jigokulogs | OPEN/CLOSED PROMPTS

Entry tags:

original: marie daenthelm

OPEN/CLOSED PROMPTS

Who ⬤ Marie and you!
What ⬤ Substories mostly. Some closed prompts here as well.
When ⬤ September
Where ⬤ Various locations
Content Warnings ⬤ Probably just. Violence?

i. Drifter Grifter

[Well, this is the last thing she was expecting. It's almost too good to be true, as the man approaches her with this so called information on Iron Bear. Half expecting it to be a trap, and finding the thrill of that to be interesting enough, she takes his word on it, and offers him the hospitality that he wants in her apartment. Hand on her scythe the entire time this man is in her apartment; ready for a strike.

So, when he doesn't show any signs of hostility, she's almost disappointed. Only to keep her guard up when he says he'll be excusing himself to use the bathroom.

Time ticks. A few minutes, then ten. The thrill of it all is back, and she approaches the bathroom door. She kicks the door open, with scythe in hand - only to find absolutely no one behind the door. The utmost disappointment showing on her face when she realizes that she's been, well. Swindled, first of all, and second of all, there was no ambush, or anything like that. There was no entertainment.

With that, she leaves her apartment, with scythe still in hand. Probably not the best idea, but she's still looking around for the man to see where he possibly could have went. Where did he even go? A confused Marie can be seen through the streets -- humming to herself in thought.]

ii. Dogged the Bounty Hunters
[Marie understood Kaberou's plight pretty well; her children had been kidnapped and used as a tool for the war back home. Suspecting that this may be a similar sort of thing, she decides to launch her own private, independent investigation. Not for the bounty itself, which was tempting to begin with, but as a parent, who had her children kidnapped before.

But, before she could conduct her own investigation, she receives orders to take out the competition, essentially. That, was something that she was certainly good at. She was a walking weapon, after all.

So, in the dead of night, there are muffled screams that can be heard through the alleyway. Those screams are soon silenced by Marie, who swings her scythe, just once, to silence them completely. Some blood splattering against her skin, but she's quick to wipe it off with the back of her hand. Her cold gaze staring down at the bounty hunters, who were very much alive still! Just. Very hurt after she was finished with them.

Orders were orders, after all. She was just following them.

However, should you approach her, you'll get her cold, hard stare in your general direction. Her vision narrowed for that short moment, before her face twists into her friendly smile.]

Come on out now.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Shou had let it slip that his birthday was soon.

It had occur to her that this kid might not have been able to celebrate a normal birthday. A sad thought, to say the least, but Marie wouldn't let him have an uncelebrated birthday. The coming days spent silently planning for this surprise birthday for him, wanting to make it as special as possible, given the chip that he had on his shoulder since he's been here.

So, in the morning, the smell of a cake being baked can be smelt through their shared bedroom. Not only that, but he can also smell his favorite food being cooked in their small kitchen. Marie having spent the previous days getting as much information about his favorite things as she could. Her job in recon certainly helping her get the information that she needed.

She's trying her best to stay light on her feet through the entire process, but it's hard to do so with everything so close together. But still, at least she's trying to make a birthday that he'll remember. Or at least enjoy.]

[ in fairness, shou likely let it slip in a way that was completely innocuous and easily forgotten. he is straightforward in a way that often betrays him, mostly because peoples' kindness never really factored in to the way the acts.

so to say that this catches him off his guard is sort of an understatement, even if he knows why.

though new within tamamo's ranks, he's been up early to head to mizukume within its territory. today is no exception, in activewear and ready to take on sparring and such in an effort to test his new limitations, but he stops short in the doorway to their kitchen, noting the smell of food, which isn't so odd —

but also something sweet? ]

Miss Marie?

[Today was finally the day that they'd start training.

Marie was in proper attire today, loose clothing that she could easily move around in. But not only that, but she looked good in her clothing, and she certainly had pride in her appearance. Anyone looking in her general direction could see years of her training paid off in full. Muscles and abs visible to the naked eye -- especially underneath this lighting.

She awaits at the entrance of Cloud's new place, with a cigarette in her mouth. A visible tinge of excitement visible in her eyes. After all, she hasn't trained anyone for quite some time now, and seeing how excited Levi was to learn ignited that flame in her to train someone again.]

[and here leviathan is, having doffed their usual jacket to show up in a black top that provides a little more hint to the shape beneath their clothing and removes some of the ambiguity. (it isn't much of a bother to them, or at least it doesn't seem to be.) at their hips, they have a matched set of knives that they had picked up with some of their gambling winnings from tanabata. they're holstered and within easy reach, one on each side, but they don't exactly know how to draw them properly. at least they came prepared?]

[they arrive with little fanfare, their steps carrying them through areas that they're sure they'll get used to very soon. their teacher stands there, tall and muscular and smoking, and their brain sends signals down through their entire nervous system that they are choosing to ignore for the moment.]

Marie! [instead of anything else, they wave and greet her as they approach.] I'm so glad we could get this started. I hope you don't think that I was too hasty, but I did pick up a pair of knives already. Based on what we'd discussed, I mean.

[Upon hearing footsteps, her eyes move from the ground, and over to her now student. Marie's lips quick to curve into a smile, as she pulls the cigarette out of her mouth and flicks it elsewhere. Her other hand waving Levi down a bit too excitedly, as she meets them halfway from where she stands. That tinge of excitement visible in her expression, as she reaches out toward Levi's head to pat their head gently.]

Look at how cute you look! You're definitely one of my cuter students, hehe.

[Her eyes trail from Levi, and over to the pair of knives now. A bit surprised that her counterpart went ahead and already bought them. Not that she was complaining or anything -- she liked working with the real thing, and this would definitely be more realistic in terms of their training.]

Not at all! I'm glad that you went ahead and just got the real thing, to be honest. It saves me the time having to look for a suitable weapon.

[With her free hand, she gently pats Levi's back -- guiding them forward and into Cloudy Wolf.]

Let's get started then, shall we?

[haha, well. they just wanted to be prepared and get this right the first time. they'd have hated to embarrass themself in front of a new teacher by not really being prepared for a training session. (of course, marie calling them cute isn't helping.) but they don't actually say any of that out loud; instead, they just follow behind marie and enter the cloudy wolf, looking around at what cloud has put together for everyone.]

[it's certainly a more impressive training scenario than they had been expecting to find in the middle of a performing arts center. there's exercise equipment, no doubt things that they'll be working alongside cloud on shortly, and training dummies, as well as some wooden training weapons that would likely have been far less dangerous to work with. as they step inside and feel the weight of the knives on their hips, they feel just a little guilty.]

Maybe I shouldn't be using real blades on this equipment... unless I plan on replacing any dummies every time we do this. [they look up at marie.] Or if you don't intend for me to be taking any swings at anything quite yet anyway. I know that combat trainers with the NSO liked spending time getting a baseline first.

[With her eyes gazing around her new settings, she has to admit, that soldier boy did a fantastic job with Cloudy Wolf. There was a lot of good detail and attention put into the place, and she makes a mental note later to compliment Cloud. Very impressed with what she was seeing, since it certainly reminded her of the training facilities back at home. A smile quickly spreading upon her lips, as she peeks over at Levi.]

You know, when I did training at home, I let students use me as a dummy. If only because they never truly were able to hit me.

[She pauses, and remembers her lack of powers here.]

But! I can't really do that here. I don't have my powers here, so you're more likely to hurt me, no matter how agile I am.

[But, in the corner of the room, there seems to be multiple wood and foam weapons for them to use. Marie motioning Levi to follow her toward the rack of weapons; luckily having a set of faux knives that the two could use.]

Oh good, they came prepared, and they're weighted to feel like the real thing!

Edited 2022-09-22 16:45 (UTC)

[ah, okay, okay, the faux knives are far better. they lift their shirt enough to remove the holster from their hips and set down the actual set of knives off to the side, where nobody's going to accidentally trip over them or anything. with their clothing re-adjusted, they reach out for the weighted practice knives and hold one in each hand.]

I don't know if I'd be able to bring myself to use you as a dummy anyway, whether you had that level of agility or not. Practice or not, it would still be a friend on the other side of my attacks.

[they say it so earnestly, too.]

I'll use these for now, and I'll leave the real ones at home until we need them. Now... where should we begin? [there's a dramatic pause in that sentence as they try to twirl a knife in their fingers, but, uh. yeah, they drop it and it thunks on the ground. unsurprisingly. they look up while bending down to retrieve it and yeah, that's definitely embarrassment on their face.]

Maybe it will be some time before I worry about any cool tricks.

I guess that makes sense! I told my students to never hold back when they fought me, but I think some of them did because of their respect for me. I think I can understand it, to some extent.

[Man... The fact that they say that so earnestly is more than enough to make her smile. Wanting to say something in turn, but she doesn't say a word, and instead, just watches Levi from a distance. Her hand brushing over her hair, as her gaze fixates on her student. Silently watching them attempt to twirl the knife, until it drops onto the ground and her eyes follow with it.

There's a moment of silence that fills the room, and Marie can't help but laugh. Not hesitating to move right behind Levi to reposition them in the proper way. One hand placed on their elbow, and extending out their arm. Their fingertips intertwining for that short moment, and adjusting the grip of the knife into a much more, firmer pose. The blade heft upward, and pointed toward one of the dummies.]

I'll teach you a few tricks soon. For now, if you hold it like this, you'll get a much better feel for it, my dear. Grasp it tight, and try to swing it down first.

[damn it, leviathan, are you going to get like this any time a gorgeous woman comes within a foot of you for any reason? the answer, it would seem, is a resounding yes. their heartbeat accelerates in their ears as marie guides their arm, and there's a tingling along the back of their neck that feels pleasant in a familiar way.]

[they're not losing focus enough to ignore what's being taught to them, though. they try to remember the way that their fingers feel around the hilt more than the way marie's feel on theirs. they hold it tight, not keen to drop it a second time, and inch a very little bit forward so they don't run the risk of hitting marie. they steady their breathing, and go for one downward swipe, as vertical as they can make it. they try again, a downward diagonal swipe from top right to bottom left. the latter is the one that they'd seen in movies before, but they're just trying to get a feel for it. their form is understandably lacking, but they keep their arm extended the whole time to match what marie had started showing them.]

Is one of those attacks... better than the other? Or is it all theatrical?

[To say that she was nervous to go on a date was an understatement. Truth be told, she hadn't been in a date for quite some time, and she spurred the question to him once she came back from 1000 years of interesting events. Truth be told, she didn't think she'd be here right now, but here she was, dressed up in one of her nicer dresses in an attempt to impress him.

Not that he needed to be impressed; she figures that he'd like her in anything she'd wear. But still, a date was a date, and she was here to please him.

So, she waits for him at the entrance of the Sutoku apartments. Her back pressed up against the door as she waits to hear those footsteps. Her nerves beginning to kick in a bit, which raises the urge to have another cigarette, but she decides against it. Once again, not wanting to disturb him with the smell of smoke, or anything like that. Especially if something more intimate were to happen later in the date.

So here she is, standing nervously, but still having a rather big, but faintly flustered expression on her face.]

[Hythlodaeus has never been shy about dating. He loves being around people, getting to know them, making them laugh, learning from them, perhaps doing a bit (or a lot) of touching if things go smoothly...even dates that end poorly can usually be made into funny stories later on. And he would argue - modestly, of course - that he's rather good at dating; he's charming and easygoing and good at carrying a conversation.

Still, it has been a very long while, technically speaking. And he hadn't expected an invitation from Marie - oh, he'd certainly noticed that she was delightful and lovely, but when she'd mentioned a partner back home he'd mentally closed that door. But it seems like that door has opened itself back up, and though he's surprised, he sees no reason not to walk through it and see how things turn out.

So he dresses himself up a little and heads down to the apartment entrance to meet her. Something nice but a bit more subtle than Ydris's handpicked outfits, as much as he enjoys them - though he will leave the first two buttons of his shirt open. It is a date, after all.

And she's wearing...a cute dress! His smile brightens when he sees her. How fun!]

Marie, my dear! You look lovely!

[She forces herself to take a deep breath in to calm down. This was a lot considering she's only seen a few people that weren't her husband. Still, Hyth wasn't a bad guy, and in fact, she certainly found him charming. She expects that mindset will carry her through the date, and make her less nervous as time passes. Cheeks fairly flushed as she begins to hear his footsteps, that eventually lead to her. Her eyes staring glancing over at her counterpart now, and smiling all too widely when he's in front of her now.

Without thinking, she takes a step forward, and meets him halfway. Marie leaning forward, and pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek as a greeting. The action so unconscious, that she hardly realizes that she does it, until the warmth of skin touches her lips. Eyes widening for a quick moment, before pulling back to stare at him rather. Well. Confidently, despite her embarrassment.]

Thank you! You look very handsome today, Hyth!

[Those two buttons do not go unnoticed, and she can't help but smirk. A chuckle leaving her lips as she reaches for his hand now, and intertwines their fingertips together.]

Made sure to choose somewhere nice and private. It's kind of spendy, but I don't mind going that extra mile for you.

[Like other Sutoku members, Soundwave received an assignment to "dissuade" the unsavoury bounty hunters. After all, having them around may only get in the way of the clan's plan of pursuing Ringo-chan's kidnappers and rescuing her.

His intel about a group of bounty hunters whereabouts bring him to this area, but before he could begin searching, he hears a scream nearby that is immediately cut short. Deathly muffled screams coming from an alleyway? In the dead night? It's worth investigating. So, while his real form lies in wait outside the alleyway, he sends his holoavatar out instead, into the alleyway until he comes across the blood-deep violence. A lone woman with a couple of bodies on the ground...

Recognizing she's a Sutoku member, though one he hasn't spoken to before, the avatar steps out of the shadow, footsteps near quiet on the pavement.]

Just a friendly. [At least he's gotten a Sutoku pin for his avatar, pinned on the left of on the puffy jacket.

The avatar glances at Marie and her bloody scythe, then looks to the crumpled bodies, all very much still alive, it seems.]

Got a little carried away?

[Despite her friendly smile, her vision is sharp for a moment at the unfamiliar presence. However, despite it being unfamiliar, she doesn't draw her scythe. Instead, just flicking some of the blood off of it. Her cold, but almost happy gaze trailing toward Soundwave's holoavatar now. Marie blinking a few times, before that glint in her eye appears. Both because she found a fellow Sutoku member, but also...]

Wow!! Is that a holograph?!

[One more flick of her scythe, and she latches it back on quickly. Her footsteps bringing her forward, and around the holoavatar as she glances over at it. Fingertips poking at it several times to admire the tech. After all, it's been so long since she's seen a holograph, or anything more high tech for that matter since she's been here. This certainly got her attention now; completely ignoring the groans from her victims echoing through the small alleyway.]

A little, but they're not dead! Just a bit maimed is all!

[Marie makes a full circle around Soundwave, poking at the holoavatar several times, once more.]

This is impressive... But I reckon that this isn't actually you. Any reason you brought them in here and not yourself?

[Marie's reaction gets a slight quirk of his eyebrows, not at all expecting that and, more surprising, is that she realized that it's a hologram without him needing to say it. Most- at least the ones who doesn't know Soundwave -don't seem to realize that the person they were talking to was actually a holographic projection. Similarly, Soundwave is detached from the violent scene and is giving full attention to Marie instead as the woman circles around the avatar, ignoring the pained groans from the maimed bounty hunters.]

... Holomatter, actually. A solid light projection.

[He'll allow her to poke the avatar for now. If only to have her learn that the avatar itself is indeed solid and remarkably squishy like a real life human. Even the hair is able to stimulate and feel like real hair. After all, this tech is used to blend in with non-mechanical species. In every way, the holoavatar is identical to an actual real, living human, except for one notable thing: the lack of breathing going on.]

Scouting. This form is more easier to sneak around undetected. And I can recall it almost immediately, should I come across danger. [Normally, being made out of metal, there shouldn't be much to worry about lest someone has a laser rifle in their hands. But here, his durability is not as it's used to be.] Though if I had known that it was an Alliance member doing work, I would be here in my real body instead.

[To be fair, he's literally outside the alleyway anyway.]

Holomatter? I don't think we have anything like that back home. Just illusion magic and regular holographs.

[Still, this is absolutely fascinating to her. And upon touching Soundwave's avatar, she can absolutely feel how humanlike it is. Her fingertips trailing up the arm, and over to the strands of hair, where she plays with it between her fingertips. Quietly noting the features, before pulling her hand away completely. Eyes still staring with complete interest, however, even as she pulls away.]

Ahhh, that makes sense! This must be really handy to have... I'm kind of jealous!

[Although, there's something about his second bit that truly captures her attention. The alleyway was big enough to fit a regular human in, so... Was he not a human? She hums to herself in thought, and peers up at the holoavatar again in curiosity. Eyes staring at it for a moment, before peering through the alleyway.]

Are you... Too big to fit in the alleyway? You're probably not human sized, are you?

I don't believe I have ever met a species who has hard-light projection technology like ours. Although the Kappa engineers seems to be familiar with the concept...

[Heck, they even helped set up and had the holoavatar projection working again.

There still isn't much reaction from Soundwave as Marie pokes and plays with the avatar's hair, aside from the avatar's eyes following her hand, though he does seem to visibly relax a bit when she finally pulls away. Nothing against her, just not too used to people casually touching him, or the avatar, in this case. Peering through the alleyway, she may catch the butt of what appears to be a vehicle sticking out from the corner. Although too small to be a regular sized vehicle, it's like the size of a toy- a power wheeler, to be exact.]

I am not human-sized, no. About... ten foot tall, I believe. I can fit myself in the alleyway, just fine... I believe. Regardless, my size would easily give away my location.

[Well, Marie did notice the avatar before he said anything. But there wasn't a reason for him to continuing being sneaky in front of a fellow faction mate, by that point.]

These Kappas are an interesting bunch, but let'ssss not think too hard on it.

[Marie can't help but chuckle a bit once she's pulled back. Eyes gazing away from the avatar now, and over to the pile of maimed bodies that were still groaning. Just one last gaze to make sure they were actually still alive, before turning her attention back to the alleyway. Hands in her pockets, as she begins to walk toward the middle of the alley to get a better look at Soundwave's actual form.

However, seeing the vehicle, and can't help but blink in surprise. Quickly exiting the alleyway completely now, and staring down at it. Resisting the urge to prod, and poke, now that this was his actual form and all. She wanted to be respectful, so she keeps her hands to herself. Simply standing at his side now, and quietly taking note to what he had said before.

Ten feet tall, huh?]

Fascinating... Is this vehicle another form of yours? Because this would be good to sneak around in!

[Soundwave stares at Marie as she exits the alleyway, sparing a brief glance towards the maimed bodies, before following her from behind. Eh, they'll be fine.]

Hm, perhaps. In small spaces, I could possibly sneak inside. [He's glad that she didn't poke him like she did with the avatar, otherwise he might actually tell her off.] I suggest you take a couple of steps back.

[It's less of a warning, but rather, a gentle suggestion. Why? Because he's going to transforms. The vehicle's flanks explodes in attached segmented parts. Metal plating shifts, click apart, slide, and folding itself against one another, moving parts transforming into an entirely new shape. The legs form first and as the being rises on his feet, then the arms before the transformation is fully completed, standing before her is a ten foot tall mech. This sequence all happens almost instantaneously. His red visor shifts down to her.

Speaking now as himself, he turns off the modulation to his voice and speaks in his normal mechanical-like quality voice. The avatar, meanwhile, is standing at the side in an idle stance, almost like an NPC in a video game.]

Hello, Marie.

[Akira looks down at the broken bodies of the bounty hunters and carefully doesn't wince. Alive, at least, he can tell that much.

He should have expected as much, really, it's not like Sutoku ordered them to be nice and friendly toward the bounty hunters, and Marie was rather upfront about her ruthless nature.

Still. Jesus.]

You certainly didn't go easy on them.

[His footsteps get her immediate attention, and her cold gaze that she had before quickly dissipates. Her eyes staring over at Akira once he's in line of sight. Her neutral expression quickly changing into a soft smile.]

Orders are orders. And... I guess I had too much fun.

[The bounty hunters are still groaning in pain, and she stares down at them with a friendly smile. Marie kneeling down to one of the bounty hunters, and giving them a once over.]

You'll live. I might have maimed you, but you'll live.

[She gets back up again, attention back at Akira.]

What're you doing here so late?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

OPEN/CLOSED PROMPTS

→ closed to shou

no subject

→ closed to levi

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

→ closed to hyth

no subject

no subject

ii

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

ii

no subject