sweethymns | Pictures in the Dark

[Michael follows, trying to walk straight, and nearly bumps into Iona when she bumps into the invisible wall.]

How is this even happening? [He pinches the bridge of his nose.] Ugh...

[And it's in that gesture that he notices the urn vibrating. That's... probably not a good sign?]

Hey, Iona... is it supposed to be doing that?

[Iona looks down at the urn and switches it between her hands so she can keep her right hand on the lid, trying to lessen the vibrating.]

I don't think it should? But whatever's in here definitely doesn't like me!

Okay, less talk, more go time! We're gonna have to take the long way around at this rate.

[And she's weaving back to where they were and back to Oren, waving Michael to come over before the other three can figure out what just went on.]

[Michael frowns, wanting to protest, but what can be said? She's right; they probably can't do anything about what's in the urn, but they can work on getting out of here faster.

Though Michael's starting to have a little trouble keeping his powers stable. Time kind of flickers in and out of being still a couple of times, and he grits his teeth, following.]

I don't think I can hold on much longer. [Not without pushing himself too hard, and the last thing they need right now is the burden on him fainting on them.] A few more seconds, and I think I should drop my powers and we just make a dash for it.

[Iona nods and before she starts off, she holds out her left hand to him. Cause she's not gonna run off first like she usually does.]

We'll turn invisible again when you turn off the switch. And maybe we'll figure out what that guy's powers are in the meantime.

[Her arm might give away their spot, but that's what running's for! And Oren. Oren will help. The vibrating from the urn doesn't stop, but Iona slaps it down and her magic is keeping from whatever is inside from spilling over.]

All right... I'll count down. 3, 2, 1...

[And Michael releases his hold on time, and things move normally once again. He holds onto Iona's hand tightly, trying to recover from the transition. It always makes his head feel like it's swimming for a few seconds, but he tries to force it away, knowing that they're not done here yet.]

[When time moves again, the other three can feel it, being the unusual individuals they are. It's jarring, like someone stopped a record, and it sped up again to catch up to where it was supposed to be. It's so disorienting that it almost throws Jake off his feet, even though there was no physical effect. He steadies himself, looking down at the ground in confusion, then glances over to the urn-

-Which is not in his hands anymore.]

What the hell-?!

[Morgan is feeling it too, though he doesn't show it as readily as his half-brother. He notices the missing urn and frowns; it's amusing when Jake is playing leader, fumbling around with decisions concerning bringing urns back or not -- it's not amusing when someone is trying to steal their paycheck from out under their noses.

He speaks commandingly, obviously making the executive decision to take back his leadership role.]

Jacob, sweep the room again. Lyra, still with us?

Edited 2016-06-30 19:22 (UTC)

Y-yeah, I'm still here... what the hell was that?

[Lyra is just barely recovering, having been out of it for a few seconds when time started up again. She's busy shaking off her confusion, and hadn't realized that the urn was missing until just now.]

Wait, why'd you let the urn go?!

[Can't you do anything right, Jake?!]

I didn't- [OH MY GOD. Everyone stop talking to him at once!] Just shut up for a second, Lyra, okay?!

[He does as Morgan's instructed, easily falling into his role of taking orders rather than giving them. (He's more used to that, as much as he'd hate to admit it.) Unlike Michael, though, Jake is able to focus his mind to a razor-sharp point, and he's even more effective when under pressure. This situation would certainly apply.

And so immediately, startlingly, Jake sends another "sweep" of force throughout the entire room. If there's someone here, he's going to knock them on their feet to slow them down -- or at least he'll catch a sense of where they are if he can feel his soul brush up against someone, at the very least.]

[There was no avoiding that next move and Iona feels herself being swept off of her feet and being knocked in the back.]

Shit--!!

[And her concentration on invisibility wavers as a result, revealing both her and Michael. She's still holding onto his hand with her left, but has to let go when hit.]

[It's Oren who rushes in as debris and dust fly everywhere, standing in front of Iona and Michael protectively in plain sight of the opposing trio. His eyes flash dangerously.]

Too much.

[Aka, things have escalated needlessly in his opinion.]

[Michael had been hit too, and in the staggering force, he has to lurch forward to keep his balance, letting go of Iona's hand the same time that she does the same.

Well. So much for their stealth tactic. Oren stands in front of them both right now, but Michael can turn to face the trio more directly, now, uncertain about what to do. Maybe... they'll recognize each other and laugh all of this off? Wouldn't that be great.]

...

[Ha! Found them! But... wait a second...

Jake freezes, having recognizing two of the three that have finally appeared before them. The golem and the witch from the cafe; a rush of panic flickers through him, because what the hell were they doing here, poking around in their business? It's one thing to meet at the Grind, it's different when you're interrupting an actual job, and he's not exactly sure what to say. Other than...]

Just what in god's name is going on here?

[THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE WARNING HE GAVE YOU, YOU GUYS......]

[Lyra is having a similar reaction to Jake, having recognized Oren.]

What- hey, it's that golem guy from the cafe. [She's not sure if she should wave or be annoyed or what. She gives Morgan a little elbow in the side.] The really tall one.

[Morgan, though... upon seeing the three of them, his expression falters into confusion, but recovers a moment later, becoming a bit difficult to read. A thin smile bleeds onto his face, and he steps forward to stand in front of Jake, lightly brushing off Lyra's gesture.]

What's too much? The fact that we were trying to deter a trio of thieves from running off with our paycheck?

[He does give a tiny congenial wave at them from across the gallery. It's difficult to tell if it's anything close to sincere, but they can probably guess that there's irony embedded in the gesture.]

Hi, Jackie. Oren. Stranger I've not met. Now, give us our urn back, please.

[Iona stands up to reveal herself and steps in front of Michael (she's concerned for his safety the most and she'll put herself out there before anyone unsavory discovers his time powers).]

Well, well, well. Hello again. And hello for the first and the last time other two people.

[To Lyra and Jake of course. See, she can play that game too!]

As for the urn, I have no idea who's paying you for it, but I can tell you right now that they definitely have no idea what's in here either and--...

Edited 2016-07-02 00:42 (UTC)

You broke it.

...

...

...

[Iona looks down at her right crystal arm. She did notice that it wasn't vibrating anymore. In fact, there are just jagged pieces of what used to be the urn sliding down her side and clattering on the floor the moment Oren makes light of it.]

...

...

...

Ah.

Edited 2016-07-02 00:43 (UTC)

[And there's this sudden high pitched shriek that causes the floor to vibrate around them for a good 10 seconds. Oren remains unaffected although Iona covers up her ears, cursing.]

Ah.

Edited 2016-07-02 00:45 (UTC)

[Oh my god, that shrieking sound-! Michael covers his ears and cringes for the full ten seconds, closing his eyes. (The trio on the other side seem to have similar reactions, as well.)]

What do you mean, 'ah'-?! [That's an underreaction if he's ever heard one.] What's going on?!

It got out.

[Is the curt reply of Oren whose dissatisfaction is aimed entirely at Iona who's running her hands through her hair and drops the rest of the urn on the floor, and looking towards the direction of the screech.]

Better now. Sort of. Shouldn't have though.

Edited 2016-07-02 04:48 (UTC)

[She lowers her hands from her ears when the screeching finally stops, and manages to catch what Oren had just said.]

It? What's it?

[And then it dawns on her, and she turns on her heel to look at Jake.]

Hey, you better keep on your toes; you're the only heavy-hitter here with us, now.

[He's not sure if he should be more annoyed at himself for letting the urn escape his grasp, for those three over there for stealing it, or at the fact that the whole situation's gone to hell in a hand basket in a matter of seconds.]

Yeah, thanks, no pressure.

[But he's definitely at the ready, now. He looks over at Iona, Michael, and Oren.]

Wouldn't have to worry about any of this if you guys hadn't come along, you know.

[Iona looks exasperated and throws her arms up in the air.]

Yeah, well, I answer to someone who's probably even more intimidating than whoever is paying you! That's all I gotta say, now if you excuse me, we got a monster on the loose!

[The witch gestures to Micheal to follow her since there's no time to be concerned with Morgan, Jake, and Lyra, leaving them with the world's most exciting golem...]

[Oren stands still as Iona runs past and then his silvery eyes settle on the other three. He makes a slight heaving motion with his chest as if sighing. Kind of.]

Good practice. For her.

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