Back in the Saddle, Midweek

[whydoyoushine]

You guys miss me? 'Cause I'm back now. And I'm pissed.

The Manticore Knights are going down. I'm gonna make their lives hell, anyone want in?

Comments

[awitchdidit]

That's the general idea. They've killed more Investigators and bystander Infiltrators than an entire culture of ninjas did.

What's your take on a plan?

[whydoyoushine]

Who needs a plan?

I see a Manticore Knight, I'm attacking a Manticore Knight.

[awitchdidit]

While having infinite respawns makes that less stupid than normal, I don't think that will be very effective for breaking their power base.

[whydoyoushine]

Yeah, well, when I die...

...let's say that last time when I was myself for that, it was a blast.

[There's a long pause.]

Literally. Figuratively, not so much, that part sucked.

[awitchdidit]

Well, if we're going to lose to the heroes, we might as well look cool doing it, right?

In this case, though, we should probably focus on actually winning.

[whydoyoushine]

Who said I was planning on losing if I died?

I'd take the bastard out with me.

[thornsofmalkav]

Oh fuck yes.

[whydoyoushine]

So you want in on when I trash 'em?

Because this city's generating enough Darkness to really make crossing me a worse idea than usual.

[thornsofmalkav]

You know it. They killed me, they killed Malik, and they're turning this island into a police state.

[whydoyoushine]

They're turning it into a Shadow Town, as far as I'm concerned. Shame they don't realize they're only making me stronger.

[thornsofmalkav]

... a Shadow Town is a bad thing?

[Forgive her, Zed, she knows not your Kiddie Show Villain terminology.]

[whydoyoushine]

Depends on who you talk to. They're kind of a pain in the ass, even if I'm supposed to spread them.

[someonetocarry]

I did miss you.

[She may be half-teasing, but she is also serious. And she is not yet committing to taking down anyone or anything. She does, however, ask:]

Did they kill you?

[whydoyoushine]

Yeah, they did.

[He doesn't sound as bothered by that as he might be.]

And they're gonna pay. I'm not going to let them do something like that again.

[someonetocarry]

Pretty sure if you're as strong as you say, you're right, they won't be able to do that again.

How'd they do it? What'd they do exactly?

[whydoyoushine]

I was working with Mako, he caught me being soft on people who didn't have any papers...

...things kind of went from there.

[He may be dodging the subject a little...]

[Gone private, not protected]

[someonetocarry]

If it ain't too hard on you to say, Zed, I'd like t'know specifics. Might help us know how to protect people if we know more 'bout what they can do.

[Gone private, not protected]

[whydoyoushine]

...he shot me. That's it, just shot me.

I...it was fast, you know?

[There's a long pause.]

I'd rather go out fighting.

[lunchleader]

...How pissed are we talking about here? Cuz I don't wanna have to deal with you covering another town in Darkness...

[And then, there's the sensation of him shaking his head.]

Wait, why am I worried about that? I need someone to get me out of here first! Just...don't kill anyone who's not a bad guy, okay?

[whydoyoushine]

Guess what, they beat me to it. This is a police state. Good as covered in darkness, as far as I'm concerned.

[He doesn't sound happy about that, really.]

...where are you?

[lunchleader]

I thought that only happens in movies, though...

And technically it's a cafe where you can get wine with your pastries, but I just got some water with my food. But! But some Knights showed up and they're claiming that I shouldn't be here because I don't got some kind of paperwork.

I mean, I never had to have all that paper stuff before when I was aboard the Rainbow Line! This is unfair and they're trying to arrest me for it!

[whydoyoushine]

They're there?

...sit tight, I'm gonna take their paperwork and shove it where the sun doesn't shine.

[He has picked up phrases from his human infiltrations! He likes this one.]

[lunchleader]

Wait, wha?

[Spike of sheer surprise.]

You're coming here? But...! There's still civilians that need to get out of here! And I can handle this! Really!

[protect_and_serve]

This is going to go poorly. When it does, call for help.

[whydoyoushine]

I don't need any help. What's the worst they're going to do, kill me?

It's not like that's gonna stick.