Noir

Yukine was still wary. Admittedly, she had reason to -- Debronee sensed that the eerie, powerful aura was getting stronger, and heading nearer as they were here. Debronee postured himself beside the door; in such a way that whoever came in couldn't see him from front view, and the darkness and fog veiled him if the window would welcome its entry, opposite to where his Master was. He withdrew his sleek, ruby-coated blade silently, clutching it tightly with his gloved, clenched fingers. The room was now silent enough to hear a pin drop, silent enough for Debronee to listen to his master's wary, thumping heartbeat, while his own still remained steady and calm. Regardless of how powerful the enemy was, the unseen blade would be the deadliest; and a sword in the back would be better than two in the front. He was determined to perforate his blade right into the creature's back -- if it, somehow miraculously managed to find them -- aiming for the strike on the vulnerable where liquid blood would splutter uncontrollably, to pierce it through the back and straight into the heart. Or at the very least, damage it direly. All he needed was for it to come in; and in one unsuspecting moment, albeit reluctantly, with his Master at the ready, and Debronee, for the surprise attack. He now waited in anticipation; a growl, footsteps, something breaking. It would be the signal to be ready; for the strike, or the kill. ((Before this invites misunderstandings Hukuna I'm not saying I can kill you or beat you like that; this is just the Servant's POV where he thinks it would work.))

"With this, we should be safe -- for the moment," Debronee remarked, a satisfaction welling upon his heart, despite the emotionless face remaining indifferent, as it had always. The sounds of the prana continued to echo -- unfamiliar voices oscillating the sweet and the bitter, words he would recognize and hear clearly if they didn't overlap together. The array of voices resembled that of his master's, giving away memories he found he had no right to question or press for. Magic goes to the soul itself, he thought. "Perhaps we should examine the room," He suggested, taking a few steps deeper inside, unable to see much clearly due to the vagueness of the fog, more or less recognize the objects there; he was an alien amidst his Master's society, although the inquisitive swordsman was determined to adapt to it as quickly as possible. For now, the first thing he wanted to assess was the furbishment's unknown owner.Rather, he wanted to know how long the person who lived here -- or people -- would be away from the place, and hopefully for a reasonably long time, perhaps out of work, or holiday. It would be a mess for them to be discovered of their inconspicuous break-in and be forced to run and hide again.

Debronee and Yukine "So be it, Master." He said, his steps unwavering, continuing towards a path that he knew not where it would lead them to. The short interval of five spots for Yukine to scatter the hairs finalized the area they wanted to cover. As Yukine left the final strand of hair on an unknown area, Debronee caught sight of a towering building in the south; what particularly appealed was the middle of it where the windows were empty of light. Debronee thought about how it would be wise to escape from the area, and the fact that the apartment didn't appear from far from where they was. Noticing a path that led out of the housing area district with thick trees aligned at the sides, he took it and hoped that the road would lead him at least close to where he wanted to go. "I have a thought, Master." He began, pointing towards the apartment while heading towards it. "Look -- that tall building with lots of floors. It seems very strategic, and it seems to be only a stone's throw away. I think this fork through this forest path will lead us there, Master. Although it's isolated from this area, I presume the beast will continue looking here for a while; and even if it does find us there, I don't think he'll be able to come to us without being extremely obvious.....unless it's able to climb up to that a height and barge in through the windows, likely as it may. Besides, I doubt its master would want to terrorize the people who live in there. I'm convinced it's looking for us, and nothing else. The only slim chances are sneaking in and finding a hopefully vacant room for use to take refuge in, but a good bet nonetheless, especially with our invisibility."

The bellow of the howling beast echoed within the night as a powerful impact surged within the roof. So you've come, he thought. Whatever you are. The creature's silhouette within the dark revealed only a canine-like snout and sharp, twitching ears, moving in the wind, in an attempt to sense for the most silent or sound. Its presence made the two much more wary, as he sensed slight movement from her master's lips -- perhaps in prayer of hoping nothing bad would happen, or the fortune of the both of them not being seen by it yet. His hunch was correct; the wolf was exceedingly savage. It didn't know we were here in the first place, he assumed, the words unspoken, hidden in his head. Someone -- its master, perhaps -- had guessed so. An aggressive play. Recalling the possibility in that he might have left some sort of sign and clue that led the beast here, he blamed himself again in his mind. Yukine seemed convinced that the creature no longer tracked them through mana; casting a spell that hid their presence after her fingers gestured in understandable signals, she now permitted him to use mana, realizing that while -- or now -- that the enemy was near, it couldn't track them through magic as they first suspected, and tried to avoid. A mild skepticism remained in him at his Master's order, knowing that despite his master's consent, he knew that he needed to expend the mana sparingly; Yukine had already used quite some portion of her magic, and Debronee pondered upon the possibility that they couldn't judge that beast's sensory skills that lightly yet. "Pray my steps reveal not our stature to the adversary," He whispered, barely detectable for Yukine. Thankfully, the enemy's position did not affect their decided route, as he readied himself for his descent from the roof, knowing that one slip up would mean a result beyond consequential. Debronee descended silently with his Phantasm, now more comfortable with his standard speed, across the straight road, urging to distance himself and Yukine from the beast as further away as possible. Sprinting -- or gliding, to unkeen eyes -- along the undeviating road, he was determined to put his Master's plan set in action without flaw. Heeding the order to slow down between a fifty-meter interval -- allowing Yukine, with her enchanted strands of hair clutched in her fist, to scatter the inconspicuous threads -- Debronee encircled the vicinity as quiet as the night, yet as swift as a flying arrow, all the while knowing that speed was no longer the important factor; the enemy couid still sense them by sound. Fifteen minutes had passed. Carefully maneuvering around their foe, ((using Flicker approximately thrice)) Debronee had escorted his Master around ninety-four spots around the vicinity. Seeing that his task was nearly complete, Debronee simultaneously committed to the next, his scarlet orbs darting around the houses that aligned beside them; some were of total darkness, others leaving traces of light beneath the doors and windows. "Master," He addressed, as he took Yukine to the ninety-fifth spot. "Would you prefer to blend in with the surroundings or head towards a more...discreet area?"

Debronee and Yukine A slight relief entered him as his misplaced fear of Yukine using her blood for the spell was eradicated. Even so, there was no time to waste or falter. Debronee decided to survey the general surroundings from above, his sanguine eyes darting in all directions searching for the highest point -- or at least, a point high enough for the both of them to determine what way would be best to go, instead of blindly running around their unfamiliar surroundings. He didn't take long to find such a spot, as his eyes fixated towards the south after darting his head in all directions, aiming at what seemed to be a slightly bigger building that the rest of the houses that aligned the residential path. After taking a deep breath, Debronee ran at an admirable speed that lasted what was perhaps a few steps, before his powerful legs leapt to multiple structures along the building he chose for support, ascending higher, heading towards the top. Within seconds, his feet now rested at a tiled, sloped roof of a large bungalow, providing him with the much needed view of complex network of roads that surrounded the residential area. Within the darkness of the night only lit by the faint light of the moon and streetlights, Debronee identified and debated between two paths to opt for their beginning. Each fork had its advantages; the longer, straighter road would mean more time spared to finish the course, whereas the more curved path, riddled by twists and turns, would provide a slightly wider area of coverage. "Now, Master," He said, getting ready to descend, in another daring jump. "Where shall the scatter begin? Do worry not, this roof isn't that high, and as you ordered, I will not use any magic unless necessary." He said, recalling that he had used his Phantasm earlier to brace themselves from the significantly higher jump. "And one more thing -- are we to return back to......that place?" He muttered hesitantly, knowing that the girl had asked him to stray away from that dreadful hotel where his master had suffered her torment, and it would certainly be against her fancy to return there again. Yet.... "Do you think what's coming for us can track us through our passing there, and it would be best if we left another trace there to divert the possible trail? 'Twas just a thought."

For the first time, Debronee put thought to his master's order. Having obeyed without question or doubt within the short time the two had had acquainted, it seemed wrong to the man to do so, but his mind swiftly contemplated the array of thoughts that shrouded his mind, thinking Yukine's plan through. It was slightly double-edged, but manageable; Debronee could cover the desired area in a short amount of time, but Debronee's speed was significantly slower without his primary Phantasm, although as a standalone he could still run faster than even the top athletics, and soundlessly, no less. Then again, the imminent threat had possibly come due to have sensed his mana use -- a mistake he reprimanded himself for in his head, unexpected as it was -- meant that conserving it would also be beneficial. His master was also now fixing the possible mistake he had made, to distract the enemy and to buy time to scavenge for temporary refuge; secretly, he hoped that he need not use force to find his Master an appropriate place to rest for the night. Debronee's first movement after hearing his Master's plan was the withdrawal of a rather short machete from his pocket, brandishing the keen edge of the small blade as it glistened into the night. "What do you intend to do for the spell?" His voice was a curious one, positioning himself to carry his master again to commence the plan, handing the small blade over acquiescently. They didn't have much time. Blood? The thought of his master leaving her blood on so many spots admittedly disturbed him as it is, adding the fact that it might possibly backfire if their hunter strived for it. Yet at the same time, it was also an ample opportunity to observe his master's capabilities. He was, admittedly, very impressed by Yukine's swift, elaborate planning, and a stubborn curiosity weighed on him, as he wondered if the girl's magic was as practical as her razor-sharp mind.

"Wait," Debronee remarked. "Can you hear that?" It was an animalistic bellow. An enemy was within their ranks. A Servant; one of zealous rage and ruthless lust. The fact that it would make such noise made it seem more brawny than brainy, meaning whatever that was prowling in the area cared not that anyone could sense it. A reckless form of action, he thought. No such action would go unnoticed by the man's honed, sensitive constitutions. Regardless, a slight wariness entered Debronee's calm composure like an annoying, stubborn fly; he was convinced that whatever was coming, was powerful; quite possibly more powerful than he was. "Something's here," He remarked. "Plundering house to house would seem fine originally, but not with this monstrosity around. Finding an appropriate residence comes first, so it's best if we didn't fight it directly as of now." Things were happening faster than he'd anticipated them to be. The strings of fate gave them no breathing room in this game of free for all, to hunt or be hunted, to kill or be killed. What mattered now, at the very least, was to keep his Master safe -- regardless of means, and even if it meant a night. The following dawn would welcome opportunities for the two to continue searching, or at least Debronee, if his master would consent it, would scavenge the night to adapt to the ways of the world and scavenge for more supplies. This would be a question best left until he got his Master to an appropriate sanctuary, however. "We'd better find a place where we can take enough to last for at least a few days. Or for one night, at the very least. To that, we need to plunder from a more..... luxurious parlor, or another place where a large amount currency is kept, perhaps." He suggested. "If I may, are you familiar with banks, Master? I'm uncertain as to how they work in this world, but to my knowledge, there are places where a large portion of money is managed for a certain community, for withdrawal or storage. Besides, the area seems to be a residence; a facility like this should exist nearby."

I guess I'm generalizing things a bit too highly, but its sort of common knowledge that Assassin/Berserker matchups are kinda one-sided,aren't they? I get the details and all, but I doubt this will be a matter of sheer hide and seek.

Yeah, pit me up on a disadvantage first round without my skill/stat reworks yet, gg Not sure how that's gonna work out.

"Very well, Master." Debronee, now cradling the young girl in his arms, leapt onto and balanced himself on the hinge of the window. "Do hang on tight." His scarlet eyes only watched the ground. The pupils expanded slightly, perhaps estimating the distance of the fall, as his grip tightened slightly around his Master's shapely figure. The evening breeze ruffled his spiky hair as he stared at the road below for a few moments, examining the area; there was not a soul in sight, and only the hissing of the breeze and the flickering of the worn streetlights. True to his class, Debronee was adept in stealth and silence; pitted against the seemingly suicidal fall from such a distance, Debronee knew he would reach the ground safely with only the sound of the wind. His feet departed the supportive bar of metal they stood on as he committed the daring jump; as Debronee descended from the height at a high speed, his body, honed for sense, attempted to lash at the ground at a precise moment. His scarlet orbs enlarged again as he reached what was a meter and a half above the road below, his body attempting to sense the streams of the air, waiting for the opportunity. Three seconds the two spent in mid-air, before in an instant, the Servant flashed toward the ground with his master along with it, ignoring the distance and forceful impact the pull of gravity threatened them with. Their landing ensued soundlessly and gently, the soles of his feet now firm on the ground, as if he simply landed on a bed of soft pillows. Stealing a final glance of the building as he carried his master on their abscond, it took not a second before Debronee continued running; yet his feet seemed aloft, as there was not the sound of footsteps hammering the ground as he sped across the roads, heading towards an unknown destination. What was important, for now, was to get away from the place at a reasonable distance. A distance where his master would be free of the torment the dreadful place had cursed her with. Only the serenity of the night could notice his incredible speed, as the twists and turns he took along the complex network of roads were only detectable as derisory, vague movements of shadows under the dull glow of the streetlights. Their journey was a short one -- at least, in terms of the time it took. Debronee stopped on what seemed to be the side of a road, in front of vague shapes of buildings before him with their lights still open; the vicinity appeared to be a residential area, with a few places still active amidst the chilly night. "We now distance that place by a mile," He said, Yukine still in his arms. "Now, to attend to your funds, Master?"

"To plunder funding.....and to seek a base, a building such as this," The man contemplated. "Are you familiar with this area? If I may, guide me as we escape, Master, unless I am to survey this vicinity myself." The thought suddenly crossed out of his mind. The Servant had to carry the Master down, but still....... "If I may, Master....." Hesitantly and somewhat awkwardly, Debronee knelt down with open, beckoning palms, a slight distance apart from each other. Admittedly, he wasn't comfortable with......such a form physical contact on his Master, without her permission, at the very least. ((Trying to avoid bunnying due to a small note I took in the afternoon which is why this is short too. After your approval I'll probably manage a long one.))

"Without delay, my Master. Please, step back." Debronee answered deferentially. As the girl stepped away from the window, she watched him with concerned eyes. Surely if he intended to break the bars by force, it wouldn't be a surprise if someone would hear it. "A blade is most potent when not sensed," Debronee conveyed convincingly, as if giving an answer to a riddle. "A blade unseen -- or unheard -- is a blade deadliest." Debronee stared at the metal grills -- his target, the inanimate object his sword hungered to break. With a swift movement, he lashed his blade at the grills at an unseeable speed and skillful force, yet with a silence breathless with adoration. Silently, the grills slit into pieces, Debronee being careful to pick them up before the echo of the steel cluttered onto the solid ground. The evening wind of the outside world entered the secluded room, the breeze so free, so exquisite, giving off the scent of freedom the girl longed for. The delicate moment seemed a luxury beneath the walls that kept them like a prison with no way out, the open space of the window now the beginning of their route to their escapade. "One more thing. When I take you out, Master....where do you wish to go?"

"Oh, my apologies." Debronee turned to Yukine, after hearing her briefing of the building's structure and peering outside the window. He had forgotten to introduce his class, and scolded himself in his mind for it. "I am of the Assassin Class." The way his master described their situation, they were like Hansel and Gretel in the witch's cottage; or insects in a spider's web. Whoever made this place planned the security elaborately and strictly, it would take a miracle for a normal person to escape. While Debronee felt confident he could take the personnel alone, his master's request to avoid any unnecessary strife -- admittedly a forte of his, as it may -- made him rethink a plan. He took a few steps toward the window and examined the view from outside, noticing weathered, flickering streetlights that illuminated the ground beneath them, the late night meaning that only little by-passers were there. It mattered not, nonetheless; the night would cover Debronee like an invisible veil, if he so desired. He then surveyed the outside of the balcony; while open, getting out from there safely was, admittedly, more risky the the window, albeit manageable. Debronee wondered if his Master was one who could tolerate leaping from such a high distance, before brushing the thought aside and returning to the windows. He then opened them and ran his fingers upon the cold steel that sealed the open space of the window, that aligned the otherwise easy way to escape. Odd gestures from his fingers allowed him to determine the stability of the metal. With that, he finalized his plan. "Well, then, Master, I have several means to escort your escape." He turned to his Master again. "Although with minimal bloodshed and the least risk, I would suggest the window; the balcony can also work, but that's a matter of whether of not you're comfortable with......a moderately steep jump. Is the room built in with an alert system of sorts? The grills aren't that solid; breaking them would be easy, but it'd be best to be wary."

The girl was unsure of herself, but Debronee felt a slight relief bestowed upon him upon hearing his Master's newfound resolve. "Judge lightly not of yourself, Master." Debronee said. "Worry not of that; it is usually the Servant who fights, and, as a double-edged rule, any pair whose Master is defeated is forfeit of the Grail. Worry not, however, but my one sole priority, is to keep you safe, Master, and it pleases me in itself that you have the resolve to fight. Regardless of soul, cooperation surmounts any strength. I see to it that we will make a potent pair." "Now," Debronee repeated another bow, extending a gloved hand. "Your orders, Master? Or need I explain more? I shall leave no doubt unanswered."

"My name is Debronee," The man whispered. "Call me whatever you please, Master." The girl, evidently shocked over the event, introduced herself, her voice cutting in between over her fear. His master's name was Yukine, and she was, as expected, a magus. Debronee could sense a certain degree of strength emanating behind the visage of seemingly frail girl. A prostitute.....such a word was unfamiliar to him, but he could tell from the girl's melancholic face that she had been through things; terrible things no one else had. As her eyes struggled to keep the water in as they continued trembling at the man's expressionless gaze, he spoke again. "You seem troubled, Master." Debronee's tone lightened. Her timid stature convinced him that it wasn't just the shock of the summoning that frightened her; it was himself. "Do forgive me to have discomforted you. However, it is my promise, and duty, that I see to that you are unharmed and well." The girl seemed confused and unsure of the current circumstances. It would seem difficult enough to assure her that only good intentions he would provide her as per his summoning here. "You have called me here for a purpose." He continued. "To see to that we strive and win for the Holy Grail. My existence clings on a sustainable source of mana, particularly from a mage, as yourself, Master, have mentioned. To this, there are six others, like me, like you, Master, that have developed their pacts, and strive for the same goal; however, only one pair can acquire the Grail, and with it, comes any wish you desire, Master." "Until I die, or until we obtain the Grail, I will be your ally. Your sword, and your shield." He reaffirmed. "You have my word."

Before the raven-haired girl the unusual began to ensue. In a blinding display of light that followed after the ritual was complete, there was the white figure of a being materializing before her. As the phenomena continued before her, a masculine voice answered her ritual as poetically as her words had beseeched his presence. "Loyalty and servitude I vow henceforth, my every move, you shall decide; My companionship I pledge, forevermore, for I am yours to befriend; and to confide." The voice stopped, and the light faded into a dull, scarlet glow. Before the girl now stood a man; he was tall, his attire a black rivaling that of the girl's hair, the most notable of it being a long jacket that trailed to the end of his thighs, revealing only slight traces of cloth and plating underneath. He examined the lass before her with emotionless, scarlet eyes, curtained by strands of spiky, smoke white hair that danced with the corollary force of the ritual, before diverting the red orbs around his body; the body seemed to be reformed, reborn, as he clenched his fingers of his left hand, picking the slightest of scents and sounds, trying to grasp all senses within the dimension he was now in. Within the firm grasp of his gloved right hand was a sword, an unusual blade that the girl had never seen before, the cold grey of the steel edges adorned by rubies, like the sanguine the sinister sharpness of a blade longed to shred out from the warmth of living flesh. There was an odd, equanimous certainty in him as his scarlet gaze continued to eye Yukine. The girl before her gave him the feeling of purpose; the notion of responsibility. It was her who had called for him. No one else was there in the empty room, and if anyone had summoned him, it would be her. The man's posture lowered to a courteous bow, and the eyes seemed to speak as firmly, as reassuringly, as the mouth moved and gave off the words: "You summoned me, Master?" ((I'm laate. Also hope this is alright, correct me if I've done anything wrong.))

Sorry Im a little late specifically to master-san Acqui. I'll get to it after classes today.

Anyone who knows French knows the meaning behind my last name, which is also my common name. Yagami was something I kinda squeezed in instinctively. There are a lot of Yagami's out there like the obvious Death Note one being Yagami Light and the other from Stigma of the Wind (the protagonist being Kazuma Yagami). It contrasts with Yagami Light, YagamiNoir relating to the dark from both sides. Kinda depicts the dark person I am.

With kind encouragement from Murdoc, I have myself a character: Debronee, the Sabre of Reprisal Character (Original RPer): Debronee Classes: Assassin/Saber Alignment: Lawful Neutral Parameters Strength: C Endurance: E Agility: B (B+ during Flicker) Mana: D Luck: C Phantasm: B Class Skills Presence Concealment C Battle Continuation D Personal Skills Eternal Arms Mastership C Eye of the Mind (True) C Warpath C (The descendant of two powerful swordclans and the disciple of a prime swordsman, granting significantly above-ordinary swordfight capability) Bloodlust C (Debronee empowers himself with every shed of blood his blade manages to shred out) Noble Phantasms Ring (B, Anti-Unit) An adept and defining epitome of speed and agility, Debronee excels in mobile, fast-paced melee fighting. Debronee descends open his target instanteously from a short distance and rapidly strikes multiple times in quick succession in a surrounding, oblong motion at an unseeable speed. Flicker (C, Anti-Self) Debronee immediately teleports to a specific location. For a short duration after flickering, Debronee gains significantly increased speed. Holocaust (B, Anti-Army) Debronee descends from the air, charging towards the ground from a low altitude and creating a tremor that cracks the earth beneath him. A brief duration after, countless, small blades protrude upward from the gaps, eviscerating all in contact.

I personally deem Grass Knot essential. Water types are fairly bulky in their own right, so a reliable way to deal significant damage to them is important. Apart from Water STAB, X-Scissor is also important for Grass types, so to speak. The final move is pretty much a toss up; the similarity between Extrasensory and Bounce is that they hit Fighting types. I'm not sure if the TM is available yet, but a Hidden Power of choice if available could be more effective.

Mirror Coat Gothitelle/Magnezone on an appropriate move works sometimes. You just got to survive one hit, which is, well, possible unless you're really squishy.

Whoops, I forgot about that. I was aware by the fact that she was a suit of armor, but it kinda flowed that I could give her physical describing. I'll...go change that. Sorry.

So much for that, the silver-haired elf thought. There was a plegmatic, admittedly rather surrendering look in his eyes as he glanced backward at Matthew. Perhaps Debronee would've responded faster? It likely would've have made a difference. He then turned to the two newcomers of the feud, misty figures......from the afterlife, summoned by the suit of armor. It was an easy and accurate presumption that the two pillars of wind had responded under the call of Snow's horn. They didn't need more opponents -- not now -- but perhaps Snow was now bored with playing, and decided to toy them like lambs to the slaughter before she decided to do whatever she would do that her power would allow her? He examined her tone as she conversed with the two others fade into slight equanimity and relaxation, as if she were appeased by the arrival of the two warriors. Opponents the three could defeat or not, Debronee knew that Snow wanted the enjoy the ensuing battle. Debronee's eyes stared back at Matthew. The purple spheres seemed to attempt to carve the words into the pirate's mind: "What now, genius?" Maybe it's time I did things my way, if this fails, and if we even manage to stand once we figure the other two out.

Huk, soo...what happens now? It seems you're calling for new guys to help out, so the best I could do is to try and attack before that happens, but well, this battle goes under your shaping, so.