior and not just a simple traveller.

[Kouji - Hikari no Shiro Okami]

Kouji nodded.

"I was at the ball. My name is Kouji Minamoto, and I'm a traveler, born in Santo-Luce but having a home nowhere. My current mission is keeping these two from getting killed crossing Guasto into Ignis... please, Miss Herrlock, I would appreciate it if you'd let us by this once and ignore my companion's rash statements."

He didn't trust her in the least, and he wasn't above lying to save their collective necks. Still, he was fairly certain Donovan was going to give them away anyway. He just hoped that she was just a mage in the employ of the Sumata and not one of them or their Captain-slash-bodyguards.

[chika]

Chika grinned at Kouji.

"And the ball invited strictly the royals of Crepusculum, their captains, and Yeligar Maelstrom who brought along a few certain "guests" of his. How do you explain that, Mr. Minamoto?"

Of course this also meant her own cover was blown, but that didn't bother her in the least. All she cared about was knowing if these were the guys she was looking for.



((is that okay? If not I'll just get rid of it and re-think it out ><;; ))

[Kouji - Hikari no Shiro Okami]

((No, that's no problem.))

Damnit, he thought. There goes our cover... and this witch is a Captain. We're screwed.

He hadn't lasted five minutes against the Queen of Alberisato. He hoped that he might at least be able to fight this Captain to a draw... but he knew better. And Kouichi wasn't just going to randomly show up and save his ass this time.

"Guys, it's a trap," he said, drawing his weapon. "She's onto us... the only way through this time is to fight. She's strong, so we've gotta work together!"

He was suddenly glad he'd done all that training.

[Donovan Siroaki]

Jumping back at Kouji's mention of who she was, he quickly reached into his belt holsters and pulled out two decks; one in each hand.

"I knew there was something up with this woman," Donovan said gritting his teeth.

"So she's working for those Sumata people, eh? Guess it's time to put what we've learned from training to some use on this waif, huh guys?"

Donovan didn't want to come across as overconfident, but he thought it wouldn't hurt to show some confidence, as in most cases it was a bit discouraging to the enemy to see your opponent in good spirits.

"Get ready for a trifecta of pain, ya little harlot," said Donovan with a smile.

[chika]

Chika's grin faded as she stared down Kouji.

"I knew you looked familiar. I apologize profusely, I'll be sure to never forget you again," there wasn't even a hint of sincerity in her voice, of course, "so, is it just you or are all three of you from Earth? However you choose to answer, remember that you can't lie to me..."

A sword materialized almost out of thin air in front of the woman and in one quick, smooth motion she swung her arm, grabbing the hilt of the sword out of the air and gave it a slight flick. With an eerie glow, the blade lashed out in a long stream of segments toward Kouji's face in a whip-like manner - very odd for a sword, but very painful.

As the sword retracted itself from its first attack Chika brought it down to her side, ready to strike again as needed, and grinned menacingly at the three men.

"...the last man who thought he could lie to me died a long, terrifying death."

She was referring to her husband, who in fact wasn't dead...yet, that was.

[Zeke Omoihake]

Zeke leapt a few feet behind Kouji and Donovan. He knew enough of his place in combat to know that he'd do more good at a distance. Too far for the enemy's strikes, but not too far to be caught alone if the enemy out maneuvered the other two. His brush slid out from his holster and swung around to attempt a flank on Chika.

The woman's grim demeanor and threats sent a chill down Zeke's spine. He was still less than happy about having to fight, god forbid kill other people. I don't think I can do this yet. There has to be another way. Maybe if I can just talk her out of this, then we don't have to do anything drastic? His brush stayed at the ready, hesitating at moving in any further.

"Please, surely we don't have to fight each other? Isn't there another way? After all, who really wants to end the world?" Zeke's questions spewed out of his mouth in a pleading fashion.

[chika]

Chika blinked for a moment, keeping her sword at the ready but still acknowledging Zeke. There were things that she could say, but should she really tell them? Maybe it would come out as an advantage on her end, but perhaps it wouldn't...

"Your friends pulled their weapons first, I react. It's as simple as that," despite how cold her voice had become, she had the warmest of smiles as she spoke, "I'll fight as long as you boys are willing to fight me, but I'm not here to end the world, nor am I here to kill anyone."

And that was the truth. It had been awhile since she'd received orders from Zelos, and at the moment any talk that came of the heroes from Earth he'd only ever mentioned Andy Jammer. For his own reasons, Zelos seemed to be preoccupied with Jammer, which left Chika to decide what would happen if she ran into the other heroes.

She could kill them and somehow she didn't think Zelos would care, but as of late she had only a real desire to hunt down and kill only one man, and that was entirely revenge-based. However, it was still a reason.

And for Chika, if you had no reason to kill then you really shouldn't. The heroes were here, in front of her, and they threatened the Sumata's success as a whole - but unless they threatened Zelos' life itself she really felt no need to do anything crazy like murder someone.

The men in front of her wouldn't have seen it, probably wouldn't have even known that anything was even going on, but Chika could feel it. The hilt of her sword increased in temperature in Chika's hand, and it shook ever so slightly, it was almost like it was eager to fight.

[Kouji - Hikari no Shiro Okami]

((ooh. Howl, Zabimaru?))

Kouji's eyes narrowed, his staff out as he ducked her first strike.

"Why should we believe you? Forgive me, but the Sumata don't exactly seem to be into the whole honor-and-mercy thing."

[Donovan Siroaki]

"Good God, this is just retarded," Donovan scoffed as he placed his decks back into their respective holsters.

"If you don't wanna fight, then piss off and let us through. You think we get some kinda joy from having to fight people, cause I sure as hell know I'd rather just avoid having to deal with people like you in the first place."

Donovan sighed heavily, something he had begun to do more and more since his death.

"You know we're "heroes" and we know your with these Sumata people, big f****** deal, I couldn't give a s*** what happens here, but I've got something I've gotta do and that doesn't involve fighting you, so if you've got some petty want to fight, have a go with staff boy over here; Zeke and I've got better things to do."

Donovan sounded as sincere as he could with this remark. He didn't really care what happened to this place, all he wanted was to give Zeke a second chance at life, and if that meant coincidentally saving this place, then so be it. After that, this place could disappear for all he cared.

[chika]

"You'll find the honor-and-mercy thing depending on who in the Sumata you talk to, sir," Chika simply replied and awaited to send another attack.

However, when no one even tried to attack she simply rose an eyebrow, especially at Donovan whom she'd thought would have been the first to start fighting.

"You definitely are not from Crepusculum. And it's funny, but from what I hear, you should be caring a bit more about Crepusculum than you think - if it goes down, so does the Earth that you live on. The planets need each other..."

She changed the subject, however. With a big grin and a wink at Donovan she said, "We don't have to fight, I could just throw you in the Guasto castle's dungeon instead for my king to deal with you later if you so wish. The choice is yours as I'm not allowing you to pass through the rest of Guasto for being such rude and a definite disturbance to the civilians of the country."

She wasn't going to fight, the Sumata captain wasn't going to fight them...and the sword in her hand shook even more.

[Kouji - Hikari no Shiro Okami]

Kouji's staff lowered cautiously.

"We can't allow ourselves to be thrown in prison, or hindered. I'm sorry, but... if you cannot let us go, then we have to fight."

He looked back at Donovan and Zeke. "Do you think for a moment that if they conquer this place they won't go for Earth as well? The gates exist... we're too tempting a target. She's right, much as I hat to admit it. If you want to run away like cowards, so be it."