[ The apothecary is no bunker, but it is a well-enclosed place. While it's unknown to Miller just how fortified it has become in these days of impending uncertainty, he has caught wind of the intention to to use it in this manner. Claude has seemingly been active in his attempts to strike back against the Gnosia, and it has for obvious reasons, been in Miller's interests to pay attention to that. He'd considered it well up until this point—taking out a supplier of arms might be a worthwhile cause.
However, it was a risky move. They knew each other enough that he probably could have gotten away with contacting him about his efforts against the Gnosia... but then there's this chance to pursue Minato. There's the advantage of surprise.
So, to make a long story short, it was calculated to plant that explosive charge up above.
The ringing sound falls to deafness in Miller's ears, a vestige of familiar sounds that once flooded the Metro. It's organized chaos; scaffolding falling deafens the battering of the door that caves in. Smoke and debris obscure Claude's arrows that unleash from their bow in equal silence. Their intended target is somewhere else. Inside the building now, that much is clear, but taking advantage of the sounds and the wreckage to move in stealth.
That is, until a violent burst of ammunition fires in Minato's general direction. It's not as rapid as an automatic, instead sounding off as a series of sharp cracks at a shocking velocity—the bullets shred through whatever they manage to hit. ]
[ "Hide, quickly!" comes Claude's command, though the order comes too late. Gunshots ring in the air, bullets whizzing through the smoke and wreckage. The attack reveals the intruder's location, but perhaps it's a risk the assailant was willing to make. It won't be an issue so long as those bullets land true to their target.
They sail towards Minato from the side, vulnerable, at an angle unguarded by Claude. Koromaru even tries to let loose a warning bark, but it comes too late, just like Claude's earlier warnings.
He'll die here, Minato thinks to himself. He knows he can't dodge the gunfire, leaving his heart leaping into his throat. Given how quickly the bullets cut through the air, he can only hope his death will be swift. ]
Bullets and explosives. This is exactly what Claude had feared when he'd heard of the technological advances of warfare in others' worlds, where you could kill someone as swiftly as the click of a button, impersonal and unfair and deadly, so different from bows and arrows, swords and shields, the state of what true battle looks like. He moves as quickly as he can, flinging himself over Minato in a crash of limbs, sending them both sailing towards the ground -- with the bullets just managing to skate across Claude's back with a rip of fabric, blood rapidly beginning to soak into his fine linen shirt.
Adrenaline is pumping through his veins with too much immediacy for him to register the pain. Instead he twists, back muscles working despite it - treating Minato to an unfortunately gruesome sight, flesh torn asunder by the speed of the bullet - and hauls Minato to his feet, hurriedly pushing him behind him now that he knows where the gunfire is coming from. With a thrust of one arm, a gust of wind sweeps through the Apothecary, sending the contents of the shelves crashing to the floor and the smoke clearing enough for him to see the aggressor.
[ He bounces backwards, unleashing another few arrows, barbed and poisoned this time, hoping to at least slow the other man down long enough for -- for --
(There is a part of him that realizes that in a battle of guns against archery, he cannot, will not win. But nor can he turn tail and run. Not with Minato here.) ]
[ He has yet to see the real extent of either of their powers, but this situation has caused him to recontextualize what information he'd learned. To use it against them. One moment of surprise is enough when you're not expecting a prolonged fight. As an average human, unable to summon magic or Personas, it was clear that any shame in fighting dirty needed to be discarded... Though if he'd had any inclination to stay honorable, surely the Gnosia would have convinced him otherwise.
The building is crumbling around them and the people he's ambushed are scrambling at the firing of bullets. Yet Miller is calm. He emerges from the dust already moving, a looming figure in bulky black armor that barely bothers to return to cover once he's been seen. The respite in the gunfire is brief, only long enough for him to zero in on Minato, the one being encouraged to flee.
Can't have that.
Fortunately, Claude's saving judgment call to upset the entire room disrupts the well-aimed shot that come next. Miller blazes ahead, facing the arrows Claude fires at him head-on. Their efforts are futile at piercing the heavy chest plate, though in a twist of irony, he's struck by one that misses a more vital blow in his leg instead.
Except rather than try to dislodge it, he fires back at Claude—reaching the end of the clip after a single shot and running to meet him instead. ]
Don't be a hero, Claude.
[ It had all seemed so automatic, but no, that's Miller behind that helmet. ]
[ The smell of blood permeates the air again as Claude knocks Minato to the ground. By now, it's a scent that's become increasingly familiar to Minato, and a single glance at the man's back is all that's required to fully inform him of the metallic smell's source. Before he can even ask Claude about the severity of his wound, Minato's hauled back onto his feet.
The thought that he'd potentially led Miller straight to a safehouse leaves Minato paralyzed. His feet remain rooted to the floorboards even as Claude demands he flee. He can't. No matter how skilled Claude may be with a bow, there's no way he can win against gunfire. And that aside, how could he abandon someone who'd been willing to shield him from the dangers that lurked outside, even if just for a little while?
But maybe -- just maybe Claude would withdraw from the scene as soon as Minato's managed to slip away? His heart twists a bit at the realization that he's a burden right now. If only he had the energy to call forth any of his Personas. If only, if only --
An urgent and sharp bark pierces the air as Koromaru calls out to Minato. Two options are laid out before the dog: get Minato to safety, or join in Claude's efforts to hold down the fort. While it might seem like a set of unfair options, Koromaru selects his next course of action with ease. His top priority is getting Minato to safety.
The dog whines apologetically at Claude before nudging Minato's leg. They have to get moving while Miller's distracted. The pair sprint for the exit as Minato curses his current weakness. It can't end here. He'll need to head for the closest establishment that appeared to have people milling about. Surely, someone had heard the deafening explosion from the apothecary? There'd be people there he could ask to help Claude. There's no way he's allowing the time Claude bought for him to be in vain. ]
Zaffy's outside, [ Claude says to Minato, voice hushed, urgent, hoping that Miller won't hear. There is a world in which all three of them are able to clamber onto Zaffy and fly away, but Claude's not willing to risk it, not just for Minato, not just for his faithful companion, but for Zafeera; if somebody isn't here to try to distract Miller, a single shot from that godawful firearm of his could rip through the fine membrane of her wings with far more brutality than any arrow and render his magnificent beast crippled. ] Take her and flee.
[ That way, the three of them will be safe. And as soon as he hears the tell-tale flap of Zafeera's wings, it will be his turn to get the hell out of here as quickly as he can. As hopeless as the situation seems, he's still utterly confident in his ability to do so; Almyra's army has always been considered unbeatable due to the fact that when things aren't going their way, they run. It's how they've built their Empire after so many years, doing away with silly notions of honour on the battlefield, of nobility, of sacrifice. The only thing that you have that's worth holding onto is your own life. As long as you're alive, you can move forward. It's what he's always been taught, and what he fervently believes and lives by; he's gone through dozens and dozens of near-death experiences, and has always risen victorious.
He can do it now too. Already, he's mentally planning his escape, around the back and through the alleyways, relying on speed and shadows, hiding in whatever buildings he can until he can reach an ally, reach Marianne, reach Ethlyn, reach someone. He can do this. All it takes is for him to be quicker and smarter than the other guy, to survive minute by precious minute. ]
Come now, Miller! You and I both know I don't have the makings of a hero! [ Claude says loudly, covering up the sound of Minato's hasty retreat, voice as smooth and haughty as its ever been, a sharp joviality bleeding into his tone. ] I'm far too selfish for that! [ As he speaks, he darts backwards, wincing as one of the bullets sink into his shoulder. He barely feels it, his adrenaline saving him from feeling the true impact as he feints in one direction and kicks the table down, ducking beneath it for a moment's cover. He abandons his bow and arrow, his uninjured arm reaching for a knife instead as he darts out and tries to plunge it into a patch of exposed skin.
Not enough to slow Miller down, he knows. Not like this, descending from the smoke like the embodiment of certain doom in black and metal. But enough to heal him a little bit, enough to buy time to run--
(He knows, deep down, that this is it. It will take only a single shot from point blank to end him. But he hopes. He'll always hope.) ]
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expiationlogs2024-07-15 08:13 am
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However, it was a risky move. They knew each other enough that he probably could have gotten away with contacting him about his efforts against the Gnosia... but then there's this chance to pursue Minato. There's the advantage of surprise.
So, to make a long story short, it was calculated to plant that explosive charge up above.
The ringing sound falls to deafness in Miller's ears, a vestige of familiar sounds that once flooded the Metro. It's organized chaos; scaffolding falling deafens the battering of the door that caves in. Smoke and debris obscure Claude's arrows that unleash from their bow in equal silence. Their intended target is somewhere else. Inside the building now, that much is clear, but taking advantage of the sounds and the wreckage to move in stealth.
That is, until a violent burst of ammunition fires in Minato's general direction. It's not as rapid as an automatic, instead sounding off as a series of sharp cracks at a shocking velocity—the bullets shred through whatever they manage to hit. ]
no subject
They sail towards Minato from the side, vulnerable, at an angle unguarded by Claude. Koromaru even tries to let loose a warning bark, but it comes too late, just like Claude's earlier warnings.
He'll die here, Minato thinks to himself. He knows he can't dodge the gunfire, leaving his heart leaping into his throat. Given how quickly the bullets cut through the air, he can only hope his death will be swift. ]
no subject
Bullets and explosives. This is exactly what Claude had feared when he'd heard of the technological advances of warfare in others' worlds, where you could kill someone as swiftly as the click of a button, impersonal and unfair and deadly, so different from bows and arrows, swords and shields, the state of what true battle looks like. He moves as quickly as he can, flinging himself over Minato in a crash of limbs, sending them both sailing towards the ground -- with the bullets just managing to skate across Claude's back with a rip of fabric, blood rapidly beginning to soak into his fine linen shirt.
Adrenaline is pumping through his veins with too much immediacy for him to register the pain. Instead he twists, back muscles working despite it - treating Minato to an unfortunately gruesome sight, flesh torn asunder by the speed of the bullet - and hauls Minato to his feet, hurriedly pushing him behind him now that he knows where the gunfire is coming from. With a thrust of one arm, a gust of wind sweeps through the Apothecary, sending the contents of the shelves crashing to the floor and the smoke clearing enough for him to see the aggressor.
It's not who he expected. ]
Miller?! [ Fuck. ] Minato, run, now! I've got this!
[ He bounces backwards, unleashing another few arrows, barbed and poisoned this time, hoping to at least slow the other man down long enough for -- for --
(There is a part of him that realizes that in a battle of guns against archery, he cannot, will not win. But nor can he turn tail and run. Not with Minato here.) ]
no subject
The building is crumbling around them and the people he's ambushed are scrambling at the firing of bullets. Yet Miller is calm. He emerges from the dust already moving, a looming figure in bulky black armor that barely bothers to return to cover once he's been seen. The respite in the gunfire is brief, only long enough for him to zero in on Minato, the one being encouraged to flee.
Can't have that.
Fortunately, Claude's saving judgment call to upset the entire room disrupts the well-aimed shot that come next. Miller blazes ahead, facing the arrows Claude fires at him head-on. Their efforts are futile at piercing the heavy chest plate, though in a twist of irony, he's struck by one that misses a more vital blow in his leg instead.
Except rather than try to dislodge it, he fires back at Claude—reaching the end of the clip after a single shot and running to meet him instead. ]
Don't be a hero, Claude.
[ It had all seemed so automatic, but no, that's Miller behind that helmet. ]
no subject
The thought that he'd potentially led Miller straight to a safehouse leaves Minato paralyzed. His feet remain rooted to the floorboards even as Claude demands he flee. He can't. No matter how skilled Claude may be with a bow, there's no way he can win against gunfire. And that aside, how could he abandon someone who'd been willing to shield him from the dangers that lurked outside, even if just for a little while?
But maybe -- just maybe Claude would withdraw from the scene as soon as Minato's managed to slip away? His heart twists a bit at the realization that he's a burden right now. If only he had the energy to call forth any of his Personas. If only, if only --
An urgent and sharp bark pierces the air as Koromaru calls out to Minato. Two options are laid out before the dog: get Minato to safety, or join in Claude's efforts to hold down the fort. While it might seem like a set of unfair options, Koromaru selects his next course of action with ease. His top priority is getting Minato to safety.
The dog whines apologetically at Claude before nudging Minato's leg. They have to get moving while Miller's distracted. The pair sprint for the exit as Minato curses his current weakness. It can't end here. He'll need to head for the closest establishment that appeared to have people milling about. Surely, someone had heard the deafening explosion from the apothecary? There'd be people there he could ask to help Claude. There's no way he's allowing the time Claude bought for him to be in vain. ]
no subject
[ That way, the three of them will be safe. And as soon as he hears the tell-tale flap of Zafeera's wings, it will be his turn to get the hell out of here as quickly as he can. As hopeless as the situation seems, he's still utterly confident in his ability to do so; Almyra's army has always been considered unbeatable due to the fact that when things aren't going their way, they run. It's how they've built their Empire after so many years, doing away with silly notions of honour on the battlefield, of nobility, of sacrifice. The only thing that you have that's worth holding onto is your own life. As long as you're alive, you can move forward. It's what he's always been taught, and what he fervently believes and lives by; he's gone through dozens and dozens of near-death experiences, and has always risen victorious.
He can do it now too. Already, he's mentally planning his escape, around the back and through the alleyways, relying on speed and shadows, hiding in whatever buildings he can until he can reach an ally, reach Marianne, reach Ethlyn, reach someone. He can do this. All it takes is for him to be quicker and smarter than the other guy, to survive minute by precious minute. ]
Come now, Miller! You and I both know I don't have the makings of a hero! [ Claude says loudly, covering up the sound of Minato's hasty retreat, voice as smooth and haughty as its ever been, a sharp joviality bleeding into his tone. ] I'm far too selfish for that! [ As he speaks, he darts backwards, wincing as one of the bullets sink into his shoulder. He barely feels it, his adrenaline saving him from feeling the true impact as he feints in one direction and kicks the table down, ducking beneath it for a moment's cover. He abandons his bow and arrow, his uninjured arm reaching for a knife instead as he darts out and tries to plunge it into a patch of exposed skin.
Not enough to slow Miller down, he knows. Not like this, descending from the smoke like the embodiment of certain doom in black and metal. But enough to heal him a little bit, enough to buy time to run--
(He knows, deep down, that this is it. It will take only a single shot from point blank to end him. But he hopes. He'll always hope.) ]