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maskormenacelogs2017-01-21 03:49 am
unbreaker) wrote in maskormenacelogs2017-01-21 03:49 am
i'm still halfway to nowhere
WHO: Josuke Higashikata and Kidou Yuuto
WHERE: Nonah Middle School
WHEN: January 20th, Evening
WHAT: Two suspicious looking people doing suspicious looking things and being suspicious of each other
WARNINGS: Probably not
[The widespread blackout isn't to blame for the bedlam that's befallen the Porter cities, but there are still countless people using it as an excuse to behave like raging shits. Even over the course of the past week, with criminals being recaptured, power being restored to hospitals, and the safety of many other areas being secured, there are still reports of thievery and violence cropping up that need to be dealt with. Of course, with authorities' hands so full, the task of reinstating a little order is left to those imPorts whose strong moral compasses will steer them in the right direction.
Josuke's own has taken him to Nonah Middle School on the wings of a rumor that's peeled the scab off an old wound. He'd lost a friend back in Morioh. Shigekiyo Yangu—or Shigechi—had been no older than fourteen when he'd died, still just a kid in many ways. He hadn't been particularly smart or even well liked by his peers, and he definitely had a bit of a runaway mouth, but Josuke had gotten to know a side of him that few others had the privilege of ever seeing. Shigechi was brave. He must have faced an untold amount of fear and pain contending with Kira, and even at the cost of his own life, he hadn't given up trying to do the right thing. His was an end that hadn't been deserved, and it's an end Josuke would rather not see come to anyone else ever again, least of all any kids hoping to take refuge at a school, a place they ought to feel safe.
As he makes his way across the empty property, a thin crust of snow crunching under the soles of his boots, the collar of his jacket popped to keep the wind from stealing its way beneath his winter clothes and down his back, a different sort of cold grips him. Ahead, a fine spray of glass decorates the damp concrete before a door that has been wedged open with a brick. He'd come this far hoping the rumor that someone intended to stir up trouble here was baseless, that perhaps the school had been established as a safe haven of sorts and its occupation would chase away anyone up to no good, but with glaring evidence to the contrary now before him, he can only press forward.
Although he's quiet as he pulls open the door, careful not to disturb the glass or make too much noise, Josuke exhibits no signs of hesitation as he disappears into the school's darkened interior. Whatever happened here, he'll find out. And if there is anyone still hanging around that oughtn't be there...well, he's prepared to deal with them, too.]
WHERE: Nonah Middle School
WHEN: January 20th, Evening
WHAT: Two suspicious looking people doing suspicious looking things and being suspicious of each other
WARNINGS: Probably not
[The widespread blackout isn't to blame for the bedlam that's befallen the Porter cities, but there are still countless people using it as an excuse to behave like raging shits. Even over the course of the past week, with criminals being recaptured, power being restored to hospitals, and the safety of many other areas being secured, there are still reports of thievery and violence cropping up that need to be dealt with. Of course, with authorities' hands so full, the task of reinstating a little order is left to those imPorts whose strong moral compasses will steer them in the right direction.
Josuke's own has taken him to Nonah Middle School on the wings of a rumor that's peeled the scab off an old wound. He'd lost a friend back in Morioh. Shigekiyo Yangu—or Shigechi—had been no older than fourteen when he'd died, still just a kid in many ways. He hadn't been particularly smart or even well liked by his peers, and he definitely had a bit of a runaway mouth, but Josuke had gotten to know a side of him that few others had the privilege of ever seeing. Shigechi was brave. He must have faced an untold amount of fear and pain contending with Kira, and even at the cost of his own life, he hadn't given up trying to do the right thing. His was an end that hadn't been deserved, and it's an end Josuke would rather not see come to anyone else ever again, least of all any kids hoping to take refuge at a school, a place they ought to feel safe.
As he makes his way across the empty property, a thin crust of snow crunching under the soles of his boots, the collar of his jacket popped to keep the wind from stealing its way beneath his winter clothes and down his back, a different sort of cold grips him. Ahead, a fine spray of glass decorates the damp concrete before a door that has been wedged open with a brick. He'd come this far hoping the rumor that someone intended to stir up trouble here was baseless, that perhaps the school had been established as a safe haven of sorts and its occupation would chase away anyone up to no good, but with glaring evidence to the contrary now before him, he can only press forward.
Although he's quiet as he pulls open the door, careful not to disturb the glass or make too much noise, Josuke exhibits no signs of hesitation as he disappears into the school's darkened interior. Whatever happened here, he'll find out. And if there is anyone still hanging around that oughtn't be there...well, he's prepared to deal with them, too.]
no subject
Each step Kidou takes lightly echoes in a way he'd never noticed before. Every room he glances into a little bit larger than he remembers it, its size emphasized by its disuse. His pattern is simple; walk a ways, stop, observe, go on a bit more. Bit by bit he will clear this whole building until he either confirms Mop's worries as baseless or he finds the truth.
The echo can only work to his advantage, as long as he tries to minimize the impact of his own steps. Anyone else would also be broadcasting their position.
He'd been checking in on his friends in Nonah, quietly checking around to look for those of his friends who didn't have communicators. He'd run into Mop on the way, who was able to fill him in on a little more of Nonah's current situation. He could account for most of his teammates by now, though worryingly not all. Something bad was going on at their school, too. And the one that no one had seen since the break in lived closest...
In short, he knew just enough to make Kidou immediately head to NMS.
This is his school. His, Gran's, Amada's... If someone is going to harm it, one of them had the responsibility to stop it. And if it turns out that any one of his team is in danger? He'll never forgive the person responsible! Never!
Another hallway comes up. He takes a left. He's taken nothing but left turns since he carefully removed a few remaining shards of broken glass from a window by the entrance and climbed through it. And as he continues in his slow examination, his investigation pays off in a way he did and really didn't want:
There is a second set of footsteps.
Kidou stops short, tilting his head slightly to listen better. The sound is soft. If he hadn't been looking for it, he'd have easily missed it entirely. It takes a little bit of listening to confirm that it wasn't just nerves making him imagine it.
Someone else really is here! How close would that be? He could hear himself walking, but it was soft. How far would an echo carry in this building? Dammit - he doesn't have that data! He's never been here in a situation like this! It could be one of those places that carries a soft noise for a great distance, or that person could be coming up to his side.
Kidou turns around, facing the forward hallway instead of the left one.]
no subject
With his every intent to clear the ground floor first, he bypasses the nearest stairwell and continues his exploration of the school's lower level. Life in Morioh had prepared him for this much. The summer of 1999 had given him one mystery after another to solve, many of which were the result of some rather unsavory people...or, in the case of hunting with Jotaro, some rather unsavory rats. He doesn't know what to expect now; what lies in wait could be a lot of nothing or—
—what was that?
Up ahead there are footsteps, a set that doesn't quite match his own. They stop shortly after his, but the timing isn't equatable to an echo, and if he's not mistaken, the person they belong to must be shorter, their stride not as long. A student, perhaps? It's possible, for it isn't only convicts this world has to worry about anymore. The person up ahead could just as well be one of the few natives to this world who have found themselves living with newly acquired powers, and if that's the case...
Well, calling out his Stand seems like the best bet, except that Josuke isn't in any hurry to use Crazy Diamond against some dumb kid who doesn't know any better. He'd rather be certain of what, or who, he's up against first.
As he presses up against the nearest wall, Josuke takes a quick peak around the corner hoping the way is clear, that maybe his mind was just playing tricks on him, but...it's not. There, near the end, is a smaller figure, a silhouette against the dim light behind them. Wearing a cape. An actual cape. He could laugh, he could groan, but instead he just shakes his head. And to think he was worried...]
Oi, kid. [He still hasn't emerged from around the corner, even as he calls out.] It's dangerous hanging around here, don't you know that?
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He couldn't have planned for a more dramatic moment, but it's possibly wasted. The person he's talking to hasn't revealed himself. Kidou's facing yet another empty hallway, except this time he's even more on edge. Somewhere in that hallway, someone's there.
Kidou doesn't believe that he's not watching for a second. Voices echo; while Kidou knows his direction, he doesn't have a location. So where? In one of the rooms? Around the corner?
Kidou forces himself to relax only when he realizes his teeth are clenched. He only marginally does.]
Why do you say that?
[At least the tension hasn't reached his voice much. It seems quiet, but it's got an edge that cuts straight across the distance, ringing clearly in the abandoned hall.
Being immediately warned about danger is suspicious. This place shouldn't be an immediately obvious target, should it? Therefore, this guy must know something about why it'd be dangerous.
Is he to blame for that fact?]
no subject
Playing dumb and answering a question with a question not only prompts Josuke to continue broadcasting his whereabouts, but it also puts him in the position of revealing what he knows first. If Josuke weren't so annoyed by the fact, he might actually be a little impressed.]
I hope you didn't expect me to buy the clueless act? 'Cause I'd say there's a pretty good chance you got in here the same way I did. You know something's up.
[He risks another quick peek around the corner. The kid hasn't moved except to turn around. He's also far enough way that Crazy Diamond would be rendered useless unless he were to find something to use as a projectile...providing this is some kind of a setup. Things to think about.
Things Josuke doesn't think about too long, choosing instead to run with the risk and step out into the open, his reveal not near as dramatic as that cape flourish, but his sheer height and delinquent form likely make up for that.]
I can think of two good reasons for that. Can you tell me what they are?
[Either this kid is the reason Josuke is here in the first place, or he's here because he heard the same tip. Which means there might actually be some validity to the claim of this place being at the heart of some nasty activity.]
Is this a game of mafia
Despite the potential danger, Kidou relaxes a little, far more comfortable with having someone to physically face than with tracking a mystery figure through an entire building. Whatever this guy can do, Kidou can watch for. It feels safer than having no idea what lies ahead. This way, he can focus his attention even more on what this guy's saying.
The echo of the mysterious figure's voice dies down in the hall, leaving a brief period of silence behind as Kidou quickly thinks this over. The amount of variables meant he'd known better than to plan this far ahead, but it leaves him without an immediate idea of how he wants to handle this.
This guy seems to be playing it just as safe as Kidou himself is. 'You know something's up' is a pretty good hint in itself that they could be here for similar reasons. But it could be an intentionally misleading statement, or this could be a conspiracy with multiple bad guys. It's impossible to be sure just yet. It at least means that he knows they both are aware of the situation. By answering directly, Kidou could force this guy's hand. But too directly, and he could make him leave without getting the answer to what he really has to know. This guy is tall, so he's got long legs. Kidou can't guarantee he could keep up with him if he's in good condition, and it'd be all too easy to lose someone in this building.
Kidou doesn't feel too inclined to continue to play this game for too long, but a middle road seems like his best move for now. He'll answer exactly what he was asked, and nothing more, with one small test of his own.]
Either we're both here to investigate, or one of us is the reason for the investigation.
[He'll freely admit that one of them is innocent. It's important to see how this guy reacts to that. Kidou's analysis isn't flawed. He spoke the exact truth. However, since Kidou's analysis included an easy escape route, if this person is up to no good, he'll probably say they're both here to look into it, and then try to get out of this somehow or other. If he is innocent, he's more likely to feel free to accuse Kidou.
It's not without its faults. An innocent person could also correctly assume that they're both here to look into the same incident. Hm. An innocent person would be more inclined to be sincere in continuing to look into things.
That's his safest bet.
He can hope he's right.]
it's sure starting to feel like one
[It's not a bad place to be, but it doesn't confirm for either of them if the other is telling the truth, and that's the real dilemma. Josuke is certain of his own reasons for being there, and he doesn't doubt this kid will claim his are the same. The perpetrators of crimes are rarely eager to admit their guilt, after all. So, how does one prove innocence when time is of the essence?
Josuke sighs and shakes his head. The only answer that comes to mind is...you don't. There are more important things than proving innocence, and the more time wasted here could mean the more time for the real person responsible for this break-in to get away. If they haven't already.]
First floor seems clear, I'm heading upstairs.
[If this kid can't be trusted, he'll know in just a few moments. Few villains can resist attacking a back turned to them. But someone whose conscience is clear? They might very well recognize the gesture for what it is: an invitation to help or get the hell out of Dodge so they're not in the way.]
no subject
Kidou hasn't confirmed it's clear. If there's something on the first floor, this would be a perfect chance to hide that and get him to go somewhere else first, then conveniently miss whatever it is. However, the alternative is simply letting the guy go to get lost somewhere in the building and never show up again. That's not something Kidou can risk.
There's no avoiding it. He's got a party member.
The tactical thing would be to split up. The east staircase would be convenient to flee to, so they could cover ground and meet in the middle. If only Kidou trusted this guy at all, that would be viable. Instead, he makes a snap decision. It is not the optimal choice for an efficient search, and he'll just have to live with that.]
Okay. I'm going with you.
[With that, he walks forward at a cautiously slow pace. Kidou will stay about six feet away from this guy at all times. Plenty of room to react should he decide to attack or do something else, but also close enough that should he try to run Kidou can catch him.
Whatever this guy's goal is, Kidou will find out.]
no subject
It's dark on the stairs, and with the only light seeping in from a set out double doors that lead to the outside yard, the halfway point above is doused in shadows. Josuke stops there, pressing his right side to the wall furthest from the open rail where he's allowed the clearest view of the next set of doors above. They're closed, which is fortunate; perhaps they acted enough as a buffer and muted his and Kidou's voices. But if not, approaching them could be dangerous. Someone could easily be waiting on the other side, just out of sight.
He glances in the direction of his companion, someone who hasn't acted out against him yet and has proven to possess a fair level of intelligence. Probably, he understands their position, and he knows without needing to be told that the only way to proceed is to take yet another risk. Someone has to go first. So he decides to be the one. In his mind, it makes sense. He's been in a position like this before. And he trusts in the reflexes of his Stand to keep him safe.
With a gesture he indicates for Kidou to stay close to the lower stairs, not only so he can retreat if something goes wrong, but so he can be their eyes from behind, as well.
And, as he approaches the second floor doors, he keeps low, moving forward in a crouch that will keep him out of view of anyone in the hallway beyond but will also allow him to peek through the window and confirm if the coast is clear.
Which it is...but there isn't time to communicate that when a child's shrill scream suddenly breaks the silence.]
no subject
Like a shadow, he falls in behind the guy, never getting closer than the distance he'd already established. When the guy moves, he follows at the exact same speed. When he stops, so does Kidou, quickly enough that their movements almost seem exactly synced. His whole body feels both light and tense, adrenaline keeping him on high alert. It's times like this that not being able to see off to the sides makes him all the more paranoid, listening intently for the slightest sound or waiting for a telltale change in the air around him. It keeps his own steps measured, ready at any time to jump to the side or whirl around.
They don't have long to go before the guy gestures back at him in a way that can only mean 'stay there'. Kidou pauses obediently, though his stare is intense enough to almost hurt as he watches the man's back move farther away towards the doors. One second passes, then another. He crouches into a ready position himself after the third second passes, not even daring to breathe loudly as he watches the guy check the doors.
The key word here is was.
All that careful, silent caution goes out the window a scream cuts through the hall and echo down the stairwell. That pent up energy erupts into forward motion in one single brief lapse of judgement. He darts up two steps at a time, pressing as close as he can against the wall as he approaches the man to attempt to avoid any potential contact. That's no longer a potential ally in Kidou's mind; for this one moment, he's reduced to either an enemy or an obstacle to dart around as swiftly as Kidou can move.
Common sense only manages to triumph over terrified instinct again just before he hits the crash bar on the other door, leaving him to at least try to catch the door before it slams into the wall and doubles the noise he's already made. He doesn't let himself come to a halt to do so, instead firmly placing his heel against the ground and letting his momentum spin him in a circle to catch the door and push it backwards, then face the open hallway, ready to keep sprinting. Years of practice in midfield makes the complicated maneuver second nature to him.
There's no one out in the hallway, though that's probably going to change in a second. If Josuke doesn't stop him, Kidou finally pulls short a few steps into the hall, taking a frantic second to glance behind him.]
no subject
When he'd heard the child's scream, he'd reacted in much the same manner as his younger companion. Every muscle had grown instantly taut before a very sudden release propelled him through the heavy doors and into the second floor hallway. Footsteps banged louder on cement tiles than he'd like, the rattle of the crash bar echoing off the walls of a long and straight corridor with too few places for immediate cover. But what was done was done. He could no more take back his knee-jerk reaction than he could Kidou's—which had somehow allowed the kid to get ahead of him.
Never had Josuke imagined he'd see such an impressive display of footwork by one so young, particularly in a situation like this, but there'd be time enough afterwards to comment on it. First, he had to keep Kidou from getting out of range.
Crazy Diamond's fist shot forward, fingers curling into the supple fabric of the red cape the younger boy wore. There was no violent tug to haul him back and off his feet, just an immovable weight to prevent him briefly from proceeding alone. To keep him from rushing recklessly ahead and abandoning all the cool logic he'd demonstrated before.
And, as Josuke joined him at his side, his Stand relinquishing its hold on Kidou's cloak, he motioned again. No words, just another signal. This time begging the kid to keep moving, but to keep close as well. To head towards an open doorway about halfway down the length of the hallway. The door to a classroom from which the soft sounds of sniffling and crying could now be heard, and the deep rumble of an older man's laugh.]
no subject
Paranoia already has his mind preparing for a followup attack. He was reckless, moving ahead like this. He's going to pay for this in one second. He's going to be-
... left staring blankly for a moment.
He doesn't look back to Josuke directly, like he might if he assumed this was some power Josuke was directly exerting. Instead, his gaze is zeroed in just off to Josuke's side, at the pink and blue humanoid figure somewhere between muscular and armored, whose fist is already loosening on his cloak.
To Kidou, it feels a lot like a hissatsu somehow, but alien. It's enough to keep Kidou from even thinking about taking off again immediately after he's free. In the back of his mind, he's ticking off calculations and predictions about it before he figures out how he wants to react to it. What kind of range does it have? What's its main ability? It stopped him - so is that what it does?
The second thing that hits Kidou is it didn't hurt him, but it could have; the amount of force it'd take to stop him cold like that was easily enough to cause him some significant problems. Kidou didn't get to his level without being able to assess damage potential, and that alone was enough to make his blood run cold with realization. If Josuke had turned on him, there'd be nothing Kidou could do about it.
Once he's started thinking, he doesn't stop, standing paralyzed by his own overactive mind and wasting precious seconds they don't have. It's only at the silent order to move forward again that Kidou snaps back into action. Had following orders not been drilled quite as deep into his psyche, he might have completely ignored the clear 'stay with me' part of that gesture. If this guy just meant 'run', he would not have stopped Kidou when he pulled ahead.
Everything in him screams to just run towards the sound, slam open the door, and challenge whoever is inside. Instead, Kidou ends up obediently keeping exact pace with this stranger, this time staying at his side just far enough away to allow for dodging, not to avoid danger. It's not out of forgetfulness as much as instinctive practicality; Kidou can already tell there's no way he can stay out of range of that technique in this hallway, so he doesn't even bother trying. It's more important to rescue whoever's in trouble than to worry about his own well being, anyway.
For better or worse, Josuke's ended up the clear leader of this adventure, mostly by virtue of being the first person to start issuing commands.]
no subject
Josuke can't be certain, not with the darkness of the hallway or the kid's goggles, but he's willing to bet that Kidou saw Crazy Diamond. There was something there in the way the rest of the younger boy's features had become interrupted, in the way all sense of urgency had seemingly been forgotten until the order to keep running had been given.
It reminds Josuke of Koichi...except this boy isn't a Stand user, and that can only mean one thing. Whatever power Kidou's got, it's very similar to his own. Maybe it'll even be something useful given their current circumstance?
But without time to find out if Kidou even knows how to use his powers, all Josuke can do is hope for the best. It's a lot of trust to place in a stranger, especially one so young, but he's taken bigger gambles than this in the past and faced worse odds head on. There's simply no other way to proceed without taking a risk, and since turning back now isn't an option...he'll have to take a page out of his great grandfather's book. He'll just have to have faith.
They reach the door at about the same time, pushing their way into the classroom at a comparative speed, but their contrasting heights makes for all the difference in the events that follow. Were Kidou the taller of the two, he might have found himself struck over the head with a chair, but it's Josuke whose vision spots and who's driven down to one knee in an instant by a man unseen and unheard who'd been waiting for this. The opportunity to get the drop on two punks who thought to interrupt their little game.
And across the room? Sits his companion atop a school desk, the knife in his hand held to the throat of a young boy tied to the seat.
"You stupid fucks walked right into that. How's it feel?"]
no subject
That first year looks familiar. He's tied to a chair. Sitting on the desk beside him is a man - realization hits Kidou like a bucket of ice water - holding a knife to that first year's throat. Beside them is a globe that could be substituted for a soccer ball if need be, but probably just for one strike. With enemies in this room it would be acceptable collateral damage. Mr. Sacco would be furious if he knew Kidou was even considering messing with his room; Kidou didn't have his class, but the man's reputation was legendary and it was hard to miss the big decoration behind the desk, proudly proclaiming his name.
Sorry in advance, Mr. Sacco. Getting that globe is now an objective.
In the next second, just outside his field of vision, something crashes with a heavy thump above him, and his companion drops like a stone. Heart pounding in his chest, eyes wide, Kidou skips forward and ducks out of reflex. He can feel that same something harmlessly strike the top of his hair, giving Kidou just enough time to assess the second part of this situation.
The man he was with is innocent. The thing used to strike him was a chair. That same chair was swung out at Kidou - if he'd stayed where he was, even if he ducked it would have hit him. The wielder of that chair is lifting the chair back up after it hit the wall instead of Kidou, and will try to strike again.
Years of discipline had drilled the instinct to jump into physical confrontation out of Kidou. Fighting led to being removed off a team, and it was unsightly for a Kidou to stoop so low. But all that discipline was paired alongside years of martial arts and soccer training - all it meant was while Kidou was hesitant to fight, he knew how.
For now, his downed companion is an obstacle to deal with. He can't slide to knock the man off balance. So instead of stopping, Kidou swings around on one heel and leaps right over the purple haired guy, leg already primed. He's not aiming for the guy with the chair, though. He's aiming for the chair itself, colliding with it midair and snapping his leg forward into it with all his strength. The angle isn't right. This isn't a soccer ball. But what's important is that this works, not that it works flawlessly.
There's a sharp twinge of protest where the edge of the chair's square crossbar strikes his leg, but he gets the exact result he desired. That chair goes flying out of the surprised ambusher's grip and into the hallway, throwing both Kidou and his attacker off balance.
"Fucking-!!!" Chair Guy yelps in pain as one of his hands is caught in the leg of the suddenly flying chair and pulled sharply to the side.
Kidou's already bruised leg protests at the sudden jolt of a hard landing, forcing him to come to a complete halt for a moment to briefly recover. Fortunately, that applies to both him and Chair Guy. Less fortunately, Knife Guy is still free to act. From his angle, Kidou can't see what he's doing. Not knowing if he's acting or about to only escalates Kidou's panic, channeling it into even more frantic planning and calculations.
What to do?? The image of the knife is burned into the back of his mind, fueling adrenaline until his whole body is shaking with a mixture of protective rage and empathetic terror. He's already managed to do some damage to himself, but it should be minor, and he can't afford any of the hesitation needed to even care about that right now. A little pain doesn't matter. Not compared to what could happen if he doesn't get up right now!]
no subject
The boy's stayed put because, tied to the chair, he can't move on his own. And, not wanting to put distance between him and his hostage, Knife Guy hasn't moved, either. Last but not least, Kidou is just over there...remaining where he'd touched down after his impressive kick, but more importantly, within reach.
Perfect.
Josuke can think of no better way to show his thanks for the kid's quick thinking than to return the support he was shown and so, as he shoves himself back to his feet, he takes a step towards Kidou. Crazy Diamond lingers at his side, out of sight of anyone else, but visible to Kidou as it hovers over him and, with just a feather-light touch, repairs the damage done to his leg. Of course, it doesn't feel much like anything's happened beyond a gentle pat, but the moment Kidou goes to rise and put any weight on his leg again, he'll know.]
I hate pieces of shit like you.
[The floundering in the hallway behind them has stopped. Chair Guy is getting back to his feet now, and while his hand is smarting something fierce, he seems to think he's got the advantage with both Kidou and Josuke pincered between him and his partner.
Josuke is distantly aware of him, but his focus remains across the room on Knife Guy who, with a phlegmy laugh, spits on the floor between him and the two intruders.
"What the fuck you gonna do about it? You take one step this way and I'll make sure this kid's got a permanent smile. You want that?"
The knife rises from the young boy's throat to his cheek to keep Josuke and Kidou from taking one step forward, presses into bruised flesh and draws a trickle of blood. There's another sniffle, but the child knows better than to cry out again for fear of another strike.
Josuke takes a step back. Knife Guy laughs, and Chair Guy chortles along with him. Even as Josuke reaches into one of the desks and pulls out a pencil, the pair keep chuckling away.
"Matty really did a number on your head, huh? You gonna try an' take us on with a fuckin' stick?"
With a glance at Kidou, Josuke nods.]
Something like that. [He snaps the pencil in two and, turning his attention back to Knife Guy, tosses one half across the room. It lands with a soft clatter on the floor...but rolls underneath the desk and behind Knife Guy up against the wall. Without moving forward, Josuke adjusts his position and takes a small step back and towards the left. The angle's right. Kidou's safe this way, and so is the other kid.] I'd make a pen is mightier than the sword joke, but I'll be honest. You're not really worth it.
[Crazy Diamond floats away from Kidou's side and back towards Josuke. Who is holding up the broken half of pencil now and, with a loud DORA! from his Stand and a fierce punch, perhaps to add momentum to the object, both halves fly through the air to reattach themselves to one another. Through the calf of Knife Guy's leg, sending him reeling off the desk and to the floor.
His shrill scream ignites a fire under Chair Guy's ass. He launches himself forward, but Josuke is already spinning around by then, his Stand grabbing the desk nearest him and, with a kick like a locomotive, sending it crashing into him and back out into the hallway from where he'd come.
Unfortunately by that time, Knife Guy has staggered back to his feet and, with a string of expletives that would make a sailor's ears bleed, rounds on the boy still tied to the chair...the one person who can't fight back against him. Josuke's not close enough, but Kidou...]
no subject
Chair Guy remains out of commission for now, too busy focusing on his hand to look at anything the two ImPorts are doing. If Kidou's going to try to work a way around Knife Guy, his chance is now.
Kidou takes a steadying breath, tensing himself to take the strain as he gets ready to stand back up. He's placed Josuke out of his field of vision, so he only has the pinprick feeling of something moving towards him as warning before that ... power appears in his vision again, reaching for the spot the chair had impacted. Kidou lets it happen, trying to get his breathing back under control instead of reacting. The touch itself doesn't feel like anything. Shouldn't it hurt? He'd had to cancel the momentum of a chair as it's being swung and overpower it, after all...
But he's wasted too much time. He stands back up, noting with surprise that he doesn't feel anything. It's as if that kick never happened. That surprise is filed away to the back of his mind quickly. He'll think about that later. Right now, he's okay. But someone else won't be.
Kidou whirls around, trusting that Chair Guy's still going to be reeling from whatever it was Kidou ended up doing to his hand for a while. It's just in time to see that knife slowly draw up the student's face, pushing in just enough to draw blood and freezing Kidou to the spot. His whole body is trembling with the need to react against the paralyzing fear of what will happen if he does. One misstep and that boy's life... it could be his fault if... Red trails down the boy's cheek, highlighted into sheer, horrifying focus by Kidou's goggles. If Kidou had faced this alone, this is where things would tilt permanently out of his control. But he wasn't alone, and one of them still had it in him to act. His new ally moves forward anyway, despite the danger, picking up a pencil. For one moment, their eyes meet. The next, he's breaking that pencil and tossing it. Knife Guy seems confused, but Kidou's watching him carefully.
He must have some plan. What? Does it need me?
He stays completely still as the power drifts away from him and towards Knife Guy. Any small twitch from him to acknowledge it could jeopardize whatever is going to happen, and by now he's certain that they are on the same side here. He won't interfere. He'll just play the part of standing there, staring into the eyes of the hostage.
It clicks where he's seen that kid. That's the one with the locker a few rows down so cluttered that opening it often prompts a cascade of stuff into the hallway. He's spoken to Kidou a few times, but never for long. Usually to ask him if he's seen anything, then back off mid-sentence and hunt for it himself. Kidou has to try very hard to not picture what changing classes would be like without that guy. It doesn't help with his attempt to regain his self control enough to be useful. That guy needs him to keep it together!
Turns out, Kidou doesn't need to do anything yet, after all. That pencil reassembles itself through Knife Guy's leg, prompting a scream loud enough to echo painfully through the entire room. Behind Kidou, there's motion! He moves just as Chair Guy rockets forward, and ends up trading places with Josuke and that strange power.
Knife Guy gets back up, staggering slowly towards his hostage and flicking that knife into a firm grip against his palm. His injury slows him down just enough that Kidou gets there first. He could aim for the globe, but there's no time. He's been given a few seconds to stop Knife Guy by virtue of that injury, and only that. All of this analysis runs through Kidou's mind, almost disconnected from his frantically racing mind searching for anything he could do. In conclusion, if Kidou wants to do anything, he'll have to directly engage a knife wielding maniac. This guy's already got a weak point that Kidou can exploit - all Kidou needs to do is deliver one more blow to that leg and he'll eliminate this guy as a threat long enough to come up with a better strategy. That means he needs room to make that kick, and to place himself where his schoolmate isn't in any potential crossfire. There's only one spot like that. It's risky, but it's the only valid play. He can acknowledge the insanity of that choice as he simultaneously commits himself to the action. After that split second analysis, Kidou charges towards a space directly in between the kid and the knife-wielding maniac, fists balled and halfway raised.
That knife flashes through the air as Knife Guy lunges for him. Kidou jumps to the side as best he can to avoid it, but with the hostage chair behind him and the wall to one side, he lacks enough maneuvering room to avoid the line of searing agony that erupts across one forearm. Adrenaline negates any time wasted reacting to the hit, so Kidou's initial plan of action is still a viable one. No sooner has Knife Guy unbalanced himself than Kidou's helping with that, already following through with a harsh kick straight to that injured leg. No matter how evil this guy may be, something in Kidou's stomach twists at the howl of agonized pain he's rewarded with. As expected, Knife Guy goes down again, and this time doesn't seem to summon the willpower to do more than clutch at his leg.
Teeth gritted, trying to ignore his arm completely - it would only show weakness that Kidou can't afford to project if he did anything about it now - Kidou stands his ground, placing himself resolutely in between his schoolmate and this unforgivable bastard. Generously measured, possibly just because of his hairstyle, Kidou's five feet exactly. He does not make for an imposing figure, even with the added effect the cloak may or may not grant him. If he hadn't already done some damage to both men, his determined declaration probably would have only drawn derision.]
I won't allow you to get any closer!
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After confirming that Chair Guy is in fact unconscious in the hallway, the desk having driven him up against the wall opposite their classroom, Josuke returns to Kidou's side. Knife Guy is still writhing on the ground and he won't be getting up any time soon, but to make sure of that, Josuke aims a sharp kick at the man's face just below his jaw. Knife Guy's head snaps quickly back and, as his back hits the floor one last time, his eyes flutter shut.]
That could have gone a lot better...
[But it could have gone a lot worse, too. Josuke's not displeased with the outcome of this confrontation. While banged up, he and Kidou have managed to ensure everyone, even the criminals, have emerged with their lives. That's what really matters.]
Can you untie the kid? [He knows Kidou, or at least it seems the boy recognizes him. The approach of someone familiar might help ease his discomfort, or that's what Josuke hopes.] I'll call the police.
[And when they're on their way, he thinks, he'll take a closer look at Kidou's arm and heal it up for him. That's one nasty gash...and he hadn't even yelled out when it happened. For one so small, Kidou is truly formidable.]
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[Once Josuke's closer, he can probably tell that Kidou's breathing is closer to very controlled hissing as he works very, very hard to continue to not make much sound. Right now, half his concentration is spent trying to ignore how much his arm both aches and burns at the same time. Or the warm itch of liquid rolling down to his wrist. Kidou doesn't risk saying anything more; once Knife Guy is dealt with, he clenches his jaw tightly shut, scowling determinedly.
Honestly, with how his arm is, he's not too confident he could untie him. Instead, he moves slowly forward, nudging Knife Guy's loosely clutched namesake with a foot until he's removed his moniker. Once it's free, he bends down to pick it up in his left hand, then slowly goes to his classmate's side.
Probably predictably, the kid starts squirming anxiously when Kidou approaches him with that same knife, saying something. Kidou's not really paying that much attention. He kneels by his classmate and waits for some of the panicking to stop.]
Be still. I'm going to cut the ropes.
[Kidou isn't even going to try to offer comfort, but the snapped command at least has the desired effect. It takes him a while, working with his nondominant hand, but he slowly manages to saw them open, one by one. This looks a lot easier in movies than it turns out to be in real life. It's a little less hard to ignore the kid starting to panic next to him. "Shit man, you know what they were gonna do to me?! They- they were gonna-"
He doesn't finish that thought, instead breaking down into tears. As he feels the ropes lessen, he starts squirming around again, desperate to get out of the chair. This time, Kidou can't bite back a surprised yelp when the boy's squirming nudges the chair to the side, pressing the edge right up against his injured arm.]
I said hold still!
[Kidou's a bit relieved that by the time he gets three fourths, the rest can simply be pulled off and he doesn't have to deal with that knife, or crouching down next to chat chair anymore.
That provides another problem. Once he doesn't have anything else to focus on or do, the pain flows into the parts of Kidou's mind that other tasks had occupied. His hand instinctively goes to clutch at it, which only makes it sting worse and smears blood on his arm and hand for his efforts. He can't help but notice the pattern of red dots from Knife Guy to the chair that are completely distinct from the stains and splatters from Knife Guy's leg. He doesn't want to look down and see just how much he's ...
"Holy shit... he really got you."
The kid interrupts his thoughts, having managed to get hold of himself enough again to start up conversation. That's right, Kidou realizes. Kidou was facing away from the boy earlier, and then moved behind the chair, so he probably didn't really see the injury until he got back out of the chair. Even if Kidou hadn't brought attention to it by crying out, he'd have noticed.]
I'll be alright...
[Kidou's hand tightens on his arm, and he instantly regrets that decision. He needs to make it stop bleeding, and he's out of ideas on how to do that. There isn't anything around he can bandage this with (it doesn't occur to him that he could use that knife to make some. It'd be unthinkable to damage his cape.) But the rate it's bleeding's starting to really worry him. Not surprisingly, the locker kid agrees.
"Dude, you should get that looked at!"]
Yeah, but we need to get out of this building first.
[You know, where there's supplies. Or.. something. They don't get farther than that before Josuke finishes with that call.]
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After hanging up, he approaches Kidou and the kid and hands his phone to the smaller boy with a simple but strict instruction.]
Call home.
[As the younger boy reaches out to take the device from him, Crazy Diamond's hands alight upon his arm and cheek, these few quick brushes with his Stand all it takes to heal the physical injuries he's sustained. And it's not until he begins talking with his father that the boy even seems to realize he's not hurting as much anymore, that the impressions the rope left upon his wrists are gone, and the bruise on his face has disappeared along with the ache. Fortunately, he's already gotten out where he is and his father knows to come pick him up, because after that the tears of relief start and there's no stopping them.
By that time, Josuke has already turned to Kidou. He can tell the kid's reaching the end of his rope. He's done well, though...even snapping like that, he's done well. Sometimes, the only way to keep a handle on your own fear is to fight it, and sometimes that means being a bit more aggressive than you'd like to be with other people. Josuke understands this. And that's why he moves quickly now and gestures for Kidou to hold out his hand.]
Gimme your arm. I'll fix it.
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He's glad that his shirt is black; aside from the rip, and the odd, shiny quality and vaguely darker tint, it's not really visible. It'd be impossible to see at a distance. If he gets this bandaged up he could get home without anyone asking questions. As luck would have it, he had to leave his jacket for cleaning before this. It's easier to replace a wrecked shirt on his very minimal budget than that jacket.
When Josuke approaches, Kidou has to crane his head up to try to make eye contact. He doesn't hesitate to silently hold his arm up as told. To see him act now, you'd think there'd never been any period of suspicion at all. They're simply on the same side, so he trusts him. Truth told, Kidou's not sure how much this guy can heal, but he's really grateful for any amount. If it's enough to make it bleed less, that's a massive improvement. Now that there's no emergency, too, there's no disguising the clear worry on Kidou's face, though he's doing his best to downplay it.]
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It should have been him on the receiving end of that blade, not some middle schooler.]
For what it's worth, thanks. You really had my back, and...
[He'd be better next time. If there was a next time. But for now, the least he could do was repair the physical damage Kidou had suffered.
Crazy Diamond's touch needn't always be gentle, but remains so with Kidou as it had been with Aaron. Just a simple brush of the Stand's hand over the wound seems to erase the injury from existence, blood returning, broken skin mending, and even the torn fabric of Kidou's sweater piecing itself back together again. As if nothing had happened...although the memory remains.]
...and I'm sorry you got hurt because of me.
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By the time he looks back, the worried look is replaced by something closer to amazement. Kidou's never seen such a power as this. He hadn't thought it would go so far...
He'd comment on that, had this guy not handed him something he had to clarify immediately. In a moment he'll get to thank him properly for fixing his arm - he's both amazed at what this man can do, and immensely grateful that he's healed that quickly. Injuries don't just go away like that. And to thank him for helping protect Nonah Middle School. But for now, he has to prioritize what to address, now that he's got the ability to take that luxury.]
No, this is my school. It's my responsibility to protect it.
[I can tell by now that none of this happened because of you, so don't say that.]
But. I'm glad you were here. Things may have gone differently otherwise. I should be the one thanking you.
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[But in truth, Josuke had already decided to trust Kidou before then. And he was glad he had, too. In hindsight, he was certain he couldn't have made a better choice or asked for a better ally in this situation. Kidou's attachment to this place meant that he really had the well-being of the school and Aaron in mind from the start. Every action he would have taken would have been with their best interest at heart. And judging by the look on his face now, he'd never have done anything to jeopardize Josuke, either.]
Anyway...looks like we feel the same way. I think it's fine to leave it at that.
[Otherwise they might stand there a while disagreeing over who has the right to thank who more and that'd just be embarrassing.
With Kidou's arm healed now, Josuke allows his Stand to disappear and extends his hand between them.]
Didn't get the chance to introduce myself earlier. Name's Josuke...Higashikata Josuke.
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It's better to wonder about that than about what almost happened. The only thing he can't immediately banish out of his immediate thoughts is that pencil. Something about that is bothering him. Well, multiple things, including the horror of that having happened at all. But... what is it that he's not putting together? It's something he'll have to mull over.
He lets his arm partly drop, only glancing at the extended hand for a moment before firmly taking Higashikata's hand in his own. Despite the Japanese name, he's defaulting to a Western style. That's mostly just interesting; Kidou can easily work with this. He will, however, stick to a somewhat formal greeting etiquette - not only did this guy serve as an essential ally, but he's older than Kidou.]
I'm Kidou Yuuto. It's good to meet you.
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[The sincerity in Josuke's voice was mirrored in the way he smiled as well as in the kind but firm way he shook Kidou's hand, as if to remove all doubt that, regardless of their difference in age, Josuke saw the younger boy as his equal.
Of course, for precisely the same reason, he was able to pry his attention away from Kidou after that and, as Aaron finished up speaking with his father, collect his phone once more. The authorities would be there soon, and so would the kid's father. But until that time, the three of them were to wait where they were...with two unconscious and battered criminals lying unbound in their vicinity. It was a lot to ask of middle schoolers, Josuke thought. And it gave him an idea of what to do next.]
Hey, Yuuto, heads up. [Josuke tossed the boy his phone.] In case there's anyone you need to call.
[As well as to free up his own hands, allowing Josuke to focus one last time on Knife Guy and Chair Guy.
He was quiet as he dragged them both into the corner of the classroom furthest the other two boys, and after summoning Crazy Diamond to break the legs off one of the desks and bend them around both men's wrists and ankles, he did his best to use his body as a shield to keep his companions from having to watch what he was about to do. Pulling the pencil from Knife Guy's leg wasn't something that weak stomachs would appreciate, but it was something that was necessary to allow healing...which, with a quick strike of his Stand's hand, meant that the three of them didn't need to wait in a room spattered with blood any longer.
At an alarming rate, the wound in the man's leg seemed to mend, the blood (that which wasn't yet coagulated) returning to its owner, even disappearing from the stained wood grains of the pencil and the fabric of his torn jeans...which, soon enough, weren't even torn anymore.
Josuke left him with the bruise to his jaw, though. And he left his partner in his banged up condition, as well. It was the least they deserved.]
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The custom here is different. Kidou understands this. But it doesn't mean he accepts it; anytime he can, he tends to quietly insist on his family name, or just introduce himself as that. Having people who know him always call him Kidou goes a long way to cementing his preferred form of address without him ever having to say a word. So it's not common that anyone calls him anything else.
Even half a year in America, it still catches him completely off guard to hear anyone refer to him using American custom.
He ends up holding the phone staring after Higashikata for a moment, watching him start to deal with the criminals before he forces himself to focus on the task at hand. Technically Kidou doesn't strictly need to call anyone, but he ends up making a quick call to check in with Mr. Hall anyway. He'd been told by his boss that he should check in with him if there was trouble, and... well. He hadn't exactly gotten around to that yet, days into what could be very mildly put as 'trouble.' There were a lot of things that immediately needed his attention.
He wasn't going to pass up a reminder this blatant. The phone rings. Kidou gives the other boy a meaningful stare before heading out of the room with the phone. It continues to ring. He stands almost touching the wall just outside, phone held to his ear.
The next ring is interrupted by a gruff 'Yeah? Whossis?'
'It's Kidou.'
'Kidou?! Phones have been up for way too long for - hey, what's with the different number?'
'I'm borrowing a phone.'
'Is yours not working?'
'That's not exactly it...'
'So it IS working? Then how come you didn't think to call me when phones were back up? Dangit, boy, you can't go awol in Maurtia Falls like that!'
'Sorry. I should have contacted you sooner. If it helps, right now, I'm in Nonah.'
'Look. It's good to hear from you, kid. But, I can't make sure you're safe if you vanish on me like that! What kind of boss lets something happen to his assistant, huh? Besides, someone's gotta look after you!'
That much was a routine statement that both of them had been through many times. It was largely an excuse for Mr. Hall to stand in as a sort of protector figure and the closest thing Kidou had to a guardian here; it was partly thanks to his help that Kidou managed to transfer to a school in another state. He always insisted on giving Kidou a ride home from work 'to save time' but they both knew it was because Maurtia Falls was not a nice city, especially if it was getting dark out.
It goes on for just a while longer before Kidou closes the call, breathes in, draws himself back up to his full height, and returns back to the room, intending to return the phone with a quiet thanks.]
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There's nothing yet. But he knows it won't be long.
When Kidou draws near to hand back his phone, Josuke accepts it with a smile, but it's clear that despite the easy expression, there's something weighing on his mind. He looks at the criminals still unconscious in the corner and then back between both boys.]
When the police get here, they'll probably have a lot of questions. You don't have to answer any of 'em without a guardian present. [For Aaron's benefit, Josuke made sure that at least one of the kid's parents was on the way. Not all officers would have shown the same courtesy, especially when they didn't have to. But what concerns him now is Kidou. As an imPort, the chances of his parents being here are slim to none, and the odds he has any kind of a guardian aren't much better. There's only one way to know for certain if the kid's up to the task of what's coming, whether they like it or not.] You alright with talking to them, Yuuto?
[He tucks his phone away and then, with a look around the trashed classroom, rubs the back of his neck.]
If you're not, it's fine. I can do the talking. I'll probably be here a while with the officers, anyway. There's a lot of stuff to fix up that shouldn't fall on the school's shoulders.
[Stuff he can only repair once it's been reported as vandalized, making sure the assholes who broke into this place aren't escaping any charges.]
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Should he let it go? This is a foreign country, and this is a man from another world altogether. Is he the one being unreasonable? It doesn't matter. He shouldn't redirect the topic with something like personal preference.
Although he answers somewhat robotically.]
I can talk to them.
[More accurately, if he's going to be in trouble because he attacked them he needs to own up to that. He can't say he can regret having done that, but he did do that.]