plasticasshole | Aefenglom IC Inbox

[Connor has spent most of his time sulking in his pool ever since the SQUIP's spell wore off. The exception to the rule is when he has to go to work. He's upset, but he doesn't think being upset warrants spending all his time at home... and besides, working gives him something else to focus on. Even if he is sluggish and kind of weak from blood loss. He woke up with the plastic Niles had torn open repaired, at least.

When he leaves work he sometimes goes straight home, but if he needs something from the store he calls in on his way back because it saves him going out for it again. It's more efficient, and gives him more time to be alone. He doesn't need anything today so he's making his way straight home, cutting through a small side alley as usual, since he wants to get home quickly. He's fumbling with the ring on the chain around his neck, and not really paying much attention to his surroundings.]

[Niles meanwhile has spent the days following and watching Connor's every step. Stealth is at once harder and easier in his new form. Larger size is obviously an impediment, but his padded feet are silent as the grave, and his ability to climb and jump means he can take advantage of rooftops to observe from a safe distance. So for days he waits and watches. He's slowly sunk deeper into the feral predatory mindset that the mist has awoken in him, and Connor was the unlucky focus of Niles' obsessive curiosity. He needed another fight with Connor. Another chance at breaking him open. A rematch, this time without his guardian angel.

Justine had dropped him in their fight with one spell, if he's going to do this he needs to strike at the right moment, and put as much distance between him and her as possible. He learns Connor's routine, picks a time and a place, and prepares.

The morning after Connor visits the Squip, Niles finds he can't wait any longer. What if he'd gone and gotten himself re-charmed? One final question that pushes him over the edge. Niles approaches Connor from behind and pounces, paws landing squarely on his shoulders and forcing him to the ground. He uses the bulk of his animal body to hold him down, and his human hands to gag Connor tightly. He puts up a valiant struggle, but between his attacker's size and the element of surprise, Niles manages to subdue him, bind his hands, and cover his face with a sack. Victim neutralized, Niles heaves him over the back of his feline form and loops a strong leather strap over him. Connor better brace himeslf, because next Niles leaps straight up the side of the building, bringing him along like so much cargo. The ride is fast, bumpy, and thoroughly disorienting due to the many leaps, drops, and near vertical climbs it includes. When it's finally over Niles sets him down roughly on a solid wooden floor, rips the bag off his face. He's greeted with a deranged, one eyed smile, then Niles hooks a clawed finger nail under the gag and drags sharply up, cutting through the cloth easily, and exposing a line of the plastic casing under Connor's "skin".]

Welcome Connor, so good to see you again.

[Between the shock of being pounced on and bound, and then the ride here, Connor is disorientated by the time Niles pulls the sack off his head. He doesn't know where he is- he tried to map where he was being taken, but he couldn't see and between all of the climbing and leaping he thinks he's well and truly lost.

He scowls as Niles breaks the gag, and starts trying to tug his hands free.]

What are you doing?

[Whatever is tying his hands together is tight, and the more he pulls the more his "skin" deactivates around his wrists, revealing more plastic.]

[Niles' angular pupils widen, and there's a sickly sweet cheeriness to his voice when he answers.]

Just getting to know you better.

[He slinks around Connor, pulling a dagger from a sheath on the belt he'd fastened Connor to for the ride here. He uses it to cut through the bindings on his wrists, but grabs and yanks one of his arms straight back and up. He's given Connor his freedom of movement back, but wrenched on his shoulder in the process of getting a closer look at the way his skin pulls back revealing the smooth white plastic underneath.]

[His arm is jerked into what might have been a painful position, but he just spins around and breaks Niles' grip on his wrist, backing up and looking the taur over warily. The skin on his face that had been cut is already healing over.]

There are better ways to get to know someone.

[He looks around quickly, trying to figure out how to get away.]

I'm leaving.

[How the hell is he supposed to get out of here, though?]

[Niles laughs, almost a giggle, and flops onto the floor. He stretches and rolls until he's on his back, a vast expanse of white fur exposed. His tail thumps against the floor behind him.]

You're welcome to try. [The room he's in is dim. Lit only by sunlight shining through empty windows, and has no doors. Looking out a window will show that they're on the top floor of a clearly abandoned warehouse building. Searching for stairs only uncovers a large hole in the corner of the floor. Rotten boards line it. Better not get too close.] The jump wouldn't hurt you after all, would it?

[Connor edges towards the boards, then stops. That sure is a drop. Frustrated, he turns to face Niles again.]

It would probably break something.

[But no, it wouldn't hurt.]

What do you really want? I know it isn't to talk.

[He props his torso up on an elbow, bracing his chin in his palm.]

I want to get under your skin. [He licks his lips.] I want to open you up and dye my hands blue. I want to find what can cause you pain.

[He rolls suddenly to get his feet under him, body low to the ground. His paws stretch and curl, claws leaving scores in the wood.]

I want a rematch.

[Connor doesn’t like the sound of that. Jumping out of the window is starting to seem like a safer bet.]

Nothing can cause me pain. Sorry to disappoint you.

[Well. He felt pain when the SQUIP felt it, but that’s not something Niles can do here. He stands his ground though, scowling. Looks like he has no choice. He knows he can’t beat Niles like this but he’s not going down without a fight.

He eyes the weapons he sees, but a quick scan shows him the revolvers are empty. He grabs one anyway and throws it at Niles, wondering if he can distract him or wear him down enough to jump out of the window.]

[The admission is met with a frown, but it's one of pity rather than anger or frustration. The gun is slapped aside with one massive paw, but as a distraction it's effective. The motion of the gun skittering across the floor draws Niles eye and his human torso swivels to follow it. He bounds after it, slapping it again and chasing it across the room for a short moment before he abruptly shakes his head and turns back to Connor. Eye bright and pupil blown wide in full on hunting mode it's clearer and clearer that this is not the reserved, clever man that Connor had met outside the city walls. He stalks closer, approaching at an angle to try and put himself in between Connor and the hole in the floor.

If he jumps, it's far enough to break at least one leg, and then Niles can just drag him back up here, find out what he has instead of bones. But as demonstrated with the pistol, he'd rather have a prey able to try and run.]

Really? Nothing? My condolences.

[That's interesting. Maybe he can use that to his advantage. As for the condolences, he gives a confused frown.]

I find it's actually a good thing.

[Grabbing the other revolver, he skids it across the floor to Niles and hopes it keeps him distracted as he breaks the window. He looks out of it, calculating the best way to fall. No soft landing... he'll break something for sure, but it sounds like he'll have a worse time if he tries to stay here.

He realises there's nothing stopping Niles from actually dragging him back, though. And that's why he hesitates. He's faster than Connor, stronger, and clearly intent on making him bleed. If Connor jumps, he's basically just helping Niles along... unless he can knock him out first, and then jump?]

Most would. Only a few appreciate how exquisite pain can be.

[Once again he slaps it away, and again, he chases it, turning his back to Connor. Normally he wouldn't turn his back on an enemy, but he's hoping for an attack. Asking for one. He's feral and hungry for cruelty, but there's enough sense left in him not to attack the man who saved his life less than two weeks ago without reason. But if Connor comes after him, well that's just self defense then isn't it?]

[Connor makes a face, patting himself down for anything he can use. As it turns out, he finds a crumpled up piece of paper in his back pocket. It's the one Jeremy gave to him- a spell to knock some sense into feral Monsters, which Niles clearly is.

Clutching it in his hand, he uses the distraction of the gun to lunge at Niles, managing to slap the charm on his rear- but with the fur in the way, it does nothing. And now he's in range of those claws.]

[And that's exactly what he was waiting for. He laughs and whips around, huge clawed paw slamming into Connor's side, knocking him to the ground. He follows up by pouncing leaning over to bury his teeth deeply into the junction between Connor's neck and shoulder, desperate to get a taste of his not-blood.]

[He'll find it doesn't taste very good. Connor grunts as he's knocked back, shoulder leaking bright blue as he's bitten. The sharp teeth hit a wire, and his arm jerks involuntarily as a spark of electricity jumps between them. Luckily, the bite isn't deep enough to hit any biocomponents.

The paper flutters out of his hand, and he scrambles for it from underneath Niles, before giving up and punching him instead. If he can just get out from under him, he can grab it again.]

[He releases Connor's shoulder nearly as soon as he bites down, partially a reflexive reaction to the shock, partially a response to the punch. He spits the vile liquid on the floor with a grunt, but then digs his fingers into the gashes left by his teeth. This time he feels the sharp tingle spreading up his arm and relishes it, dragging his fingers in and down, widening the wound as much as he can.]

[With a grunt, Connor strains to reach for the paper. His fingers snag the edge and he pulls it to him, and he smacks Niles in the face with it while he's distracted.]

Get off-!

[He tries to shove Niles back at the same time, hoping that will work.]

[As Connor fights back Niles starts to laugh, then it's like a bright flash of light blocks out his vision then, he's out. Slumped directly on top of connor, human chest draped over his face.]

[Connor lets out a sigh, and starts wriggling out from underneath Niles' body. He smears blue blood over him in the process, and once he's out he straightens up to look at the wound on his shoulder. It's bleeding heavily, and Connor swears under his breath. Justine will need to make more Thirium. For now he contemplates jumping out of the window again while Niles is still out... and decides against it. Maybe that spell knocked some sense into him.

He sits with his back to the wall and opens his shirt partway, rips the sleeve off since it's ruined anyway, and wads it up and presses it to the wound. Hopefully it'll slow the bleeding some.]

[He isn't out too long. Ten, fifteen minutes maybe. When he comes to he shakes his head, and takes a moment to sweep his hair out of his eye and off of his face, smearing blue there as well. He gets up and takes a step towards Connor, then thinks better of it. He sits, tucking his paws under his body, so that he's clearly not in an attacking position. He looks down at the blood on his hand, rubbing his thumb and fingers together to feel the viscosity.]

Thank you.

Edited 2019-10-28 21:19 (UTC)

23-10 / For Niles

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