Side Story Paradisum Perdidit

[Jeremi]

The Intoner sisters immediately put their guard up once it was made clear that someone or something was trying to break down the door. Once the person responsible stepped into view once the door was fully broken down, Two felt a chill run down her spine. This woman was giving her all sorts of bad vibes, and the blue-haired girl didn't like it one bit.

On the other hand, One remained calm yet cautious, her hand resting around the handle of her chakram.

❝ The answer you seek to your inquiry should be apparent to you. ❞ One narrowed her eyes at their uninvited guest, ❝ ... Do explain yourself, unless you are unable to rid yourself of the highly questionable air which reeks profusely. ❞

@Jeremi @Kaykay @York @Takumi @Yun Lee @Ver @Everybody​

"..."

As the door broke down to reveal the subtly menacing individual behind, Jensen was just a hair away from pulling the trigger at the assailant, but the eerie calm admittedly caught him off-guard. Perhaps it was just as well as she didn't immediately attack, so Adam relented for that moment, if only also because One also spoke a bit.

To that end, considering how Jensen expected the so-called monster to be just that -- a literal beast, the thought occurred to him to perhaps learn more about the mysterious force. His instincts -- that of the need to find the truth even when neck-deep in a web of mystery and intrigue -- took over, and his mouth opened faster than he'd realized.

"Why...? Why are you doing this? What need do you have for the children?" He questioned gruffly, keeping his hands tightly poised on his gun just in case, still aimed carefully right at the woman.

@Gummi Bunnies @Jeremi @York @Takumi @Kaykay @Everybody​

The woman looked over to both One and Jensen before chuckling. "I'm so lonely..." Her free hand slid down her body and stopped at the abdomen. "I needed some company. To keep them safe...inside of me." Her chuckle turned more into a giggle as she twirled her weapon around. "Are you like me? Travelers, engulfed, confused...lonely. I can help you with that."

"This woman is certifiably insane." Jihl had lost all interest to listen to this woman. "She has clearly cannibalized the people of this village. Children, Jensen. Let's put this mad dog out of her misery and be done with it."

@Gummi Bunnies @Jeremi @York @Takumi @Kaykay @Everybody

 

[Lucky]

Charles Eriksen and Chris Eriksen

Chris looked over at the woman from behind his "big brother" figure. He didn't really have anything to fight with and just hide behind them, not sure what he could do.

Charles had actually saved some of the soup and taken the bowl with him and tossed the soup at the strange woman's face.

@Gummi Bunnies @Jeremi @York @Takumi @Kaykay @Everybody

 

[Gummi Bunnies]

So this woman has simply lost her mind and was too far from any sign of redemption? One supposed that there was no other option but to slay her before she could harm anyone else in her deranged state. Just as she clutched her hand tightly at her chakram's handle, the Intoner was momentarily surprised by her own younger sister rushing in past her and towards the insane woman.

❝ Two? ❞ One mumbled in surprise, not used to seeing the usually cheery Intoner take action like this.

❝ Not on my watch! You'll pay for what you've done to them! For every single child that you've harmed, I'll end you!! ❞ Two cried out as she took a wide swing at the woman with her greatsword.

@Jeremi @Ver @York @Takumi @Kaykay @Lucky @Everyone​

 

[Ver]

Jensen's expression darkened as it was made clear that there was no hoping to even begin reasoning with this... entity. Calling her a "human" would be too good for her, even if she wore the skin for one. Adam could feel a part of his blood boil, a reminder that beyond the augmentations that littered his body, at least he was more human than this monstrosity.

"You don't need to tell me twice. Now, get back!" Jensen affirmed to Jihl, and with that, didn't hesitate to open fire upon the woman with his gun, targeting her from the other side while Two ran to swing at her before standing in front of the others who might have been a bit less capable of fighting, notably Charles and his son.

BANG! BANG!

Two shots. It was here that the man finally considered the prospect of having to save his ammunition in case of future fights, considering the general world they were in didn't seem to have a concept of even gunpowder, among other things. Worst comes to worst, it may become the more opportune choice to engage with her face-to-face, but... Only time would tell how this would all turn out.

@Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @Lucky​

 

[Crunch]

The woman looked over to both One and Jensen before chuckling. "I'm so lonely..." Her free hand slid down her body and stopped at the abdomen. "I needed some company. To keep them safe...inside of me." Her chuckle turned more into a giggle as she twirled her weapon around. "Are you like me? Travelers, engulfed, confused...lonely. I can help you with that."

"This woman is certifiably insane." Jihl had lost all interest to listen to this woman. "She has clearly cannibalized the people of this village. Children, Jensen. Let's put this mad dog out of her misery and be done with it."

@Gummi Bunnies @Jeremi @York @Takumi @Kaykay @Everybody

Jensen's expression darkened as it was made clear that there was no hoping to even begin reasoning with this... entity. Calling her a "human" would be too good for her, even if she wore the skin for one. Adam could feel a part of his blood boil, a reminder that beyond the augmentations that littered his body, at least he was more human than this monstrosity.

"You don't need to tell me twice. Now, get back!" Jensen affirmed to Jihl, and with that, didn't hesitate to open fire upon the woman with his gun, targeting her from the other side while Two ran to swing at her before standing in front of the others who might have been a bit less capable of fighting, notably Charles and his son.

BANG! BANG!

Two shots. It was here that the man finally considered the prospect of having to save his ammunition in case of future fights, viewing the general world they were in didn't seem to have a concept of even gunpowder, among other things. Worst comes to worst, it may become the more opportune choice to engage with her face-to-face, but... Only time would tell how this would all turn out.

@Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @Lucky​

"WOAH, WOAAAAAH!"

Mallow's vow of stunned silence shattered.

The pair of shots that rattled off from Jensen's gun managed to yank the fluffy prince back to reality. Mallow shook himself to his senses, failing to wipe the unnerved expression off his face. This lady wasn't only creepy; she was alien. Someone as appalling as this could not exist in Mallow's domain. He was having a difficult time processing her existence, at least until he shot a couple of glances between the others in the room.

Their eagerness to destroy this creature filled Mallow with some semblance of courage. The fluffball puffed his cheeks out, quickly trashing his fearful look. "This lady's a creep, alright! If she... ate everyone in this village, then she's no good! We gotta take her out!"

Mallow's small, roundish body dashed across the floorboards, dropping into a roll between the woman's legs as Jensen shot at her from one side and Two swung at her from the other. The inn was too small for his magic to work, so he'll have to do it like Mario does - smack them until they stop moving!

"HIYAAAAAAAH!" Mallow shouted, forcing the base of his staff into the floor to propel himself high into the air - high enough for him to swing the mighty Froggie Stick downward and deliver a satisfying clonk to the back of her skull.

"...?!" Geno stopped in his tracks, spinning his head in the direction of distant gunshots ringing from the other side of town. The star warrior blinked twice before fastening his wooden arms and making a run for the sounds of combat.

@Jeremi @Ver @Lucky @Gummi Bunnies
​

 

[Crow]

"If you're planning to spill everyone's blood as you gorge their flesh..."

A great, bludgeoning blade was pointed towards the cannibalistic woman. That voice belonged to Red Riding Hood!

"... just know that it was my eyes who landed on them first~. I will make sure that I am the one who spills their red all over my coat, leaving absolutely none for you!"

@Jeremi @Ver @Gummi Bunnies @CrunchyCHEEZIT​

 

[Jeremi]

The cannibal woman seemed to work on instinct as she started the fight by slashing Charles' bowl clean in half before she blocked Two's greatsword with her own weapon. She was clearly outmatched by the group perhaps because of that instead of continuing the fight outside she instead went into the thick of the hut making it harder for the ones with projectile weapons or magic to not also hit their own as the battle raged.

As she did the women spotted Chris and a wide grin formed on her face. "It's okay if you struggle, it will only help to work up my appetite!" Even being in the thick of it was poising problems for the deranged woman, Mallow's blow landed true and seemed to disorient her for a bit but even then she fought like a wounded animal. One way or another, someone was going to die.


@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

 

[Ver]

"Tch!"

As Jensen's fears came to fruition and the choice of engaging with her at a ranged distance gradually became less and less viable, the man knew that he would have to switch tactics. Even if he was prepared for it, he still didn't like the more direct approach quite as much, but he didn't have much of a choice.

Quickly holstering his pistol to that end, Adam made his next move.

"Rrrrgh!"

Clenching his fist, he swiftly dashed toward the cannibalistic woman and throw a powerful augmented punch her way, hoping to send her back outside the cabin if able to!

@Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Lucky @Crow @Everybody​

 

[Crow]

Backing Chris up as the cannibal lady was pushed from one end of the room to the other, Red Riding Hood was prepared to slice her stomach up with a single swing, her grin never leaving her face.

"Let's end this soon!"

@Jeremi @Ver @etcetcetc​

 

[Gummi Bunnies]

❝ Two, I shall be outside. None of my attacks or magic will be of any use indoors, but if you are able to lure the enemy outside. ❞

❝ Got it, sis! I might end up doing the thing myself, but that's fine too! ❞

The Intoner sisters exchange a few words before One goes to prepare outside. With her type of weapon and the magic she had at her disposal, it was foolish to make use of any of that inside a place that was well-populated. So with that made clear, Two went after the cannibal again.

❝ Hey, get back here!! Hraaaaah! ❞ Not hesitating for a second, Two swung her greatsword down at the insane woman, using an absurd amount of force that would leave a sizable dent into the ground where the weapon would strike. For anybody else, it was surprising to see this from a once bubbly girl like Two, but it was actually normal for her. An enhanced trait of hers as an Intoner, Two was gifted with abnormal strength that continues to exceed expectations even further each day of her life.

She never loved using her special trait to hurt others, but if it's to protect anyone else from being hurt, then she'll use it here.

@Jeremi @Ver @Crow @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Lucky @Everyone​

 

[Takumi]

The cannibal woman seemed to work on instinct as she started the fight by slashing Charles' bowl clean in half before she blocked Two's greatsword with her own weapon. She was clearly outmatched by the group perhaps because of that instead of continuing the fight outside she instead went into the thick of the hut making it harder for the ones with projectile weapons or magic to not also hit their own as the battle raged.

As she did the women spotted Chris and a wide grin formed on her face. "It's okay if you struggle, it will only help to work up my appetite!" Even being in the thick of it was poising problems for the deranged woman, Mallow's blow landed true and seemed to disorient her for a bit but even then she fought like a wounded animal. One way or another, someone was going to die.


@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

Hiro would stand in front of Chris, glaring at the cannibal before him while Maribel charged into the fray, swiping at the woman with her dagger in an attempt to push her back into the other's attacks!

@Jeremi @Lucky @Ver @Gummi Bunnies @Crow @Everyone

 

[Jeremi]

Even if the woman's plan had been sound, there was still too many people to contend with in the confined space. For every blow she blocked another hit its mark. As Jensen's punch connected and sent her sprawling out into the streets by way of crashing through the wall of the hut, the woman was in very bad shape.

Coughing up blood and with a large nasty gash over her back the woman still seemed intent on facing them. Even laughing right in their faces. "Hahaha! Oh what fun!" On unsteady legs she pointed her weapon at the group. "This is only working up my appetite.
Feed me. Feed me. Feed me. Feed me. Feed me. Feed me. Feed me. FEED ME!" With a last ditch effort the woman charged sword held high.



@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

 

[Crunch]

Even if the woman's plan had been sound, there was still too many people to contend with in the confined space. For every blow she blocked another hit its mark. As Jensen's punch connected and sent her sprawling out into the streets by way of crashing through the wall of the hut, the woman was in very bad shape.

Coughing up blood and with a large nasty gash over her back the woman still seemed intent on facing them. Even laughing right in their faces. "Hahaha! Oh what fun!" On unsteady legs she pointed her weapon at the group. "This is only working up my appetite.
Feed me. Feed me. Feed me. Feed me. Feed me. Feed me. Feed me. FEED ME!" With a last ditch effort the woman charged sword held high.



@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

Mallow shrinked away from the ghastly appearance of the wounded cannibal, holding his staff high as a barrier between his soft, fragile fluffy form and the dehumanized gnashing of her hungering teeth. The juxtaposition of it all shook the prince down to his non-existant bones.

"S-she's almost done for!" he cried out to whoever would be available to deal a final blow. Fortunately, there was someone who was obliged to grant the prince his wish.

P-CHOOO!!

"Eat this."

Suddenly, a detached wooden fist soared into the battle like a rocket, poised to send its knuckles crashing into the woman's unhinged jaw. The trailing smoke led back to Geno, who stood meters away gripping his smoldering, handless arm like a freshly-fired cannon. Regardless if the surprise rocket fist met its mark, the puppet steadily approached the hungering woman, allowing his detached fist to soar back and re-attach to its base.

"I don't have time for any more of this. You wish to finish this early, or do I have to?"

Mallow obnoxiously cheered, waving his staff like a twirling baton. "Yeaaaaah! Get 'em, Geno!"

@Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @Ver @Lucky @Crow @Everybody

​

 

[Yun Lee]

"GO TO HELL, YOU FREAK!!!"

Joy had rushed up behind this cannibalistic psycho, yelling at the top of her lungs. Finally, something she could do! Holy shit, what the fuck? Here she was expecting some kind of monster or sone shit, not a fucking cannibal!! Either way, something odd happened as she yelled. As if emitting some sort of small sonic boom, Joy's scream would at the least make the woman stop momentarily, and if she was lucky, send her closer to Geno.

@Jeremi @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Ver @Gummi Bunnies @Crow​

 

[Jeremi]

Mallow shrinked away from the ghastly appearance of the wounded cannibal, holding his staff high as a barrier between his soft, fragile fluffy form and the dehumanized gnashing of her hungering teeth. The juxtaposition of it all shook the prince down to his non-existant bones.

"S-she's almost done for!" he cried out to whoever would be available to deal a final blow. Fortunately, there was someone who was obliged to grant the prince his wish.

P-CHOOO!!

"Eat this."

Suddenly, a detached wooden fist soared into the battle like a rocket, poised to send its knuckles crashing into the woman's unhinged jaw. The trailing smoke led back to Geno, who stood meters away gripping his smoldering, handless arm like a freshly-fired cannon. Regardless if the surprise rocket fist met its mark, the puppet steadily approached the hungering woman, allowing his detached fist to soar back and re-attach to its base.

"I don't have time for any more of this. You wish to finish this early, or do I have to?"

Mallow obnoxiously cheered, waving his staff like a twirling baton. "Yeaaaaah! Get 'em, Geno!"

@Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @Ver @Lucky @Crow @Everybody

​

"GO TO HELL, YOU FREAK!!!"

Joy had rushed up behind this cannibalistic psycho, yelling at the top of her lungs. Finally, something she could do! Holy shit, what the fuck? Here she was expecting some kind of monster or sone shit, not a fucking cannibal!! Either way, something odd happened as she yelled. As if emitting some sort of small sonic boom, Joy's scream would at the least make the woman stop momentarily, and if she was lucky, send her closer to Geno.

@Jeremi @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Ver @Gummi Bunnies @Crow​

Joy's scream temporarily froze the woman in her spot letting Geno's arm rocket hit its mark, the ensuing impact powerful enough to rip a chunk out of her lower jaw as she fell to the ground. Tears now welled up in the woman's eyes as she tried with out success to get herself off the ground spouting what the group only recognized as gibberish due to her destroyed jaw.

*SHNK*

Shelke's lightsabers went through the woman's abdomen and as the woman left out her final death gurgle the village went silent. Only interrupted by Jihl's clapping. "Bravo, excellent work, Shelke."

"It...was a group effort." Shelke pulled her sabers out from the corpse as she looked around the group with a pleased smile.

"This will surely net us some favor with the villagers. Come let's go and meet with the innkeeper." That however would be unnecessary as the end of the fight had caused every still living villager to exit their houses.

"You did it," He said amazed. "And to think that this woman..." He looked down at the corpse. "What possess a being to do something like that?"

@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

 

[Ver]

"Who can say? But at least now, she won't hurt anyone ever again," Jensen said in a low voice in response, his eyes narrowed at the dead body of the cannibalistic woman. He had little pity to give to one who felt so inclined to hurt children, and in such a gruesome, deliberate manner as that, but the man did pose a good question; what did possess her to drive her to those depths in the first place? Did he even want to know?

Well, regardless, it seemed that their window of opportunity, if there was ever one in the first place, was gone now, and all they could do now was move on from here.

But what now, he wondered? Admittedly, a part of the reason Adam agreed to this little "quest" was to see if they could learn anything from the woman and how it might have related to their plight here, but that had turned out to be a fruitless gambit...

@Jeremi @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Yun Lee @Takumi @Crow @Gummi Bunnies @Everybody​

 

[Yun Lee]

Joy stared at the corpse, her own jaw hanging low as if it'd drop at any second. Woah...to think she helped stop that thing. Sure, she didn't actually do anything badass like punch her mouth off or stab her, but hey! She wasn't a total load on this group.

"Dude...some people are just fucked. Trust me." In response to the innkeeper, a few memories flashed in Joy's mind. People she'd met in Salem, both living and dead. Both good and bad. Sometimes even fucking demonic. This was her first cannibal, though. And to think she was in trouble like them...too bad there was no way to talk to her since she was dead now.

...

Wait a sec.

"Uh...hey." Joy waved towards the group. "I can, uh...try to talk to her. Maybe. I don't know if it'll work here...or if she's even here anymore." Ugh, as much as she hated this "gift" of hers...if it got her home, may as well try to use it.

@Jeremi @Ver @Gummi Bunnies @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Crow @Takumi​

 

[Takumi]

Joy's scream temporarily froze the woman in her spot letting Geno's arm rocket hit its mark, the ensuing impact powerful enough to rip a chunk out of her lower jaw as she fell to the ground. Tears now welled up in the woman's eyes as she tried with out success to get herself off the ground spouting what the group only recognized as gibberish due to her destroyed jaw.

*SHNK*

Shelke's lightsabers went through the woman's abdomen and as the woman left out her final death gurgle the village went silent. Only interrupted by Jihl's clapping. "Bravo, excellent work, Shelke."

"It...was a group effort." Shelke pulled her sabers out from the corpse as she looked around the group with a pleased smile.

"This will surely net us some favor with the villagers. Come let's go and meet with the innkeeper." That however would be unnecessary as the end of the fight had caused every still living villager to exit their houses.

"You did it," He said amazed. "And to think that this woman..." He looked down at the corpse. "What possess a being to do something like that?"

@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

Hiro covered Chris' eyes from the carnage, and tried to guide him a bit aways from the sight with creased brows, while Maribel cringed back at the mere sight with a small 'ew' under her breath at the rather gory display.

@Jeremi @Lucky @Yun Lee @Ver @Gummi Bunnies @Crow @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Others

 

[Jeremi]

Joy stared at the corpse, her own jaw hanging low as if it'd drop at any second. Woah...to think she helped stop that thing. Sure, she didn't actually do anything badass like punch her mouth off or stab her, but hey! She wasn't a total load on this group.

"Dude...some people are just fucked. Trust me." In response to the innkeeper, a few memories flashed in Joy's mind. People she'd met in Salem, both living and dead. Both good and bad. Sometimes even fucking demonic. This was her first cannibal, though. And to think she was in trouble like them...too bad there was no way to talk to her since she was dead now.

...

Wait a sec.

"Uh...hey." Joy waved towards the group. "I can, uh...try to talk to her. Maybe. I don't know if it'll work here...or if she's even here anymore." Ugh, as much as she hated this "gift" of hers...if it got her home, may as well try to use it.

@Jeremi @Ver @Gummi Bunnies @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Crow @Takumi​

As Joy attempted to reach the spirit of the woman she felt an overwhelming darkness overtake her. She felt nothing, the sounds around her muffled, her sight vanished and only darkness enveloped her. Joy only regained her senses when she felt a firm hand shaking her back into being. As her sight returned she saw Jihl looming over here. "See? I told you a little firm grip would shake her out of her stupor. You're pale girl, did you just see a ghost?"


@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

 

[Crunch]

Mallow immediately cringed at the horrible sight of the woman's maimed body slopping against the ground like a wet towel. He was quick to divert his gaze in the opposite direction, releasing a little sigh of exhaustion and relief at the conclusion of this little encounter. Mallow fixated his beady eyes on the dirt in front of his feet, finding it challenging to form his usual dopey smile in the face of sudden, potentially avoidable death.

If he needed any proof that this wasn't his world, this is it. Stealing a particular coin for a quick profit might be mean, but that's the small extent of malice that Mallow has faced. The sharp increase in brutality was tiring - as he and Geno got roped into a world that was a couple of notches up on the overall violence scale.

Speaking of, Mallow was thrust out of his stupor when a wooden hand clapped him on the back. Geno smirked, defying the lifeless nature of his temporary body's face. "Chin up, Prince Mallow. We got a lot more ahead of us."

"Ha, r-right..." the prince meekly responded. The fact that Geno was able to punch that lady's jaw off cleanly was more than disconcerting. For what little Mallow knew about the mysterious puppet, he knew that he wasn't the type of overtly regret things like that. At least one of them is still confident in the face of overwhelming dread.

Geno confidently looked ahead. The star warrior did not react to the result of his attack - nothing that could be read on his face, anyway. Like a real soldier, he shook off the gruesome outcome by taking the opportunity to bring the group back into focus. He crossed his arms beneath the cloak and approached the rest of the party.

"For what it's worth... I suggest we get going as soon as possible before we find ourselves in another fine mess like this," Geno commented, gesturing to the cooling corpse.

Mallow waddled forward, joining in his comrade's urgency. "Geno's right, guys! I don't think it's a good idea to stick around... this."

@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @Jeremi @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee
​