Purchasing a water pail and 3x Grepa for 206 PD please and thank you

Accepted

⚰︎ divider made by milky!

@

His teeth gritted. it was one of the few responses he was able to make, as his jaw had come out of the punishment more or less intact. He hated this. Hated being a burden. Hated seeing Aubre suffer and struggle. Hated to know that it was because of him, again. All he'd ever wanted was to make amends for his past mistakes, but it was quite evident in this moment that all he had succeeded in doing was dragging her down. He glanced at her face, lips agape as she gasped for air, the desperation and fear in her eyes. He could imagine what she was thinking, that she would never see Mikaela again, or her parents or pokémon. That she would never be happy again. His mind and stomach roiled at the thoughts, and he hung his head, now gray locks falling over his face as the mask slipped off virtually unnoticed.

When they finally reached the elevator his gaze turned up; first to the gleaming automaton wreaking carnage, then to the offal and detritus it was leaving in its wake. The images seared into his mind, not out of revulsion or horror, but shame. Once more he looked at his wife, blue eyes tracing the delicate curve of her face, the sight far more potent than what had come before. He realized why she had become so distant, so torn. This was what she believed him to be; a blood soaked mass murderer, incapable of feeling even as he slaughtered people by the dozens. It was incorrect, of course, but that did little to change the fact. His wife saw him as a monster, and it was for that reason that her every gaze was filled with the fear that she might be next.

The metallic floor shuddered and jolted downwards, moving far, far too slowly for Leon's liking. He knew it would be only a matter of time before the powers that be regrouped; over the past week they had quite ably demonstrated their potency, if not their intelligence. All the worse, in fact. A dumb beast did not know fear, did not know when to halt. All it knew was blind rage and hunger, and it had not the wit to retreat. They would be coming, and soon; he could feel it in his very core.

Unfortunately, when they arrived at the ward below, everyone seemed to scatter, looking for their friends or simply socializing; in the middle of a prison riot aboard and alien installation no less. He was about to protest the delay when he heard his wife's name being called, and his eyes snapped to in the direction of the unfamiliar voice. From his motions he appeared to feel some sort of authority, and from Leon's observations of their interaction it appeared that his chain had manifested into some sort of healing effect. Aubre placed him down as the conversation continued, his brow furrowing as the pain went entirely unnoticed. She knew him, they seemed to be quite familiar with each other. And he had absolutely no clue who Leon was. Likewise he had never seen nor heard of the man before. It seemed quite apparent that Aubre had deliberately never told him; and, perhaps, had deliberately not told him of her marriage. His mind churned again.

Leon barely noticed the manhandling and ministrations of the doctor, so embroiled was he in his own internal struggle. Nevertheless he did notice life beginning to return to his body, flames burning from the inside out as shredded muscles reattached to newly reformed bones. It was excruciating, but he made no indication of it. Instead he merely nodded. "Thanks, Rapunzel." His hackles were raised, and he observed their parting and the man's departure, eyes of ice following his every step until he faded into the crowd once more.

Fortunately, whatever magicks had been worked upon him allowed him to now stand on his own, though his body was still weak and burning within. It was as they all stagged back onto the platform, the rusted metal jerking back into motion, that he realized it was not from the healing, however. His gaze was drawn upwards at the sound if a voice above and, though he could not locate the source, he was quite certain it spelled only trouble. The words spoken were mostly lost through the clamor of explosions, but he could nontheless still feel the collar around his throat tighten in response; and it was now he noticed the throbbing pain within his chest, beating in time to the staccato rhythm of the shells exploding above. It seemed his unwilling binging was taking effect, and the poison was beginning to burn through his veins. But it was more than that. With every shot of the sentinel above, he felt the pain rip through him, as though, unable to redirect the pain of those who it had shielded, it was draining his very life to continue its slaughter. His life, clearly, was not a priority for the creature.

Finally they come to a rest at the bottom of the shaft, just above the wretched pit housing the aliens' pet beastie. The entrance had been blown wider, and indeed there was now an opening even further down, a hole rent into the floor of the chamber. It did not take a genius to determine that the only way forward was down, and with the rest he began the descent, his eyes on Aubre all the way. Unfortunately, his limbs were still weak and fragile, and the poison ripping through him did nothing to aid that. Leon was only partway down when his arms gave way and he slammed to the ground below with a dull thud and a pained grunt. This he pushed aside, however, as there were more important matters to attended to.

Dragging himself to his feet he looked once more for Aubre, immediately moving to her side when he located her. "Come. We have to keep going." Though he rather doubted the next attempt would go any better, descending past the feeding pit seemed to be the only path open to them.

And then, he heard the screeching of the metal gate opening, and he was instantly alerted that the situation was quite immediately dire. "Hurry."

He felt the heat rush into the chamber, the cold, wet air burned away in seconds. The flames licking under the door illuminated their surroundings, showing the water logged mochi and other, more concerning things. Again he pushed these aside, his mind categorizing them as of lesser importance. Though he did not yet known exactly what had been done to the creature, if it even was the same one, he knew what the flames meant for Aubre. He knew that she would not be able cope, to make it on from here. Ever since that night her mind had shut down at even the tiniest spark, and what now emerged from the side chamber was a raging inferno.

For a third time his jaw clenched and he hesitated, not knowing what he could do in this state but knowing that he had to do something. It was then that the automaton flashed into being behind her, its brilliant skin seemingly soaking in the fire as the light reflected off it in permanent symmetry. And then, he knew. Once more Leon stood before Aubre, wreathed in an aura of distant flame as though he were Sauron striding forth. Rather than a mask of black steel, he wore one of calm. Leon smiled at his wife, drinking in her face one more time, before he leaned in and kissed her, pouring all his love and regret into the motion. Pulling back a bit he rested his forehead to her's, eyes closed. "I love you, Aubre. Tell Mikaela the same, and give her a kiss from me." And then the warmth of her body was gone, the metallic creature scooping her into its arms and leaping forth into the pit, carrying her away from the terror to come.

His eyes remained closed a few moments more, before they turned to scan the feeding pit, taking in the clamor as some tried to save or assault their attacker. They turned upwards, searching for some sign of their other doom approaching, but he could see nothing through the darkness and dust. For now, it seemed, they had only to contend with the ogre, small comfort as it was. Realistically they should evade it as there was little chance of it managed to make any meaningful pursuit along the paths open to them. He knew, however, that a significant number would not; there was the 'Dummy Ward', afterall. Part of him felt likewise, none too pleased with having been so frequently assaulted by the beast throughout the week. Returning some portion of that would be rather satisfying. Yet he knew that, one the slim chance any of them survived this, Aubre would not be appreciative of the fact.

Quickly he looked around the chamber, trying to spot something that may be of use, but it was largely barren of anything that might be an aid. The stealth rocks were also an impediment, though fortunately his inability to move with any speed made them rather more easy to dodge. Of the space jellyfish he again knew nothing, but he could nonetheless categorize them as a secondary priority. Had he known of his wife's previous encounter, however, that assessment would have changed dramatically but, alas, it was yet one more thing she had kept from him. Eyeing the beast he can see little beyond the flaming mask, but the flailing tendrils of thorned ivy are just visible as they whip through the inferno. How they managed to keep from igniting themselves he did not know, but it gave him an idea.

Kneeling down he jerked off a piece of bone from one of the scattered skeletons, grunting a bit from the needed force. He stood with the shattered marrow and began to stagger forward, carefully moving around the floating shards of stone as he went. A few times he nearly went to his knees, the stamping of the ogre and storm of attacks directed both at it and the humans a storm it was difficult to resist. Once near the others he stopped, waiting for the proper moment. This close the heat was intense, almost unbearable, but it was something he was once well accustomed to, and discomfort was not hard to push aside. When one of the tendrils lashed out, striking him in the chest and drawing another pained groan, he swiftly grabbed it, his other hand coming down with the jagged bone and severing a portion of the fleshy, grasslike appendage. For a moment he stood still, gasping for breath both due to the blow he'd received and the continuing spread of poison through his body. Once recovered he stummbled forward once more, angling behind it where he came in close. The vine he looped around it's neck like a garrote, and the bone he wound into the length to provide a better grip. The thorns still dug into his palms, but it was now much easier to maintain the hold, especially with the leverage that was provided as he pressed his leg into its back. Once more pushing away the pain, now including the searing as his skin began to cook, he turned to the others nearby, teeth gritted once more. "If you are going to do something then do it. We do not have the luxury of time here." Even if they managed to subdue it, rather than being roasted alive or simply pulped, there was a greater threat looming. If any of them were to survive they needed to flee, as soon as possible, whether the pokémon was with them or not. Though it could, he briefly mused, provide a decent distraction. If any of them made it that far.

⚰︎ divider made by milky!

*@aubremckenna John Sullivan
*Oh no feelings
*Oh no a handsome charming doctor
*Gives Aubre a kiss and a wish, just before she's absconded with
*Is worried about what's coming for them
*Nonetheless tries to aid the relief effort with a bit of stabbing and strangulation
*The defensive aura is now covering those attempting to help the Ogerpon, as well as Aubre
pjgiwnr_

Once more he found himself surprised, though admittedly not by much. Part of him had assumed that the previous demonstrations had merely been a warning, meant to instill fear and keep the populace compliant. The logical part of his mind never seriously considered that they would go on to cripple more of their workforce, much less kill them. It was simply asinine and did nothing but harm their own purposes. The rest of his mind, however, the parts that felt nothing but disdain and disgust, revulsion at everything he'd been forced to endure in the past week, was not surprised in the least when he found his feet had parted with the floor. Of course they were that stupid.

He felt every bone in his body shatter with the repeated impacts, the muscle compressing them to dust and grinding the shards into his flesh. His head bounced off the floor with each downward thrust until he was quite certain the back of his skull had been cracked open. There was certainly enough blood, pouring from every orifice, streaming from the mask in a cascade of crimson. And then it stopped. He found himself staring upwards, his body slowly cooling, muscles not responding. He couldn't feel the pain anymore; couldn't feel anything. So it's true. He'd heard that, after death, the brain remained conscious long enough to realize it's own end. This was certainly not how he'd ever pictured discovering the truth of that.

Darkness crept in around his vision. He could hear Aubre, but she seemed so far away. The sound took forever and a day to reach him.i It was just a by product of course, his fading vision was soon consumed by her. And then the sounds stopped as well, and all he could see was the mask; and even it was swiftly fading. His only regret? That he couldn't see them smile, one last time.

Then, unbelievably, life rushed back through his body, filling him with warmth and energy beyond what he could have ever expected, his vision returned in full force, the lights blinding him as his pupils rapidly dilated and retracted. He heard Aubre again, and though at first glad, the rage quickly returned, turning the warm glow to a burning heat. More pertinently, he could now feel the fleshy tendril that had forced it's way down his throat and he quickly gagged, his shattered arms trying in vain to remove it, unable to even move themselves. Thankfully it soon retracted, leaving him briefly gasping for air that still managed to choke him. His eyes looked up at the mask, knowing that behind it was beauty unassailable; and he laughed, though pain ripped through every single nerve ending as he did so. "Now I....know how....he feels...." He tried to grasp her hand, but his arms remained where they were. "I will....have to kill....him if you....do. I am not...going anywhere..."

Though it galled him to have Aubre forced to drag him back to the cell, there was really nothing he could do. His body was shattered, possibly irreparably, and simply breathing took all that he could bear. As result the final days passed in a blur as he lay on the cot in their cell, unable to perform their tasks by their own actions. He could only imagine what they thought of it; the idiots probably blamed him for their malfeasance. It was only at night that he rose, walking through the dream once more with Aubre; after a time, at least. She'd had many choice words for him that first night, none of which bore repeating in polite company, but they soon found an accord, of sorts. The other nights they walked, talked, spoke of the visions and their implications. Though Leon had no taste for such things, he could not deny the truth of the matter: something was speaking to them, putting them on a path of its own design. Where that path led, for good or ill, was yet to be determined.

When the revolt began, he found that he was again surprised, though this time it was by a great deal more. He had not expected any of these fools to have the gall, particularly after the most recent display of brutality. Yet he was wrong, and from every corner of the ward they swarmed like ants. Likewise he could hear the stomping of feet above and the clamor from below, leading to one inescapable conclusion; the entire prison was in revolt.

His mind obviously spun into high gear, but in his current condition there was little he could do; he couldn't even move afterall. But there Aubre was, his crimson angel, hauling him up and striking her own blow at their captors. His heart stirred, and his mind hardened. Crippled or not, he would see her out of this safely, even if it cost him what little life he had left. As sapphire eyes swept the ward his gaze narrowed. And in turn he would see them dead for the harm they had caused her, and the indignities they had foisted upon him. Though he was not aware of how or why, the chain that had previously constricted him began to morph. Where once purple links had strangled him, their now stood a humanoid figure, a being of metallic silver that reflected the light from every direction. Rather than arms, it instead bore a pair of rotary cannons, still at first as the barrels stared blankly intl the darkness. It strode before them, and as it did a pale glow embraced his wife, and any others it might be able to reach that were directly engaging their foes. Blows and forc directed their way simply died, the energy seemingly absorbed. It was this power that the metal being drew upon, its 'arms' out stretching before it, locking into place as slowly, and then faster and fast they spun. With each revolution came an eruption of power, as though it were spitting bullets formed of the very powers it was absorbing. Though careful not to hit any of the prisoners it was otherwise indiscriminate, its body slowly panning across the ward, shells of inexplicable power ripping into any guard or ward not quick to seek shelter.

He limped along behind as Aubre half dragged, half carried him onto the waiting platform. The silver knight remained behind, the shells continuing to pour and engulf the entire ward. He did not think he could control it, whatever it was seemed to possess it's own...perhaps not sentience, but certainly purpose. It acted of its own will, and it seemed its desire was to reduce the entire prison to splintered pulp.

⚰︎ divider made by milky!

*Dummy Ward
*Ouchie
*How dare you Aubs
*Leon is in the doghouse again
*Toxic Chain Power: Spiteful Maxim - A metallic humanoid able to form a barrier around others that absorbs hostile acts and transmutes the power into 'shells' fired from the rotary cannons replacing its arms.
*Sorry its a bit late, its been a really rough week for me. xx
DVweATej

Leon's mood had not improved as the day's wore on. The simple, monotonous, routine was nothing short of grating, particularly when he'd been so irritated with it to start. Even in his sleep he wasn't able to find any real semblance of peace, the benighted rats blighting him even there. The only comfort in this bleak world of continuous irritants was Aubre's presence at his side, both waking and dreaming. Though even that had it's drawbacks.

His wife was ever the stubborn one and as ever he tended to feel the brunt of the results. Though he managed to shield her from most of the issues going on, she seemed desperate to spite him whenever she could out of sheer pigheadedness. Whenever he wasn't looking he'd find her wandering off, slicing her hands open, or indirectly antagonizing one of the fool guards.

Worst of all were their trips to the feeding pit. Despite the results of her first intent she insisted on trying again, and again, and again, unable to simply accept that there was nothing she could do for the wretched thing. It failed. of course, again, and again, and again. And just as expectedly Leon intervened, being slammed to the floor, hurled across the room, hurled under its feet or simply pummeled by its sandal shod feet. Why exactly a pit monster was wearing *sandals* he'd yet to figure out, but he chalked it up to just one more indignity which he had to face, and for which they would have to answer for.

Fortunately, she did, at least, stop trying to hug it. Getting his wife out of the way of a rampaging beast was a good deal easier when she wasn't invading its personal space to make kissy face. The result was still the same for him, but it tended to result more in her simply being moved aside rather than forcefully shoved out of the way; something that he dearly regretted was necessary. Perhaps surprisingly, he'd made several attempts of his own to intervene with the creature; be it attempting to jump on it, rip the chain free, or simply duping it into ramming a wall and knocking itself out. Unfortunately at this point his body was so battered he was only standing through sheer force of will and thus there was little to no chance of him pulling off any clever feats of physical aptitude.

That didn't mean that he was compliant, however. He still refused to eat the poisoned confections, trusting that he'd be able to think of something before starvation rendered him truly inert. Likewise he'd continued hoarding sashes from the routine changes of clothes, and when summoned for the 'Laughing Hour', as they called it, he simply tied his hands together, rendering them unable to be directed. He remained silently glaring at the increasingly frustrated monkey, the pressure building in his head until blood began to leak from the mask once more. The guards that arrived to force free his hands received a pair of sharp blows to their middles, and that was all he recalled of that.

Despite his frustration at being unable to properly rest, he dutifully accompanied Aubre throughout the dreamscape as she wandered about. He himself paid it little notice, though the fact that it was both shared and lucid was rather interesting. They came across their pokémon amid their wanderings, but these two were quickly dismissed by him. They were all sound asleep, peacefully slumbering as though they had not a care in the world. He had known Aetius and Tiberius near his entire life and not once had they 'slept peacefully'. That pair were always on alert.

It wasn't all that bad, however. He'd spent more time with his wife these past days than in the past month. They'd even explored a few of the empty buildings, and though not real it was still something he could hold on to. A little spark of hope that maybe, just maybe, she was coming back around. That maybe they'd soon be sleeping together on their own bed rather than some dingy metal floor. At least he could dream.

⚰︎ divider made by milky!

*What's the definition of insanity?
*It'd be easier to count the bones that aren't broken
*Pit is main I suppose
*Blame Dy for this being late
*God disadvantage sucksuJxEStmf

• player/ooc name: Kiane
• character tags: Leon Settentrioné & Axel Steele
• dropped characters' tags (if applicable): N/A
• ic posts for characters: Leon & Axel
• are characters in directories?: Y
• any notes/comments: Blargleflargle. xx

"1. What is your favorite way to travel?"
Private plane. Speed, privacy, and comfort.

"3. What's the best and worst relationship advice you've ever received or given?"
'Don't act like your brother' and 'Just do what I do.'

"5. Have you told your loved ones that you care about them recently? If not, why?"
Of course

"11. Would you save our universe, even if it meant that all other universes would be destroyed?"
Yes
"Gut check: do you expect people to act in their own self-interest or in the interest of others?"
Virtually everyone acts with inherent self interest. That those interest coincide with another's is irrelevant.

⚰︎ divider made by milky!

The walk up to their cell was excruciating. Each breath reminding him that things in his chest were moving that shouldn't. Though grey eyes tried to take in the surroundings, everything was covered in red.

Careful to swallow down the pain, he invited his amore to lay down on the cot. He insisted on it. With nothing else to occupy him, his minds returned to murder.

Tch. His side lit up like hellfire as his wife drug herself and the blanket from the bed beside him. "Aubre, non--" That look from earlier returned. The one that followed the punch. A different place, a different reaction.

Somehow, he eventually slips into a painful, fitful slumber. It is born of cold and exhaustion. A bit of rebellion against the bastards that ran this place.

When he awoke it is to a beautiful, clean city. Instantly, his hackles raise. While others gallivant through a dream, he finds the nearest bench and takes a seat.

This is a hallucination and there's nothing to be gained from engaging in it.

⚰︎ divider made by milky!

*Leon is irritated that he can't even sleep without having to deal with his bs
*I'll make this presentable later, but this is the basic gist

The rest of the nonsense passed without his notice. He rather doubted any of the assemblage would take his advice, it was the 'dummy' ward afterall, and moreover he simply did not care beyond persistent curiosity. While it was intriguing to see the results, and the reasons therefore, something told him it mattered little. The imbeciles holding them captive did not seem the type to particularly care about the mores of democracy, let alone the will of their slaves.

When the ape halts its movement, the chain on its head rising as it performed a spectacular imitation of constipation, the frown returned. He saw no sign of anything altering within the room, and all within had cast their 'vote', so he could only presume that it was communicating with the others of its ilk. The fact that this seemingly required so much of its tiny little mind dropped its estimation in his mind precipitously. Whereas before he had seen it as a threat, potentially a grave one, now he realized it to be only a nuisance. It, like everything else in this accursed squalor, was quite simply a waste of his time, and he was absolutely furious that he was being forced to suffer through it.'

As they are corralled onto the platform like livestock, it takes every bit of his willpower to not reach out and strangle the nearest guard. At this moment there was very little he wanted more than to watch their blue faces turn purple, bloodshot eyes bulge in their sockets as they desperately croaked out their last gasp before he crushed their windpipe and moved on to the next. Yet, alas, the time was not right, and acting now would only result in little gain for the effort expended. Satisfying, but ultimately pointless. Instead he kept Aubre close to him, one hand around her waist to ensure none dared come near. When the lift rose and the shadow of the canid fell across them he once more turned her into him, sparing her the sight.

His grip tightens as the rest are ushered on, one hand entwining with hers and squeezing with a gentle pressure. He wanted her to know that, no matter what the cost, he would see her out of this. His life and those of everyone else in this pit were a small price to pay for her safety. The guards shove them out and his hair stands on end, hackles raised, every muscle in his body taut with barely restrained rage. Were it not for Aubre he likely would have lashed out then and there, results be damned, but for now he knew he could not. As much as it rankled, as much as he despised it, he had to play along for the moment.

Instinctively he moves to counter the brute that reaches for them, but he's unable to do so while continuing to shield his wife and so they are both thrown bodily from the platform, Leon pulling her closer into him and rotating so that he hits the ground first. Though it is not cold steel that greets them at the bottom, he is nonetheless knocked momentarily breathless from the impact, and it is a moment before he can right himself. The instructions are given, and once more the rage roars through him. It was all just so stupid. So insultingly ignorant that every command made him want to scream in indignant fury. But, again, he calms himself, and though he does not kneel he joins the rest in the menial labor.

A short time later his ears prick, the screech of metal scraping on metal ripping through his eardrums. It is all too apparent that a door has opened, and the thundering footfalls immediately following clearly indicate that it is not for them to exit. The screams that follow bother him not at all, merely serving as a beacon to draw his attention. At first he is unable to make out what has been released on them, but then, as it races back and forth, he manages to catch a few glimpses. What it is he can't quite identify, but he is nonetheless insulted further. Did they learn all their information on torture from bottom shelf horror movies?

Ignoring the cliche rampaging around the room, his eyes first turn to Aubre, then to the direction of the open door. Gears began to turn but before they could snap into place the chain on their necks did so instead, jerking his head back as it connected into the floor at their feet. "STUPIDI BASTARDI DEL CAZZO!!" This time he was unable to maintain his composure, the anger bursting out in a jet of insults as flaming eyes turned upwards towards the distant light. He was going to kill them. All of them.

Before he could do anything rash, however, his wife chose to do so instead. He heard her yell out and somehow, much to his distaste, he knew exactly what was coming. His eyes immediately jerked down to where she was attempting to placate the thing, because even here she couldn't resist the urge to fix the world. "Aubre... Do not..." But it was too late. The beast was startled and lashed out, and it was all he could do to interpose himself between them, the thorny vine digging bloody runnels in his arm as it wrapped around. With his free hand he grabbed Aubre and pulled her close, knowing that the tether made it almost impossible to remove her entirely from harms way. Just as he pulled her against his chest he felt its limbs slam in his back, the crack of bones audible as they were sent sprawling. Unfortunately he'd been unable to shield her fully, and as a rivulet of blood ran across his eyes he turned to see his wife gasping for air. A hot pain rips through his chest when he forces himself up, and he spits out the blood in his mouth as he once more moves, pinning Aubre to the floor until the beast has tired. "Silenzio." It was not going to be quick and painless, he'd decided.

⚰︎ divider made by milky!

*Dummy Ward
*Leon is not a happy boy
*Really wants to do a murder
*Is currently down at least two ribs.
KcA07ew0

There were many expected results of his pronouncements. Most likely was simply ignoring him, as he held neither power nor authority in this place; a fact that rankled deeply. Next of course was violence, another example to be made for the flock of what insubordination brought. Aubre jumping between them and trying to deescalate was a third, much to his displeasure. What he had not expected, however, was for her fist to collide with his face. Or, at least, the mask covering it. Normally she would never have managed to make contact; you didn't become the heir to a major crime family by being unable to defend yourself. This time, however, he was completely and utterly caught off guard. Never had he expected his peace loving wife to punch him, let alone straight in the face....yet, somehow, he found that he wasn't surprised. Likewise he was hardly angry, more proud, and were they not in some Kafkaesque bullshit scenario at the moment he likely would have immediately drug her to bed. Alas.

"Scusami.", came the response to her orders. Surprisingly, though unseen beyond the gauche mask covering his face, he grinned. "Più forte mammina." He chuckled softly, even as the first drops of blood began to fall onto his chest. With the mask firmly latched to his face there was nothing he could do about his now bleeding nose save let it go, the crimson vitae running down his face and chin before reaching the edge of its confinement and dripping onto ivory pectorals.

His mood soon soured again as the assemblage began to laugh. That too was an expected outcome, yet it nonetheless set his hackles on edge, irritation flowing through his body. Dearly would he love to have one of them within arms reach, so that he may pound them into the wall so thoroughly the only option would be to panel over their loathsome bodies. Yet, unfortunately, that was not an option. Not merely because they were not within reach, but because of the inevitability of reprisal. The moment he got his hands around one of their throats the ape would retaliate, and that would likely be the end of it. He needed to ignore them so he could maintain his watch over Aubre, for her safety was of paramount importance.

The punishments that came were expected, particularly for those who received him, though he did note the disparity. It seemed that the punishment met the crime, active hostility being meat with overwhelming aggression, whereas passive insubordination was merely met with derision. That was fine enough for him, and he thanked the fools for providing said information. He did not blink or turn as they were pummeled relentlessly, instead he merely stepped through the bars and turned his wife, pulling her face once more into his chest.

Unlike before, he held her there. Held her there was the would be thieves were given their mock hanging, adding more data to his mental banks. To him it only made sense, particularly given the ward. One truly was stupid to believe they could rob a psychic. As the screen flashed up, his grip tightened and his eyes narrowed. He was familiar with the site before him, the incident had been widely publicized afterall. But, surely this could not be their intended purpose? In but a few moments it became sickeningly clear that it was not. Now his arms became inescapable, no matter how hard she tried he would not allow his tender hearted love to bear witness to this play. His own clip curled in derision, disgust written plain on his face. Despite his family business, Leon had never cared for torture. It was a dirty, brutish business practiced by those without the wit or creativity to achieve their goals in a more civilized manner. The fact that it was all for show only improved the situation slightly, for those fools/ all seemingly believed it true. It seemed to him from the view on the, well, the closest approximation was monitors, that the 'Dummy Ward' was light a few members.

And then, at the end, simple logic puzzle. His disgust crew thricefold, and his indignation twice more. He released Aubre at last, knowing full well her actions, and simply sighed. He cast a regretful look down at her. "Go ahead." Leon himself? He merely seated himself and watched. The grand speeches, blind trust, and blatant self interest were as expected as they were worthless. Had he been aware of John Sullivan and his own logical conclusion it would have ended there. Sadly, however, the transmissions from the other wards were cut off, and so he felt compelled to be the only voice of reason, even as his pride drove him to the opposite. "Your location is apt. Despite what all of you seem to think, this test has nothing to do with the actual votes or the results therein. This determines the future, as I highly doubt these incompetents have the ability to devise something more competent for future rounds. The adversaries are known. When next you all play their little game, you will know that they either saw fit to ensure either the collective interest or their own. They will know the same. That selection will be tainted by this, as the next will by it. You are not choosing their present, you are choosing your future." And with that, he fell silent. His eyes lazily trailing across the ward, focusing on nothing in particular. There was nothing else to say, and he would not play this fool's game. Even if it led to Aubre's ire. Which it most certainly would. More chores, he supposed.

On that note, it was not long before a sigh emerged from his lips, curling them into a frown. Despite his disdain for all of this, and the sheer *humiliation* of this *idiocy*, he could not leave his wife unattended. Muttering a colorful assortment of foreign words under his breath he steped back to the mochi and pinched off a small piece of one. The frown only deepened as the chain encircling his neck morphed with the outer bars, curling into a sneer of disgust as he strode across the chamber and knelt next to her. "Let me." Deft fingers, trained by the best pickpocket he knew, skillfully plucked out the little gems one by one, placing them in an ever growing pile in Aubre's cupped hands. He silently swore to himself that none of these cretins would be leaving here alive.

⚰︎ divider made by milky!

*Dummy Ward
*Leon is quite proud of his wife
*Likewise he's irritated at everyone else
*Shields Aubre from everything going on
*Advises the rest of the ward that they should bear the future in mind
*Refuses to participate and therefore defaults to Foresake

☉

He almost laughed. Stupid. Him.. Yet he did not, his attention being drawn to the cells around him. He'd listened to what he could make out from where they were; plans being made, riotous indignation, children. There was no connecting thread to the various personages, or at least he'd believed so. The Megalopolans were not normal beings, he knew that much. Therefore it stood only to reason that their priorities, including social ones, were not normal either. Which meant this seemingly random group of individuals had been plucked from their beds for a singular sin: ignorance. He'd already determined the staggering idiocy around him well before this realization, but it was not until his wife's warning that the pieces fell into place. Their jailers had deemed them guilty of the sin of ignorance, and sadly he could not disagree. His mind turned to his brother, perhaps the most ignorant being he'd ever know, a soft sigh escaping his lips. "Come vorrei che tu fossi al mio fianco, invece."

As the machinery above whirred and scraped he closed his eyes, focusing on the sounds ass he tried to sift out the noise. He heard something jutter to a halt, the low sound of heavy footfalls thudding through the metal plates. Soon enough it continued, reavealing an elevator and its shaft, a sickly, brilliant light beaming from above. Riding the rackety lift was a pair of pokémon, some form of simian and wildfowl. As the Monkey stepped forth and the lift ground into action once more, it was readily apparent to him that the duo, was in fact a trio. The stop it had made before, and the footfalls after, led him to believe that another had departed before reaching them. And the thud below indicated that it had reached the bottom of the shaft. That meant at least four floors, though whether it was a tower or a hole was another matter entirely. Choosing the wrong direction would well be fatal, and so he simply filed the information away, should it become relevant later.

The moment the idiot in the other cell began pounding the bars, he knew what was going to happen. Leon had encountered psychics before and knew well the slight denseness of the air. Even had he not, the look on their warden's face was all too telling on its own. Quickly he turned, striding back to the rear of the cell and stopping just in front of Aubre. His arms stretched out, wrapping around her head and pulling her into his chest. He held this position, her eyes covered, ears muffled, until the final plop of wet meat hitting the floor. It was a sound he was also familiar with, much to his wife's displeasure.

Throughout he gently stroked her hair, whispering low so only she can hear. "Sarai al sicuro. Sarai al sicuro." When it ended he pulled back slightly, smiling comfortingly down at her before turning to face the center once more, the redhead carefully concealed behind his back. The arrival of the crates confirmed quite a few of his suppositions. The ape was indeed psychic, and relatively powerful at that. Likewise, the markings clearly indicated their 'ward', confirming that this had little to do with human affairs. As the boxes were opened and the circular loaves removed, he felt his face wrinkly in disgust. His heritage was screaming at him, every fiber of his being railing against such culinary mockeries. As a result, when the tray was placed into their cell he simply stared at him, his insides writhing in deeply insulted horror.

It was a few moments before he came back to reality, his eyes first going to his wife, then to the tray on the floor. With a sigh he picked it up and carried it across the cell, placing it on the desk next to her. With a deep, deep frown he reached down and plucked a small pinch to throw in his mouth. The moment it touched his tongue and the taste ripped through his body he spit it out, staring disdainfully down at the tray. "Veleno." Now he was insulted not only personally, but professionally as well. Still, he paused, remembering the scenes from before. His eyes turned to Aubre and he smiled. "Do as you are told." Compliance was a worthless effort, serving no purpose beyond survival. And that was precisely why he wished her to. She needed to survive, no matter the price.

Striding back to the cell bars he stared out, his face wrinkling once more as the sheep hurried to their tasks. His trained eyes easily made out the actions of a number of them, and while one part of him wanted to commend their initiative, the rest simply gaped at the stupidity of it. The ape's pranks on the more fragile of the group, and Leon found he had reached his breaking point. He could not simply stand here silent and allow such inefficiency..

"This is quite possibly the most inefficient and most poorly thought out form of torture I have ever seen." His voice rang out, making no attempt to conceal it as he fully intended the monkey to hear. "Poisoned food? Picking out rocks only to have them scattered about? Children are more skilled than this haphazard fumbling. This is a waste of quite literally everyone's time, not least of all yours." He looked directly into the apes eyes, his gaze and expression one of sheer disappointment bordering on derision. "You are intelligent, far more so than the chattel assembled here. Act like it. Either devise something worthy of one your caliber, or kill me now because I am not about to waste my time on this pedestrian torment." It was clear from the tone of his voice to the look in his eyes that he was not bluffing or attempting to deceive. He truly was insulted, and simply refused to be demeaned alongside his captor.

⚰︎ divider made by milky!

*Dummy Ward
*Leon plays with his puzzles
*Comforts Aubre during the murder
*Is insulted at the quality of their torture.
*You do you Boss
HDqK9EyS

Once more Leon awoke to an unfamiliar environment, but this time recognition was not forthcoming. It was immediately apparent to him that he was not where he should be, and his first memory was of the he'd had, weeks ago now. But this was different. He wasn't sure why but something told him this was not the same occurrence, similar though it may be. This time he'd actually been abducted, which made things far more irritating.

Nevertheless, at first he made no movement, instead letting his senses soak in the environment around him. He could tell that he was lying on a steel floor, the clanking echoes telling him that the entire structure was comprised primarily of the same. The scent of rust and dank air told him it was not a well maintained facility. The regular thudding of boots on the floor indicated the presence of guards, though the number was difficult to ascertain. They appeared to be moving in unison, as though not in command of their own faculties. Clearly this wasn't about his financial activities. More pertinently, the mask on his face and chain around his throat indicated they were not open to reason. And, of course, most troubling was the absence of his own attire and the comforting feeling of a pair of pistols beneath his arms. It was a safe assumption that his pokéballs were likewise absent, though he trusted them to manage their own affairs.

When his eyes did open, it was a bare sliver, indeterminable behind the concealing mask. The prison was dimly lit, further confirming it as a stereotypical gulag. From where he lay he could see bars, a toilet, a chair and desk chained to the wall, and the occasional passage of someone outside. Most troubling was the presence of a bed, and he recognized the fiery locks laying upon it immediately. His brow furrowed as a cold rage swept over him; it was one thing to inconvenience him, quite another to accost his wife. He'd briefly considered simply escaping, but now a response was required.

And then came the screaming and shouts of indignation; he almost sighed. Clearly they were not the only ones held here, and just as clearly the others were completely out of their depth and of no use at all. The wisest solution was to watch and study, the more one knew that their adversary did not the better. But, of course, this was not a strategy that could be maintained forever, and it all too soon came to an abrupt end.

Next to him his wife woke in a start, and panic immediately set in for her as she sprang. This time he did sigh, his breath hot beneath the mask. While Aubre panicked he slowly rose to his feet, noting with ever growing fury that she was likewise attired. The implications of that were not ones that bode well for the wellbeing of their captors. As a result he stripped his own top, revealing the deep blue of his family crest etched into his skin, as well as the numerous scars across his arms and chest.

With measured steps he strode to where she was desperately assaulting the furniture. As he draped the extra covering across her he knelt next to her, folding her in his arms and speaking softly in her ear. "Silenzio mi amore, andrà tutto bene." He pulled her into his chest, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Ho bisogno che tu faccia esattamente quello che ti dico, si?" He waited for her confirmation before continuing. "Stai calmo e stai indietro. Stai zitto e rimani nell'ombra." The chiming of a bell caught his attention, diverting the majority of it toward the center of the chamber. "Ti terrò al sicuro, mi amore."

Now that things were beginning to move he placed a kiss on the top of her head and stood., striding calmly towards the front of the cell. Despite his nonchalance the position he took was carefully considered, his hands shadowed by the arrangement of the room and his body. It was this cover he used to first remove the sash from his clothing, and then begin to wind it around his hand, leaving a substantial amount concealed in his clenched fist. Silver eyes slowly scanned the other cells, recognizing a few faces but finding none he though might bear any value. Instead he examined the guards, noting the flash of skin and parsing it away with the other information. Yet as the platform began to descend, his eyes returned to the center of the chamber they were now in, awaiting the arrival of their 'host'.

⚰︎ divider made by milky!

*Dummy Ward
*Leon awakes to find himself somewhere he shouldn't be, again.
*He's pissed
*Begins putting plans in motion

PRISMATIC PENITENTIARY[break]SIGN-UPS

LOCK IN

CHARACTER: Leon Settentrioné[break]
WHICH WARD?: @dummy[break]
PREFERRED CELLMATE(S): Aubre McKenna-Settentrione[break]
PKMN TEAM (6 MAX): Empoleon, Bisharp. Skarmory, Ferrothorn[break]
WHY WAS YOUR CHARACTER SORTED INTO THEIR WARD? (OPTIONAL): For being too dumb to see that he was throwing away everything he cared about. (And because his writer is the dumbest of all I am so sorry.)