[1:35 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros rolling up! He walked into the arena, having shunned his coat. He shifted his viol onto his back for better safekeeping but didn't dare remove it. He's here babey.
[1:36 PM] DiceParser:
# 20
Details:[d20 (20)]
[1:41 PM]em | enya + mallon:
As soon as they heard the announcement, Mallon took off running. This was a bad idea. Worse so that it was Yeonaixho announcing. But they were looking for Ekmeros, and if this was how they would find him than so be it. Even still, as they rush into the arena with their jaw set, it leaves an uncomfortable pit of growing dread in their gut.
[1:42 PM] DiceParser:
# 7
Details:[d20-1 (8)]
[1:46 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros' shoulders sagged slightly as Mallon entered the arena, then he stepped forward. Not too close. "Mallon. I have to assume you have heard the announcement - please, listen to me. It is all a misunderstanding."
@em | enya + mallon
[1:50 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Mallon doesn’t come any closer—though their eye tracks Ekmeroes’s every move. “I have,” they say simply, then frown. “So what is.” It’s less of a question—more demand of an answer. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻
[1:52 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros steps closer again. Still keeping some distance. "I have gotten people sick, Mallon, and I did not mean to. Ryunoske, the person who made the announcement, she was one of them. She wasn't lying maliciously, she truly believed what she was saying, but it is wrong. And because I have made people sick, who may have made others sick, they were susceptible to believing it. But they are misguided. Yeonaixho is not like that, he wants to help."
@em | enya + mallon
[1:57 PM]em | enya + mallon:
So far what Zerada had explained is lining up—and worse than they expected. But at the same time, Ekmeros is so convinced that they almost want to believe him. “So say that that is true,” they state, crossing their arms. “Why then am I not sick? And if you are the source then why do they not share your opinion?” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻
[2:01 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros sighs as he watches Mallon cross their arms. "Because Yeonaixho is helping me see the truth." Yeah that didn't sound culty at all! "He has promised to help me - in more ways than one, but he has offered to help me treat this sickness, and I'm sure he would help the others." But then he hesitates. "Do you... do you believe what Ryu has said, Mallon? Surely it must sound impossible to you?"
@em | enya + mallon
[2:05 PM]em | enya + mallon:
“Why has he not already?” Mallon asks, head tilting slightly. “Instead he throws you into an arena where one of us must prove victor.”
“Many things have sounded impossible here,” they continue with a shrug, essentially dodging the question. “I have spent my life alone beneath the sea. The sun itself seemed impossible.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻
[2:08 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
"Because of what Ryu has done, this whole- the island has been thrown into disarray because of the misunderstanding. I was part of the tournament, I couldn't- it was why I was going to throw the fight- and if you understand that the announcement was wrong and join me, I still can." Ekmeros can't reply to their question dodging, staring at them pleadingly. "Mallon, please. Yeonaixho is a good person. You have to understand that, please see that."
@em | enya + mallon
[2:16 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Mallon doesn’t react right away, and at first it might seem to Ekmeros that they are truly considering the offer. But then they slowly shake their head.
“I am entirely capable of deciding for myself,” they say, a faint bite to their words. “I’ve heard the announcements. I’ve spoken to others and actually listened. I’ve seen those—“ Their arm snaps out, pointing straight at the decaying bodies next to Yeonaixho. “—watching over us. So no. I cannot understand you.”
Mallon’s fists clench at their sides, and their eye narrows to a thin glowing slit. “You were going to lose on purpose. They would have stolen your magic and taken your music but you still defend them. Do those mean nothing to you?” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻
[2:21 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros steps forward hopefully. Then he takes two steps back. "Mallon..." He mutters, gripping the strap of his viol. "Mallon, for- Mallon! I have gotten you sick as well! You need Yeonaixho's help- Zerada, Ryu, Glass, the people I have talked to, we all need his help! He is trying to do good by us!" His eyes flickers to the bodies and he sighs through his nose. "Those are irrelevant. He is the Hand of God. I trust him."
His grip on the strap tightens even more, his hands shake. "My music means everything to me, Mallon, in ways you cannot- will not understand! You're too young to- all of you are too young to understand. Even if the announcements are true, there is reason! You're all children, you cannot understand loss this great- this long!"
@em | enya + mallon
[2:28 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Mallon doesn’t have it in them to feel disappointed at Ekmeros’s tone. “He is trying to do good by us by making us fight until we are knocked out,” they snap, taking a single half step forward. “I am a hunter. I do not balk from fighting. But even I do not attack my prey pointlessly.”
As Ekmeros continues, their gaze sharpens more and more until his last sentence and Mallon snarls at that, a purely animalistic sound that crawls violently from the depths of their chest as they bare their teeth. “I am not a child.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻
[2:34 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros' hands leave the strap of the viol. "You are young. You are younger than any of this! Twenty years! You have been alive for as long as-" He stops himself, nails biting his palms. "All the contestants are young. I have been have travelling for as long as you have been alive- searching for as long as you have been alive. This is older than you." (pausing for him to try an attack)
[2:35 PM] DiceParser:
Warning: Unexpected character at 4 - end of command was ignored "+7"
# 19
Details:[d20 +7 (19)]
[2:35 PM] DiceParser:
# 12
Details:[d20+2 (10)]
[2:35 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
@em | enya + mallon def
[2:35 PM] DiceParser:
# 14
Details:[d20+3 (11)]
[2:37 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
His words are biting, even without the damage. "This is more important than you."
@em | enya + mallon
Ekmeros is on 18 stamina
[2:43 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Mallon grits their teeth, shoulders tensing as shells ripple across their arms for a second or two. “I don’t need to be important,” they snap back, mimicking Ekmeros’ tone. “I could have left if I wanted to. I stayed because this is about more than me or you. I stayed because despite my better thinking I have come to care about people!”
(Never mind the fact that they can’t physically go home…) @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻
[2:46 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
"Yeonaixho cares about people!" Ekmeros says, stepping forward. "He has promised to help me in ways you cannot understand- with his help, I will find the thing I have been searching for your entire life, the only thing that matters!" One hand rests on the viol strap again, the other at his side. "If you refuse to realise that people have been misled, intentionally or not, then..." He staggers over his words. "Then our deal is off."
@em | enya + mallon
[3:21 PM]em | enya + mallon:
“So no one else can?” Mallon bites out. The past few moments have had them showing more outright emotion than they have the entire time they’ve been here. “Maybe I cannot understand because you refuse to explain! You say you have your reasons and you say I cannot understand so make me!” By now they’re yelling, a mix of confusion and anger and sadness bleeding together.
Then Ekmeros says the deal is off and they freeze. Inexplicably, a laugh escapes them. “I never wanted it in the first place. You know that full well. By all means.” They pull their bandana off, their lure finally revealed to Ekmeros for the first time. It glows in the dim morning with a harsh light that echoes the glow of their eye, still slitted and tracking with a hunter’s intensity. “Convince me.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻
[3:31 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
"You've already proved you are incapable of understanding," Ekmeros sounds cold as he speaks. "And I am not telling a stranger the things I hold dearest to me." He pushes up his shirt sleeves - a fruitless endeavour because both fall back down. "And a child cannot be convinced to understand adult matters.
[3:32 PM] DiceParser:
# 10
Details:[d20+7 (3)]
[3:32 PM] DiceParser:
# 10
Details:[d20+2 (8)]
[3:32 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
@em | enya + mallon def
[3:32 PM] DiceParser:
# 17
Details:[d20+3 (14)]
[3:32 PM]em | enya + mallon:
💀
[3:33 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
He holds out his hand and- nothing happens. Ekmeros lets out a frustrated hum.
@em | enya + mallon
Ekmeros is on 14 stamina
[3:41 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Shells harden across Mallon’s upper body, including their face and covering their eyepatch until only their good eye is visible. Regardless of nothing happening outright, Ekmeros is still good at getting under their skin.
Fine. If he doesn’t want to explain, so be it. They launch themself at him with a snarl.
[3:41 PM] DiceParser:
# 12
Details:[d20+1 (11)]
[3:41 PM]em | enya + mallon:
@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻 def
[3:41 PM] DiceParser:
# 3
Details:[d20+2 (1)]
[3:42 PM] DiceParser:
# 12
Details:[2d5+3 (4 5)]
[3:43 PM]em | enya + mallon:
DAYUM
[3:43 PM] DiceParser:
# 13
Details:[25-12 ()]
[3:48 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros is clearly not expecting Mallon to just barrel into him because he makes no move to defend himself from their attack. He practically flies backwards and rolls across the floor. He quickly looks over his shoulder to check the viol case - it's served him well all this time and yet, the neck of the case has the slightest dent. He grits his teeth, trusting that the inside continues to serve him well, then he stands up.
[3:48 PM] DiceParser:
# 11
Details:[d20+7 (4)]
[3:52 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros presses a hand to his chest and, to everyone's eye, he becomes slightly fuzzy. Not invisible but as he steps backwards, his movements seem delayed, out of sync with the world.
(Mallon has disadvantage on attack rolls against Ekmeros until he casts another spell, dismisses this spell or enacts or takes damage)
Ekmeros is on 12 stamina
Ekmeros is 13 HP
@em | enya + mallon
[4:10 PM]em | enya + mallon:
:sparkl:
Mallon grunts as they stumble slightly, limbs suddenly heavy. A little bit of the shelly armor melts away to try and lessen it, but it doesn’t seem to do much, and they growl faintly under their breath. A high-pitched noise seems to follow them— whines and clicks and hisses. Seems like they won’t be talking much anymore. They launch another attack, this time sweeping their claws at his torso.
[4:10 PM] DiceParser:
# 7
Details:[d20+1 (6)]
[4:10 PM] DiceParser:
# 18
Details:[d20+1 (17)]
[4:10 PM]em | enya + mallon:
@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻 def
[4:11 PM] DiceParser:
# 14
Details:[d20+2 (12)]
[4:13 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros this time sees the attack coming and swerves out of the way, Mallon only managing to swipe the edge of his blurred image.
@em | enya + mallon
[4:14 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
As he swerves, Ekmeros brandishes a shortsword from his belt and slashes at Mallon.
[4:14 PM] DiceParser:
# 19
Details:[d20+2 (17)]
[4:15 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
@em | enya + mallon def
[4:15 PM] DiceParser:
# 5
Details:[d20+3 (2)]
[4:15 PM] DiceParser:
# 6
Details:[d5+3 (3)]
[4:15 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
19 hp mallon
[4:24 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Off balance and half blind, as soon as Ekmeros swerves into the blind spot Mallon looses track. They only hear the sching of metal and whoosh in the air before the blade cracks through the lessened shells covering their shoulder. They scream in pain, the sound utterly inhuman, whipping around with a wild slash entirely wide. The shells thicken and they freeze in place, eye dimming entirely gray as their lure glows brighter than ever. Look at me, it hums. Nothing else is here.
[4:24 PM] DiceParser:
# 11
Details:[d20+2 (9)]
[4:24 PM]em | enya + mallon:
@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻 wis
[4:25 PM] DiceParser:
# 9
Details:[d20+3 (6)]
[4:26 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Well he is in fact looking at it!
[4:26 PM] DiceParser:
# 6
Details:[d20+3 (3)]
[4:26 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Well. He's still looking.
[4:28 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Mallon weaves back and forth, lure bobbing in front of their head. They dart in, this time knocking into Ekmeros with their shell-encrusted shoulder and attempting to wrestle the sword from his hand.
[4:29 PM] DiceParser:
# 7
Details:[d20+1 (6)]
[4:29 PM]em | enya + mallon:
@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻 def
[4:29 PM] DiceParser:
# 6
Details:[d20+2 (4)]
[4:29 PM] DiceParser:
# 15
Details:[d20+2 (13)]
[4:35 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Well, his sword is gone! Fuck. But he's not looking at the thing anymore! As Mallon takes the sword, he stumbles backwards with a grunt. "You say you're not a child yet all you do is snatch!"
[4:35 PM] DiceParser:
# 9
Details:[d20+7 (2)]
[4:36 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Well. Fuck's sake.
Ekmeros is at 10 stamina.
@em | enya + mallon
[4:42 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Mallon’s panting slightly by the time they successfully nab the sword, but it’s hard to tell with the shelly mass that covers them. Once again, Ekmeros’s yell doesn’t do much but it still stings. They click and snarl in his direction, chin jerking up as they curl a hand into a fist over their chest. It seems like an attempt at a reply. As for the sword, they spare it hardly a glance, chucking it behind them with a hiss (that sort of seems like a ‘fuck you’ directed at it), and then their gaze swivels back to Ekmeros. They don’t attack right away—instead ever so slowly beginning to circle, keeping Ekmeros out of their blind spot as best as possible. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻
[4:44 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros watches Mallon intently as they circle him, twisting around. Then he stuck his hand out and PLEASE FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE EKMEROS LAND A FUCKING SPELL.
[4:44 PM] DiceParser:
# 13
Details:[d20+7 (6)]
[4:44 PM] DiceParser:
# 19
Details:[d20+2 (17)]
[4:45 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
@em | enya + mallon def
[4:45 PM] DiceParser:
# 20
Details:[d20+3 (17)]
[4:45 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
fuck
Ekmeros is on 6 stamina
[4:48 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Whatever Ekmeros is trying to do, Mallon can’t tell if it’s working. But he’s trying to do something, and that’s enough cause. Their eye—back to it’s normal faint glow—narrows, and they lunge at him again. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻
[4:48 PM] DiceParser:
# 8
Details:[d20+1 (7)]
[4:48 PM] DiceParser:
# 3
Details:[d20+2 (1)]
[4:49 PM] DiceParser:
# 12
Details:[2d5+3 (5 4)]
[4:49 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
1 hp ekmeros
[4:50 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
fuck you ekmeros
[4:50 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
i hope you die
[4:50 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Image
[4:51 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
WELL FUCK. King really understood the assignment of malefail. Ekmeros yells in pain. As he hits the floor, he sticks his hand out again.
[4:51 PM] DiceParser:
# 20
Details:[d20+7 (13)]
[4:51 PM] DiceParser:
# 3
Details:[d20+2 (1)]
[4:51 PM] DiceParser:
# 17
Details:[d20+2 (15)]
[4:52 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
@em | enya + mallon def
[4:52 PM] DiceParser:
# 7
Details:[d20+3 (4)]
[4:55 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
FINALLY. As Ekmeros holds his hand out, Mallon feels a chill roll down their entire body - and then they're held still by nothing. Mf cannot move!
Ekmeros is at 2 stamina
@em | enya + mallon
[4:58 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Mallon’s halfway to lunging at Ekmeros again when their body locks up, and even though they don’t fully know what’s happening they shriek in anger anyways. If they could move at all, they’d be thrashing around. Despite everything, there’s a faint glimmer of fear in their eye. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻
[4:58 PM]em | enya + mallon:
wis
[4:59 PM]em | enya + mallon:
oh is it
[4:59 PM]em | enya + mallon:
idk lol
[4:59 PM]em | enya + mallon:
cha
[4:59 PM] DiceParser:
# 6
Details:[d20 (6)]
[4:59 PM]em | enya + mallon:
💀
[5:03 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
As Mallon is held still, Ekmeros stands slow, relishing the time he has. As soon as he's standing, he sprints toward his discarded sword and picks it up hastily. He's hesitant to return to Mallon even though he's armed, so he stays where he's standing and raises the sword. "I wish you could have just listened to me," he dares to say while they're still. "But I don't think you would have listened to anything I said even if you weren't sick."
@em | enya + mallon
[5:11 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Mallon crumples when the spell dissipates, scrambling to pick themself up with a rattled hiss and grunt. They’re still pissed, but now even with the shells mostly obscuring their face they seem much more wary. Once again they snarl something unintelligible in Ekmeros’s direction, gesturing wildly with their hands in another attempted reply. Sorry Ekmeros, you won’t be getting much from them. Eye narrowing at the sword still stained with their blood, they lunge again. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻
[5:11 PM] DiceParser:
# 10
Details:[d20+1 (9)]
[5:11 PM] DiceParser:
# 8
Details:[d20+2 (6)]
[5:12 PM] DiceParser:
# 6
Details:[d5+3 (3)]
[5:12 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
-5 hp ekmeros
[5:13 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
The sword falls to the side as Mallon barrels into him and Ekmeros doesn't even feel the ground before he's out cold.
[5:15 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
As Ekmeros collapsed to the ground, Yeonaixho rose from his seat. "Victory to Mallon."
Three of the corpse warriors entered the arena, and went to approach Ekmeros's body. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻 @em | enya + mallon
[5:18 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Mallon whips around as soon as Ekmeros drops, scream-snarling a response up at Yeonaixho that although not words, has a very clear message. They pace in a circle—keeping their back to Ekmeros’s body—and facing the corpse warriors as they approach. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)
[5:23 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
Yeonaixho didn't even acknowledge Mallon's cursing- he was already leaving.
Meanwhile, the corpse warriors continued mindlessly on. It seems they didn't see, or care, about Mallon. @em | enya + mallon
[7:08 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Mallon hisses at the corpse warriors, eye darting rapidly between each one. They back up slowly and step over Ekmeros’s body, pausing for only a second, before slipping their hands under his arms and attempting to drag him with them towards the exit. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)
(if i need to roll anything lemme know 👍)
[7:09 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
The corpse warriors rapidly advanced towards Ekmeros, attempting to take him from Mallon... @em | enya + mallon
[7:09 PM] DiceParser:
# 2
Details:[d20 (2)]
[7:09 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
@em | enya + mallon def 💀
[7:09 PM] DiceParser:
# 14
Details:[d20+3 (11)]
[7:09 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
... and failed. These bitches aren't grabbing anything. @em | enya + mallon
[8:35 PM]em | enya + mallon:
💀 Mallon dodges with a grunt, glaring up at the zombies with bared teeth. They try to pick up the pace, desperation bleeding into their movements. Ekmeros had said some hurtful things—hell, he’d stabbed them—but they weren’t about to give up on him just yet. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)
[8:38 PM] DiceParser:
# 5
Details:[d20+2 (3)]
[8:38 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
@em | enya + mallon def
[8:38 PM] DiceParser:
# 10
Details:[d20+3 (7)]
[8:39 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
Despite Mallon's shuffling away, the corpse warriors persisted... but they weren't getting any closer @em | enya + mallon
[8:45 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Yup. They’re still going. How much further? Until they’re stopped I guess! @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)
[8:45 PM] DiceParser:
# 15
Details:[d20+2 (13)]
[8:46 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
@em | enya + mallon def
[8:46 PM] DiceParser:
# 20
Details:[d20+3 (17)]
[8:46 PM]em | enya + mallon:
MALLON
[8:46 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
MY GOD
[8:46 PM]em | enya + mallon:
THEY CANT BE STOPPED
[8:47 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
The zombies are still trying 😭 @em | enya + mallon
[8:57 PM]em | enya + mallon:
They’re still goin’! idk how far it would be lol ig until they fail 💀 @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)
[8:59 PM] DiceParser:
# 13
Details:[d20+2 (11)]
[8:59 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
@em | enya + mallon def
[8:59 PM] DiceParser:
# 13
Details:[d20+3 (10)]
[9:00 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
1 for zombies 2 for mallon
[9:00 PM] DiceParser:
# 2
Details:[d2 (2)]
[9:00 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
MY GOD
[9:00 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:
MALLON.
[9:00 PM]em | enya + mallon:
they’re unstoppable
[9:04 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):
Finally, the corpse warriors managed to wretch Ekmeros from Mallon's hold. They began to drag him away, towards the hospital. @em | enya + mallon
[9:17 PM]em | enya + mallon:
Mallon struggles once they catch up, but eventually is overwhelmed and knocked flat on their back as Ekmeros is yanked from them. A vicious snarl escapes them and they chase after, but in the end, there’s nothing they can do.
They’re left alone in the arena. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)