Kyriakos: OVERFLOW

[justichthys]

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[justichthys]

[ Makes a grumpy sound when he wraps an arm around her, but she turns to face him slightly and grabs hold, clinging to him tightly. ]

I won't fall!

[carptricks]

I know you won't.

I've got you.

[the way he says that is a little dorky, but he gives her no time to respond before he levels the grappling hook at a rafter hanging above the open door. with a loud bang, he fires, and the hook and attached rope zip through the air and attach to said rafter. Kaito yanks on their anchor to ensure that it's steady, before he pinches Aoko's waist gently in warning]

Going down!

[AND THEN HE JUMPS]

[justichthys]

[ SSSSSCRREEEEEEEEE ]

[ … it is a very muffled scree, mostly because her face is buried against his shoulder, but it sure is an unmistakable scree all the same. ]

[carptricks]

[THIS IS AN ADVENTUUUUURE]

[he's surprisingly strong for a lanky teen who doesn't seem to be much at first glance, and he hangs onto her tightly as they swing through the air. and he really must be good at this whole grappling hook thing, because he manages to take them right through the open door and into the combat area. he lands on his feet, loosening his grip around Aoko's waist once they're on solid ground again]

[SUCCESS]

[justichthys]

O-Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god … [ THAT SURE. HAD. BEEN A THING. It had almost been thrilling, in a mildly terrifying, heart-pounding-out-of-her-chest way. ]

[ Except they're about to reach the final stage, and that means she needs to push all of that back and focus on supporting him. Takes a deep breath, reaching for the grappling gun and securing her grip on her staff. ]

[carptricks]

[now she understands why Kaito loves it so much]

You okay?

[he asks, and although he's still grinning like a loon, the question is sincere. before them, the combat hall is pitch black and dark. it's impossible to see what's further into the room from the entrance]

[justichthys]

I think you're crazy. [ She hisses, fervently, but there's a brightness in her eyes that suggests there's way more to it than just that. SHE LIKES ADVENTURE JUST AS MUCH AS HE DOES SOMETIMES, okay. It's a thing. ]

But, more importantly … [ Looks ahead, into the darkness. ]

[carptricks]

[he follows her gaze and sobers up significantly, though he doesn't step forward just yet. his hand drifts to his laser gun again]

Ominous, isn't it?

[justichthys]

Y-Yeah …

[ She shifts on her feet, bringing the staff up to a more guarded position. ]

But whatever's out there ... we can take it! Right?

[carptricks]

Right!

[no slip of confidence there. he draws his weapon and holds it out in front of him, but not before checking the ammunition just in case]

So let's go.

[and then he tilts his head to the side and flashes her a grin]

[justichthys]

[ She returns his grin with a more tentative smile of her own … and then steps forward, walking ahead into the DARKNESS UNKNOWN. ]

[soulping]

[as soon as the two step forward, the lights above them flicker on]

[they're in what looks like a large, spacious warehouse. there are obstacles strewn across the area, things like large wooden crates, barrel drums, and so on and so forth. as with others rooms, the floor and walls are made of chrome. there's a door on the opposite side of the room, which would be pretty easy to get to, except for one small problem]







[the warehouse area is filled with gun slinging aliens.]

[and not a single one of them looks happy to see either Kaito or Aoko]

[carptricks]

[annnnnnnnd as soon as it becomes evident that they aren't alone]






[Kaito freezes into place]

[justichthys]

[ … ooookay, so. the bickering and bantering drops like a stone into the ocean ]









Um.

[carptricks]

[in unison, the aliens all lift their firearms with a series of loud clicks that echo throughout the room. luckily for the adventuring duo, they don't fire just yet]

[Kaito's gaze quickly darts across the area, making note of a nearby series of stacked wooden crates. carefully, he shifts his elbow to nudge Aoko's arm. when he speaks, his voice is low]

On three. To the right.

[justichthys]

[ She's. She's kind of frozen, staring wide-eyed at the aliens and their guns. The aliens who are staring at them, with their guns, which will be fired at them any second now, and— ]

[ Kaito nudges her, and she twitches her head in a minute nod ]

R-Right ...! [ Her voice is a whisper ]

[carptricks]

[he begins the countdown immediately]

Three, two. . .

[more clicking noises as the aliens prepare to fire]

-- one!

[and then he's moving and fully expecting her to move with him, darting to the side with surprising speeds to duck behind the crates. as they move, the aliens fire! their laser beams scorch the ground and walls and even the front of the wooden crates, but as long as the duo makes it to shelter in time the most they might get is a little grazed]

[justichthys]

[ She moves in perfect sync with him, but the trouble is … she's not quite as fast as he is. Always a step behind, never faltering, ever chasing. THE TRUE NAKAMORI WAY.

So, she might end up taking a little more damage than him. NOT THAT SHE LETS IT STOP HER; she dives forward anyway, skidding to a stop behind the crates in an awkward, clumsy roll. ]

[carptricks]

[any hits that she does take leave tiny little scratch marks on her skin. tiiiiiny tiny little things that sting a like paper cuts]

Oi! Are you okay?

[he asks quickly as he presses his back against the crates. his gaze flickers towards her, concern written on his expression, and he has his own firearm held up and at the ready. the pew pew pew sound of lasers firing continues to bounce throughout the air, each one occasionally being followed by a thud as the laser bolts hit the crates]

[justichthys]

Y-Yeah, I'm fine. [ Wheeze. ] Sorry, Kaito. Guess I'm still a ways from being able to keep up with you … [ Casts him a smile that she hopes is reassuring, even as she gives her legs a quick looking over. Just as she'd expected, there's nothing there except for faint red scratches. ]

[carptricks]

Are you kidding?

[he scoffs, then lets out a small curse as a laser beam thunks against the crates right behind his head]

I was just closer to the crates, that's all. It has nothing to do with you not keeping up.

[. . . man when are these aliens gonna stop shooting]

We've gotta move, though. We can't stay here forever.

[justichthys]

[ Makes a face at him. ]

All I meant is that you're faster than I am! [ Which is, undeniably, true. While Aoko can certainly keep up with him in the endurance department, he's always had the advantage when it comes to sheer speed and dexterity. ]

More importantly— [ Pulls herself up into a crouch. ] What are we supposed to do? They're all between us and the door, and we're outnumbered and outgunned. [ SURELY KAITO KNOWS WHAT TO DO, and she's staring at him kind of expectantly. ]

[carptricks]

[he opens his mouth to reply, but is once again cut off by some of the wood from the crate splintering near the corners. he ducks forward, lifts his head, and quickly scans the scene for something-- anything-- they can use to give themselves an edge. if he could just get the aliens to stop shooting for five seconds. . .]

[. . .]

[he looks up at the ceiling, then at the walls, stopping as soon as he catches sight of a stack of metallic barrels positioned neatly in a corner. there are a lot of barrels, too. . . if someone were to knock them over, the results would certainly be disastrous]

[he grins]

Stay here, okay?

[one of them should be enough]

And on my signal, you come out swinging. Okay? You're good at wielding those kinda weapons; just think of it like a more dangerous mop.

[justichthys]

S-Swinging at—Kaito, they've got guns! I don't know if this thing can stand up against them …! [ It's a weak protest, because of course, of course she knows that she's going to go ahead with the plan anyway. Kaito's going to need her to back him up if they want to pull this off. ]

[ Knowing that she'll give it her best shot doesn't stop her nerves from jangling, though. She glances between him and her staff, biting down on her lip. It's like skiing all over again, except it involves a lot less sliding down mountainsides with pieces of wood strapped to her feet … and a lot more angry alien menace ready to shoot at her. ]

[ NO PRESSURE. ]

[carptricks]

Knock their weapons from their hands! I trust you.

[he reaches out to place a hand against her arm, catching her gaze with his as he does so. she can probably see his confidence in his eyes-- for once, it isn't confidence in himself. it's confidence in her]

[but just like that, the moment is over. he withdraws, and suddenly he's bolting out from behind the crates. his movement, funnily enough, draws fire away from Aoko-- which may or may not have been one of his intentions, here. but although the aliens continue to shoot at him, although laser beam after laser beam streaks through the air. . . Kaito ducks, he dodges, he skids against the ground and throws himself out of the way of every shot that comes his way. some of them singe his hair, others nick his shoulders or the backs of his knees (HP: 97%). but that's the extent of the damage]

[he makes it to the stack of metallic barrels in one piece, after a thoroughly impressive display of dexterity and athleticism]