Night 72: Sun Room

[overlimit]

[from here]

Rita's luck had seen some improvement over the past few nights. After a long string of obstructions and disasters, she'd had some smooth progress. She just hoped that lucky streak was going to hold, and that nothing was going to interrupt her this time, either.

Not wanting to push her luck, she broke into a run soon after entering the room, making a beeline for the Library doors. She could trust that Taura wouldn't be far behind.

Comments

[envy_the_sinners]

Scar knew that Lust was intelligent enough to glean the situation from their words. Edward was, without a doubt, under the same trance Korra had been under last night. And that fool of a boy was trying to fight him with only a sword. The question that remained was whether or not they should be interfering.

There was a pang of guilt as Scar thought of Alphonse, waiting in the hall for his brother alone. He shouldn't be alone. He knew that he would need to notify the boy of his brother's state either way. Once hearing, though, he would come running...

And that was even more of a disaster waiting to happen.

So Scar made the decision that he would have to, in one way or another, neutralize Edward. His arm slipped away from Lust's, fingers pausing on her forearm in a 'stay put' gesture that was more of a reflex than anyplace else. His attention had shifted to the fight. He crept closer, intending to remain low and rely on the shadows cast by furniture to avoid detection. His footsteps were silent, surprisingly light for someone of his stature.

[a_sin_for_him]

It was tempting to go after him, ignore his silly command to remain where she was...

But Lust knew she would be of little use in this battle. She wasn't made to non-lethally neutralize, which would be required here. And Scar could handle himself. And likely help with more care than she would. It was only a contrary desire, entirely illogical and only brought on by Scar. She could ignore it, considering the circumstances.

Of all the victims to be addled and set to guard this place tonight! She stayed where she was, peering through the gloom with her jaw set tightly.

[redcladidealist]

This time, Lloyd didn't try to dodge. Ed was right. Enough was enough. Talking wasn't working, so he had no choice. He needed to take the other boy out, hard and fast, when he was least expecting it and couldn't dodge. This was exactly that chance. Mana raced down his arms, somehow tingling less than it should, but there wasn't any time to think about what that meant. Ed's hands slapped to the ground and Lloyd lunged forward as the pillars shot up where he had been. Bringing his swords low, he slashed up to meet Ed's attack, and with the movement he shoved every bit of mana he'd gathered out. Energy erupted from his blades, a brilliant burst of ethereal light that seemed to form the shape of a snarling beast. At this range, it would be nearly impossible to miss, but even if Ed did dodge it, it would definitely hit the wall. Lloyd just hoped it would be enough to break through it. He wasn't sure he'd have it in him to do this a second time.

Dammit, Ed, just go down!

[fullmetalheart]

Ed's eyes widened as the attack slammed into him, smashing him against the wall and breaking the wall apart.

He lay stunned for a moment before he started struggling to get up. His attempts aren't going very well, as bits of concrete move under his hands instead of staying where they've fallen. "I--I refuse to lose."

[envy_the_sinners]

Stubborn brat.

Scar dropped his sword, vaulting the chair that was his hiding place and lunging for Edward in one fluid motion. He was much less gentle with him than he had been with Korra, though he was still cautious. There wasn't any hesitation. He aimed an elbow for the back of Edward's head, hopefully hard enough to knock him out without causing further damage.

To look on the bright side, he'd done worse to the poor kid.

[fullmetalheart]

Ed wouldn't be Ed if he weren't stubborn.

He saw Scar too late, turning his head to see who or what was moving when Scar's elbow connected, making him crumple.

[a_sin_for_him]

At least it had all gone quickly - assuming Edward didn't begin to stir and revive in a few moments. And Lust hadn't needed to move a muscle, Scar and the young man already engaged in the altercation had it well under control. What was that saying about small miracles?

And Edward would be fine in the morning - more or less. Perhaps a bit of a headache, but no worse for wear than that. The brainwashing would have faded.

She tried not to preen too much that her suggestion of sneaking into the Sun Room had been the right course of action.

[redcladidealist]

The moment the energy left Lloyd's sword, a wave of exhaustion hit him, hard, making the world tilt for a moment as he drew ragged breaths. Even so, it wasn't as bad as the last time he'd used that technique. This time, he didn't feel like he was about to topple over, and he might even be able to pull off another technique. Maybe. He didn't think he should press his luck unless he had no other choice.

Dragging in another breath, he turned and warily shined his flashlight toward the man who'd just appeared from the dark. Brown skin, graying hair, a scar on his face- "Scar?"

[envy_the_sinners]

"Yes." As soon as he was certain Edward was out, Scar hustled back to retrieve his sword. Upon a better look, it was indeed that Lloyd boy from earlier today. Strange and unnerving as his abilities were, Scar wasn't interested or distracted enough to ask about them. It must have had something to do with the 'mana' he had mentioned earlier.

"He'll be up soon," he said as a way of urging the group forward. Nasty as Edward's collision with the wall was, at least they could make it through easily. Scar glanced to Lust, lifting his light enough to see that she was still standing by the door.

What was that about small miracles?