ic Everyone’s An Art Critic IC

[Thevshi]

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As Jack went into his rage and slammed OD to the floor of the gallery, the man in the top hat took in the scene, a slightly frightened look on his face. "I am sorry OD." He said before he also turned and ran after the two Avant Guard.

 

Lynn also was slightly shocked to see Jack's rage, but recovered quickly. "I'll try to stop the others." She managed to stated before disappearing in a blur of motion, speeding past the man in the top hat and catching back up with the two Avant Guard that had run.

*CRACK* *CRACK*

 

Two more quick attacks took down the last two Avant Guard as the teenage speedster skidded to a halt in front of the man in the top hat.

"Going somewhere?"

Back in the gallery, OD once again struggled against Jack's powerful grip, trying to break free…

[Kaede Kimura]

Harlequin 

 

Harlequin watched triumphantly as his shield protected Jack, his ever present grin turning smug. Then the big man turned out to be a werebear. That was interesting. Was his ice magic linked with the nature of the bear, or seperate? If so, was it augmented or diminished by the bestial shift? 

 

He had dismissed the man in the top hat as a threat and so missed his attack. The electricity arvede through him, and his expression morphed to one of shock and pain. He had never been electrocuted, and could safely say he was not a fan of the experience as his vision faded.

 

He was jolted awake by the shock that passed through the ground as Jack slammed OD into the ground. His chest ached from where he had been shocked, and he winced as he looked over the battlefield. He chuckled after a moment, seeing the villain still pinned, his grin returning. "<Well, how poorly you fare! I suppose when you next seek your wares, you'll keep an eye out for bears!>"

[Jack]

A low growl escaped the large beast's throat as OD struggled in vain. His frozen claws wrapped around the villains throat and frost began to spread over ODs shoulders. "Do. You. Yield...?" Jack asked slowly, menace dripping from each word as primal rage burned through him, a hairs breadth from being unleashed on this creature who was responsible for the hurt to his friends. The monster's icy blue eyes bored into ODs with a cold intensity.

 

Jack didn't want to admit it to himself, but part of him was hoping this man would not Yield and would continue to fight. He wanted to fight...but the humanity in Jack was straining to maintain control and civility.

[Thevshi]

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Outside the gallery, the man in the top hat watched the young speedster as she quickly took down the remaining Avant Guard. Seeing an opening, he lunged forward, jabbing the teenager with the end of his walking stick.

 

Lynn felt a powerful jolt of electricity surge through her, her muscles tightening from the shock as she stagged away from the man in the top hat, her vision darkening slightly. But she struggled against the feeling, managing to stay conscious, but still woozy from the attack.

 

Back inside the gallery, OD tried to struggle against the icy claws that held him, but as large as the man was, Jack's bear form was larger and easily held him in place as he tried to free himself. "Let me lose." He replied, though there seemed to be less confidence in his statement than he had previously shown.
 

[Kaede Kimura]

Harlequin 

 

Harlequin could not resist wincing as he leapt to his feet. It was hidden by his Glamour, but he would not be shocked if he had quite the scorch on his shirt and a welt on his torso. Still his grin returned as he sauntered up to where the large man was pinned by Were-Jack. They had offered him the chance to surrender, and so it was time for him to be instead defeated.

 

"<My how heartily thou must weep, to know that victory is not thine to keep, the cost of failure is surely steep. But I am afraid that for all you have sown, it is mine to reap.>" A weapon of shadows grew from his own as he spoke, which he then seized. As it passed into the light a scythe made of pure darkness was revealed for the briefest moment before he swung, the shadowstuff farm implement driving into the man's side. It was not a physical blade, there would be no blood. But the damage was quite real. 

Edited November 12 by Kaede Kimura

[Thevshi]

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Harlequin's shadow weapon pierced OD’s thick skin with ease, leaving no visible wound, but the reaction proved sure enough that it was painful as the large man cried out in pain. For a moment it seemed as if he might resist yet another attack, but as Harlequin drew the shadow weapon back, OD ceased struggling against Jack's grip, his head rolling to the side slightly as he seemed to try to stay conscious, then he went completely limp as he passed into unconsciousness.

 

Outside, the man in the top hat took a few careful steps toward the parked van, watching Lynn carefully. Once assured that she was still at least disoriented from the shock attack, the man gave a quick tip of his hat. “As enchanting as your company is, I am afraid I must be on my way.” He stated with a small grin before turning and quickly climbing into the van. A few moments later, he was driving off down the street, turning a corner out of sight.

 

A few moments after the van turned out of view, Lynn felt herself regain control over her movements, standing back upright and looking down the street. For a brief moment, she considered chasing after the man, but she had no way of letting the others know where she was or how to keep up with her. Besides, she was not sure she was up for a chase through the busy streets of downtown Freedom City, too great a chance a bystander might be injured.

 

Giving a small sigh at letting one of the criminals get away, she turned to the two unconscious Avant Guard lying on the sidewalk.

 

As Jack released OD, leaving his unconscious form on the ground, the two teenage boys turned to the entrance of the gallery as Lynn walked back in. She was carrying one of the unconscious Avant Guard over a shoulder, her other hand dragging the other behind her. Though she was carrying two full grown men, the teenage girl seemed to have little difficulty.

 

Releasing the man she had been dragging, Lynn let the other man drop down to the ground as well. "I'm afraid the other got away." She said, looking down at OD's unconscious form. "Looks like you two were able to deal with him."
 

[Jack]

Jack's claws loosened their grip as OD slumped against the floor. The villain slipped free, but Jack barely noticed - the bear spirit had already dismissed him as unworthy prey. A waste of their evening.

 

Through the haze of frost still emanating from his massive form, Jack caught sight of Lynn walking back into the gallery. His heart rate steadied at seeing her unharmed. The rage that had consumed him moments ago melted away like spring snow, and he felt his body begin to shrink. Ice crackled and shifted as his form reshaped itself, muscles and bones realigning until he stood at his normal height. The protective layer of frost remained, masking his features.

 

"Da, ve make good team." His voice carried traces of a growl. "Villain vas not expecting us to vork together, I expect." He glanced around the wreckage of overturned displays and scattered artwork. "I can track other one if you vant. Have good nose for-"

 

The words died in his throat as he scanned the room. Where was Alden? The shorter boy had been right there with them when everything went sideways. Jack's stomach knotted with worry.

 

"'ave you seen Alden? 'ope he got out safe..." His eyes darted between the scattered debris and broken glass, searching for any sign of his new friend.

 

 

[Kaede Kimura]

Harlequin 

 

Harlequin's grin was triumphant as OD slumped unconscious before him, releasing his focus on the shadows so that they did not continue to harm the villain. He turned easily to face Probab-Lynn even as his chest throbbed. Jingling a shrug he spoke up, 

"<I have heard it said that a bird in ones hand is better than two in the bush, the big man was a capable opponent when shove came to push. If  you had pursued and we not subdued then our opponents may have left this locale nude.>"

 

He did have to concur with Were-Jack's comment about them making a good team. Perhaps in the future he might ask them to assist in his heroic endeavours. 

 

His train of thought was derailed as Jack suddenly enquired after his human self. His instinct, as it always was, was to deflect, say that he had run off or that they should look for him. But he didn't want to. Alden was supposed to be honest, and was going to be Lynn's schoolmate. Hiding his identity at this juncture would do him no favours.

 

He focused on his Glamour, white makeup and jesters outfit fading to pink human skin and clothing. He looked upon the scorch mark with annoyance, before shifting the disguise to cover it. "<I am pleased to confirm my safety, and most grateful to hear your concern for it, Jack.>"

[Thevshi]

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Now that things had calmed down and there were no immediate threats, Lynn began to feel a bit self-conscious about her skin-tight costume, crossing her arms across her chest as she shifted slightly awkwardly. She had been considering how to respond to Jack’s question about Alden, her eyes (concealed behind her goggles) shifting slightly toward the other figure briefly. But then Alden’s appearance returned to normal, reveling what Lynn suspected, given he had indicated he would be attending Claremont.

 

"Yeah, we worked pretty well together." She replied, managing a slight smile. The teen then glanced around the room, physically turning her head to do so, although her goggles made that unnecessary. "Maybe we should depart before the police arrive and everyone starts asking tons of questions?”"