jenny/kate --> the city is at war

[inksplashes]

[ He doesn't think about the memories here.

They tease at him, those thoughts of the past. Pull at his synapses, beckoning him down the lane of remembrance with each familiar sight and smell. Old conversations drift towards his ears, whispering just beneath legible level--but he doesn't let them get louder.

Even the faintest caress of the past singes his soul. So he doesn't think about the last time he was at Kate's apartment, the conversations shared of heavy emotion and careful intent, because it was always meant to end the way it had. One day, he was supposed to just disappear, and he was expected to see everything he ever cared about burn without so much as a blink.

Of the first task, he was successful. The second--

Stop, he commands himself, glancing around the dirty walls and stairs leading to Kate's door.

Don't think. Don't remember. Just keep putting one foot forward.

Moving mechanically, he's through the security system in a few seconds--he'd been the one to have it installed, after all--and then he's there, in that cramped and quiet sanctuary..

.. but he's alone.

(Always alone. That's how it's meant to be.)

Lavi inhales deeply, letting himself risk the familiarity of her scent, his fingertips tracing over walls, tables, and finally, the same couch he'd spent so much time staking as his own.

He almost smiles, but he stops. Can't remember the good without the bad just yet, so he won't let himself go that far.

But he will, as he has done so many times in the past, lay his weary head to rest here. In the silence and sense of temporary haven, he's soon fast asleep in the mausoleum of memories. ]

Dolly/Shay -> Sink my teeth in

[killingdaedalus]

[ The air vibrates with tension, the faint reverberations of Halcyon's overworked gears nearly drowned out with the palpable waves of intent in the atmosphere. Celeste tightens her grip on the handles, bloodied knuckles gleaming in the dank light of L3.

She was sure she would've lost them by L5..

And then L4..

And now, tensely, she tests that theory again, hovering between two dilapidated buildings (likely once living quarters--now too corroded and infested to resemble anything habitable).

It's weird. She's lifted plenty of things off L8 before, and while they'd always give it a good go for a few levels, they'd never been willing to follow her this far down.

She glances down, cybernetic enhancements tracing over the details of the nondescript black box strapped to the side of her hoverbike. She's too professional, murderous habits aside, to break the courier's oath and look inside, but she's damn curious about what would prompt those pampered prick to go this far down.

A flash of light catches her attention, yellow light gleaming through the smog and haze above her head. Sirens ring loudly, though she can't hear them, and for the most part, none of the few stragglers on the street pay any attention. ]

Fuck.

[ If these officers had half the work ethic they're showing now in bed .. she might well be a law abiding citizen.

As it is, she lets a few more strings of curses (and invents a few more as well), mentally summoning Halcyon's thermal read out. Having raced, dodged, and collided through five levels, he's in bad need of upkeep. The chances of him making it another level with that pace.. ]

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

[ If she can't outrun them, she'll just have to outsmart them.

Looking down again, she notices one particular young man. Unlike everyone else who's pointedly ignoring the patrol cars, he seems almost shocked to see them.

Dropping Halcyon down and ordering him to cloak, Celeste comes up with her usual calculation. The boy looks a little too clean to belong this far below, and coupled with his apparent fascination with the police...

.. there's a good chance he's someone spoiled brat who wandered too far from the flock.

Here's hoping he makes half as valuable as a hostage as he seems.

Painting a sweet smile on, Celeste slinks out of the alley way, walking a small half circle around her soon to be hostage. ]

Hey, Gorgeous.

[ A purr. ]

You look a little lost. Want some help?

jayes/lapis reference info!

[inksplashes]

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