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Vicious_Cycle ([info]vicious_cycle) wrote,
@ 2011-06-24 12:20:00


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Entry tags:nicholas salem, rose knight-rand

Challenge thread
It had led him here - the demon sense, drawing the rider like a moth to a flame. It had been a long drive, but none of that mattered. Even from hundreds of miles away, he could feel the summoning ritual taking place, the sound almost maddening as these cultists sought to open a portal directly into Mephisto's realm. He didn't know how they'd come by the Darkhold page, and they clearly didn't know what they were doing - but it had to be stopped.

As the chanting reaches a crescendo, moments before the knife plunges down at the naked sacrifice, prepared for just such purposes, the flaming cycle comes bursting through one wall.



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[info]irondragon
2011-06-24 05:00 pm UTC (link)
And Rose was pulling a rescue of her own. The cultist was distracted for a moment by Ghost Rider bursting in. So she dropped the hooded robe she had stolen and sprung into action. A sword in hand she leaps and cuts slashing across the leader and driving him off.

"I'm here to save you," she said then began to fight off anyone who came close. She was planning on making sure this.... victim got set free and out of here alive. She had been working on this for a month knowing that she had to get in and stop it.

She wouldn't let any innocents suffer tonight.

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-24 05:08 pm UTC (link)
Despite being foolish, the cultists are no slouches in power or training. Several bring out long, curved knives from under their robes, working on circling Rose. Others move towards the Rider to try and slow him down.
Meanwhile, the leader of the cult and his sub-priests begin chanting, using the time afforded them to cast a warding spell towards Nick, obviously tormenting the demon within as he comes to a stop, while others summon grasping tentacles of shadow to try and grapple Rose to help the melee combatants among their number.

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-24 05:24 pm UTC (link)
She was going to keep fighting. She was moving quickly trying to disarm them and not kill them. But everything was moving so fast and sometimes there was just too much blood while she was disarming them. That bothered her but she couldn't help it as she was trying to not to kill them but they seemed intent on killing her.

A tentacle managed to grasp her ankle and there was little Rose could do but try chopping it away.

"You will not kill her."

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-24 05:28 pm UTC (link)
The single tentacle is chopped away, but that provides time for three others to try and grab her, attempting to grapple and drag her towards the larger mass of shadowy tendrils, while other cultists seek to either aid the magic, or slash at her.

"You're right." the high priest taunts. "You'll make a far better sacrifice, I can feel your power! Strip her and bind her!" he commands the minions.

The distraction provided by Rose buys Nick a little time, trying to fight through the warding spell. He's able to deal with the minions attacking him, but the spells of protections from demons are a bigger hindrance, and preventing him from using hellfire on the spellcasters, leaving him just trying to fight through the weapon wielding hordes while the sub-priests try to forge more effective protections and binding spells to use against the Rider.

Not looking good for our heroes.

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-24 05:43 pm UTC (link)
"You seriously think you could take me?"

Please don't be arrogant right now, she thinks to herself. But she is able to fight back. Headbutting someone who tries to grab her she feels their nose crack. She slashes wide causing others to jump back.

Sure it isn't looking good but she can't give in. There is always hope in even the darkest of places.

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-24 05:55 pm UTC (link)
He can't get to the priests, and sooner or later, their spells will have more effect - and the high priest will start paying more attention. He's not bothered by the knives and is strong enough to keep fighting off the people around him - they're actually helpful, making for a human shield - but that's not solving this.

So he shifts tactics, building up hellfire around his right hand, summoning the chain in the left and swinging it about to try and clear some space as his attention shifts towards Rose, still far away from him... but he has an idea.

Meanwhile, the cultists try to close in on Rose, the injured one falling, two more filling in, trying to occupy her hands long enough for the tendrils to grab her legs and anywhere else they can get a hold.

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-24 06:50 pm UTC (link)
"Son of a--"

She goes down under one. Bites another and jabs with her sword. She isn't ready to give up.

She can't let herself get taken but feels something else grabbing at her and feels her body heave with disgust. Seriously, gross.

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-24 07:43 pm UTC (link)
For a moment, there's hands and shadowy tentacles all over her... then a wash of heat. Nick finally gets enough space to launch a wave of hellfire just above her, cindering two of the cultists and dispelling the tentacles - this pulls the high priest's attention back to Nick, casting a banishment spell that wracks the rider with pain.

"Get the priests!" the unearthly, gravelly voice yells to Rose - he rescued her, now its her turn, since he can't get to them past the warding circles... but she can.

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-24 10:13 pm UTC (link)
"On it," Rose calls. Them she actually gives out an almost unearthly battle cry as she moves. Jumping and kicking like a creature of death as she gets through the men between her and the priests which isn't many.

She punches, cuts, and twists them like rag dolls not looking to kill but she causes so much destruction so quickly the remaining ones can't chant out of surprise. Then she knocks them down and has her sword tip pressed under the chin of the high priest with a cold look on her face.

"Don't even wiggle your nose, priest."

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-24 10:47 pm UTC (link)
He uses hellfire and a spiked chain at range to clear the path for her as best he can, fighting through the intense pain. As she stops the chanting, that dies down.

"And now... he must answer for his crimes." the Rider grates out, striding forward.

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-24 10:52 pm UTC (link)
She pulls the sword away putting it back in her sheath as she moves to free the woman who is stunned into silence. She is gentle with her offering comforting words.

Also a disposable cell phone and some money for a cab. Rose knew the girl would want to get the hell out of Dodge.

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-24 11:02 pm UTC (link)
The Rider grabs the priest's collar, staring into his eyes. There is a long, drawn out scream of unearthly terror from the priest, before the Rider drops him, alive, but virtually a vegetable, to suffer forever with his own sins.

By now, every one of the cultists who could still walk have fled. Those who can't flee... get the same treatment. Mercy and help can come from Rose. From the Rider, there is only vengeance.

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-24 11:33 pm UTC (link)
Rose didn't get involved in vengeance. She was just here to save someone from dying. She knew these men had forfeited any need for compassion from her but she still wouldn't kill them.

His vengeance was a kind of justice anyways though she wouldn't mistake it for the kind of justice she would prefer.

"Thanks. If you hadn't arrived I might not have been able to rescue the girl."

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-24 11:39 pm UTC (link)
The Rider just stares a few moments. Expressing gratitude not in his nature. He hadn't helped her for her sake... and now the job is done.

The flames begin to fade, bone gives way to flesh, and eventually, a very tired looking Nick Salem is left to answer.

"Likewise."

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-24 11:46 pm UTC (link)
She rubs her face with one hand. Then she looks across the big room.

"Let's get out of here. The only thing I really want right now is cheap booze to forget the smell of this place," the slim warrior says shaking her head, She would probably hate herself for it since most booze tears into her insides.

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-24 11:47 pm UTC (link)
He nods, gesturing to the back of his bike, sliding as far forward as he can so he can carry two til they can drop the girl off at a hospital. "Hop on. Booze I can do."

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-25 12:49 am UTC (link)
Rose smirks faintly. Then she helps the girl over with a gentle hand. She is good at reassuring someone they are safe. Kind words and a soft voice go very far.

"Excellent."

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-25 12:51 am UTC (link)
Nick, on the other hand, is no good at reassurance, distinct from the rider in this only in that he doesn't actively try and be disconcerting.

The hospital is the first stop, dropping the girl off, and letting Rose get her checked in.

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-25 12:54 am UTC (link)
The one thing Rose didn't like is having to leave her sword behind but it isn't as if she can bring it into a hospital. Rules and all. But she comes out looking no worse for wear.

"The girl will be fine. They'll call her parents. I'm not sure she knows what happened back there... which might be for the best. She felt normal to me."

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-25 12:59 am UTC (link)
He nods in non-commital fashion, not really fit to comment on anyone's mental state or what's for the best.

"Hop on, if you still want the booze. I'm feeling some serious drinking coming on."

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-25 01:06 am UTC (link)
She nodded climbing on. She still wants that booze. She carries fake IDs for days like these when she needs to forget something.

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-25 01:08 am UTC (link)
Normally, he'd take her back to the garage- cheaper, and the whiskey is just fine, but he's a long way from home. He heads for the nearest suitable looking bar - cheap, enough space they can get some quiet. There's times he prefers more revelry and atmosphere. Right now, he just wants to drink until he can no longer see the sins of his victims.

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-25 01:13 am UTC (link)
Rose had witnessed some of what the men had done. Something inside of her had howled for punishment. But she knew better than to dive in. So she had waited until she could free the girl.

Still she felt guilty. So she would be drinking to wash away the guilt she felt like she was carrying around. At least it looks like no one is looking too closely at her ID.

Good.

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-25 01:15 am UTC (link)
Even in this form, when he's in a mood, somehow Nick rarely gets ID'd, just something in the stare.

They get a quiet table out of the way.

"What's your poison?"

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-25 01:20 am UTC (link)
"Whiskey."

It's no good for her but she puts a few bills on the table. She had made sure anything she carried looked really wrinkled up. No reason to give away she has real money when she's trying to blend in.

For someone who is kind of an innocent in so many ways she is good at blending.

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-25 01:23 am UTC (link)
He nods. "Good choice." he agrees, before ordering shots of J.D., and insisting they keep them coming. Nick is anything but an innocent, and he doesn't drink like one.

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-25 01:26 am UTC (link)
The way she drinks it's obvious she isn't experienced but not so much that it draws attention. She doesn't look at at anything except Nick and the table during her first three drinks.

"You know.... You're not the first Rider I've seen."

Such a weird way to start things off but it's God's honest truth. Not that Rose is sure she believes in anything or anyone after days like today.

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-25 01:27 am UTC (link)
"Yeah, I've known another one. And have the memories of two before me." Which he doesn't want. "You know Johnny, Danny or Roxanne?" he asks, delaying after each name to drink to each one of them in turn.

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-25 01:34 am UTC (link)
"Roxanne," Rose said with a nod taking another drink.

"I went on this.... crazy adventure. With a group called the Exiles. Don't... don't really remember what happened but I ended back here. In a coma. Woke up. Went back to work."

She shrugged as if to ask what else could she have done. Sitting back wasn't her style and trying to piece together things from before was difficult. Might be why she was doing solo stuff like this when she could.

"I remember she was good people though."

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-25 01:40 am UTC (link)
"She was." he agrees, lifting his shot glass in a toast. "We got together for a bit when the Exiles hit this world. I was there when she died." he replies, raising the cup higher. "To Roxanne." he adds, hoping she somehow didn't end up sharing the final fate of all the Riders.

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-25 01:46 am UTC (link)
"She died?" Rose shakes her head.

"That must have been after I got put in that coma. That fight was... I can't remember a lot of it. Fuck."

Rose goes silent drinking a little harder. Anger and grief were reasons enough to drink.

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-25 01:50 am UTC (link)
He nods, turning his shot glass over and slamming the next one. "Nothing you could have done."

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-25 01:53 am UTC (link)
"Still sucks," Rose mutters. "But. At least we stopped what was going to happen. As much as it hurts to think on it anyways, we did what was needed at the time. Each of us went with the Exiles for a damn good reason."

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-25 01:57 am UTC (link)
"That's what she said... well, also that, good reason or no, you had no choice in the matter."

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-25 02:28 pm UTC (link)
Rose shook her head. "You get a choice.... just not one you can say no to."

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-25 04:20 pm UTC (link)
"Fair enough. Congratulations on escaping your term of service then."

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-25 07:13 pm UTC (link)
She tilts her glass in a salute. "Here's to being home. Least I got back on the horse.... Next time I go after a cult I ain't going under cover though. I'm more of a 'hit things till they cry uncle', type."

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-25 10:26 pm UTC (link)
"Nothing wrong with that." he says, saluting, slamming his drink, then ordering a J.L. Hooker special - one bourbon, one scotch, one beer for each of them.

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[info]irondragon
2011-06-26 12:04 am UTC (link)
The bourbon is easier on her system. Scotch though she will regret in the morning, the beer too. She should know better than to have anything with wheat in it but the virtues of being as good as she is means she can focus her morning meditation on healing what wheat does to her.

"Nope. It's.... It can just be easier to fight."

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[info]vicious_cycle
2011-06-26 01:32 am UTC (link)
Nick is only barely showing the alcohol, history of hard drinking and all. As soon as he's getting deep into the beer, he has the waitress set up another round.

"Damn right, I'm all for going with what's easy."

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