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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2018 21:45:01 GMT -5
 T H E F R E E S H O O T E R
➳ ➳ ➳
Braig walked slowly towards the place he had once considered home. The sniper regretted every step, nearly every fiber in his being screaming out in protest as he drew nearer: Run. He kept his head lowered, meeting the judging side-glances of the civilians with a snarling grin and a piercing stare. They didn't know he was much more dangerous than a curious oddity.
Returning here had been a bad idea. An incredibly bad idea. Yet, he had come back anyway. His homecoming hadn't been an act of homesickness, or compassion, but instead, an act of desperation. The months spent bouncing between worlds hadn't been kind to the Freeshooter. His uniform, once pristine at the time of his rebirth, was dark with dirt and tainted with faded bloodstains. His scarf hung torn and ragged around his neck like the crimson flash of a battleworn matador. A dozen new scars dotted his body, yet his golden eye blazed on like hot metal.
Finances had run short months ago, something the Freeshooter had been temporarily been able to relieve by resorting back to the thieving talents of his youth. What had begun as simple pickpocketing had escalated towards pursuits of bigger bounties. Within weeks, the sniper was sustaining himself with a mix of robberies and mercenary work. It lined his pockets, the one-eyed man able to live like a king...
... until the loose ends caught up to him.
Without fail, his reckless handlings left too many leads, and the local law force always found a way to the sniper. Sometimes it took days, sometimes weeks. The first few times, his conflicts ended with firefights, but that only provided temporary relief. Rarely, the sniper would agree to go peacefully, only for his incarcerators to be greeted with an empty jail cell the next morning. Either way, the Freeshooter would soon be long gone, on his way to another world and another heist. His mug was probably on hundreds of wanted posters across a dozen worlds by now.
Such was the life of a Freeshooter.
His 'work' was beginning to run thin, his blacklisted worlds growing too numerous to manage, and for the first time since his rebirth, he found himself without a plan. A long night spent in the pubs of Port Royal had concluded with a hastily drawn solution: return to Radiant Garden. From there, the path was less clear. He had kept several caches squirreled away on the castle grounds for hard times. Provided his former allies hadn't found his little nest eggs first, the cash inside would be enough to last the renegade sniper until he found more... fortunate hunting grounds.
Braig found himself at the castle, gates sealed firmly shut. The message was clear: 'No one's home. Go away.' But it'd take more than that to deter the Freeshooter. A quick blink took him through the outer walls, making entering the castle itself as simple as opening an inconspicuous side door. Once inside, his footsteps echoed against the once-ornate tile floors as he wound through the interior halls. It felt odd, to be back in the place he once had called home. Yet, it was if the reconstructed halls themselves somehow bore some kind of unspoken hostilities towards the sniper.
He didn't belong here.
TAG: @ienzo ➳ WORDS: 560
NOTES: Should've installed a better security system. |
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2018 23:29:29 GMT -5
“ DON'T WORRY, I'LL BE FINE. Ienzo/Zexion @braig 745 Words Like the rest of Ansem the Wise's apprentices, Ienzo had been reborn quite some time ago. However, he viewed things differently than the rest of the apprentices. Each of them were still similar or exactly the same as their nobody had been in some way, shape, or form. But Ienzo? No. He had actually finally been able to break through the haze that had plagued him. He saw the horrific results of what they had done, and was able to process them in such a way that made it clear that they had unleashed a horrible plague onto the World.
Many of the reborn apprentices had abandoned Radiant Garden soon after awakening once more in the castle. But Ienzo did not do this. In fact, he went the entire opposing direction. For months now, he had not left the castle even once. He spent most of his time in the Master's library or in the lab, trying to piece together the events that had happened after he had been slain by Axel and one of Even's replica projects. That would have been his job today as well. He was only just beginning to understand what had happened after his demise.
And yet..something felt..off. Without saying a word, Ienzo walked into the lab that was near the Library. There was not a lot of security that still functioned here..but there were cameras. It took quite a bit of willpower to tear himself away from the various journals and entries left behind by the master, but this feeling was too strange and out of nowhere to be ignored. It simply could not be helped.
While he was unfortunately locked out of many of the functions of the main computer that was within the lab, there was still a handful of security functions that he could activate. Unfortunately, there was only one function that actually worked. The ability to check the cameras. The outside ones showed very little that was out of the normal. So Ienzo began to cycle through the handful of internal ones..until he found the source of this feeling.
He would have known that outfit anywhere. It was the outfit that many of the guards of the castle had worn..with one exception. A closer look at the picture solidified it. There was a black spot around where the right eye he only knew one person that had a missing eye. Xig-no. Not Xigbar. None of them were their nobody counterparts anymore. This was Braig.
Ienzo sighed. He didn't like this. Braig had not reformed alongside them. There was obviously something deeply wrong here. So, Ienzo left the lab. As he walked past the library, he held his hand out, and a very familiar black bound book flew into it. Zexion's weapon. The Book of Retribution.
While Ienzo was taking care to walk very quietly, it seemed that this unwelcome guest was not. Ienzo could hear the click of his shoes from a fair distance. He cleared his throat, and spoke with the intent to be heard.
"Well. It seems that even those of us who did not piece ourselves back together here eventually come crawling back." He said as he turned a corner, hopefully still ending up in Braig's line of sight. "I would have assumed that you, of all people would have remained as far away from the castle as possible. After all..this was the place where we committed to many twisted acts in the pursuit of 'knowledge'. He said as he kept his weapon tucked under his arm.
"Then again..you never were one for planning. Or even for that much action. Always lounging around on a couch, or sending off others to do your work. And given the look of that uniform you don't deserve to be wearing..I'd say that your improvisation has fallen through, has it not? Stop me if I'm wrong."
He said, walking into the corridor that Braig had been walking down, ending up directly in his path. Just like the rest of the group, he appeared much the same as he had looked as a Nobody. However..something seemed off about him. The bags around his eyes. The look that betrayed a deep sense of mistrust. He wasn't the same as the rest of the apprentices. Most of them had retained some aspect of their personalities as a nobody. But Ienzo seemed to be the exception. This was an interesting development. |
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2018 19:21:57 GMT -5
T H E F R E E S H O O T E R
➳ ➳ ➳
'Well, this isn't good,' had been the only thought the cross through the Freeshooter's mind when he had suddenly found himself face-to-face with the Cloaked Schemer himself. The other had caught him off guard, a combination of the sniper's brash footfalls and his enormous blindspot masking any signs of Ienzo's approach until they were face to face. His golden eye narrowed to a brief slit in surprise.
Braig almost hadn't recognized him at first. The young man that stood before him was definitely Ienzo... After all, the crop of steel-blue hair was a dead giveaway... but there was something definitely wrong, for the look the Schemer was giving him was nothing short of haunting. He looked beyond tired, older, and the sniper had a nagging suspicion that the other had been spending far too long buried in his books.
Speaking of books...
The sniper's eye trailed over to the thick tome tucked under the Schemer's arm. It had almost a year since he had last seen Zexion, but he was still able to recognize the ebony lexicon as none other than the Book of Retribution.
'Things just got a whole lot worse,' He thought.
Braig considered himself a capable escape artist, it came with the nature of his powers after all, but that was one of the few things he couldn't run from. Get trapped in one of the Schemer's illusions and it might as well be game over for him. Instead of trying to flee or draw his Sharpshooters, he simply raised both white-gloved hands, dirty palms exposed in a mock surrender. For now, he would just have to play it safe if he wanted to enjoy life outside of that dusty book.
"Just stopping by to see what you all have done with the place, kiddo" Braig quipped dryly. It should have no surprise to the Schemer that the Freeshooter wasn't going to give a straight answer that easily. After all, being difficult was practically a hobby for the sniper.
"I must say that I'm impressed. This tile..." He rambled, voice dripping with sarcasm as he rooted up half of a cracked tile with the toe of boot. "... I love it."
Aside from the small blinking light of the security cam that had eluded his careful eye, this castle looked nearly completely forgotten. Questions bubbled up in the sniper's mind. Was Ienzo the only one still here?... Where were the others?
He let Ienzo talk uninterrupted, only letting out a rough laugh in response. Truth be told, Ienzo's characterization of him had been almost painfully accurate, and it dug at his pride. The Freeshooter knew that his appearance had said everything Ienzo needed to know. Those less fortuitous months had left their mark on him in more ways than one, and it showed in ways he couldn't hide. Subtle changes, like a certain gauntness to his face... the dark rings under his eyes... how it seemed like his uniform jacket hung just a bit too loose now...
He would have sent his Sniper nobodies long ago, if he still had them. Unfortunately, the ornery beasts refused to so much as acknowledge his existence after he had been reborn. Where they were now was anybody's guess, but if Braig ever saw them again, he'd be sure to save an arrow for those ungrateful creatures.
"You don't look so good yourself, kid."
TAG: @ienzo ➳ WORDS: 563
NOTES: "Look, kid, can we put the dictionary away already?" |
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2018 0:40:44 GMT -5
“ DON'T WORRY, I'LL BE FINE. Of the many skills he had gathered over the years, reading people had always been an important skill that he had honed. After all, illusions were only useful if one could properly analyze an opponent. As such, Ienzo's entrance to the main hallway had quickly turned into a stand off, with each man analyzing the other. From the way Braig reacted to him being here, and how quickly his eye had flickered down to the book at his side, Ienzo knew that The Freeshooter understood the magnitude of the mistake that he had made. Good. That meant he wouldn't try anything stupid.
At least..that was what Ienzo was telling himself. Truthfully, he didn't know what precisely was going on in the Freeshooter's head. As such, there was an undeniable air of tension about the two men. As Braig raised his hands, Ienzo felt the muscles in his arms tense beneath the loose fitting lab coat that he wore. However..it seemed that he was at least willing to admit that he was in a scenario that was weighted heavily against him.
As Braig continued to interrupt him however, Ienzo merely rolled his eyes. He had expected vague answers. After all, during his time as Zexion, he had been the king of that particular game. "Well, this castle has been abandoned for years. I would expect there to be some wear and tear."
He quipped back, allowing his weapon to drop into his outstretched right hand. There were very few people that he still trusted. The list started with himself, and ended with the handful of people that revived alongside him here in the castle.
Braig had not been one of those people. While many would have chalked it up to coincidence, that told the Schemer volumes. Of course, given how curt he had been with the Freeshooter, that was definitely clear. Of course, he merely laughed it off. That had been his go to. Laugh off anything he could. It had infuriated Zexion..and that was still the case now, with Ienzo.
However, he did take the time to point out something that was rather obvious. As much as Ienzo had picked apart his fellow apprentice's less than stellar appearance, he didn't look all that good himself. It was true enough. He didn't even know if the other apprentices who had woken here were still in the castle.
He had been digging around throughout the various libraries, trying to find as much remaining information on the heart as he could gather. The majority of the time he spent awake was spent with his nose in a book of some sort. The more things changed, the more they remained the same.
Of course, while Ienzo himself wanted to physically throw Braig out of the castle..there was a voice in the back of his head telling him that he was being ridiculous. It was a very familiar voice. Zexion. The person he had been for so many years. The voice told him that making an enemy of Braig was counterproductive. He could not handle his own plans all alone. But Ienzo quashed that voice. He had only one plan. Await Ansem the Wise's return in solitude.
A heart came with many things. Emotions were the primary benefit. Unfortunately, Ienzo was hit rather negatively by the very thing his heart gave him. While he had thrown everything away in the pursuit of knowledge with Xehanort, his returned heart came with a conscience. Truly, Ienzo was of two minds about what to do with Braig. For now, he would have to play it by ear. While he did hate doing that, it seemed he would have to get over it.
Before too much time could pass after Braig pointed out his own deteriorating appearance, Ienzo spoke up again. "That will happen, when you spend as much time researching as I have." He said rather simply, holding the Book of Retribution over his chest.
"After all, one should always acknowledge the results of their experiments, as Even has always said." He said as he looked Braig over once more. The way he carried himself at the moment..it was clear that he had caught him off guard, that he had been expecting this place to be empty.
"Of course, I doubt you have any cares about the horror we have unleashed upon The World." He said, his voice surprisingly level. It remained that same level calm even as the grip on his weapon tightened to the point where the skin on his knuckles became a flushed, pale white. Well. This would appear as an interesting development for The Freeshooter. This was rage. Actual emotion. Something Ienzo had never openly displayed to him before. However, Ienzo was capable of quickly composing himself once more.
"If you've come looking for things to take, then you'd be better off searching elsewhere. I don't know if we are alone or not, but I do know that there has only barely been enough water and other supplies around to sustain myself." |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2018 23:13:06 GMT -5
T H E F R E E S H O O T E R
➳ ➳ ➳
The Freeshooter remained rooted to his spot, well aware that he was one misstep from whatever horrors laid inside of that book. He let the other talk, watching silently with an attentive expression even though he had little interest in what happened to the data gleamed from their atrocities. The numbers, the jagged charts, the bone-dry reports... none of it had made sense to his prying eye back in the day, and he had little reason to believe that much would change after a few years of aging. In his mind, those experiments had been little more than a step in the old coot's plans, masked as legitimate research...
... As if he was about to say any of that to Ienzo's face. Had he been in better control of the situation, had the kid not blindsided him, the sniper may have taken the opportunity to make a few snide jabs. Running his mouth now would get him nothing more than an up-close-and-personal look at Ienzo's favorite book.
It all came back to that dusty dictionary. clutched in the pale boy's arms. Braig had never seen the thing in action, not even on what little footage had been salvaged from the Castle Oblivion fiasco, but the sole written report mentioning the Book of Retribution told of an object with horrifying capabilities. Once again, the thought of summoning his arrowguns crossed his mind, but the sniper knew he'd be a goner by the time he got the twin rifles loaded.
"Look, kid, I was just following Xehanort's orders. It's not like I wanted it to end up like this... As if!" Braig scoffed, though somewhat taken aback by the younger man's display of emotion.
In truth, he regarded those foolish decisions of their early days with a sense of disdain. The loss of innocent life didn't weigh upon his callused heart... After all, as far as he was concerned, this world would have fallen to darkness either way given enough time. Instead, it was the price he himself had paid, with first his eye, then later his heart, that had began to weigh heavily upon his mind.
Yet, in the many years the sniper had known the Schemer, he had not once seen him as anything other than a closed book. For his anger to be this plain to read...
... Things must be worse than Braig thought.
"I know where some supplies are." The sniper states coldly as his arms began to slowly drift back down to his sides. He takes a measured step backwards, towards the heavy set of double doors that separated him from the rest of the ruined castle.
"Just... Put the dictionary down, kiddo, and I'll leave you the leftovers."
Normally, Braig wouldn't have been so forthcoming, especially considering he was now relying on petty theft to sustain himself. Yet, there was something surreal about the situation. The ruined castle, with not a sole around save for the Schemer with a haunted look in his eye...
Truth be told, it was enough to leave a prickle of fear in the sniper's back.
TAG: @ienzo ➳ WORDS: 517
NOTES: No text colors, because it's breaking my code. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2018 16:19:43 GMT -5
“ DON'T WORRY, I'LL BE FINE. Wow. Braig had actually allowed him to speak without throwing out any quips. That was..rare. However, Ienzo did have to roll his eyes at what Braig had to say about how things had turned out. The rage that had been clear as day was suddenly gone now, replaced with an expression that stated as little as possible. However..Braig had claimed to know where supplies were. If it was true..then it could very well be a game changer for Ienzo. He had become rather worried about making his current residence hidden from those he did not trust. As such, he never really left the castle. The sad part was that he could very easily have left the castle at any time. After all, he still had perfect recall on the use of his weaponry and abilities. And if he had that ability, then he was sure that Braig did as well.
As such, it was very much time for him to think critically. Braig was known very well for his control over space. If Ienzo allowed him to sneak through the castle and take the supplies alone, there would likely not be any left. "That is an interesting deal that you intend to make. Shame that I was not born yesterday. If you truly wish to claim supplies, I will be following." He said, his tone being quite curt and concise. Just as it had been for the years that they had known each other.
"And I will not be putting this weapon away. As Luxord would claim, it is my only 'chip' in this deal." He continued, walking a few steps forward before stepping aside and holding the book out in a gesture that was very obviously meant for Braig to be the one leading the way. In his own mind, he was trying to play this cleverly. A move that even the voice in his head claimed to be a good move. It drove him up the wall that he had to battle his other self for control of his own body. Unfortunately, that was his fate. He would simply have to make sure to always be the one in control.
As Braig walked past him however, Ienzo did speak up again. One wrong move, and you will see just how formidable my powers are. He said, his voice low, and almost threatening. He was not going to let himself be played by Braig. If this turned out to be a trick, his 'friend' was going to be in for a rude awakening. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2018 16:39:52 GMT -5
T H E F R E E S H O O T E R
➳ ➳ ➳
"So you weren't born yesterday? Heh... Could've had me fooled." Braig quipped, letting a crooked grin spread over his face as he glanced at Ienzo. His tone was practically dripping with sarcasm as he addressed the other, though the other male really should have expected nothing less from the snarky sniper. In truth, he had planned on the little squirt staying in his library while the Freeshooter looted the castle dry. He hadn't been expecting for the Schemer to be tagging along...
... Which meant that the sniper had no choice but to honor his word. What a pity.
"... And just when I thought we were warming up to me, kid." Braig mumbled dryly to himself in response to Ienzo's refusal to relinquish that blasted dictionary of his. He gaze dropped down to the book, a look of disgust crossing his scarred visage as he raised his head to look back up at the Schemer.
'... Great. Now I have to put up with the kid AND his coloring book.' He thought to himself, sighing audibly. He held no ill will towards the kid, but that book...
... That book could go right back to Oblivion.
"Alright, alright. No funny business... Guard's honor." Braig replied dryly, grinning slyly from ear to ear. The Royal Guard he swore on was little more than a memory these days, and they both knew it. Nonetheless, an eyebrow raised at the tone of the other's voice. He had never seen the kid be so... aggressive... before.
The Freeshooter reluctantly took the lead, though he was hesitant to let Ienzo dwell in his blind spot for too long. Nonetheless, the sniper would actually cooperate for once, leading the blue-haired male down the winding corridors and torn hallways towards the barracks. He pushed open the doors, taking a few minutes to take in his surroundings. Braig was almost surprised that he had even managed to find the right section of the castle in the first place, but perhaps years of wandering these halls had stuck with him more than he thought.
... It was almost enough to leave a fleeting pang of homesickness in the rugged sniper.
Braig walked down the concrete-lined hallway until he reached his old room. He slowed, twisting his head to peer inside. He couldn't see much - the blocked out windows prevented any kind of light from coming through - but he instantly recognized the silhouettes of the different arrowgun prototypes he had been working on back in the day strewn across the room. He slipped through the doorway without warning, briefly disappearing into the shadows. The sound of furniture moving echoed in the empty halls before the sniper returned, moments later, with his loot.
"... Why use a bank when you can have a hole in the floor?" Braig quipped, showing the younger man his bounty. In his hands were three dusty pouches of coin, each heavy with what was likely stolen funds, and a single skeleton key. He pockets the pouches, and waves the key in the air like a trophy.
"You know where this goes, don't you kiddo?" Braig bragged, though he didn't really expect the Schemer to know.
TAG: @ienzo ➳ WORDS: 533
NOTES: words |
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