[ There’s a level of hesitation in her voice, partly in surprise of being offered a pistol in the first place, as Koharu decides she ought to take this opportunity to push herself back up upon her feet.
On one hand, she’s never actually hurt anyone or thing before; on the other, whatever is happening here, Koharu doesn’t think she wants to be totally defenseless here. ]
I can use one—I know how.
[ The juxtaposition of a young, scared girl with a timid disposition admitting she can fire off a gun is probably noticeable, but at least she seems like she means it. ]
[ Root is surprised by the answer, but effusively congratulatory. All young ladies should know how to shoot someone, in her opinion.
She balances her shotgun in one hand (pointed safely away) and pulls out her trusty Glock 17 from where it's stashed in her waistband at the small of her back. She offers it out handle-first to Koharu. ]
[ Not with an honest-to-god human-made handgun, anyway. Koharu accepts the pistol, the fingers of her right hand tightening around the grip, careful not to let her pointer hover too closely by the trigger. Quickly, she inspects it over, but there's no wasting time before she clasps both hands over it and points the barrel toward the ground. While Koharu isn't super experienced, true to her word, she knows how to handle the weapon. ]
S— so, I'm ready! Let's go. Please.
[ And they really oughta not linger. Its fallen brethren not going unnoticed, it would appear another pair of the hounds has noticed them taking cover by the storefront, now eager to catch up. ]
[ She sounds positive that she won't hit her by mistake -- which is a real concern for an amateur -- and the way she grips the gun two-handed backs that up. It's a nice, safe hold.
Satisfied, Root turns and jumps back into the store, ignoring the broken glass scraping her and the cuts it leaves behind. She has a clear, authoritative tone and a controlled manner that make it obvious this is not her first rodeo. ]
Better hurry -- we're getting company, and we need a defensible position. Get in and behind the counter. I'll cover you.
[ And she swings around immediately to fire off a round just past Koharu at an advancing hound. It's far enough away that it's only glanced by the buckshot and skitters, growling low and wary, looking for a better approach with its pal... ]
[ If Root’s words weren’t warning enough, another shot fired off certainly is. Koharu reflexively ducks, eyes going wide toward the target in the distance, then scrambles for the ledge of the shattered window. The glass shards give her pause, as do the pointed corners of what glass still remains intact along the window, but after carefully tucking in her wings as close as physically possible, Koharu decides a few scrapes and cuts are better than the alternative. ]
—Right!
[ Considerably less confident in her words, she hops through, barrels toward the check out counter, and ducks behind it.
And that’s when the hounds catch up. One of them appears particularly angry—probably because of the decent graze against one of its heads, which is now beginning to spew more fire from its mouth—but both begin to claw through the glass to reach their next potential prey. ]
[ The advantage of a semi-automatic shotgun becomes obvious as Root stands her ground and fires off round after round, all whimsical lightheartedness erased from her face. The recoil hitting her shoulder is going to be a real bitch later -- she's going to have a huge bruise -- but she doesn't let it slow her down. Spent casings clatter to the floor around her feet. She has to duck around the corner away from the open window at one point, evading a blast of flame, and she ends up with some singed hair.
But eventually they go down, and Root takes a look outside as she pulls more shells out of a small cross-body bag she has with her. She does not have magically infinite ammo, so she's thinking hard about next steps. This won't work forever. ]
We're probably not clear for long.
[ She crosses swiftly over to where Koharu is hiding behind the counter and joins her, kneeling on the floor and reloading the shotgun again. Shink-shink-shink. She almost does a double-take when she notices the wings, but saves the pithy commentary for later. ]
Can you keep an eye on the window for a couple minutes? I have an idea.
[ Koharu peeks back up from behind the counter only long enough to see the first few shots get fired; she’s already seen enough flesh get blown off for her liking, and watching even more blood go flying makes her stomach churn. So she ducks back down, back against the counter, pistol gripped between her hands like a lifeline, and doesn’t dare move until silence lingers for a set amount of time.
Root joins her eventually. Koharu’s response doesn’t come immediately, instead lifting her head just to be able to peek at the window once more. The slumped over bodies of the hounds makes her wince, eyes gazing downward again, but she does manage a small, if careful, nod. ]
Y- yeah. I can do it. If you hear a shot, um—I guess that’s your warning there’s more.
[ God, she really hopes another one doesn’t come barging in. ]
[ Apparently totally trusting Koharu to watch their perimeter, Root finishes reloading her shotgun and sets it down on the ground to the side. She then starts pulling out little glass apothecary vials and pouches from her ammo bag. She examines them, picks out a couple, and then proceeds to quickly and thoroughly search the cabinets behind and under the sales counter, looking for something. ]
I'm gonna do some high school science back here. I need, like, five minutes.
[ While she does that, Koharu settles her arms upon the counter, watching the science experiment begin for a short moment before settling her focus to the window. Goodness knows if she pries her eyes away for a second too long, that's precisely when danger would strike again. ]
Five... Okay. [ Inhale, exhale. She still isn't liking what she's seeing ahead, but—you've got this. ] I can do that.
[ It's quiet for now, but as the seconds pass, there is noise coming in the distance. ]
Promise if you can shoot some dogs for me, I'll give you something a lot more fun to do next, [ Root says absently, busy working.
She finds the supplies she wants and starts opening containers of cleaning supplies and dumping their contents out recklessly on the floor. The first part with repurposing the aerosol can of Lysol is easy enough, but mixing and then pouring a mildly explosive liquid back in those little glass vials requires a steady hand. Root takes a breath.
[ What kind of incentive is that?! It makes her sound like a four year old who needs convincing! (A four year old with a gun.) After regarding her with a disbelieving glance, Koharu stares back ahead. ]
I'd prefer to just get out of here alive...!
[ That's all the convincing she needs here, really.
After that, Root gets to work in silence; Koharu is serious about keeping watch, but it's mostly dark and the visibility isn't great, so she isn't about to distract either of them here. One minute passes, then two, three, then...
In that time, a bigger pack of the core hounds have caught scent of their fallen brethren while seeking more targets of their unusual hostility. One of them, oblivious to what sits beyond the broken window, sniffs over the lifeless bodies—and when Koharu spots the shifting and hears the beastly grunts, she feels her stomach twisting as her hopes dash into wishful thinking. But there's no time to mull on it, nor the time to say anything; she did warn Root that any gunshots would be her warning.
Against all past advice given to her and better judgement, Koharu tenses as she pulls on the trigger. The gunshot echoes loudly in the silence, but the first bullet grazes over its head, alerting the hound. Another second, Koharu exhales sharply, shifts her hands, and fires again.
This time? Bullseye. Or as bullseye as 'actually hitting the target' gets. ]
[ Root has been mercilessly planning assassinations since she was about fourteen. To her, reluctance and squeamishness about violence reads as quaint and sheltered. Not exactly a four year old, but somebody she does need to babysit.
She glances up at the sound of the gunshot, rapidly assessing whether Koharu can handle it for another minute more. She catches the exhale and second follow-up shot and gives her an approving smile before turning back to her work. There's now a set of little glass vials re-filled with a different liquid set beside the Lysol can. Root scoops up all but one of them into her ammo bag, finishes off the last vial, and leaves the scattered remains of apothecary and cleaning supplies a mess in the already ravaged store. ]
Get down!
[ She has the sharp ringing authority of somebody launching a grenade. Root grabs Koharu by the arm at a safe moment, making sure it's between shots -- she's no amateur -- and hauls her down behind the counter as she throws one of the vials over it and at the encroaching pack of hounds.
It shatters on the ground and vaporizes into a fine mist that smells intensely of citrus and pepper. ]
Hope that works on hellhounds, [ she mutters under her breath as she pulls her shirt up over her nose. Root immediately grabs her shotgun and stands to turn and check. Dogs don't like citrus or pepper and a deterrent would work a lot better than pumping them all full of her entire bag of shells. ]
[ Luckily for the both of them, Koharu is intimately familiar with the warning call that comes the second before chucking a grenade. It snaps her attention away from the window, though Root yanks her down before having to think about it herself, curling back against the counter in anticipation for...
Actually, she isn't sure what to expect; a bomb doesn't set off, nor does a flash ever come, but when Root tugs her shirt over her face, realization dawns upon Koharu.
In that time, Root's science experiment appears to be working its magic. Irritable snorts and grunts come from the hounds that have collected by the broken window—one of them whines, even, pulling back away. The ones who linger the longest eventually start reaching their limits, scampering away from the offending scents.
Koharu, meanwhile, looks up toward Root from her spot on the floor expectantly, lifting her left hand toward her face just in case. ]
[ Glass shrapnel is nothing to sneeze at, so Root wasn't taking chances with sticking either of their faces above the counter. Satisfied it's working, she grabs the Lysol can and offers it out to Koharu, shirt still pulled over her nose in a comical pseudo-mask. ]
Trade you for my gun back -- treat this like pepper spray. We're going out the back. And keep staying behind me, got it?
[ It's been a while since she played escort mission for someone, but Root knows how to do it. She has the forward momentum and briskness of someone absolutely comfortable with what they're doing. ]
[ Root accepts the pistol, slings her shotgun over her shoulder with a strap, and then pulls out a second pistol, one for each hand. It's basically her trademark at this point, and for good reason: she can actually fire both simultaneously at two different targets, with frightening accuracy. If she's conserving shells, it makes more sense to give Koharu the dog deterrent spray and her take both pistols. ]
Off we go!
[ She leads them toward the back door and marches out into an alley, covering angles with practiced assurance. Her goal is to get Koharu to the nearest safehouse -- and until then, she's not going to distract them with a lot of conversation. ]
Though there's a few obstacles along the way—fortunately, a little easier to deal with—their journey is swift, and soon enough they're at the doors to the inn. Koharu throws a cautious glance over her shoulder to ensure there's no other dangers following them, but once it seems clear, she nearly throws the doors open to hurry inside.
[ Root follows her at a more measured pace, but she's not casual by any means; she enters swiftly, walks up to a table in the lobby, and promptly starts unloading her various weaponry onto it so that she can reload it all effectively. ]
Should be -- seems like they're avoiding it. At least, this is where I've been bringing anyone else I run across, and they're still alive!
[ That's more reassuring than otherwise, at least. ]
R... right.
[ Now that she no longer needs to stay on the alert, Koharu finally collapses into a nearby seat, yet a tenseness remains in her shoulders as her face falls into her hands. There's still a tremble to them as she slips out a long exhale, like she's attempting to expel some anxiety. ]
Right.
[ It's fine—she's okay. Just another close encounter with death, if cupids were even capable of dying a second time. Softer, but not quite level: ]
[ Root gears up again and re-equips herself, unwilling to be unarmed for a moment in the current climate, but she glances over at Koharu slumping into a chair with some sympathy. Sometimes she gets impatient with the Machine's insistence that they stop to help little old ladies cross the street, by which she means, save random peoples' lives, but there is a silver lining to it that she's come to appreciate. Here she is, doing it purely because the Machine would want her to... and that's who she is now. ]
Don't mention it. You know, you're a pretty good shot for an angel.
[ Does she get to ask about the wings now? Because-- what? ]
[ A beat follows, then Koharu lifts her head just enough to blink absently at her. For a moment she thinks that isn't quite right, before deciding it feels a little pedantic to be correcting that right now. Her heart is still racing and she's coming down a hell of an adrenaline rush, so really, what does it matter.
Instead: ]
Um—thanks. I'm still a beginner, but I've been trying to practice more.
[ Nevermind Koharu feels awful about needing to shoot in this scenario, but a small part of her thinks at least she wasn't totally useless out there. ]
[ Okay, she'll hold her questions for a moment. Other, more normal people need a little time to adjust to their dramatic violent interludes; not something that's really ever been true for Root, or at least, not in a very long time. But she can be patient with it in this specific circumstance where they're in a safehouse. ]
We can practice later if you want, [ she offers, because she has nothing better to do. ] I'm Root. Probably a good idea to know how to handle a weapon around here.
[ Koharu had been given the impression that as long as one didn’t travel too far from the outskirts of town, they should be safe, but today (tonight?) appears to have proven otherwise. Not that she blames anyone for saying otherwise; maybe this is just a weird anomaly?
She couldn’t say. Either way, she can’t remain defenseless anymore. ]
My name’s Koharu, and I… could use the practice, if you would be willing.
Sure thing. Every place is a good place to have a gun, [ Root returns jovially, practically sing-song. Root doesn't think Aldrip is particularly dangerous, but that there's people around at all make it dangerous enough, even without factors like their simulated environment setting up tests for them coming into play.
Trust no one you aren't close with and be prepared to shoot at all times. That's how Root lives her life. ]
I'm gonna head back out, see if there's any other lost little lambs I can shepherd home. But I'll probably be stopping by on my way back for dinner, if you're still here.
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expiationlogs2024-11-11 09:09 am
no subject
[ There’s a level of hesitation in her voice, partly in surprise of being offered a pistol in the first place, as Koharu decides she ought to take this opportunity to push herself back up upon her feet.
On one hand, she’s never actually hurt anyone or thing before; on the other, whatever is happening here, Koharu doesn’t think she wants to be totally defenseless here. ]
I can use one—I know how.
[ The juxtaposition of a young, scared girl with a timid disposition admitting she can fire off a gun is probably noticeable, but at least she seems like she means it. ]
no subject
[ Root is surprised by the answer, but effusively congratulatory. All young ladies should know how to shoot someone, in her opinion.
She balances her shotgun in one hand (pointed safely away) and pulls out her trusty Glock 17 from where it's stashed in her waistband at the small of her back. She offers it out handle-first to Koharu. ]
Stay behind me and try not to shoot me, please.
no subject
[ Not with an honest-to-god human-made handgun, anyway. Koharu accepts the pistol, the fingers of her right hand tightening around the grip, careful not to let her pointer hover too closely by the trigger. Quickly, she inspects it over, but there's no wasting time before she clasps both hands over it and points the barrel toward the ground. While Koharu isn't super experienced, true to her word, she knows how to handle the weapon. ]
S— so, I'm ready! Let's go. Please.
[ And they really oughta not linger. Its fallen brethren not going unnoticed, it would appear another pair of the hounds has noticed them taking cover by the storefront, now eager to catch up. ]
no subject
Satisfied, Root turns and jumps back into the store, ignoring the broken glass scraping her and the cuts it leaves behind. She has a clear, authoritative tone and a controlled manner that make it obvious this is not her first rodeo. ]
Better hurry -- we're getting company, and we need a defensible position. Get in and behind the counter. I'll cover you.
[ And she swings around immediately to fire off a round just past Koharu at an advancing hound. It's far enough away that it's only glanced by the buckshot and skitters, growling low and wary, looking for a better approach with its pal... ]
no subject
—Right!
[ Considerably less confident in her words, she hops through, barrels toward the check out counter, and ducks behind it.
And that’s when the hounds catch up. One of them appears particularly angry—probably because of the decent graze against one of its heads, which is now beginning to spew more fire from its mouth—but both begin to claw through the glass to reach their next potential prey. ]
no subject
But eventually they go down, and Root takes a look outside as she pulls more shells out of a small cross-body bag she has with her. She does not have magically infinite ammo, so she's thinking hard about next steps. This won't work forever. ]
We're probably not clear for long.
[ She crosses swiftly over to where Koharu is hiding behind the counter and joins her, kneeling on the floor and reloading the shotgun again. Shink-shink-shink. She almost does a double-take when she notices the wings, but saves the pithy commentary for later. ]
Can you keep an eye on the window for a couple minutes? I have an idea.
no subject
Root joins her eventually. Koharu’s response doesn’t come immediately, instead lifting her head just to be able to peek at the window once more. The slumped over bodies of the hounds makes her wince, eyes gazing downward again, but she does manage a small, if careful, nod. ]
Y- yeah. I can do it. If you hear a shot, um—I guess that’s your warning there’s more.
[ God, she really hopes another one doesn’t come barging in. ]
no subject
[ Apparently totally trusting Koharu to watch their perimeter, Root finishes reloading her shotgun and sets it down on the ground to the side. She then starts pulling out little glass apothecary vials and pouches from her ammo bag. She examines them, picks out a couple, and then proceeds to quickly and thoroughly search the cabinets behind and under the sales counter, looking for something. ]
I'm gonna do some high school science back here. I need, like, five minutes.
no subject
Five... Okay. [ Inhale, exhale. She still isn't liking what she's seeing ahead, but—you've got this. ] I can do that.
[ It's quiet for now, but as the seconds pass, there is noise coming in the distance. ]
no subject
She finds the supplies she wants and starts opening containers of cleaning supplies and dumping their contents out recklessly on the floor. The first part with repurposing the aerosol can of Lysol is easy enough, but mixing and then pouring a mildly explosive liquid back in those little glass vials requires a steady hand. Root takes a breath.
Koharu might in fact have to shoot some dogs. ]
no subject
[ What kind of incentive is that?! It makes her sound like a four year old who needs convincing! (A four year old with a gun.) After regarding her with a disbelieving glance, Koharu stares back ahead. ]
I'd prefer to just get out of here alive...!
[ That's all the convincing she needs here, really.
After that, Root gets to work in silence; Koharu is serious about keeping watch, but it's mostly dark and the visibility isn't great, so she isn't about to distract either of them here. One minute passes, then two, three, then...
In that time, a bigger pack of the core hounds have caught scent of their fallen brethren while seeking more targets of their unusual hostility. One of them, oblivious to what sits beyond the broken window, sniffs over the lifeless bodies—and when Koharu spots the shifting and hears the beastly grunts, she feels her stomach twisting as her hopes dash into wishful thinking. But there's no time to mull on it, nor the time to say anything; she did warn Root that any gunshots would be her warning.
Against all past advice given to her and better judgement, Koharu tenses as she pulls on the trigger. The gunshot echoes loudly in the silence, but the first bullet grazes over its head, alerting the hound. Another second, Koharu exhales sharply, shifts her hands, and fires again.
This time? Bullseye. Or as bullseye as 'actually hitting the target' gets. ]
no subject
She glances up at the sound of the gunshot, rapidly assessing whether Koharu can handle it for another minute more. She catches the exhale and second follow-up shot and gives her an approving smile before turning back to her work. There's now a set of little glass vials re-filled with a different liquid set beside the Lysol can. Root scoops up all but one of them into her ammo bag, finishes off the last vial, and leaves the scattered remains of apothecary and cleaning supplies a mess in the already ravaged store. ]
Get down!
[ She has the sharp ringing authority of somebody launching a grenade. Root grabs Koharu by the arm at a safe moment, making sure it's between shots -- she's no amateur -- and hauls her down behind the counter as she throws one of the vials over it and at the encroaching pack of hounds.
It shatters on the ground and vaporizes into a fine mist that smells intensely of citrus and pepper. ]
Hope that works on hellhounds, [ she mutters under her breath as she pulls her shirt up over her nose. Root immediately grabs her shotgun and stands to turn and check. Dogs don't like citrus or pepper and a deterrent would work a lot better than pumping them all full of her entire bag of shells. ]
no subject
Actually, she isn't sure what to expect; a bomb doesn't set off, nor does a flash ever come, but when Root tugs her shirt over her face, realization dawns upon Koharu.
In that time, Root's science experiment appears to be working its magic. Irritable snorts and grunts come from the hounds that have collected by the broken window—one of them whines, even, pulling back away. The ones who linger the longest eventually start reaching their limits, scampering away from the offending scents.
Koharu, meanwhile, looks up toward Root from her spot on the floor expectantly, lifting her left hand toward her face just in case. ]
no subject
Trade you for my gun back -- treat this like pepper spray. We're going out the back. And keep staying behind me, got it?
[ It's been a while since she played escort mission for someone, but Root knows how to do it. She has the forward momentum and briskness of someone absolutely comfortable with what they're doing. ]
no subject
I'll stay close—promise.
[ And with that, she accepts the Lysol and shifts back upon her feet. ]
time skip perhaps??
Off we go!
[ She leads them toward the back door and marches out into an alley, covering angles with practiced assurance. Her goal is to get Koharu to the nearest safehouse -- and until then, she's not going to distract them with a lot of conversation. ]
time skip ahoy
Though there's a few obstacles along the way—fortunately, a little easier to deal with—their journey is swift, and soon enough they're at the doors to the inn. Koharu throws a cautious glance over her shoulder to ensure there's no other dangers following them, but once it seems clear, she nearly throws the doors open to hurry inside.
Wearily, she breathes out: ]
Ugh. Finally... Will we be okay here?
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Should be -- seems like they're avoiding it. At least, this is where I've been bringing anyone else I run across, and they're still alive!
no subject
R... right.
[ Now that she no longer needs to stay on the alert, Koharu finally collapses into a nearby seat, yet a tenseness remains in her shoulders as her face falls into her hands. There's still a tremble to them as she slips out a long exhale, like she's attempting to expel some anxiety. ]
Right.
[ It's fine—she's okay. Just another close encounter with death, if cupids were even capable of dying a second time. Softer, but not quite level: ]
... Thank you for helping me.
no subject
Don't mention it. You know, you're a pretty good shot for an angel.
[ Does she get to ask about the wings now? Because-- what? ]
no subject
Instead: ]
Um—thanks. I'm still a beginner, but I've been trying to practice more.
[ Nevermind Koharu feels awful about needing to shoot in this scenario, but a small part of her thinks at least she wasn't totally useless out there. ]
no subject
We can practice later if you want, [ she offers, because she has nothing better to do. ] I'm Root. Probably a good idea to know how to handle a weapon around here.
no subject
Okay. I guess it would be.
[ Koharu had been given the impression that as long as one didn’t travel too far from the outskirts of town, they should be safe, but today (tonight?) appears to have proven otherwise. Not that she blames anyone for saying otherwise; maybe this is just a weird anomaly?
She couldn’t say. Either way, she can’t remain defenseless anymore. ]
My name’s Koharu, and I… could use the practice, if you would be willing.
no subject
Trust no one you aren't close with and be prepared to shoot at all times. That's how Root lives her life. ]
I'm gonna head back out, see if there's any other lost little lambs I can shepherd home. But I'll probably be stopping by on my way back for dinner, if you're still here.
no subject
[ Koharu can say that much with some semblance of confidence; she could not be paid enough to walk back out that door. ]
This is where I'm staying, anyway, so I don't have anywhere else to be.
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