Bird of Prey in the Clouds [ Open ]

[Rip Van Winkle]

Hell. This was hell. The fire burned through the ship beneath her, licking through the welds as if they were butter. Tears stung her eyes as fear rippled through her entire being. Sharpened fangs clattering together as her jaws rattled. Shoulders heaved with each breath, the musket leaning against her head. The only sound she could hear over the crackle of fire was the small alarm clock, ringing its bell as if nothing were wrong.

But even that stopped, with a faint smash. The clock had ticked its last tock, and the demon had found her. Gasping a bit she managed to open her eyes, Zamiel had come. Tears still streaming down her cheeks, the voice of the Major invaded her thoughts. ‘Prepare yourself first lieutenant. Vhat vill you do in the presence of Zamiel?’ She shivered, ‘Vhat vill you do-’ The voice… it was now coming from the demon himself! ‘Rip Van Winkle.’ Clutching the musket closer she closed her eyes again, willing it to all go away.

The tears were heavy, and with each sniff a bit of the salty liquid dripped down her speckled cheeks. Taking her glasses off, she sniffed and blinked slightly. Rubbing away the salt tears, she replaced them once more. The shaking had stopped, and her brows pushed into a glare. Now the huntress would take her shot.

Snapping the barrel down towards the demon before her she glared. “Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor. My bullet punishes all, vith out distinction!” She screamed standing straight once more. Hair whipping out behind her, curling in the wind. He seemed to grin as her finger pulled the trigger, the spark lit, the bullet ploughing out, and it hit. But it was not yet done, darting through the sky, leaving a comet like trail, it came back for another bite.

“Again.” She glared as the bullet knocked him back, each hit sending him slightly further away from her. Zamiel would not get her this day. “Again, again!” It was ripping him to pieces, hit after hit. “Die und go to hell!” The bullet darted from side to side, before straightening out. But instead of the ripping of flesh, there was a faint ping. Gasping she stumbled slightly. The demon lifted his head, smoke billowing from between his fangs. But what sent a chill up her spine was the bullet clamped between his teeth.

‘Guess what I just caught.’ He laughed, head tilted to the side. Her breathing raced again. No! He crushed the small sphere as if it where nothing. Trembling again she stared, disbelief clouding her being. ‘I just caught… you. Rip. Van. Winkle.’ Backing up the metal of the ship pressed against her shoulders, she had no where to go as he began his approach. Turning to the side she looked as if about to run, but he stopped. Before long a punch knocked her to the side, glasses flying from their seat on her nose, hair flaring behind her.

Hitting the ground she lost grip on the musket, shaking as she tried to see her glasses. Sitting up a yelp escaped her as her own musket pulled her back, a hand closing over her throat. As the grip tightened her legs kicked, flailing, trying to break free. But she was quickly hoisted from the ground, gagging as her airways were tightened. All the while his laugh… that’s all she could hear. Barely able to see she turned her gaze to his hand… and her musket. No… was he... he was. Unable to cry she watched as the muzzle was pushing towards her chest. But it did not stop, a sharp pain began to grow. A sickening crunch sounded and blood began to fill the back of her throat. Breathing no longer possible, she gagged, her own blood dripping through her teeth. The pain, all she could feel was pain, and the hot stench of his breath on her face.

Tears stinging her face, blood still oozing from her gaping mouth, she knew it was over… and yet, death would not come. Even the gagging slowed as he grabbed the top of her head, his own jaws opened. And then her neck, she couldn’t feel it, but the blood it was leaving her. How was life even still with her… everything went numb, voices barely reaching her. But then … she knew it was over, not even her poor eyes could make out the bloodied moon. Just blackness.

But for some reason, fate decided it was not the end for her. Even after dying twice, they refused to let her rest in peace. No, she would be revived again, but not in the world as she knew it.

The metal behind her back was replaced with cold stone, and the musket clattered down beside her, no longer in the grip of the demon. Her breathing resumed, slow at first, but it was there. Feeling a faint breeze across her face she screwed her eyes tight, confused. But upon remembering what had occurred she screamed and opened her eyes. But what met her nervous, and blurry, sight, was not the burning ship at all. Instantly her hand shot out and grabbed the musket, which was oddly close, but she could not make out where her glasses where.

Holding the gun tightly in one hand she rolled awkwardly onto her knees. Reaching her gloved hand around she tried to find the circular glasses, but to no avail. She found her vision blurred even further by tears stinging her eyes. Panting a bit she sat back, legs splayed out to the side. Clinging the long barrelled weapon to her chest she glanced around. She had no clue where she was, but the metallic tang in the back of her throat reminded her of what she should be. Dead. But she didn’t question it. Her heart beat in her chest, and blood flowed through her veins. She was glad to be alive, again.

But in front of her… it was a gravestone. Was she … really alive? Putting her hand on it she dragged her fingers over the written text. It wasn’t familiar, and it certainly didn’t spell out her name. A faint sigh escaped her lips, mixed with the faint sobbing heaves. She was alive. Zamiel had lost. The huntress stood to hunt again.

[Jack Bezarius]

It was always like this, call it a routine if you will. He'd slink into the house, waltzing through as if he fit here perfectly, flirt with a pretty maid or two before he found Glen. Really it was a rather flawless idea, one he'd followed through for god knows how long, he was simple that able to break into houses, hehe~! Ah, but of course he wasn't actually breaking in, Glen had long since told him where the hidden access to the house was, meaning he could come and go as he pleased, which he of course did~! As soon as he got bored you could pretty much guarantee Jack would be found in the Baskervilles home, that or locked in his room working on his latest musical box... Or of late something far more dear. A watch, a watch with a song constructed by his best friend in life. This was the product of them working together, and so meant more than every other piece he'd made.

This time though he was to be foiled by a certain pink haired girl... Well! Rather a pretty girl than another fellow, always look on the bright side as he always said~! “Hey.... Did you know not everyone can come and go in and out of the Baskervilles' home!” And in that moment she had him pined down, foot on his back as she yanked on his plate. “It huuuuuurts...!” He whined out pathetically. “But how do you manage to get in all the time! Agh, I want to pull off this annoying plait of yours!” Squirming frantically below her he paddled the air as if it was going to help at all. “Someone told me about a secret pathway...!” True facts, but she probably wouldn't believe him. He was just an insignificant music box maker! “Secret pathway...?” Awwww she was adorable when she was confused~!

Laughing he nodded as best he could. “Yep~! He said I can use the secret pathway when I come here, Glen said that.... You're so cute today too~!” Chuckling a grin curled onto his face before he whined again. “Let go pleaaaaaase?” She didn't, instead she crouched next to him toying with the hair in her hands. “Say... You come here to meet him all the time... That.... You and the master... What is your connection with him...?” He sighed, turning his head to the side slightly to watch her pretty little face. “Ha, so cute~” Agh, she really was~! “Why not just ask him yourself?” He asked with a laugh. “What?! He's not just the kind of person you question like that!” Wat? This chick was high~ “Baskervilles~” He sighed. “Hiding their existence in the dark. The duty of the heir is to draw the line for other nobles.... And the only master to care for the clan is Glen~!" Good ol' Glen! Obviously though he'd just baffled Lottie more... Ohhhh damn~ “Master Glen... How... How much did he tell you...?” Jack just shrugged, propping a hand under his arm as he rolled to his side grining.

“I dunno~” He reaaaally didn't, well he did actually, but anyway. “I'm not really interested in all that so I don't really know~” With that his grin softened to a small smile, eyes closing happily. “I don't care about heavy status, to me he's only a person with an important existence, who embraces the value of others. That's right...” He nodded approvingly. “In other words~~ He's my best friend...~” Oh and he was.... But heck, now she looked even more confused! Ah well, she let him up at least~! And so with a grinning bow he left her in a stunned silence, scurrying out of the house and into the courtyard to wait.... Annnnd it was Lottie who found him first, stalkerish but he was fine with that~ Ushering her closer he laughed. “What do you think?” He asked, pulling out a golden pocket watch. “This is my best work~” It was, and not just for the detail in it. “...Eh?! You made this?!” Awww, she had no faith in him~! Well, that was fine~ “Yep?” He could only laugh, really all he ever did was laugh~ “But didn't you say you were a music box maker...?” Tilting his head slightly he just cocked a brow. “It doesn't matter if it's a music box or pocket watch; their sources of power are the same.” True they were as different as night and day, buuut it was his logic so best not to question. “And watch this~!” With that he flipped the piece open, a soft tune coming from it as he did. “I did a good job, right~?” The look on her face said it alllll~! “This tune...” she started... “What's it called...?”

“Lacie.... I wrote it... Do you like it?” All Jack could do was laugh and shake his head at the girl's stunned face. Was she so surprised to see Glen happy? Awww, that made him seem big and scary! He wasn't, not at all, Glen was his best friend and whilst yeaaaah he could seem scary as hell incarnated into a person Jack saw through this, he had a good heart and was a kind man, he'd never really hurt anyone. As the dark haired man turned and started off the blond immediately perked up and weaved past the young woman to jog after the leaving man, that grin still on his face. Still on his face as the background suddenly melted away to that of a graveyard, a graveyard with a somewhat conveniently placed tomb stone in front of the still running man, just screaming for someone to trip over it.

He of course did, flipping over it with all the grace and fines any noble in his situation should have... Decidedly this really wasn't all that much, though that shouldn't have been overly shocking in all honesty. Landing on his back with a heavy 'Omph' he blinked, propping himself up on elbows to finally look around. “Eh.... Well that's kinda creepy...” With a nervous laugh he rubbed his head slightly. Had he been pulled into the abyss? Alas he very much expected as much, it wasn't totally unheard of for people to vanish into the pit of it, but there was usually a reason. Be it that they were dragged into it by another, or their chain had pulled them in when the clock rotated to its fullest... Only the first option really applied to him. But he couldn't see why anyone would want him in the abyss, he'd never harmed anyone and... Well he was just the third son of a third class nobility! No one should really pay that much attention to him...!

With a soft sigh he rubbed the back of his head, sitting up before finally standing and dusting off the heavy green coat he wore. Okay, if this was actually the abyss then... He was kinda in trouble, for one he didn't actually have a weapon he could use. What he needed was a sword, better yet a flintlock. He was proficient with either believe it or not, but being good with one was kinda useless when you didn't actually have one... And that in itself just kinda sucked... Ahhhh well. Folding his arms he wandered forward, humming the soft tune his watch had been playing only moments prior. Lacie. There really wasn't a point looking for a way out right now, people never escaped the abyss. He of course would be the first, little Alice would be alone should he not, but right now he needed to actually get his bearings of this place. Wandering around blind was a totally stupid mistake, thus he very simply intended to get a feel of the place... Even if it was kinda spooky. No doubt that was just because it was a graveyard... A graveyard that could of course could have a chain lurking anywhere just dying to rip him to pieces and devour him... Yep, that was life for you, always an adventure~!

Catching sight of something though a sitting figure came into focus, it looked human enough, buuuut what were the chances of finding another another human in this dimension? Preeeeeeetty slime, like, the same kind of slim as was associated with seeing a cow try and play the piano with a sheep doing a jig to the tune... Okay... that sounded pretty awesome to be honest. Anyway though, back to the situation at hand! Chain or no he couldn't help but notice something... off... in the way they held themselves. It looked, well he couldn't put a finger on it to be honest, but they didn't look all that great. Closer he came to a halt before them, true this could be a ruse that was going to lead to this thing trying to devour him, but there was always the chance they genuinely did need a hand he wouldn't be able to forgive himself for ignorance. And so he got down to one knee before the woman, an arm laying over the supporting leg, a grin on his face. “You look like you could use a hand there, hm?” He extended his free hand, not bothering to cast a glance to the gun near the woman. “Care to use mine~?”

[Rip Van Winkle]

Someplace elsewhere in the grim graveyard she heard what sounded like a body hitting the ground, a sound she knew quite well. But the smell, they were still alive. Her teeth began to chatter once more, fingers wrapping tightly around the musket. Everything was blurred, so she could only work off the faint sound she had picked up. Next she heard footsteps and … humming? She did enjoy the opera herself, but right now she was far too busy fearing for her life to sing. The foot steps rang through the otherwise empty place, making her muscle tense up. Where they coming for her! The demon had found her again! No … it couldn’t be …. Not again! Shaking her head, curled bangs bouncing in front of her.

A blurred shape came into view, while it seemed more a smudge of green she could only assume it was the owner of the footsteps she had heard earlier. She wanted to shuffle away, making even more distance between them. But the way her legs where set, getting up would be no easy task at the moment. And they had begun to get even closer. “Bleiben Sie zurück! Bitte!” Chances where they didn’t understand a word she had said, but at the moment it was all that would come out of her mouth.

She felt her fingers burning as she clutched the musket tighter, not daring to let it go for even a second. She could somewhat make out a face as they got closer, and they didn’t seem like the monster who had been on the Adler. In fact they seemed quite friendly. But having seen your own weapon plunged through your heart tended to change your view on the world. They stopped not to far off, and she found her eyes following them despite the overall blur. He seemed to lower himself down, perfectly calm.

‘You look like you could use a hand there, hm?’ She saw what she could only assume was his hand, held out to her. Her own shaking hands were currently both firmly on the abnormally long musket. She was afraid to even look at him, as if eye contract would eat away at her. ‘Care to let use mine~?’ Releasing the grip reluctantly she reached over with one shaky hand. “Mein glasses… have you seen mein glasses?” Her voice was even unsteady, but she managed to at least get the words out. But instead of taking his hand, she closed her fingers, as if afraid to take it. He wasn’t German, but he didn’t seem to want to kill her either.

Perhaps she should have asked this question first, but her glasses where more important. “Vhat side are you on?” Despite her situation, she was still a First Lieutenant of Millenium, the remainder of the Letztes Bataillon. She was a soldier, despite her clearly shattered state. The gleaming chain around her neck served as a reminder of what she was. She wasn’t some washed up school girl who had been pushed down. She would get up again, once her arms stopped shaking.

[Jack Bezarius]

“Bleiben Sie zurück! Bitte!”

What...? That.... What? "I don't understand, I'm sorry." He really was, sorry for not being able to understand what she was saying, just imagine that~ In a way it wasn't much his fault, where he was from there was no need to speak more than the standard language. That and he'd never actually heard anything like this before, it was utterly strange to him. Obviously she wasn't from Sablier, that much he could tell right off the bat. What got him though was the tone of voice, even though the speech was rough in a sense the way she said it just.... made her seem terrified. She was scared of him? Damn... She was probably asking who the hell he was then.. Or telling him to get away. He didn't know, unless she decided to translate for him then he wasn't ever going to know. The emotions though he would always know, he was a people person, he was good at judging people for who they were. Emotions were just... Well like books, simple to understand if you knew how to read them~

“Mein glasses… have you seen mein glasses?”

Blinking he stood up, scanning the area quickly until something caught his eyes. Ah-hah, by the looks of it those were indeed what she was asking for. With an almost skipping leap to them he bent and picked them up, looking them over quickly. A small crack in the right lens buuut perfectly fine bar for that. Turning on his heels he turned and strolled back, once more crouching in front of her. "Here~" With that he'd offer them to her outstretched hand, damn she wash shaking like a leaf. Creasing his brows he couldn't help but wonder what had actually happened, she was a mess, she really was. Whatever it was it couldn't be good. Though if they were in the abyss as he so suspected then... Well her state could just be a side effect from that, this place was meant to be worse than hell, a prison for sinners and the like. It wasn't a fun place, it was meant to be devoid of love and happiness... Right up until Jack got here, he was damn well love and happiness enough for everyone.

“Vhat side are you on?”

Side? Ah, Jack didn't take sides~ He was kind of one of these greater good types, he'd kind of just fight for what he thought was right, even if it wasn't strictly a side in itself. In a way you could probably just say he was on everyone's side~ Cocking his head for a moment he tapped his chin. "No ones~" Simple enough really at the end of the day. "I don't much care for taking sides, I'd rather just be that awkward middle child that gets in the way~!" He laughed slightly and shook his head, the plait hanging behind him shifting somewhat, though for the most part remaining unmoved as it had curled on the ground. Damn thing was just so long~ But the point stood, Jack did not fight. It wasn't that he couldn't, he was pretty damn badass if you gave him a sword and asked him to spar with you, the likelihood of most people winning were actually... No yeah they were low~! One of the few people to keep up and match him was Glen, it was perhaps a part of the reason they got on so well~

Offering a hand again he sighed. "Now then, can I help you~?" He wasn't really a threat, you had more chance of a flea mutilating you than Jack taking arms against you, mind, them fleas could be deadly little buggers~ "I give you my word that I won't harm you." If he had a flower or perhaps a bunch there was little doubt he'd have just offered them to her. "Really, what happened? You're pretty face is being hidden by fear~" He really could be a total moron at times, he seemed unable to hold a situation if there was a pretty lady he could compliment. Call him strange if you wanted to, because yes this situation was serious, buuut if there was a way out he'd find it, there was really no point fretting. He'd already decided he was going to take it as it comes, and god dammit there as a poor maiden in distress that obviously needed help, what kind of fellow would he be just to turn away?! Not a very good one at all~ "By the way," he started as an afterthought. "My name's Jack~"

[Rip Van Winkle]

‘I don't understand, I'm sorry.’ Eugh, she hadn’t expected him too, but fear had simply pushed it out. German obviously was not closely related to English. While she spoke both fluently, her mind was racing, just blurting out what ever language came first.

Blinking again she watched as he hopped off somewhere. Where was all his energy coming from? ‘Here~’ Steadying her hand the best she could she managed to take the bridge of them in her fingers. “Danke…” She rubbed her eyes a bit, clearing any tears that still clung to her faintly freckled cheeks. Pushing the round glasses into their place, she blinked a bit. The one crack was a bit distracting, but she could finally make out the man before her. He looked like he was taken from a different time period. His face... he seemed so calm, especially when compared to her wide eyes and quivering lips.

‘No ones~’ She blinked slightly, that was either very good, or very bad. ‘I don't much care for taking sides, I'd rather just be that awkward middle child that gets in the way~!’ Seemed like it wasn’t bad, he seemed like too much of a dolt to be a threat anyways. But then again with out her ‘magic bullets’ she wasn’t much use either. A manufactured vampire, a home grown spook.

‘Now then, can I help you~?’ She looked at the ground, could she honestly accept his help? She wanted to say yes, but a real soldier would decline and get on their own feet when they could. ‘I give you my word that I won't harm you.’ Shaking her head a bit she stared into space. ‘Really, what happened? You're pretty face is being hidden by fear~’ She looked at his face again, swallowing a bit before deciding to speak. “Z-Zamiel came for me.” Unless one was familiar with German opera, chances where this would mean little. “He came for me … und dragged me down too hell.” She wasn’t sure what else she could possibly say.

This time she took his hand, fairly certain no harm would come of it. But her other hand remained firmly on the musket. The memories were still fresh in her mind, and she wasn’t ready to let them melt away. The hot burning as the blood gurgled in her throat. It was too fresh , too real. She would make sure that the event did not repeat itself.

‘By the way,’ She blinked and nodded a bit. ‘My name's Jack~’ An English name, but he said he took no side. To judge by a name was cruel anyhow. But then again, she was an SS soldier, what did it matter to her? She had murdered with out a doubt, and now she cared about things like that? “Rip van Winkle.” It sounded odd as it passed her lips, but it was right. If she didn’t have a name, what else was there?

[Jack Bezarius]

“Z-Zamiel came for me. He came for me … und dragged me down too hell.”

The term 'what the fuck' kind of sprung to mind with that comment, he had no clue what the hell Zamiel was. By the sounds of the whole 'dragging into hell' thing though it was very probably just a chain, oh dear, this was hardly a good thing at all~! Granted he didn't suppose it was terribly bad, it could no doubt be worse... Maybe... Was there anything worse than being in such a vile place...? Ah, yes~ How stupid, it would of course be far worse if someone you cared about was trapped down here. Better you than a loved one, still, such self sacrificing heroics were selfish and he knew it. He'd get back too, after he'd helped this pretty little thing in front of thing though. He was sure people wouldn't miss him for a day or two, actually no, he knew they would. Ah, he was meant to visit little Alice today, no doubt she'd be upset that he'd missed their meeting, and of course little Gil and Vince would be worried... Hell the only one that would be fine was Glen, he was after all a big boy now~

With a sigh he dropped his backside to the ground to sit in front of her. "I see," he offered with a mildly quizzical expression on his face as he tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Sounds scary~ But I'd not worry you're safe now annnnd I won't let anyone hurt you whilst I'm around. Sound fair~?" Again with that overly happy grin he just laughed. The problem with someone like him was that they'd always put the others before themselves, and whilst yes this could be good for the other person it also had a nasty habit of being utterly irritating. It was a kind of hit and miss thing when it came to knowing how the other person would take it, some lashed out, others yelled, some blushed, and then there were those who just walked away and claimed not to know their self proclaimed protector. Right now he didn't know what kind of person she was, but at this very moment she seemed a lot like the 'I'm to scared to deal with your shit' type, pity... Real pity~

“Rip van Winkle."

A strange name no doubt, butttt he didn't mind, it was charming in its own way he supposed~! "A charming name, Rip, a pleasure~" As she took his hand he'd lift himself and try to bring her up with him if possible, of course if she didn't make any effort to move he'd just sit himself back down and wait ever so patiently for her to actually pull herself together enough to decide to stand with him, of course there'd be no making her do anything she didn't want to. He could be a pain in the ass but he wasn't a bad guy, if though he did manage to get her to her feet he'd reach out to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, giving a soft squeeze. "I'm sure we'll get out of this place, I mean, if there's a way in there's a way out~" With an optimistic laugh he'd just nod, so sure that what he was saying was true. Was there any suspicion in him that they'd not be able to get back? No, he didn't once let the thought cross his mind, and why would he? Pessimism never got anyone anywhere but depression. Sadness only spawned sadness, true fact, and thus something to avoid~

[Rip Van Winkle]

So calm … this guy clearly wasn’t even aware of where they potentially where. They were surrounded by death, those no longer among the living lay beneath them. She wanted to blast it all away, but instead she stared at the blonde before her. Somehow the calm expression made her less tense. But even so her hand still remained firmly on the musket. Nothing would make her release it now.

‘I see,’ She blinked a bit, did he really? ‘Sounds scary~ But I'd not worry you're safe now annnnd I won't let anyone hurt you whilst I'm around. Sound fair~?’ Safe… she had been safe before. A ship in the middle of the ocean, nothing could reach them, not with her gun loaded on deck. But not even her flawless defence could keep the devil himself off their ship. Could this odd man really compare to an undead SS first lieutenant with bullets that never missed? “Nichts kann mich jetzt noch retten.” She muttered slightly under her breath, swallowing a bit, blinking away the remaining tears.

‘A charming name, Rip, a pleasure~’ She nodded slightly and allowed herself to be lifted, as he started to lift she bent her legs, allowing her feet to rest on the ground once more. Her other hand planted the handle of the gun into the ground, allowing for further support. “Danke.” Her voice was still shaken, and her eyes rarely connected with his. She shifted her grip on the gun, gripping the handle firmly, despite the barrel was lacking the ever important bullet. Her eyes did follow his hand as it rested upon her shoulder. She expected the gun to be torn away from her grasp, and by instinct tightened her grip.

‘I'm sure we'll get out of this place, I mean, if there's a way in there's a way out~’ If you were lost, how could you get out? Her eyesight was already not a trustworthy sense, and right now she could barely function. “We don’t even know vhere we are.” She blinked a bit and removed his hand, not really wanting to be near anyone. Did the golden swastika around her neck honestly mean nothing to him? She felt it hard to believe, and yet she felt utterly calm. Somehow she knew, he would not come to harm her.

But not even he would stop the sun when it rose, she would not be safe forever. The dark and fog protected her now, but now even the freaks could endure direct sunlight. So much was racing through her head right now, so many new problems forcing their way in, demanding an answer. A faint sigh escaped her lips, every word he said seemed to be brushed aside by a new problem. Nothing was going to be simple was it?