Post by Terra on Aug 5, 2008 2:58:13 GMT -5
Shishi and Terra are lost; -up- should be the only word on their minds while they attempt to escape the darkness of the putrid sewers, and it is that word that has led them to ascend through this minuscule opening in a crumbling wall, barely large enough for either of them to squeeze through. From ahead of them comes the echoes of the pitter-patter of tiny feet, maybe hundreds of them, beckoning the pair forward into the city they had unknowingly just snuck into the outskirts of.
Shishi cringes, he's certain that this isn't the way that they came down into these sewers, but the sounds of 'civilization' make him think that maybe they'll be able to find another way out if they continue forward, or at least find someone... or thing that could show them the way out. The wincing burnt up, limping male smiles reassuringly to Terra, "Worth a shot?"
Terra would continue to worry her bottom lip until the option of conversation came up. For the first time since they realized they were lost, she would speak, and despite the reassuring smile that Shishi held, she’d find that encouragement was hard to come by. In fact, such a thing had been left back in the tiny, putrid hole they had forced their ways through, several miniscule scratches decorating whatever flesh remained uncovered and the unsanitary air that circled them did nothing to help it. “Sure, Shi.” The corner of her mouth quirks upward briefly, though is it smile or grimace, no one would know. “Couldn’t be any worse than sitting around…” And so they’d continue onward, the vampiress clinging to both the male and to what little shred of hope she had for getting out of this place.
Shishi , to any outside onlooker, would appear to be the one doing the clinging, his limp was becoming ever more pronounced and his frequent winces were beginning to string together into a constant cringe of discomfort, he'd very much like to be out of this horrid place and have his burns seen to. He is optimistic as always, sure they'll be able to find a way out as they trudge into the squeaks and pitter-patter of the Fermin City...
Shishi | Spread out before the pair is a sea of ever-flowing brown fur and red, beady eyes. The foam in this ocean of Fermin is small packs of mages and solders traveling together, their white and gray fur causing them to stand out against the masses of their common brown brethren. Along with the scurrying masses, Fermin can be seen swimming in small streams of sewer water beside the intersection signifying that one wrong step might send the vampires for a plunge into waist high sewage. One of the more curious or extroverted brown ratmen takes time out of his purposeful scurrying to observe the two outsiders, causing the Fermin traveling behind him to run into his furry back, sending them both sprawling to the filthy, most likely feces covered ground. Noticing this, the red eyed traffic director would hop down from his perch and proceed to mercilessly bash the fallen 'obstructions' with his oversized spiked mace, most likely made to be wielded by an averaged sized human. Blood splatters onto passers by who seem unparsed by the brutality and onto tufts of black fur that push out over the edges of the traffic controller's rusted armor. The obstructions seen to, the armored Fermin sends the intruding pair a beady red stare, perhaps a warning of some kind, before retreating back onto his post. If the two fallen commoners were not killed by the beating they received then they are surely done in when traffic resumes its normal flow and they are trampled under the chaotically organized steps of their Fermin brethren.
Terra : Step. Cringe. Limp. Step. Cringe. Limp. This would continue on for quite some time and the sympathy that clawed at Terra’s inner turmoil would eventually cause her to cave. “Shi. Let me carry you.” By this point, she had paused in their hunt for a way out to step in front of him. Her vampiric strength would allow this, surely, and by that thin line her mouth had set to, she would have no arguments. “We’ll go quicker and …” This time, she’d cringe, “I won’t have to see you limp anymore. It hurts to watch.” Impatient, she’d wait for him to agree, and if he were to do so, he’d find that she was awaiting him to perch on her back, much like a child does. Above them, the noises continued, and the closer they came to finding the source, the louder it became. The scratching of claws. The tearing of flesh. The crank of machinery. And most importantly, the squeak-squeak of the sinister threat that lurked within these sewers. Little did Terra realize that the creatures were closer than she had anticipated? The wonderings had brought them to a sea-stocked pipe of them, and this caused her to halt in the forward process. It wasn’t the actions of the fermin that made her brow crease in concern, but the chilling glare of two beady eyes with a clear message; Leave. She would, if only she could.
Shishi frowns heavily, averting his gaze bashfully to the ground, -we'll go quicker-, the words bounce through his head, and he was holding her back. Terra's attempt at compassion is misconstrued and almost taken as an insult that he couldn't keep up with her. With his head tilted towards the ground to avoid eye contact the dead fish floating through his scarf sneaks around his neck and brushes against his lips, bringing a different type of cringe to his lips. He shakes off the disturbing event and begins to protest to the vampiress, "No Terr, I couldn't... " when his eyes fall on the murder of the two fallen fermin his mind can't help but race into thoughts of his limp making them too slow for the traffic watchmen, causing them to meet the same brutal fate. The male reluctantly nods and climbs delicately onto Terra's offered back. She should be happy to find that he is much less heavy than he looks and since he didn't seem to appear very large in the first place Terra should have no problems. There comes but one more wince from Shishi as he presses himself against her back but he now seems much more comfortable, "Thanks, Terra..." He'll nod towards the west through the sea of Fermin as the heaviest flow of traffic seems to be headed that way, "Over there maybe?" The vampire seems oblivious to the warning stare given by the mace wielding ratman.
Terra didn’t mind the extra weight, light or not. Mindful not to bring her head back and hit him in the mouth, she’d continue forth. As directed and feeling more like a mule than any girl should, she’d head in the indicated direction, careful to avoid joining the mutual trampling of the fallen commoners. “It’s no problem, Shi. I just don’t want to watch you hurt.” Keeping him stable, they’d continue onwards.
Shishi 's arms fall over Terra's shoulders as they move through the crowd of Fermin, keeping himself from falling backwards. His chin falls to rest on his left arm so that he's leaning over the vampiress' shoulder, ensuring that she doesn't need to walk with her head tilted down to avoid clonking him with the back of her head. Small talk is on the menu now that Shish no longer has to concentrate on moving his feet through the sewers, "I guess I should have had Orange heal me up before we came down here... huh?" Maybe the fact that they are so hopelessly lost hasn't sunk in yet... Shishi, with two rather stubborn looking sentries guarding the exit down and -up- being the word on his mind, looks towards the upward sloping path with hopeful, oceanic Blue eyes.
Terra kept him in place with hands settled against his legs, attempting to make it appear as innocent as possible, minus the awkward position. A smile managed to find its way to her lips, pulling them into a loose pose before she’d respond to Shi’s words. “Why did you come, Shi?” Blinking, she’d realize how rough that sounded and moved to elaborate. “Not that I mind, I enjoy your company, but you know I only lead you to trouble…” The words trailed off, leaving Shishi to determine the meaning behind them. Still allowing him to be the lead, despite the fact she was doing the walking, she’d move upwards on the smooth ramp.
Shishi turns his head a bit awkwardly to the side so that Terra could see his weak smile if she wanted, "Hmm, I'm not sure really... You had just helped me so much the night before... I thought it would be nice of me to accompany you while you were captured by that girl... And you don't lead me into too much trouble, Terra; only a robbery and a boat ride so far." They're on their way out; Shish can feel it in his gut as they move up and around the spiraling slope.
Shishi || However, down the spiral marches a fairly large troupe of at least thirty armored Fermin occupying the width of the path upwards. Perhaps this is some type of scouting party, or something of that sort, returning from the surface. Each one carries a long spear, the wooden shafts of which seem to be gnawed and chewed into shape rather than cut and sanded. Black and gray fur is visible wherever metal covering is not. At the head of the pack is a proudly aged, White Fermin. This leader possesses one common red dot as one eye and a milky white, sightless orb as another. His blind eye is surrounded by withered, brown, furless flesh. His age, compared to the relatively recent creation of his race, might signify that he was born before the Fermin were even created, meaning that he could be one of the original thirty-six that The Lich Queen corrupted from rats, though this might be a misguided assumption as the lifespan of the Fermin is shorter than most races, akin to the rodents they were birthed from. Either way, it is obvious that this aged ratman holds great pride for his race and the protection of their sewers and is much stricter on the idea of outsiders meandering on their disgusting streets than the guards and traffic directors the vampiric pair had glimpsed before. He should have no qualms with imprisoning any non-fermin that cross his path. At the sight of the couple he snarls. Noticing that one of them is injured, -and even needed to be carried-, he licks his thin lips with a gruesome, diseased-looking, multicolored tongue, leaving flecks of foaming saliva in its wake. 'Easy prey' must be the instinctual thought dancing in his simple rodent mind as he stares at them through a single optic...
Terra couldn’t help but grimace. Upon her back she carried a rather optimistic man, and in that moment she couldn’t help but feel that she was taking advantage of that. Too easy to persuade, he was, and likely easier to corrupt. To conceal her worries, she’d hum a slight, low tune… unfortunately, this distraction would be what drowned out the scraping of claws against the smooth pavement, the chitter of approaching fermin, and the hush of metal rubbing against furred bellies. Like a moth to the flame, these creatures were attracted to the travelling pair, simply because they’d be easy to dispatch, and eventually, they’d be ground to create tasty meat. If they made it that far. Within her own thoughts, lost in the music of her quiet song, the vampiress would not hear the approach, would not notice the danger. A fatal flaw, to be sure. And so they’d continue, and while each step should have led them to freedom, fate would have each movement yet another towards confinement.
Shishi anxiously taps Terra with his right hand, "Hey, hey Terr!" He points out in front of them, into the darkness at the snarling Fermin, "Watch out for these Mouse Guys!"... That did it, the rat troupe leader snaps back at the two vampires, "Mouse!?" This was the straw that broke the flea's back, if you will, as the old officer had been ready to attack the moment he spotted the pair, "Intruders! That is to say; Spies! No doubt! From the Surface! Seize them!" as if he had needed a reason to have his men capture these two outsiders. His squeaking shout is loud, angry, and tinged with what sounds like a bit of fear. It would not be long before the blood-sucking duo is surrounded by the squad of armored ratmen, spears held out threateningly. Some self righteous brown furred commoners passing by might also join the circle around the vampires, snarling and baring their teeth at the intruders now that it is certain they won't be executed for stopping to help.
Terra couldn’t afford to run, and with Shishi on her back… That option would only make him a ‘living’ meat-shield. The risk was too high and not one she was willing to take. Not when the vampire had family, two children that needed him. Gently, she’d allow Shi to get to his feet, making sure he was stable before raising hands in the air in an act of peace. Fighting was yet another option striped from the list. While Terra could take on a few of them, spears and all, the state of Shishi didn’t seem so good and she’d be damned if more wounds were inflicted ‘pon him, especially since the blame seemed to fall on her shoulders. In surrender, she’d submit, urging Shishi to do the same. Hopefully, the pleading glance she sent his way would suggest they’d talk it out later.
Shishi puffs out his cheeks as they are surrounded; Terra's glance is noted as his left hand halts in its speedy tracks behind his back to retrieve a hidden blade. Slowly his hands will rise as the vampire daydreams of being able to take on the squad of Fermin soldiers with his accursed allies, but he finds himself unwilling to open communications with the shadows with Terra around, in fear of what they might ask him to do... With his burn spotted hands calmly lifted above his head he'll sigh and shoot Terra a reassuring look out of the corner of his eye... He has no reason to be so confident... maybe he's just enjoying the irony of the conversation they had been having just a few moments before about Terra getting him into trouble...
Shishi || The White leader stands proudly behind his team of soldiers, his voice squeaking and cracking as he speaks, "Excellent work! Let's get them in some shackles!" he might seem a bit apprehensive, could this really be so easy? Either way he pushes his way through his group of fighters grinning yellow, sharpened teeth at Shish and Terra, "How unfortunate it was for you to run into us. Yes, that is to say; trespassing here will not go unpunished..." The soldier nearest to him leans forward to whisper something in his pointed ear, causing him to snap back, clawing at the black furred warrior's face, "No shackles!? Ah~!" The White Fermin bites at the air angrily in an awkward display, "Very well! We bring them Down to the holding Area! Just watch their hands! If they move their fingers too much... Kill them!" With that the proceed to push and shove at the two vampires directing them in the direction of the downward slope, occasionally prodding at them with the sharpened ends of their spears, shouting angrily in their squeaking voices, "Move it!"
Terra had little patience, and these creatures were testing that to their full extent. Down the slope she’d begin, careful of each and every step as slipping could be a trip into death, something she had planned to avoid today. We’d see how tomorrow would go. The spears they used as prodding tools weren’t easy on the skin or clothing, catching the fabric and pulling it away in a loud show of ripping material. The next prod met with skin, pierced the right side of her rib cage, and sent a shudder down her spine. Protesting it would be costly, and yet again, her own life wasn’t the only thing at risk. The life the children would have without Shi was not one she wanted to contemplate. With no sounds to mark the pain, she’d continue forth, the slope behind her becoming slippery with the trail of blood that oozed from the wound. Arms hadn’t wavered from their place, though her gaze would roam, leaving Shishi only to take in the sight of what else lurked within the murky depths. “Sorry,” She’d whisper to Shish, hoping this would not mark an offense or give any more reason for the fermin to prod at her.
Shishi seems only slightly perturbed as the first of multiple encouraging pokes with the head of a spear meets with his back. Winces once again compounding into an everlasting grimace as the vampire limps down the slope beside Terra. He'd sneer whenever she was prodded at, indulging in far off thoughts of Fermin slaughter as the soldiers taunted him in their mousy voices, "Oh, It looks like he hurt his leg! Haha!" Terra's whisper snaps him out of his idle thoughts and he plays the same optimistic game he's been playing, thoughts of his children not yet crossing his mind, "its fine... we'll get out alright..." is what is whispered back...
Shishi and Terra are led through the crowded tunnel; anyone above five feet tall is required to duck while traveling through here lest the top of their heads grind against the earth above them. Fifteen armored Fermin solders ahead of their captives and an equal or greater value behind them with their half-blind leader bringing up the rear. The pair of vampires is shoved constantly by the three of their captors that are directly behind them, regardless of whether they are moving too slowly or not, though with Shishi's limp it is likely that he at least is moving at a less than brisk pace. In these extraordinarily tight quarters their captors are not the only threats of bumping and shoving, common brown Fermin, their numbers highlighted by a few rare, white furred mages, will knock into the captured intruders while trying to make their way through these cramped conditions. Some might even be so bold as to nip at their legs as they pass by, though this might not be due to strong feelings of isolationism, it seems instead to be an instinctual habit as the ratmen can be seen snapping and clawing at each other in frustration with this confined space. They were out of the sewers at the very least, but the smell of sewage was only replaced by a thick, musty odor that should come with being in a city populated by filthy furred creatures. Is it even possible to notice a change between two horrid odors while being roughly ushered into the depths of this underground city, uncertain of your fate?
Terra would hyperventilate, if such a thing was possible for her kind, though it was certainly plausible at this point. Suede boots would be able to withstand the nips and licks, but the feeling of the murky-water tainted fur rubbing against what skin was still bare in that dress caused her to flinch, which would earn yet another prod to her sore side, the fermin taking pleasure in making her bleed. Apparently, the stolen blood that dropped into the waters below only served to increase the “pleasurable” scent, to their senses, anyway. Uncomfortable from having to shrink, and for every splash of sewage that marred alabaster flesh, she’d whimper. When the tunnel began to widen, and the creatures that scurried by had lighter loads, the spine of the vampiress would ease the knots of nerves that begin to tighten there. Yet again she’d glance towards Shishi, desperately seeking comfort in those few stolen seconds. This was Hell for her, plain and simple. Rats, sewage, and a probably infected wound to the side. Indeed, this was Hell.
Shishi , sensing the quickening of Terra's breath, her anxiety, would glance at her out of the corner of his eye only to see her prodded by one of the fermin soldiers. His head turns reflexively and his fangs bare slightly, a sudden action that brings a spear into the small of his back, deeper than any of the 'motivational' prods before. Shishi opens his mouth in a silent roar and tips his head back, knocking it against the low ceiling. This painful series of events nearly brings the already wobbly vampire down to his knees, but he manages to recover from his stumble and continue onward into the city, into this Hell...
Shishi || passing through the Feeding area the pair of captives and the heroic squad that brought them in are met with a series of squeaking, yellow toothed cheers from the hungry mob o Fermin dining there. They move onward fairly quickly, enduring a few more nips and snaps from ratmen who haven't been served their meals yet... Entering this room of machinery it is important to remember that it was designed with Fermin in mind... Dangerously fast spinning gears rotate inches above any normal sized human's skull. Blood stains on some of the more dangerous looking and low hanging components seem to signify the possibility of getting clobbered by one of these large hunks of metal should any creatures above four feet wander or be shoved through here, such as this vampiric couple is being treated right now... The White furred officer at the rear taunts the vampiric duo, "Watch your heads! We're almost there! You morsels!"
Terra wouldn’t make a move to swipe at the silent tears that made pink tracks down her pale face, the occasional mark of sewage tainting it in the form of a small drop. The pain that Shishi suffered seemed to be channeled onto her, and it was an agony. In that moment, it was impossible to decide which was worse; watching this friend of hers in pain, or the threats and smells that haunted them now. No time to dwell on those thoughts, Terra worked on protecting what she could; her own head. Working her way through the labyrinth was easy enough, as long as she remained bent, keeping her head from knocking into any of the dangerous obstacles. In what she hoped was a helping move, she’d angle herself behind Shishi, hoping to take the majority of the prods that were aimed for him. Some were harsher than the others, but she’d assume her body was more capable of handling it then his, given that he had suffered enough over the past days.
Shishi takes some time to twist his neck so that he can examine the machinery around him while he ducks carefully under it. The smell should tell him enough on its own... -Meat- The severity of the situation might begin to dawn on him now and the limping vampire turns his oceanic gaze back behind him at Terra, the first look of worry she'd see from him while they've been captured. The vampire shakes off any thoughts of himself... and more importantly, of Terra being put through these fermin powered machines that surrounded them, being diced into rat food... He limps onward, sure to move at a fast enough paces so that the vampiress behind him won't be stabbed at on account of his slowness...
Shishi and Terra are shoved into a room lined with cages, half of the squad of soldiers remaining outside in the Meat Factory. Entering behind the vampires is the White Fermin; he stares at his captives, his gruesome scar doing the leering that his blind eye could not. He snaps awkwardly at the air before he speaks, as if trying to ensnare some unseen flying insect in his yellow teeth, "Here we are! You'll be staying here for a little while! That is to say; we’ll keep you here until we have a use for you." His thin lips are licked at again before he looks behind him over both his slouched shoulders in a sudden bout of paranoia. With a wave of his hand Shishi and Terra are tossed into two adjacent cages, a pair of gray furred soldiers handling each of them. The cage Terra is tossed into is already occupied by a slightly rotten corpse, but no effort is made by the soldiers to remove the body before they cage doors are locked up tight. The White furred leader snorts through his nose and snaps at one of his men, "Someone tell the cooks they have one ready for the grinders in here!" The order given, several of the soldiers leave the holding area, scurrying out in every direction, leaving only the Officer and a pair of black furred warriors...
Terra: The churning of her stomach was louder than the machines. The smell of the corpse was worse than the sewers. The rooms in which the were detained only increased her anxiety, and the only thing worse than that was the fact she had been separated from Shishi. The situation couldn’t possibly get any worse, could it? As blood continued to fall from the scratched vampiress, she’d smile in a twisted form of optimism. It surely couldn’t get any worse. At the sight of that smile, the fermin frowned, as much as a rat could and dug his spear into her right foot, delighting in the drawn-out whimper emitted from her lips. It was always so much fun to watch the land-dwellers cry out in pain. With a slick, suctioning noise, he’d remove the spear from foot and wave the bloodied end at the vampires face. Taunting her was easy, and quite fun to do. Expecting her to give in, to rise to the bait, he’d ready his weapon yet again. Instead of caving, she’d limp away, towards the short row of bars that were shared with Shishi’s own cell. Matted, dirty straw began to cling to the wound, and Terra didn’t mind as her small fingers gripped the bar until knuckles turned into the lightest shade of white possible. Hopefully they weren’t claustrophobic as the accommodations weren’t spacious, smelled even worse, and sent a clear message; death was waiting and there was no hope. None.
Shishi hisses furiously as Terra is stabbed. His Oceanic eyes flicker momentarily to a more crimson shade and the dark room seems to pulse in anticipation. His voice is a low growl, "Bring that spear over here!" The malicious ratman's bait had been taken, though not by the one he had intended, perhaps... The vampire stares down at the white fermin with swirling irises of blue and red, "If anything happens to her, you better make sure I'm already dead, because I will bring this whole factory to the ground..." The white rat sneers, snapping once at the air before sticking the spear through the bars of the cage and into Shishi's thigh, solidifying the vampire's crimson eye color for but a moment as the Fermin speaks, "Please... you can't do anything in there!" He laughs, but it is an uncertain celebration of his victory, such a paranoid mouse.... The Officer and his remaining guard exit towards the kitchen where they'll pick at the food before it goes out to the feeding area.... Shishi turns towards Terra, weaker now than ever, blood loss getting to the already famished vampire. His pale hand falls over Terra's on their shared bars as he blinks a pair of swirling, mixing eyes, "I'm sorry, Terr. We'll get out of here, okay?" Idle promises from a weak and shaky voice...
Shishi cringes, he's certain that this isn't the way that they came down into these sewers, but the sounds of 'civilization' make him think that maybe they'll be able to find another way out if they continue forward, or at least find someone... or thing that could show them the way out. The wincing burnt up, limping male smiles reassuringly to Terra, "Worth a shot?"
Terra would continue to worry her bottom lip until the option of conversation came up. For the first time since they realized they were lost, she would speak, and despite the reassuring smile that Shishi held, she’d find that encouragement was hard to come by. In fact, such a thing had been left back in the tiny, putrid hole they had forced their ways through, several miniscule scratches decorating whatever flesh remained uncovered and the unsanitary air that circled them did nothing to help it. “Sure, Shi.” The corner of her mouth quirks upward briefly, though is it smile or grimace, no one would know. “Couldn’t be any worse than sitting around…” And so they’d continue onward, the vampiress clinging to both the male and to what little shred of hope she had for getting out of this place.
Shishi , to any outside onlooker, would appear to be the one doing the clinging, his limp was becoming ever more pronounced and his frequent winces were beginning to string together into a constant cringe of discomfort, he'd very much like to be out of this horrid place and have his burns seen to. He is optimistic as always, sure they'll be able to find a way out as they trudge into the squeaks and pitter-patter of the Fermin City...
Shishi | Spread out before the pair is a sea of ever-flowing brown fur and red, beady eyes. The foam in this ocean of Fermin is small packs of mages and solders traveling together, their white and gray fur causing them to stand out against the masses of their common brown brethren. Along with the scurrying masses, Fermin can be seen swimming in small streams of sewer water beside the intersection signifying that one wrong step might send the vampires for a plunge into waist high sewage. One of the more curious or extroverted brown ratmen takes time out of his purposeful scurrying to observe the two outsiders, causing the Fermin traveling behind him to run into his furry back, sending them both sprawling to the filthy, most likely feces covered ground. Noticing this, the red eyed traffic director would hop down from his perch and proceed to mercilessly bash the fallen 'obstructions' with his oversized spiked mace, most likely made to be wielded by an averaged sized human. Blood splatters onto passers by who seem unparsed by the brutality and onto tufts of black fur that push out over the edges of the traffic controller's rusted armor. The obstructions seen to, the armored Fermin sends the intruding pair a beady red stare, perhaps a warning of some kind, before retreating back onto his post. If the two fallen commoners were not killed by the beating they received then they are surely done in when traffic resumes its normal flow and they are trampled under the chaotically organized steps of their Fermin brethren.
Terra : Step. Cringe. Limp. Step. Cringe. Limp. This would continue on for quite some time and the sympathy that clawed at Terra’s inner turmoil would eventually cause her to cave. “Shi. Let me carry you.” By this point, she had paused in their hunt for a way out to step in front of him. Her vampiric strength would allow this, surely, and by that thin line her mouth had set to, she would have no arguments. “We’ll go quicker and …” This time, she’d cringe, “I won’t have to see you limp anymore. It hurts to watch.” Impatient, she’d wait for him to agree, and if he were to do so, he’d find that she was awaiting him to perch on her back, much like a child does. Above them, the noises continued, and the closer they came to finding the source, the louder it became. The scratching of claws. The tearing of flesh. The crank of machinery. And most importantly, the squeak-squeak of the sinister threat that lurked within these sewers. Little did Terra realize that the creatures were closer than she had anticipated? The wonderings had brought them to a sea-stocked pipe of them, and this caused her to halt in the forward process. It wasn’t the actions of the fermin that made her brow crease in concern, but the chilling glare of two beady eyes with a clear message; Leave. She would, if only she could.
Shishi frowns heavily, averting his gaze bashfully to the ground, -we'll go quicker-, the words bounce through his head, and he was holding her back. Terra's attempt at compassion is misconstrued and almost taken as an insult that he couldn't keep up with her. With his head tilted towards the ground to avoid eye contact the dead fish floating through his scarf sneaks around his neck and brushes against his lips, bringing a different type of cringe to his lips. He shakes off the disturbing event and begins to protest to the vampiress, "No Terr, I couldn't... " when his eyes fall on the murder of the two fallen fermin his mind can't help but race into thoughts of his limp making them too slow for the traffic watchmen, causing them to meet the same brutal fate. The male reluctantly nods and climbs delicately onto Terra's offered back. She should be happy to find that he is much less heavy than he looks and since he didn't seem to appear very large in the first place Terra should have no problems. There comes but one more wince from Shishi as he presses himself against her back but he now seems much more comfortable, "Thanks, Terra..." He'll nod towards the west through the sea of Fermin as the heaviest flow of traffic seems to be headed that way, "Over there maybe?" The vampire seems oblivious to the warning stare given by the mace wielding ratman.
Terra didn’t mind the extra weight, light or not. Mindful not to bring her head back and hit him in the mouth, she’d continue forth. As directed and feeling more like a mule than any girl should, she’d head in the indicated direction, careful to avoid joining the mutual trampling of the fallen commoners. “It’s no problem, Shi. I just don’t want to watch you hurt.” Keeping him stable, they’d continue onwards.
Shishi 's arms fall over Terra's shoulders as they move through the crowd of Fermin, keeping himself from falling backwards. His chin falls to rest on his left arm so that he's leaning over the vampiress' shoulder, ensuring that she doesn't need to walk with her head tilted down to avoid clonking him with the back of her head. Small talk is on the menu now that Shish no longer has to concentrate on moving his feet through the sewers, "I guess I should have had Orange heal me up before we came down here... huh?" Maybe the fact that they are so hopelessly lost hasn't sunk in yet... Shishi, with two rather stubborn looking sentries guarding the exit down and -up- being the word on his mind, looks towards the upward sloping path with hopeful, oceanic Blue eyes.
Terra kept him in place with hands settled against his legs, attempting to make it appear as innocent as possible, minus the awkward position. A smile managed to find its way to her lips, pulling them into a loose pose before she’d respond to Shi’s words. “Why did you come, Shi?” Blinking, she’d realize how rough that sounded and moved to elaborate. “Not that I mind, I enjoy your company, but you know I only lead you to trouble…” The words trailed off, leaving Shishi to determine the meaning behind them. Still allowing him to be the lead, despite the fact she was doing the walking, she’d move upwards on the smooth ramp.
Shishi turns his head a bit awkwardly to the side so that Terra could see his weak smile if she wanted, "Hmm, I'm not sure really... You had just helped me so much the night before... I thought it would be nice of me to accompany you while you were captured by that girl... And you don't lead me into too much trouble, Terra; only a robbery and a boat ride so far." They're on their way out; Shish can feel it in his gut as they move up and around the spiraling slope.
Shishi || However, down the spiral marches a fairly large troupe of at least thirty armored Fermin occupying the width of the path upwards. Perhaps this is some type of scouting party, or something of that sort, returning from the surface. Each one carries a long spear, the wooden shafts of which seem to be gnawed and chewed into shape rather than cut and sanded. Black and gray fur is visible wherever metal covering is not. At the head of the pack is a proudly aged, White Fermin. This leader possesses one common red dot as one eye and a milky white, sightless orb as another. His blind eye is surrounded by withered, brown, furless flesh. His age, compared to the relatively recent creation of his race, might signify that he was born before the Fermin were even created, meaning that he could be one of the original thirty-six that The Lich Queen corrupted from rats, though this might be a misguided assumption as the lifespan of the Fermin is shorter than most races, akin to the rodents they were birthed from. Either way, it is obvious that this aged ratman holds great pride for his race and the protection of their sewers and is much stricter on the idea of outsiders meandering on their disgusting streets than the guards and traffic directors the vampiric pair had glimpsed before. He should have no qualms with imprisoning any non-fermin that cross his path. At the sight of the couple he snarls. Noticing that one of them is injured, -and even needed to be carried-, he licks his thin lips with a gruesome, diseased-looking, multicolored tongue, leaving flecks of foaming saliva in its wake. 'Easy prey' must be the instinctual thought dancing in his simple rodent mind as he stares at them through a single optic...
Terra couldn’t help but grimace. Upon her back she carried a rather optimistic man, and in that moment she couldn’t help but feel that she was taking advantage of that. Too easy to persuade, he was, and likely easier to corrupt. To conceal her worries, she’d hum a slight, low tune… unfortunately, this distraction would be what drowned out the scraping of claws against the smooth pavement, the chitter of approaching fermin, and the hush of metal rubbing against furred bellies. Like a moth to the flame, these creatures were attracted to the travelling pair, simply because they’d be easy to dispatch, and eventually, they’d be ground to create tasty meat. If they made it that far. Within her own thoughts, lost in the music of her quiet song, the vampiress would not hear the approach, would not notice the danger. A fatal flaw, to be sure. And so they’d continue, and while each step should have led them to freedom, fate would have each movement yet another towards confinement.
Shishi anxiously taps Terra with his right hand, "Hey, hey Terr!" He points out in front of them, into the darkness at the snarling Fermin, "Watch out for these Mouse Guys!"... That did it, the rat troupe leader snaps back at the two vampires, "Mouse!?" This was the straw that broke the flea's back, if you will, as the old officer had been ready to attack the moment he spotted the pair, "Intruders! That is to say; Spies! No doubt! From the Surface! Seize them!" as if he had needed a reason to have his men capture these two outsiders. His squeaking shout is loud, angry, and tinged with what sounds like a bit of fear. It would not be long before the blood-sucking duo is surrounded by the squad of armored ratmen, spears held out threateningly. Some self righteous brown furred commoners passing by might also join the circle around the vampires, snarling and baring their teeth at the intruders now that it is certain they won't be executed for stopping to help.
Terra couldn’t afford to run, and with Shishi on her back… That option would only make him a ‘living’ meat-shield. The risk was too high and not one she was willing to take. Not when the vampire had family, two children that needed him. Gently, she’d allow Shi to get to his feet, making sure he was stable before raising hands in the air in an act of peace. Fighting was yet another option striped from the list. While Terra could take on a few of them, spears and all, the state of Shishi didn’t seem so good and she’d be damned if more wounds were inflicted ‘pon him, especially since the blame seemed to fall on her shoulders. In surrender, she’d submit, urging Shishi to do the same. Hopefully, the pleading glance she sent his way would suggest they’d talk it out later.
Shishi puffs out his cheeks as they are surrounded; Terra's glance is noted as his left hand halts in its speedy tracks behind his back to retrieve a hidden blade. Slowly his hands will rise as the vampire daydreams of being able to take on the squad of Fermin soldiers with his accursed allies, but he finds himself unwilling to open communications with the shadows with Terra around, in fear of what they might ask him to do... With his burn spotted hands calmly lifted above his head he'll sigh and shoot Terra a reassuring look out of the corner of his eye... He has no reason to be so confident... maybe he's just enjoying the irony of the conversation they had been having just a few moments before about Terra getting him into trouble...
Shishi || The White leader stands proudly behind his team of soldiers, his voice squeaking and cracking as he speaks, "Excellent work! Let's get them in some shackles!" he might seem a bit apprehensive, could this really be so easy? Either way he pushes his way through his group of fighters grinning yellow, sharpened teeth at Shish and Terra, "How unfortunate it was for you to run into us. Yes, that is to say; trespassing here will not go unpunished..." The soldier nearest to him leans forward to whisper something in his pointed ear, causing him to snap back, clawing at the black furred warrior's face, "No shackles!? Ah~!" The White Fermin bites at the air angrily in an awkward display, "Very well! We bring them Down to the holding Area! Just watch their hands! If they move their fingers too much... Kill them!" With that the proceed to push and shove at the two vampires directing them in the direction of the downward slope, occasionally prodding at them with the sharpened ends of their spears, shouting angrily in their squeaking voices, "Move it!"
Terra had little patience, and these creatures were testing that to their full extent. Down the slope she’d begin, careful of each and every step as slipping could be a trip into death, something she had planned to avoid today. We’d see how tomorrow would go. The spears they used as prodding tools weren’t easy on the skin or clothing, catching the fabric and pulling it away in a loud show of ripping material. The next prod met with skin, pierced the right side of her rib cage, and sent a shudder down her spine. Protesting it would be costly, and yet again, her own life wasn’t the only thing at risk. The life the children would have without Shi was not one she wanted to contemplate. With no sounds to mark the pain, she’d continue forth, the slope behind her becoming slippery with the trail of blood that oozed from the wound. Arms hadn’t wavered from their place, though her gaze would roam, leaving Shishi only to take in the sight of what else lurked within the murky depths. “Sorry,” She’d whisper to Shish, hoping this would not mark an offense or give any more reason for the fermin to prod at her.
Shishi seems only slightly perturbed as the first of multiple encouraging pokes with the head of a spear meets with his back. Winces once again compounding into an everlasting grimace as the vampire limps down the slope beside Terra. He'd sneer whenever she was prodded at, indulging in far off thoughts of Fermin slaughter as the soldiers taunted him in their mousy voices, "Oh, It looks like he hurt his leg! Haha!" Terra's whisper snaps him out of his idle thoughts and he plays the same optimistic game he's been playing, thoughts of his children not yet crossing his mind, "its fine... we'll get out alright..." is what is whispered back...
Shishi and Terra are led through the crowded tunnel; anyone above five feet tall is required to duck while traveling through here lest the top of their heads grind against the earth above them. Fifteen armored Fermin solders ahead of their captives and an equal or greater value behind them with their half-blind leader bringing up the rear. The pair of vampires is shoved constantly by the three of their captors that are directly behind them, regardless of whether they are moving too slowly or not, though with Shishi's limp it is likely that he at least is moving at a less than brisk pace. In these extraordinarily tight quarters their captors are not the only threats of bumping and shoving, common brown Fermin, their numbers highlighted by a few rare, white furred mages, will knock into the captured intruders while trying to make their way through these cramped conditions. Some might even be so bold as to nip at their legs as they pass by, though this might not be due to strong feelings of isolationism, it seems instead to be an instinctual habit as the ratmen can be seen snapping and clawing at each other in frustration with this confined space. They were out of the sewers at the very least, but the smell of sewage was only replaced by a thick, musty odor that should come with being in a city populated by filthy furred creatures. Is it even possible to notice a change between two horrid odors while being roughly ushered into the depths of this underground city, uncertain of your fate?
Terra would hyperventilate, if such a thing was possible for her kind, though it was certainly plausible at this point. Suede boots would be able to withstand the nips and licks, but the feeling of the murky-water tainted fur rubbing against what skin was still bare in that dress caused her to flinch, which would earn yet another prod to her sore side, the fermin taking pleasure in making her bleed. Apparently, the stolen blood that dropped into the waters below only served to increase the “pleasurable” scent, to their senses, anyway. Uncomfortable from having to shrink, and for every splash of sewage that marred alabaster flesh, she’d whimper. When the tunnel began to widen, and the creatures that scurried by had lighter loads, the spine of the vampiress would ease the knots of nerves that begin to tighten there. Yet again she’d glance towards Shishi, desperately seeking comfort in those few stolen seconds. This was Hell for her, plain and simple. Rats, sewage, and a probably infected wound to the side. Indeed, this was Hell.
Shishi , sensing the quickening of Terra's breath, her anxiety, would glance at her out of the corner of his eye only to see her prodded by one of the fermin soldiers. His head turns reflexively and his fangs bare slightly, a sudden action that brings a spear into the small of his back, deeper than any of the 'motivational' prods before. Shishi opens his mouth in a silent roar and tips his head back, knocking it against the low ceiling. This painful series of events nearly brings the already wobbly vampire down to his knees, but he manages to recover from his stumble and continue onward into the city, into this Hell...
Shishi || passing through the Feeding area the pair of captives and the heroic squad that brought them in are met with a series of squeaking, yellow toothed cheers from the hungry mob o Fermin dining there. They move onward fairly quickly, enduring a few more nips and snaps from ratmen who haven't been served their meals yet... Entering this room of machinery it is important to remember that it was designed with Fermin in mind... Dangerously fast spinning gears rotate inches above any normal sized human's skull. Blood stains on some of the more dangerous looking and low hanging components seem to signify the possibility of getting clobbered by one of these large hunks of metal should any creatures above four feet wander or be shoved through here, such as this vampiric couple is being treated right now... The White furred officer at the rear taunts the vampiric duo, "Watch your heads! We're almost there! You morsels!"
Terra wouldn’t make a move to swipe at the silent tears that made pink tracks down her pale face, the occasional mark of sewage tainting it in the form of a small drop. The pain that Shishi suffered seemed to be channeled onto her, and it was an agony. In that moment, it was impossible to decide which was worse; watching this friend of hers in pain, or the threats and smells that haunted them now. No time to dwell on those thoughts, Terra worked on protecting what she could; her own head. Working her way through the labyrinth was easy enough, as long as she remained bent, keeping her head from knocking into any of the dangerous obstacles. In what she hoped was a helping move, she’d angle herself behind Shishi, hoping to take the majority of the prods that were aimed for him. Some were harsher than the others, but she’d assume her body was more capable of handling it then his, given that he had suffered enough over the past days.
Shishi takes some time to twist his neck so that he can examine the machinery around him while he ducks carefully under it. The smell should tell him enough on its own... -Meat- The severity of the situation might begin to dawn on him now and the limping vampire turns his oceanic gaze back behind him at Terra, the first look of worry she'd see from him while they've been captured. The vampire shakes off any thoughts of himself... and more importantly, of Terra being put through these fermin powered machines that surrounded them, being diced into rat food... He limps onward, sure to move at a fast enough paces so that the vampiress behind him won't be stabbed at on account of his slowness...
Shishi and Terra are shoved into a room lined with cages, half of the squad of soldiers remaining outside in the Meat Factory. Entering behind the vampires is the White Fermin; he stares at his captives, his gruesome scar doing the leering that his blind eye could not. He snaps awkwardly at the air before he speaks, as if trying to ensnare some unseen flying insect in his yellow teeth, "Here we are! You'll be staying here for a little while! That is to say; we’ll keep you here until we have a use for you." His thin lips are licked at again before he looks behind him over both his slouched shoulders in a sudden bout of paranoia. With a wave of his hand Shishi and Terra are tossed into two adjacent cages, a pair of gray furred soldiers handling each of them. The cage Terra is tossed into is already occupied by a slightly rotten corpse, but no effort is made by the soldiers to remove the body before they cage doors are locked up tight. The White furred leader snorts through his nose and snaps at one of his men, "Someone tell the cooks they have one ready for the grinders in here!" The order given, several of the soldiers leave the holding area, scurrying out in every direction, leaving only the Officer and a pair of black furred warriors...
Terra: The churning of her stomach was louder than the machines. The smell of the corpse was worse than the sewers. The rooms in which the were detained only increased her anxiety, and the only thing worse than that was the fact she had been separated from Shishi. The situation couldn’t possibly get any worse, could it? As blood continued to fall from the scratched vampiress, she’d smile in a twisted form of optimism. It surely couldn’t get any worse. At the sight of that smile, the fermin frowned, as much as a rat could and dug his spear into her right foot, delighting in the drawn-out whimper emitted from her lips. It was always so much fun to watch the land-dwellers cry out in pain. With a slick, suctioning noise, he’d remove the spear from foot and wave the bloodied end at the vampires face. Taunting her was easy, and quite fun to do. Expecting her to give in, to rise to the bait, he’d ready his weapon yet again. Instead of caving, she’d limp away, towards the short row of bars that were shared with Shishi’s own cell. Matted, dirty straw began to cling to the wound, and Terra didn’t mind as her small fingers gripped the bar until knuckles turned into the lightest shade of white possible. Hopefully they weren’t claustrophobic as the accommodations weren’t spacious, smelled even worse, and sent a clear message; death was waiting and there was no hope. None.
Shishi hisses furiously as Terra is stabbed. His Oceanic eyes flicker momentarily to a more crimson shade and the dark room seems to pulse in anticipation. His voice is a low growl, "Bring that spear over here!" The malicious ratman's bait had been taken, though not by the one he had intended, perhaps... The vampire stares down at the white fermin with swirling irises of blue and red, "If anything happens to her, you better make sure I'm already dead, because I will bring this whole factory to the ground..." The white rat sneers, snapping once at the air before sticking the spear through the bars of the cage and into Shishi's thigh, solidifying the vampire's crimson eye color for but a moment as the Fermin speaks, "Please... you can't do anything in there!" He laughs, but it is an uncertain celebration of his victory, such a paranoid mouse.... The Officer and his remaining guard exit towards the kitchen where they'll pick at the food before it goes out to the feeding area.... Shishi turns towards Terra, weaker now than ever, blood loss getting to the already famished vampire. His pale hand falls over Terra's on their shared bars as he blinks a pair of swirling, mixing eyes, "I'm sorry, Terr. We'll get out of here, okay?" Idle promises from a weak and shaky voice...