[. . . HEY?? HEY!! where'd this come from! and having come from a world where Christmas doesn't exist, Lyney is at a complete loss as for the reason why he's receiving such a kind gift in the first place]
[. . .]
[. . . well. . . perhaps he'll try asking around? it has to be someone he knows, if he received top hats, so it's time to go through his (relatively short, since he's a new arrival) contact list]
[BUZZ BUZZ GOES TSURUNO'S PHONE]
Miss Tsuruno? May I ask you a question? I have quite the mystery on my hands.
That's absolutely going to be the case here too. Regardless, whatever it was that led to them pushing the button under the picture--(most likely Lyney first, and then Altria following)--now they're there.
She has a moment to take a quick, sharp breath in, and then, suddenly, there's a werewolf lunging at her. She yelps and dives out of the way, tumbling forward onto the street.]
[yeah, it was definitely Lyney. this is the first time in the city that he's facing down the consequences of being a little too inquisitive. he's been burned for flying a bit too close to the sun before, but this. . .]
[this is. . .]
[something entirely unexpected. so unexpected that he barely has time to reorient himself before chaos is erupting to life around both them both. the strange wolf creatures (. . . are they like Lynette?) are lunging for the pale-looking humans (??? with sharp fangs?), and he knows that even though he has no horse in this race that there isn't any avoiding the crossfire]
[it's a good thing he has sharply honed instincts then, isn't it? because while one werewolf goes for Altria, another snarls and takes a snap at him; he adeptly dodges by throwing himself backwards, landing in a graceful crouch]
[no Vision, no bow, and a whole lot of danger-- he has no idea how they're going to get out of this]
[good. . . she's moving like someone who knows how to fight, which means Lyney can focus on his own safety. there's a sense of relief that comes with that realization, though he feels he may have to ask her about her abilities later on]
[of course, that relief washes away the moment she tosses a bomb at a werewolf that is a bit. . . uh. too close to him for comfort]
. . . please be careful and look before you throw!!
[YELLS. fortunately, he's quick on his feet, and is able to throw himself out of the way before the bomb detonates, ripping the werewolf to shreds]
[... Oops. You'd think she'd learn after being scolded the first couple of times, but it truly is going to take at least a couple more.
She goes red, but thankfully has werewolves to focus on.]
O-oops, sorry--hyah!
[Altria does not have her staff with her, unfortunately. But. She does still have her fists, and that is what she uses to clock a werewolf right in the jaw. It tumbles away, but is up way too quickly, and Altria backs up a little.]
[Lyney doesn't have his bow or his Vision, which. . . in a way, makes him feel almost naked. but he wouldn't have survived as a Fatui operative if he didn't know how to fight with his bare fists, so--]
[a werewolf pounces at him again, trying to take advantage of his fluster at being caught in Altria's blast. but it'll take a lot more than an attempted sneak attack to get to this young magician, and he pivots neatly on his heel to plant a sweeping kick right in the wolf's jaw]
[the creature goes flying, and Lyney whirls to face Altria again, sharp gaze flickering across the battlefield]
There's no shame in a strategic retreat-- yes, let's!
[that sounds very sweet. . . and he can't think of any Fontainian holidays that have similar premises. people give gifts on birthdays, of course, but it's not the same at all]
It sounds rather charming. Considering our circumstances, it was quite nice of whoever left me these hats to brighten up my day.
Did you see anyone sneaking around my apartment recently?
Altria manages to put up a few warding spells, lips pressed together and eyes narrowed in concentration, and then she tries to scramble away.
A few of the werewolves spring at them, but are repelled by invisible walls that surround both Lyney and Altria. It should, at least, buy them enough time to scramble away--but:]
[Lyney scrambles right after her, trying to stay close. there's safety in numbers, after all. and she seems like a capable fighter! . . . her poor aim with explosions aside]
How impressive!
[the invisible walls, he means. and with the few seconds she's given him, his gaze sweeps the field, mind racing a thousand miles a minute as he searches for an exit]
Over there--
[he points to a weathered building with what looks to be a large, thick, wooden door. they can hole themselves up there for the time being, right? it isn't much of an escape (and boy, would his escape be spectacular if he had all of his gadgets), but it is a safe space]
[FOR NOW. She nods immediately, expression serious.]
Go, and I'll follow!
[She can at least fend the werewolves off with her barriers as they run, though she can feel the way that the usage of magic wears on her in a way that it hasn't in a long time, not since the ringing of that first bell.]
[no. he shouldn't ask. he should trust in her capabilities. surely she wouldn't make that offer if she couldn't handle things on her own for just a brief moment, right?]
[so without waiting for an answer, Lyney bolts towards the building he pointed out earlier, not even sparing a glance behind. he's trusting you to be okay, Altria!1]
She gives Lyney a few paces' head start, fending off the werewolves with a few more magical barriers (and one well-aimed punch to the snout), and then she follows, bolting as quickly as her legs will take her.
She dives into the building, slamming the door behind her just in time for the werewolves to thump into the door behind her.
[Lyney is right there next to her, hands pressed flatly against the door to keep it closed despite the pounding on the other side. and despite the seriousness of the situation. . . now that they have a brief moment of respite--]
Fending off wolves was certainly not on my to-do list today! I suppose this place continues to shock and awe.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
delivery, backdated to Christmas
It contains, simply, a few differently colored top-hats (and differently colored ribbons!), with a note. ]
If you ever want to make sure you have the right hat to go with the right outfit!
[ It isn't signed. ]
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[. . .]
[. . . well. . . perhaps he'll try asking around? it has to be someone he knows, if he received top hats, so it's time to go through his (relatively short, since he's a new arrival) contact list]
[BUZZ BUZZ GOES TSURUNO'S PHONE]
Miss Tsuruno? May I ask you a question? I have quite the mystery on my hands.
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I can try?
I thought you were a magician, not a detective, though...
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But if I don't solve this one, then I won't be able to thank whomever left a gift at my doorstep.
event, action
That's absolutely going to be the case here too. Regardless, whatever it was that led to them pushing the button under the picture--(most likely Lyney first, and then Altria following)--now they're there.
She has a moment to take a quick, sharp breath in, and then, suddenly, there's a werewolf lunging at her. She yelps and dives out of the way, tumbling forward onto the street.]
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[this is. . .]
[something entirely unexpected. so unexpected that he barely has time to reorient himself before chaos is erupting to life around both them both. the strange wolf creatures (. . . are they like Lynette?) are lunging for the pale-looking humans (??? with sharp fangs?), and he knows that even though he has no horse in this race that there isn't any avoiding the crossfire]
[it's a good thing he has sharply honed instincts then, isn't it? because while one werewolf goes for Altria, another snarls and takes a snap at him; he adeptly dodges by throwing himself backwards, landing in a graceful crouch]
[no Vision, no bow, and a whole lot of danger-- he has no idea how they're going to get out of this]
Miss Altria! Are you all right?!
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I'm okay! Also it's just Altria!
[She takes a deep breath, focuses, and--flings a bomb the werewolf's way.
Sorry if the blast zone is a little close, Lyney.]
Watch out!
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[of course, that relief washes away the moment she tosses a bomb at a werewolf that is a bit. . . uh. too close to him for comfort]
. . . please be careful and look before you throw!!
[YELLS. fortunately, he's quick on his feet, and is able to throw himself out of the way before the bomb detonates, ripping the werewolf to shreds]
[his pajama bottoms get a li'l singed, though]
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She goes red, but thankfully has werewolves to focus on.]
O-oops, sorry--hyah!
[Altria does not have her staff with her, unfortunately. But. She does still have her fists, and that is what she uses to clock a werewolf right in the jaw. It tumbles away, but is up way too quickly, and Altria backs up a little.]
... Um, Lyney... should we run?
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You give gifts to important people in your life!
And some other traditions but they're not as important.
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[a werewolf pounces at him again, trying to take advantage of his fluster at being caught in Altria's blast. but it'll take a lot more than an attempted sneak attack to get to this young magician, and he pivots neatly on his heel to plant a sweeping kick right in the wolf's jaw]
[the creature goes flying, and Lyney whirls to face Altria again, sharp gaze flickering across the battlefield]
There's no shame in a strategic retreat-- yes, let's!
[THIS ISN'T THEIR FIGHT, THEY SHOULDN'T BE HERE]
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[that sounds very sweet. . . and he can't think of any Fontainian holidays that have similar premises. people give gifts on birthdays, of course, but it's not the same at all]
It sounds rather charming. Considering our circumstances, it was quite nice of whoever left me these hats to brighten up my day.
Did you see anyone sneaking around my apartment recently?
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Altria manages to put up a few warding spells, lips pressed together and eyes narrowed in concentration, and then she tries to scramble away.
A few of the werewolves spring at them, but are repelled by invisible walls that surround both Lyney and Altria. It should, at least, buy them enough time to scramble away--but:]
Um--where should we go though--?!
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[the MYSTERY OF THE MAGICALLY APPEARING MAGICIAN'S HATS continues!]
Thank you for your assistance in this matter, Miss Tsuruno. I'll continue my investigation elsewhere.
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How impressive!
[the invisible walls, he means. and with the few seconds she's given him, his gaze sweeps the field, mind racing a thousand miles a minute as he searches for an exit]
Over there--
[he points to a weathered building with what looks to be a large, thick, wooden door. they can hole themselves up there for the time being, right? it isn't much of an escape (and boy, would his escape be spectacular if he had all of his gadgets), but it is a safe space]
[for. . . now]
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Go, and I'll follow!
[She can at least fend the werewolves off with her barriers as they run, though she can feel the way that the usage of magic wears on her in a way that it hasn't in a long time, not since the ringing of that first bell.]
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Are you sure--
[no. he shouldn't ask. he should trust in her capabilities. surely she wouldn't make that offer if she couldn't handle things on her own for just a brief moment, right?]
[so without waiting for an answer, Lyney bolts towards the building he pointed out earlier, not even sparing a glance behind. he's trusting you to be okay, Altria!1]
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She gives Lyney a few paces' head start, fending off the werewolves with a few more magical barriers (and one well-aimed punch to the snout), and then she follows, bolting as quickly as her legs will take her.
She dives into the building, slamming the door behind her just in time for the werewolves to thump into the door behind her.
WHEEZE.]
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[Lyney is right there next to her, hands pressed flatly against the door to keep it closed despite the pounding on the other side. and despite the seriousness of the situation. . . now that they have a brief moment of respite--]
Fending off wolves was certainly not on my to-do list today! I suppose this place continues to shock and awe.
[LYNEY. . .]
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She just frowns at him at that, her own back pressed against the door.]
We really, really shouldn't have pushed that button...!