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I can probably manage a heroic rescue, sure.
[Kaeya flashes a grin before ducking down to check out how the restraints are fastened. Not locked, so that's helpful. He can at least get Yuri free in short order.
Getting out of here is another matter entirely, but one step at a time. He steps back to allow Yuri room to sit up, but will offer the other man a hand when he goes to stand. He looks, well, rough. And Kaeya gets that. The first time he found himself here with Diluc, he'd been bled as well, and it took a lot out of him.]
Take it easy getting up. We want you steady before we get moving, since I doubt we'll be allowed to just stroll along unhindered.
[Kaeya flashes a grin before ducking down to check out how the restraints are fastened. Not locked, so that's helpful. He can at least get Yuri free in short order.
Getting out of here is another matter entirely, but one step at a time. He steps back to allow Yuri room to sit up, but will offer the other man a hand when he goes to stand. He looks, well, rough. And Kaeya gets that. The first time he found himself here with Diluc, he'd been bled as well, and it took a lot out of him.]
Take it easy getting up. We want you steady before we get moving, since I doubt we'll be allowed to just stroll along unhindered.
[ He doesn't take his time at all. In fact, he can't get free fast enough, and lurches up despite the head rush, grabbing Kaeya's hand to steady himself. He pushes away from the table that's been his prison, stumbling on unsteady legs, his tunic open around his torso. At least the blood from his cuts is freezing in places, at least. ]
Real heroic. Shit.
[ He braces a hand on his thigh to try and steady himself, his head swimming, limbs weak, but he won't let himself collapse ]
If only. Maybe they'll say, oh, wow, good job, you got free, here's the exit.
Real heroic. Shit.
[ He braces a hand on his thigh to try and steady himself, his head swimming, limbs weak, but he won't let himself collapse ]
If only. Maybe they'll say, oh, wow, good job, you got free, here's the exit.
They're much more powerful than I am.
[She murmurs, her voice still carrying that odd toneless quality. She sounds as if she were speaking from a great distance, her words echoing across some sort of vast gulf. The implication, of course, is that she has had a previous run-in with these things.]
This way doesn't lead anywhere in particular. It's all simply an endless maze.
They have us trapped.
[She murmurs, her voice still carrying that odd toneless quality. She sounds as if she were speaking from a great distance, her words echoing across some sort of vast gulf. The implication, of course, is that she has had a previous run-in with these things.]
This way doesn't lead anywhere in particular. It's all simply an endless maze.
They have us trapped.
Wait.
[ Flynn reaches out, grabs at Yuri's shoulder to keep him still. They're both in horrible jumpsuits and weaponless, but Flynn can at least do this: move in front of him, clear the awful high-ceilinged hallway thick with the smell of oil and the copper stench of old blood. Now that they're out here, it reminds him more of Heracles, alive with the bone-rattling hum of distant machinery.
Something drips away behind them. Flynn breathes shallowly through his mouth, scanning every corner for movement.
There's nothing.
They're alone, except for a row of other doors, all hanging open. Suspicion and fear dart under Flynn's skin, prickling at his neck. Down at the end of the hallway they're in are some metal stairs ascending into warm darkness. ]
We need to move quietly. Whoever brought us here clearly didn't want us leaving on our own. Follow me.
[ Flynn reaches out, grabs at Yuri's shoulder to keep him still. They're both in horrible jumpsuits and weaponless, but Flynn can at least do this: move in front of him, clear the awful high-ceilinged hallway thick with the smell of oil and the copper stench of old blood. Now that they're out here, it reminds him more of Heracles, alive with the bone-rattling hum of distant machinery.
Something drips away behind them. Flynn breathes shallowly through his mouth, scanning every corner for movement.
There's nothing.
They're alone, except for a row of other doors, all hanging open. Suspicion and fear dart under Flynn's skin, prickling at his neck. Down at the end of the hallway they're in are some metal stairs ascending into warm darkness. ]
We need to move quietly. Whoever brought us here clearly didn't want us leaving on our own. Follow me.
[ More orders. Yuri grits his teeth, moving with Flynn as he steps slowly down the hall. He keeps his eyes on Flynn even though he should probably be looking where they're going ]
I'm not one of your knights, Flynn.
[ It's snapped out, low and annoyed. Even in danger like this, when they should be working together, on the same side, Flynn can still piss him off without really trying ]
I'm not one of your knights, Flynn.
[ It's snapped out, low and annoyed. Even in danger like this, when they should be working together, on the same side, Flynn can still piss him off without really trying ]
[ Flynn's teeth clench, but before he can say anything, something clanks, low and ominous, and he freezes, pressing himself against the wall with his heart hammering. A jerk of his hand signals for Yuri to do the same thing. They wait there in breathless silence, listening, but the sound doesn't come again.
No one. Still alone. Flynn lets out a breath and half-turns to Yuri. ]
We're unarmed and at a severe disadvantage. Would you trust me for once?
No one. Still alone. Flynn lets out a breath and half-turns to Yuri. ]
We're unarmed and at a severe disadvantage. Would you trust me for once?
I'm not saying--
[ Yuri huffs in annoyance, glaring at Flynn. He shoves the hand away, even though he had instinctively followed Flynn's order when he motioned for him to wait. Now that the coast is clear, though: ]
I trust you. Just stop ordering me around.
[ Yuri huffs in annoyance, glaring at Flynn. He shoves the hand away, even though he had instinctively followed Flynn's order when he motioned for him to wait. Now that the coast is clear, though: ]
I trust you. Just stop ordering me around.
[ Flynn shoots him a look, trying to hide his own frustration. Now is not the time to argue with Yuri, even if he's doing the same thing he's been doing for years now, assuming the worst of every one of Flynn's actions. What is it that Flynn is doing wrong? He could be more polite, he supposes, but Yuri hates when he does that too. ]
Yuri, if I were giving you orders, you would know. Now isn't the time. We need to focus.
Yuri, if I were giving you orders, you would know. Now isn't the time. We need to focus.
[ Yuri opens his mouth to argue, but Flynn isn't wrong. They should focus. They don't know what they're up against.
He waves a hand, shaking his head, and follows along a step behind Flynn ]
Get behind me. I'm better without a sword. [ "Than you are" goes unsaid ]
He waves a hand, shaking his head, and follows along a step behind Flynn ]
Get behind me. I'm better without a sword. [ "Than you are" goes unsaid ]
Edited 2021-11-14 01:46 (UTC)
Because you fight dirty.
[ Even with that, Flynn, ever the good soldier, just falls in line with frustration and fear prickling hotly along his spine. It isn't Yuri's fault, entirely. Flynn is afraid and he learned long ago to swallow his fear or use it as fuel. His frustration is a thing with teeth in his chest, hooking claws into his lungs.
This whole place is deserted. Flynn is afraid to breathe too loudly for fear of alerting someone to their presence. They need to find weapons, and then they need to figure out if anyone else has been captured (the odds of that are very high), and then they need to get free.
The air is thick with the oddly-familiar smell of old, rotting things in a way that makes Flynn's stomach turn. He follows Yuri in tense silence for a few moments, his head like a searchlight, constantly moving to spot any signs of danger, and then it ]
The smell. It's like Ragou's.
[ That's what has him so on-edge, that's what has him imagining that sneering noble voice taunting Flynn about his own powerlessness. ]
[ Even with that, Flynn, ever the good soldier, just falls in line with frustration and fear prickling hotly along his spine. It isn't Yuri's fault, entirely. Flynn is afraid and he learned long ago to swallow his fear or use it as fuel. His frustration is a thing with teeth in his chest, hooking claws into his lungs.
This whole place is deserted. Flynn is afraid to breathe too loudly for fear of alerting someone to their presence. They need to find weapons, and then they need to figure out if anyone else has been captured (the odds of that are very high), and then they need to get free.
The air is thick with the oddly-familiar smell of old, rotting things in a way that makes Flynn's stomach turn. He follows Yuri in tense silence for a few moments, his head like a searchlight, constantly moving to spot any signs of danger, and then it ]
The smell. It's like Ragou's.
[ That's what has him so on-edge, that's what has him imagining that sneering noble voice taunting Flynn about his own powerlessness. ]
That would be very neighborly of them.
[Kaeya lends Yuri as much support as he needs until he's confident the other man has his feet solidly underneath him.]
I was here before...
[He begins, frowning.] Diluc and I woke up strapped down like you were. I'd love to say we discovered a secret way out, but something snatched us out of here unexpectedly. Moon Presence, I think.
[So maybe they'll get lucky again. Or...] While I'm all for hoping for the best, to hedge our bets, maybe our fallen friend here can provide some info. [He nudges the zealot he knocked out with the toe of his boot.]
Help me get him on the table?
[Kaeya lends Yuri as much support as he needs until he's confident the other man has his feet solidly underneath him.]
I was here before...
[He begins, frowning.] Diluc and I woke up strapped down like you were. I'd love to say we discovered a secret way out, but something snatched us out of here unexpectedly. Moon Presence, I think.
[So maybe they'll get lucky again. Or...] While I'm all for hoping for the best, to hedge our bets, maybe our fallen friend here can provide some info. [He nudges the zealot he knocked out with the toe of his boot.]
Help me get him on the table?
[ It occurred to Yuri, too, the memories coming back and making him clench his wrist. He feels so weird, off, without a sword, without his knuckle guard, in these weird clothes. He feels like a science experiment, and he hates it. He hates it, and he hates that Flynn is here, and he has to help get Flynn out, no matter what. The world needs Flynn, this world, or their own.
He doesn't respond, not verbally. He nods shortly and moves further into the place. There are more rooms, all full of cells like the one they woke up in, but all are empty. He has to wonder if everyone else just got out before them, or...
He spots something else, a set of stairs, and lets out a breath, pointing to them. Not talking does feel safer, and he can still hear Flynn's breath, his footsteps, to show him that Flynn is near ]
He doesn't respond, not verbally. He nods shortly and moves further into the place. There are more rooms, all full of cells like the one they woke up in, but all are empty. He has to wonder if everyone else just got out before them, or...
He spots something else, a set of stairs, and lets out a breath, pointing to them. Not talking does feel safer, and he can still hear Flynn's breath, his footsteps, to show him that Flynn is near ]
Well, I'm not just going to sit around until they really trap me.
[ With the implication that she can if she wants, but he wouldn't recommend it. ]
Maybe they're more powerful right now. Together, we might be able to take them. Two's always better than one.
[ He sees that distance in her eyes and, well, he gets it. He really does. If he and Flynn couldn't take them, that's not great. But Lysithea has different skills than Flynn does. Maybe together, they might be able to do something. ]
You gonna give up on me?
[ With the implication that she can if she wants, but he wouldn't recommend it. ]
Maybe they're more powerful right now. Together, we might be able to take them. Two's always better than one.
[ He sees that distance in her eyes and, well, he gets it. He really does. If he and Flynn couldn't take them, that's not great. But Lysithea has different skills than Flynn does. Maybe together, they might be able to do something. ]
You gonna give up on me?
[ Nodding shortly—as clear an understood as if he'd actually said it aloud—Flynn falls into step behind Yuri, checking over his shoulder as they hurry toward the staircase.
They're still not being followed, but before they can reach the staircase, a door they pass hisses open in a cloud of mechanical steam, and Flynn is yanking Yuri out of the way before he can even think about it, gritting his teeth as he prepares for a fight that does not come. Something drips down from above, heavy and warm, and plops onto Flynn's shoulder. It runs redly through his pale hair: blood, or oil, or both. ]
They're still not being followed, but before they can reach the staircase, a door they pass hisses open in a cloud of mechanical steam, and Flynn is yanking Yuri out of the way before he can even think about it, gritting his teeth as he prepares for a fight that does not come. Something drips down from above, heavy and warm, and plops onto Flynn's shoulder. It runs redly through his pale hair: blood, or oil, or both. ]
[ As soon as he sees that door move, he's on edge, too, falling into a fighting stance in front of Flynn, but--
No one's there. It's an automatic door, opening to a room full of stuff, some of which looks useful. He lets out a breath, glancing back at Flynn only to frown ]
You got--
[ He reaches out to brush whatever it is off of Flynn, but his fingers come away red. He stares at them, then looks up where it dripped from and fear drops like a stone in his gut.
It's blood.
He grabs Flynn's wrist, pulling him into the room. The doors shut behind them. ]
Shit. What kind of messed up place is this!?
No one's there. It's an automatic door, opening to a room full of stuff, some of which looks useful. He lets out a breath, glancing back at Flynn only to frown ]
You got--
[ He reaches out to brush whatever it is off of Flynn, but his fingers come away red. He stares at them, then looks up where it dripped from and fear drops like a stone in his gut.
It's blood.
He grabs Flynn's wrist, pulling him into the room. The doors shut behind them. ]
Shit. What kind of messed up place is this!?
Yuri, what's—
[ That tone is never a good thing, sends a matching fear skittering along under Flynn's skin even as the door slides shut. This room is full of what looks to Flynn's eye like farming equipment: saws, hammers, a whole rack of wrenches. Flynn forgets whatever was on his head for a moment, even if it's dripping down along his neck now.
He lets go of Yuri to cross over to the rack. A saw feels too... Flynn can't fight with that. After a long moment of consideration, he picks up a solid, hefty wrench, and then grabs another to offer it to Yuri. ]
[ That tone is never a good thing, sends a matching fear skittering along under Flynn's skin even as the door slides shut. This room is full of what looks to Flynn's eye like farming equipment: saws, hammers, a whole rack of wrenches. Flynn forgets whatever was on his head for a moment, even if it's dripping down along his neck now.
He lets go of Yuri to cross over to the rack. A saw feels too... Flynn can't fight with that. After a long moment of consideration, he picks up a solid, hefty wrench, and then grabs another to offer it to Yuri. ]
[ Well if Flynn doesn't want to think about it, Yuri doesn't either. He wipes the blood on his shirt, and takes the offered wrench, hefting it in his hand. ]
Alright. So we find our way out, smashing a few heads if we have to.
[ He looks up at Flynn, meeting his eyes for a moment, and he wonders what's going on in his head. He wonders, too, at the fierce protectiveness welling up in him. Yeah, he's always wanted to protect Flynn, as much as Flynn wants to protect him. But if either of them are going to get out of here, it's Flynn. If there's a choice, he's going to choose Flynn. ]
Alright. So we find our way out, smashing a few heads if we have to.
[ He looks up at Flynn, meeting his eyes for a moment, and he wonders what's going on in his head. He wonders, too, at the fierce protectiveness welling up in him. Yeah, he's always wanted to protect Flynn, as much as Flynn wants to protect him. But if either of them are going to get out of here, it's Flynn. If there's a choice, he's going to choose Flynn. ]
Mm.
[At his query, she stops abruptly, turning her gaze to meet his eyes for the first time. The hollow expression does not change -- Yuri likely knows her well enough by now to recognize that something is seriously wrong. Lysithea has retreated somewhere inside her mind, leaving this automaton behind to carry out vital processes.
Something about his question has aroused some unknown emotion.]
...
No. I have to find them...
[Her words trail off. No explanation is offered before she resumes a brisk pace.]
[At his query, she stops abruptly, turning her gaze to meet his eyes for the first time. The hollow expression does not change -- Yuri likely knows her well enough by now to recognize that something is seriously wrong. Lysithea has retreated somewhere inside her mind, leaving this automaton behind to carry out vital processes.
Something about his question has aroused some unknown emotion.]
...
No. I have to find them...
[Her words trail off. No explanation is offered before she resumes a brisk pace.]
[ Flynn winces at the implication, frowning down at the wrench in his own hand. His fingers are smeared with reddish-black. It really can't be anything but blood, can it?
No wonder it smells like that awful basement haunted by death and monsters. ]
Let's try to avoid any unnecessary death. I don't think this place needs any more blood.
[ He tries to keep his voice steady, but it comes out sharp-edged, tinged with fear and anger. Who would build something like this? What is its purpose, and what would have happened to them if they hadn't gotten free? The metal under Flynn's feet is oddly warm, and he hates that he can feel it, that his feet are bare. It's such a tiny, stupid thing to fixate on but suddenly Flynn can't think about anything else. He misses his armor. His misses his sword and Daisy and Repede. ]
No wonder it smells like that awful basement haunted by death and monsters. ]
Let's try to avoid any unnecessary death. I don't think this place needs any more blood.
[ He tries to keep his voice steady, but it comes out sharp-edged, tinged with fear and anger. Who would build something like this? What is its purpose, and what would have happened to them if they hadn't gotten free? The metal under Flynn's feet is oddly warm, and he hates that he can feel it, that his feet are bare. It's such a tiny, stupid thing to fixate on but suddenly Flynn can't think about anything else. He misses his armor. His misses his sword and Daisy and Repede. ]
[ Yuri sees him starting to spiral and reaches out, a hand heavy on Flynn's shoulder. ]
Hey. Look at me.
[ He squeezes tight, until Flynn does look at him ]
We're gonna get out of here. With you and me? No one stands a chance. Even, yeah, if we don't kill them. No one said that you had to kill someone when you hit them on the head.
[ It's a joke, sort of. An attempt to pull Flynn out of his head, so they can focus and get this done. ]
Hey. Look at me.
[ He squeezes tight, until Flynn does look at him ]
We're gonna get out of here. With you and me? No one stands a chance. Even, yeah, if we don't kill them. No one said that you had to kill someone when you hit them on the head.
[ It's a joke, sort of. An attempt to pull Flynn out of his head, so they can focus and get this done. ]
Same thing happened to Flynn. Just, poof. Whisked away.
[ Leaving Yuri behind to figure out what the hell to do on his own. Clearly, it didn't go that well.
He's still wobbly, but he drops down to help Kaeya heft the zealot onto the table. It takes a lot out of him, his face pale and drawn when he's done, panting hard, even if he tries to hold it back ]
Shit. Okay, so we wait for him to wake up?
[ Yuri doesn't exactly what to wait around for any of them to come looking for their friend, but maybe it isn't that type of organization ]
[ Leaving Yuri behind to figure out what the hell to do on his own. Clearly, it didn't go that well.
He's still wobbly, but he drops down to help Kaeya heft the zealot onto the table. It takes a lot out of him, his face pale and drawn when he's done, panting hard, even if he tries to hold it back ]
Shit. Okay, so we wait for him to wake up?
[ Yuri doesn't exactly what to wait around for any of them to come looking for their friend, but maybe it isn't that type of organization ]
[ He sees that, and steps closer to her, only for her to take off. He follows, walking by her ]
Find who? You got friends in here?
[ It wouldn't be surprising, seeing as him and Flynn are here, and so is Lysithea. There have to be others.
He's concerned about her, but at least she's moving. She's moving and determined and has more of an idea of what's going on than he does, so he's determined to back her up, to help them both get the hell out of here. Then, maybe, they can figure out how to get her back out of her head. ]
Find who? You got friends in here?
[ It wouldn't be surprising, seeing as him and Flynn are here, and so is Lysithea. There have to be others.
He's concerned about her, but at least she's moving. She's moving and determined and has more of an idea of what's going on than he does, so he's determined to back her up, to help them both get the hell out of here. Then, maybe, they can figure out how to get her back out of her head. ]
[ How does Yuri always know...? Flynn should know better, should be focusing on their situation and not letting himself worry like this. He sets his own jaw, pulling himself back, letting Yuri anchor him in the present.
What would he do without Yuri? ]
Of course. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... We should go. That blood has to be coming from somewhere.
What would he do without Yuri? ]
Of course. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... We should go. That blood has to be coming from somewhere.
[ Yuri shakes his head with a small smile, letting his hand drop. ]
Nothing to be sorry for. C'mon, let's find out.
[ Not that he really wants to know, but he has to, now. He has to know what's causing this, why they're here, what happened to all the other Sleepers. They can't be the only two here ]
Nothing to be sorry for. C'mon, let's find out.
[ Not that he really wants to know, but he has to, now. He has to know what's causing this, why they're here, what happened to all the other Sleepers. They can't be the only two here ]
Of course.
[ There is a lot to be sorry for, Flynn thinks, but Yuri is right: they have to focus on the facts, and the facts are... horrifying and don't fit together.
Flynn checks the hallway one more time before they re-enter, sticking close to Yuri with the wrench held tight in his hands. ]
This doesn't make sense. We're held captive, but without guards, which suggests they don't think there's much of a chance we can escape. Or that it doesn't matter if we do. There's machinery all around us and the tools to maintain it, but there's blood in the air.
[ Flynn keeps his voice down, a low, urgent whisper as they walk. He'd thought laying out the facts as he did for himself after Nordopolica would help, but there's something Flynn's missing, and the knowledge is prickling at him. There's another piece to all this. It has to be a bad one. ]
[ There is a lot to be sorry for, Flynn thinks, but Yuri is right: they have to focus on the facts, and the facts are... horrifying and don't fit together.
Flynn checks the hallway one more time before they re-enter, sticking close to Yuri with the wrench held tight in his hands. ]
This doesn't make sense. We're held captive, but without guards, which suggests they don't think there's much of a chance we can escape. Or that it doesn't matter if we do. There's machinery all around us and the tools to maintain it, but there's blood in the air.
[ Flynn keeps his voice down, a low, urgent whisper as they walk. He'd thought laying out the facts as he did for himself after Nordopolica would help, but there's something Flynn's missing, and the knowledge is prickling at him. There's another piece to all this. It has to be a bad one. ]
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