STEAL MY HEART

[criminaljustice]

There are a number of cells in a circle around the walls with a set of heavy metal doors interrupting them for one interval. These doors currently cannot be passed. Not all of the cells are full, either. Some are empty and dark--missing something? Or perhaps something else is needed to see what's inside--or perhaps just approaching the cells will do the trick. There are loud speakers hanging down from above. From them, there are chains attached and pulled downwards where they meet up and join forces with links of chains from the ground and walls to keep a battered and bloodied Arsene locked in place. Or more accurately, restricted in movement--only enough slack in the links to allow him to get as far as the cells' doorways.

Next to him is the unbound Joker--or it looks like Joker, anyway. Save for the golden eyes. He also seems unbothered by the three blue guillotines standing tall nearby. In fact, he seems to be puzzling over something while staring at them, but then as you move, he turns toward you… and smiles, looking happy to see you.

Comments

[criminaljustice]

Let's get this done before that shadow interferes.

[just saying. pretty sure Intensity can only keep him distracted for so long]

[foolmetwice]

[glancing over at Intensity and his scuffle with the Shadow]

. . . right. I guess we don’t have time to wait for him.

[WITHOUT FURTHER PREAMBLE, he is gonna. pull the rope on snake Shadow’s gulloitine, before darting over to pull the Kelpie’s rope next. possibly he should be more reverent about this, b u t???]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Looks he's busy taunting an aspect of Joker.

You can't really expect him to focus on anything else right now.]

[rollplayinghouse]

[Then I guess Maki's going to pull the rope for Arsene, after just a split second of hesitation.]

[criminaljustice]

[OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!

--it's fine tho, instead of three bodies, they just kind of... disappear in a flash of light? each light of the executed parties quickly zooming over to the center of the room--Arsene's chains falling to the ground with heavy clinks and clanks while the three pinpoints collide into each other and quite suddenly, a new figure in red appears!

it looks like Arsene, but more humanoid--clawed fingers reaching up to the mask to pull it away--or at least partially. over half of it breaks off into nothing and it's Joker! and he's taking a breath, black wings whose feathers seem to be giving way to more bat-like skin fanning out as he drops to the ground, sharp heels clicking loudly.

he does still look a little banged up--a graze across his cheek being the only sign of damage inherited from his mirror-shadow--but at least the chains are... gone?]

--fuck, that was suffocating.

[foolmetwice]

[much, much better]

Hey, handsome. You look significantly less like shit.

[seems pleased with this turn of events!]

[criminaljustice]

[kind of patting himself down, checking over himself.]

Could say the same for you.

[except no.

frrrrowning at Mars? a little? concerned? deeply concerned, actually.]

[foolmetwice]

[. . . what. . .]

Why are you staring at me like that?

[now that the immediate goal is finished though, Mars is going to take a step back, pull a cigarette from his pocket, and stuff it into his mouth with slightly shaky fingers]

[it's fine. he's fine]

[criminaljustice]

[no?

makes a gesture for him to come over?]

[foolmetwice]

[hesitation]

[but he takes a tentative step forward, all the while pulling his lighter from his pocket]

What?

[criminaljustice]

[gonna reach out to ruffle ur hair.

small dokis.]

Thank you.

1/2

[foolmetwice]

[what the fuck]

[foolmetwice]

[SWATS AT HIS HAND]

[small dokis]

-- whatever. You looked stupid all bound in chains, that's all.

[rollplayinghouse]

...Ah.

[clearly this is not what Maki expected to happen]

[criminaljustice]

[clearly!]

Fusion. Works like that. Kinda. Usually, it was mythological figures, but...

[he doesn't really remember a whole lot of them, so...]

[rollplayinghouse]

Well, they did... turn into mythological figures.

...So, are those parts gone? Or...?

[criminaljustice]

No.

[puts a hand to his chest]

They're still here--it's all me, in the end. It's just been... overwhelming. Accepting a lot of it.

[and in fact, looks a little strained at that.]

But I think with it like this, I'll be able to handle things better...

[rollplayinghouse]

...I guess if that's what helps you.

[criminaljustice]

Symbolism and stuff.

... thanks. For getting me out of those chains.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Awful. I want the other guy back.

[Talking to no one in particular]

I demand a refund.

[criminaljustice]

That was still me, you know.

[and now he CAN roll his eyes, so. doing that.]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Yeah, yeah. Whatever.

I suppose the only thing that leveled up from all of our hard work was your sass.

[criminaljustice]

[huffs, a bit amused.]

I wouldn't say that...

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Show me a parlor trick then. Surely you're capable of that much.

[criminaljustice]

You're really demanding, you know that?

[looking around]

Where's that shadow?