The Dash's Character: Take Three

[sephiroth]

((*nods* Understandable. If you would like to ask another user to jump in...

Or, I could bring in one of mine, though I highly doubt that the one who would be willing to leap in would be one that you would want to deal with.))

[Jason Arilani]

((I dont know of any that could be brought in, so you can bring someone in. It would help with talking more like Dash, rather then just having him trying to kill an endless swarm of heartless))

[sephiroth]

((He chose to go into the castle... that limits options somewhat. However, I'll -- ... actually, I'll bring in someone equally likely to be there, due to scouting.))

To sum everything up in one word, interesting.

The castle interior was grand and in various forms of disrepair, crumbling ruins in one place, perfectly preserved in others. It had the unique feeling of being both abandoned entirely and being occupied, with a slight edge that made the hairs on the back of Tseng's neck stand up. He was not afraid, but certainly vigilant.

There are two main reactions given when there is evidence of a struggle -- the echoing sounds gave it away. Avoid, deciding that it was not worth getting involved and possibly killed, or approach, to investigate, assist, or diffuse.

Tseng was of the latter persuasion, fortunately for the Dash, and had no fondness for heartless. They were the enemy of everyone, and as he approached, it became quite clear just what was going on. He'd noticed a lack of heartless upon entry, which was explained by the scene: a mob of the creatures swarming around what could be best described as a reddish blur.

Just for a moment, he watched the scene before coming to a decision on how to deal with it. It was clear that the Heartless wanted whatever the blur was, which meant that it probably was neither Heartless nor Nobody. It also was clear that there was no opening for the reddish blur to escape.

Trapped.

Slowly, Tseng drew his gun, still halfway behind a pillar, and waited.

The heartless swarm thinned and swelled; sometimes there were patches of just a few Shadows, sometimes countless numbers. It was random, largely, but --

There.

Taking aim, an entire clip of bullets found their way into shadows, as the blur neared the edge. The enemy of my enemy may not be my enemy...

...but just as well, he remained out of sight.

[slimdookie]

Oct 12, 2008 11:01:25 GMT -4 Jason Arilani said:

((Alright this is where I have to ask for assistance. The only thing Dash has for use is his speed and reflexes. But I cant seem to think on what to do next. And I still keep thinking that Im not portraying Dash just right. Any assistance?))

((Sorry for interuption but you know dragon ball Z? Yeah try the speedy finishing combos that go up to 1000 hits....

[sulcal]

((Maxium, I would like to kindly ask that you refrain from commenting in training sessions from this point on. If you have such things to say please send a PM to said user for that comment.

Thank you. Apologies for interrupting myself, continue as you were.))

[Jason Arilani]

((Yeah... I didnt even know what he was talking about... anyway!))

As he continued his moving about, Dash felt himself getting tired. There seemed to be no end to them, but just then, a chunk of them seemed to just... disappear. Stopping his running, Dash looked around. "Whoa....." He said, surprised at what just happened. But his surprise was short-lived. The heartless continued to be around him. So he continued to run around, attacking what he could, dodging everything else. Who was it that killed the heartless from before? Only time would tell that answer.

[sephiroth]

((Apologies... sigh.))

Tseng waited, now that he had revealed his presence, though the opportunity he had given, or attempted to, was not taken advantage of.

He watched the heartless swell, keeping now to the shadows.

The heartless were the enemies of all, and not a fate he was about to leave anyone to. Enemies and friends alike... there were two outcomes this would take. The first, he would manage to extricate the child from the circling heartless, and find out what brought him here in the first place. The second.. should he fail, there would be no addition to the heartless's ranks. One single bullet to end the child's life before the heartless could would ensure that.

For now, the Turk waited for another chance -- though having to repeat did not sit well with him.

[Jason Arilani]

(*cries* A bullet to his head? Thats not cool!)

Was there no end to the swarm? The speedy boy was starting to get tired. It reminded him of the time he had to use his legs to propel his mom in the form of a boat. It was just running, running, and more running. But could he stop the heartless here alone? Or would they finally grab him at one point and his heart becoming lost.

Then again... there was that other guy who had helped him before. Would his assistance be needed again? Dash wasnt sure, and such thought soon escaped him as he somehow started to go even faster then before, and his reflexes, punches, and kicks all seemed to be faster, better, and stronger. What was this that he was feeling? Some sort of other ability? He wasnt sure, but he had no time to waste. His main ability was his speed, and his reflexes. And if they were increasing, then he might as well use them to his advantage.

He continued to run around like a crazy man, attack heartless a lot quicker, and a lot stronger as well.

[sephiroth]

((I could have sworn I replied; I even have it written out on a sticky. My apologies.))

Although Tseng was not keen on repeating his earlier stunt, when another opening presented itself-- a weak point in the line -- he quickly took out another swath, leaving for a second a completely open spot. There was not much time, and the question was whether or not the red blur could escape in time.

It all depended on how fast it could move, and whether or not it noticed it in time.

Not quite wanting to face whatever it was that plagued the shadow swarm so, he kept still, hidden as he was, and continued to watch. Tseng had resolved to see one of two endings; the blur's death, or the blur's escape. After that... there was no reason to tarry in this area.

He'd seen enough to know that it was a bad idea to wander too far in without backup, and needed to weigh options. If there was no reason to continue, there was no reason to place himself and his team at risk.

[Jason Arilani]

Continuing his random movements around the heartless swarm, Dash heard the usual sound of a heartless being destroyed. Stopping for a second, an opening could be seen in the mass of shadows. Without another thought, Dash zipped out of the circle, and through the opening. He would then have 2 options that he could take. Run back toward the town, or run inside the castle.

In the event that shadows were blocking his way to the town, then he would run toward the castle, and even eventually inside. But if the shadows werent blocking his way to the town, then he would head back to town, where he knew he would be safer. However, things would be truly difficult if shadows blocked both the way to the town, and the entrance to the castle. If that were the case, then his exit would have only been held brief as he would have to find another way to escape these shadows. His speed could only be used for so long. But what would the case be? Where would the shadows be?

[sephiroth]

And with that, Tseng officially withdrew, moving back and keeping a sharp eye open. As the circle, once the blur had left it, dispersed, there were now heartless focusing on other parts... meaning himself as well. There was much to be said for knowing when to retreat.

Heartless lack one massive trait that those with hearts have, and that is the ability to plan ahead. They appeared to try to swipe in rows around the Dash, but never in such large groups as to be able to stop him. Whatever appeared was avoidable, and the occasional wyvern, defender, or wizard was also able to be darted around. With the sole goal to escape back to town, it was not difficult to move.

The path back to safety was not devoid of heartless, but not blocked, either.

((I've really yet to find much to harp on or that could use improvement, which means that in my eyes, this could well be nearing the last post.

The only last thing I'd like to see is interaction; so far, so good.))

[Jason Arilani]

((The actions of Dash arent too hard for me to guess. But its the choice of words. I have a bit of trouble figuring out how he would respond to others. Its the same way with Maleficent.))

Dash would see his opening to the town. With immense speed, he zipped off in a red blur, back to the town, where he would lay against a wall and rest. He wasnt sure who had helped him, but whoever it was, saved his life. If he ever found out, he would owe it to him... Despite how much Dash wouldnt like to do such a thing. So he hoped he didnt find out who helped him.

[sephiroth]

And, fortunately for the Dash, he never did.

- - - - - - -

((..enter one of my NPCs.))

For a time, nothing further happened; people walked by now and then, but not one stopped to address the youth. It was a fairly warm day, though the wind held the chill promise of winter on the breeze.

"Hey, you," a baritone voice called, breaking the peace. "Never seen you around."

Kenrige Gathree appeared, for all the world, the stereotypical tavern barkeep; moderately bearded, heavyset, middle-aged. With both arms folded, he now stared down at the kid.

((Muse is not necessarily found... but oh, well.))

[Jason Arilani]

(WOW! I forgot about this... Im sorry for that. Anyway, now I can respond.)

Dash sat there, tired from the heartless. He pulled out the string of violet hair from under his glove. He needed to find his family. But then someone finally spoke to him. He freaked out a bit and almost dropped the strand of hair. But regained himself and put it back into his glove.

He then looked up at the man. He then realized what was said by the man. But he didnt know what to say. He didnt even know where here was. So he decided to start with that. "Umm... Where IS here?" He asked the man, still sitting against the building, and his full suit on, mask and all.

[sephiroth]

((...again, major apologies. Feel free to poke me if I let this get behind...))

Clearly, the kid was new in town, especially if he wasn't certain what town it was. Gathree could work with this, of course, and replied simply, "Radiant Garden. I live here, 'n so do lots of others. Where'd you come from, kid?"

It was no strange fact that Gathree was a fan of children; he and his wife Elsie had an indeterminate amount of them running about the house. Two of these were biological; the rest were either strays or people visiting. No one ever was unwanted. Despite his gruff nature and appearance, the man generally meant well...