Roman Torchwick (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
maybeitsmaybelline) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
genessia2016-02-14 04:04 am
maybeitsmaybelline) wrote in genessia2016-02-14 04:04 am
Re-intro: Action/Video
Action
He's drowning.
His body jerks into action before his mind can catch up, limbs thrashing in search of something to hold onto, and suddenly he's falling. The bay's icy water hardly registers over the fire in his lungs, but he manages to push himself up on his hands and knees before the coughing sets in. It shakes his body and echoes off the walls, punctuated by desperate gasps for air before his breath catches again and he chokes up more of the thick black blood that fills his airways.
It's not until the fit passes that he realizes where he is and remembers what's happened.
The fight. Neo's gasp as she was ripped away from him. He can't remember Red's words but he remembers the blackout rage, remembers her cowering and the shocks that ran back up his cane when he hit her. The flapping of giant wings, sudden darkness, searing heat pressing against him from all sides.
She took Neo. She took Neo, and she killed him before he could do a damn thing about it. She took Neo and Neo would never know what happened, never find out that he didn't want to leave her. She took Neo and he was here alone, separated by worlds and the distance between life and death.
Video
[Roman is usually striking because of his dashing good looks and impeccable style, but last night robbed him of those so he's had to improvise. First prop: gore. Patches of black blood stain his white coat, splashes of fresh red pop against the unhealthy pallor of his skin. He's still not sure what Grimm are made of, but he's covered in their guts and he revels in it.
His second prop is the smoldering remains of Weiss' welcoming hologram beside him. It produces the occasional flash of a smile or garbled words, but most of it is lost to sparks and smoke.
He gives the camera a smile full of teeth.]
Hello again, Genessia. Did you miss me?
[It sounds like he's swallowed glass, but his voice is steady. He pauses to light a cigar from the hologram's embers.]
It's been a while, hasn't it? I've had some time to look at my life. Really think about the choices I've made, and you-- [Something in the hologram explodes. He waits for the noise to die down. The smile never falters.] You know what I've been missing? Focus. Try to do ten things at once and you'll half-ass all of them. So here's my resolution: pick one goal and see it through till the end.
[He leans in close to the camera, all wide eyes and bloodstained smile.]
I'll be seeing you around, Little Red.
[The video cuts off.]
action; vagueish spoilers in this comment if anyone's stalking
Cinder left Mercury and I to follow Ozpin once he made his move. Mercury was still recording so I stayed with him to watch his back. It looked like Cinder got what she came for [ Haha Roman isn't in the know is he? She's not going to bring it up. ] but there was a huge flash from the tower where she was. I don't know what happened, but when the light cleared the dragon was frozen solid. I don't know what happened to her. That's the last thing.
[ She climbs out of the pod finally, slipping down into the water before reaching back into the pod to get the money, device, pendant, et cetera. She's skipping the packet though. ] You?
action; not-vague spoilers
It would've been nice if Emerald hadn't been so obliging. He could've argued or beaten it out of her. Hostility is familiar and comfortable, but he needs someone to feed it. It doesn't feel right to snap at her like this.]
Neo freed me. We had the ship, we deployed the virus, we held up our half of the bargain, but someone couldn't stop Little Red and her team from leaving the Colosseum.
[He clenches his first and white knuckles show through his ripped gloves. It's not Emerald's fault, but who cares? Someone has to take the blame.]
She boarded us. Neo was thrown off. I don't know what happened to the ship after that. And yes, I was eaten.
[He dares her to laugh at that.]
action; not-vague spoilers
They were supposed to leave. The more of them were out there, the more of them would die. My job was to get out of the way once Miss Invincible killed the robot.
[ Just so they're clear. ]
Sounds like she wasn't the problem anyway.
[ Emerald rolls her eyes. Even if she's actively trying not to make fun of him for getting eaten (a difficult task, all things considered), that doesn't mean she isn't going to remark on it. ]
Guess you just got a second lot on life. Try not to disappear again.
action; not-vague spoilers
[His voice breaks as something catches in his throat, then he doubles over coughing again. Excuse him while he hacks up more Grimm guts. Yup. That's totally dignified and not disgusting at all.]
Re: action; not-vague spoilers
I was thinking of blaming the Grimm.
[ Emerald tucks her pendant, cash, and device into her pocket, muttering something about an upgrade while Roman coughs up gunk. She looks over at Roman, pulling a face and going to step out of the water. She doesn't want to be in your diluted upchuck, thanks. ]
When you're done, we should get out of here before the brats come around. I can just see the fight going well with you about to shoot someone in the face then gesturing for a time out because you have to puke up more Grimm bits.
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I'm fine. [He says, still leaning on his cane while he catches his breath.] Aside from needing about ten showers.
[He straightens up and collects whatever dignity he has left, then sloshes towards the mouth of the bay before he pauses again. Uncertainty flashes across his face.]
Where do we go from here? [Before she can get too rhetorical on him, he continues.] I had safehouses in Nova City and Fayren, but I doubt they're still around. Genessia City is too busy... Everglade? Attleton?
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Same Guardians for Genessia City, Attleton, and Fayren. If I remember right, that's two mind readers and a demon. Everglade is Fai D. Fluorite who I think owned cafes before and..
[ Emerald is totally squinting. The water smudges have to be wrong. She's honestly about to start laughing. ]
These idiots put the heiress in charge of Nova, we probably could take the whole city if we wanted to.
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If you want to take on her army of gullible henchmen, have at it. I intend to survive long enough to take her down properly. More resources, more men, a real strategy...
[He trails off. Conquest and chaos are great hobbies, don't get him wrong, but right now even thinking about it is exhausting.]
Let's stick to Everglade for now.
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[ Sarcasm aside, Emerald nods. ]
If I remember right, the brats went there least last time we were here anyway. If we're looking for a place to lay low, it's the best spot.
no subject
[That's as good a rationalization as any. Truth be told, he probably shouldn't have announced their presence, but he needed some outlet and that seemed the least destructive one at the time.]
If you want to be useful, go flag down a cab. I'm not exactly inconspicuous at the moment.
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[ At least that probably changed. Emerald's not too disappointed in that part. Wiping the smiles off of their faces was one of the things that helped motivate her. No one should be that happy when people like her never had the chance to be. ]
Want me to get you the number of a tailor while I'm at it? [ The remark had the bark of 'I'm not your servant' to it. ]
no subject
Well, alternatively, you could spend the entire walk to Everglade trying to make every civilian think I'm not covered in blood. Or maybe you could let me look like a crime scene, then try to take on the guard right away when they bring us in for questioning! Oh, or you could abandon me and try to make it on your own, with no allies. I wonder if the Beacon brats still trust you enough to buy your charade after I rat you out?
[He scratches his chin in mock contemplation.]
no subject
Just take your stupid jacket off and wash your face and hair.
[ You're in an area with a ton of water, Torchwick. Duh. She's going to go ahead and get them a taxi though, because he is right. Still, he could make an effort too. ]
no subject
Good girl.
[He does set to work cleaning himself up as much as possible, though. Despite the temperature he also takes off his shirt and scarf to wash them. Everything is soaked through with Grimm gore and stomach acid anyway, so being sopping wet and chilled is still an improvement.
When rejoins Emerald, he looks ridiculous. The adrenaline and anger are wearing off and taking his energy with them. Without the ominous blood or his trademark coat, he's hardly a menacing character. His wet clingy clothes bring out his awkward, scraggly proportions, the dark colors highlight his pale skin, and when his hair is wet it hangs in a sad limp curtain over his right eye. He would be all sorts of ashamed if he could muster the fucks to give.]
Any luck?
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What is wrong with you!? It's freezing out there!
[ She's groaning so loudly right now as she gets up out of the water. ]
no subject
You had some mud. Riiiight here. Hold on, you didn't get all of it.
[Just for kicks, he's reaching to scrub her cheek with his soggy sleeve like a particularly annoying mother.]
no subject
It's one thing when you're only metaphorically slimy, Roman.