Forum Thread

Lumiere looked up towards the distance and his eyes narrowed sharply. It was as if he was listening for something. To an ordinary person, the scene was silent except for the deep exhausted breathing of everyone. But to an Ames and Vies who who are born with far more sensitive sense than ordinary people, the world is one loud oyster.

In the far distance, a group of men clad in pearly silver armor marched towards their direction. Each step in sync, each breath on point. They were coming for them. Lumiere gazed at Leqi and Ruoxi. For them

"All Lightchasers, we're heading back now. The White boots are coming." Lumiere turned to He Lei whom was by Ruodie 's side. "He Lei, take Leqi and them along with us. We aren't done with this matter yet afterall."

He hope the little fella will listen to his orders for once...

Lumiere called into his radio and ordered to all members who were lurking in the background. "Pull back and withdraw, we're evacuating from the area. Return to base. I repeat, return to base."

---

In the far away distance, a man clad in silver white paused. He stood on the very front of the group, leading the march. A man clearly of high status with a bright feather of crimson attached to his helmet that made him stand out.

He held up his right hand.

The men behind him stop.

He narrowed his eyes as he gazed into the shadows. With a deep voice he called out, "who is there. State your name and come out!".

---

Shuto remains camouflaged within the alleyway’s shadowy walls. He had watched the previous exchange between his fellow Lightchaser members, some he recognised, like Lumiere, the captain and some others he didn’t. A cage had been present, until it wasn’t, and so many other things that had happened which he could barely comprehend so fast, let alone summarise it.

Glancing from left to right, his gaze darting from one end of the alley to another, identifying routes of escape and paths to lead him out of this terrorist site.

His radio, strapped tightly onto his hip and attached to the belt, crackled before quietly transmitting the message from the captain himself. With his gaze on the scene unfolding, Lumiere and the other Lightchasers, and with the sound of an approaching army of men, he chose to obey the orders.

Giving the people behind him one last look, Shuto turned away, dragging himself from the alley, sucking between the darkness and folding himself from the light. He couldn’t risk getting caught.

Right, left, left again, right. So many twists and turns that made his head spin with confusion yet somehow, Shuto managed to weasel his way out the labyrinth of a street. All the while listening for any approaching noise, any sound or movement that would make him jump into a defensive mode. But everything was silent, apart from the clanking of boots and steady steps gradually fading into nothing.

---

A long pause. There was an unending silence that seemed to stretch for eons, then he turned. He turned, and smiled, a wry thing, like something was unendingly amusing to him.

"Oh, hello there, sir," he said, after a moment. "What shiny armor you have."

He stepped forward, coat swirling behind him in the draft of some unfelt wind. He gave a little curtsy, before straightening back up.

"I am but a sinple man. Who may you be?"

---

"He Lei, take Leqi and them along with us. We aren't done with this matter yet afterall."

He Lei, who had somehow acquired an unlit match and was attempting to sneak up on Lumiere to light it, shoots Lumiere a cheeky, toothy grin, before sticking his tongue out at him. His Mimi didn’t tell him to do anything. So he wasn’t going to do anything. “No. Hehehehe. >:3 Sucks to suck, candlelabra”

RuoDie cuffs him around the back of the head, and he whines “Owie :(“ She sighs, then she speaks up again.

“He Lei, take LeQi and them along with us. Lumiere isn’t done with this matter yet”

The exact same instruction, only this time in RuoDie’s voice. Hearing her voice, He Lei springs into action without hesitation, scooping LeQi up unceremoniously, before reluctantly shifting her into a princess carry upon RuoDie’s command (He was previously attempting to hold LeQi by the ankles)

He Lei shoots off the ground like a firework, leaping nimbly into the air and landing not so gracefully on a rooftop, where RuoDie slowly made her way up and followed.

He Lei thought he had been a very good Ames indeed, and so, he turned to RuoDie, seeking validation. Which RuoDie gave, in the form of a tired “Good job not setting Lumiere on fire. And for not dragging our esteemed guest Miss Liu LeQi on the ground.”

---

Scooped up without warning, LeQi let up a shout as her grip on the polearm slipped, the heavy metal knocking hollowly onto the bloodied cracked floor. Her fingers grasped fruitlessly at the air, hanging from her ankles was she's yanked around unceremoniously, but a rough hewn cloth weakly wrapped around a thin wrist with loose grip. Holding onto the lifeline with abandon, LeQi managed to wrap her hands again the wood once again, she was flipped again. This time she was more prepared, her grip on her Ames white and unmoving even as she was cradled by a stranger.

Pressing her lips together, she kept quiet as she was jostled and handled. While she wasn't exactly against this development, LeQi did indeed want to understand this group, but the way this was going was entirely out her her wildest imagination. Even cradling the battered weapon in her grip like this was surreal, a dream that stretched longer and longer without any clear end. There had never been a reason for RuoXi to transform, to be anything other than her aid, and so this was a first even for her, to see how much care, would bee needed. But that would come with time, when things calmed down and she could set aside the necessary focus to the task. For now, she just held it close.

---

He Lei eyes the battered GuanDao, eyes glinting with mischief and hunger. It looked….very edible, he decided, tongue darting out to lick at his lips.

Besides, MiMi’s instructions only mentioned taking care of LeQi….there was technically nothing stopping him from chewing at Xi’er…..right?

The splintered and cracked wood looked very chewable. After all, RuoDie had never stopped him from destroying tree branches.

RuoDie, on the other hand, was preoccupied with searching for the rest of the Lightchasers- and planning out their respective escape routes, if needed.

He Lei basically had free rein, since no one was watching. And boy was the little gremlin excited. Besides, what could LeXi really do? He was faster, and she was still, partially, crippled. Hmmm….

Persephone O'Couna watched The Knight, as still and silent as the shadows from which she'd crept. She was a slight and forgettable feature of the alleyway. If one were to glance in, they might find her to fit with the rats and the mold creeping along the easles. But while it was murky and the brick was stained with things a beggar wouldn't dare touch, she was perfectly clean. Smooth skin, shining white smile, and smooth red hair which framed her cold blue eyes.

Unmistakably different from the ragged bunch who'd caused this disaster.

She sneered.

Lightchasers.

How on earth had that foolish Ames ended up with them?

"Hold on," she called out, slipping her hood off and revealing herself. "I believe, good men, that there has been a mistake."

---

There was a long pause, the air still between all parties for a moment. Then, as if his reaction had been delayed by a good few moments, he jumped back, as if startled like a deer. He stared at the newcomer, something odd in his forest-green eyes.

His hand instinctively rose, finding their way to slowly grip a battered, leather-bound book until his knuckles were white.

"...who... I'm sorry."

A smile overcame his gaunt features once more, a pleasant thing.

"Do I know you ma'am? I've got this quite handled."

---

"Oh, don't be silly." She waved him off dismissively, her eyes locked on the guard. "You're not fooling anyone, little hero. It's obvious to anyone watching that you're my servant. And that you've made a dreadful mistake."

She tipped her head to the side, expression pouting, but eyes as cold and hard as diamonds.

"I apologise for my charge. He was not supposed to become involved in this fight, but I suppose he felt it came too close to his master."

The woman's eyes met The Knight's. They seemed to will him to play along.

"Quite a foolish move, leaving me unguarded. You could get into trouble, for that. My family isn't fond of mistakes and you appear to be quite the big one."

---

There was something odd in his eyes, an odd look akin to mild amusement than anything else, though his smile would tell you he was perfectly pleased with the scenario that was unfolding.

"Obvious, is it?"

A long pause. Then, he just turned away from the guards for a moment.

"...I apologize, ma'am. My mind slipped for a moment. I, The Knight, wished naught but your safety."

---

"Ma'am," she repeated, a cruel glint in her eyes. "So you can recognise your superiors after all. What a surprise. I would've thought you blind and deaf to social niceties. It's master, to you, however, my dear knight."

She folded her arms, but as her gaze turned to the guards, her expression turned soft.

"I apologise. We did not intend to disrupt your work, gentlemen. I quite admire the work you put into our fair city. It is my shame that this new servant of mine should prove to distract you from apprehending those absolutely troublesome rebels of yours. The lack of discipline of my child should not keep you from the discipline of yours."

Stepping back, she leaned against the filthy wall. But despite the way it smudged her dress, the way the weakening bricks creaked beneath her heels, she didn't appear bothered. She appeared very, very comfortable, smiling at the man.

"Though one could argue that it was your own failure to contain this nuisance that lead to the situation at hand. I think you would agree that it would be quite a shame if I had to report your failure to YOUR master, hm? Allowing such a pathetic display on streets such as these-" she gestured to the absolutely wrecked streets with a flourish like she were displaying a great monument "-why, that might call for some reorganisation. Re-recruitment. A change in the way our guards system runs now."

With a laugh, she gestured for the little Ãmes to follow her.

She turned and threw a final glare over her shoulder.

"I'm sure we don't want that."

---

Hearing Lumieres instructions, Carnelian sighed. They really didn't have as much time as he thought, huh. He didn't wait for Astra to turn back. They had to get out. Now. Before he was spotted.

Carnelian took note of anyone he may have to enter the dreams of tonight, and retreated. He didn't run, that would be rather suspicious afterall. He simply walked back to the dingy alleyways with his usual grace. The grace of a man who has had much too many etiquette lessons. Carnelian waited until he was a safe enough distance before he started to hum softly. One of those new age songs he'd listened to at that illegal club he went to the other night.

Carnelian took the time to take in the city as he walked back to base. That cafe he'd seen was still standing which was nice, and there was some lovely clothing stores still there. He'd have to come back to Chinatown when this had all blown over.

Lumiere better not have thrown out the half empty bottle of wine he'd left at base, or he'd be having a problem. Meaning his boss would be getting some rather weird and uncomfortable dreams.

---

Her teammates were all moving on, swift and able-bodied as they were. Though the paralysis was mostly wearing off, Seraphina was still definitely not nimble enough to follow them. She groaned as she rose to her feet, Lumiere’s healing earlier being the only reason she could stand.

There was a twinge of annoyance, offense, in her gut at the fact that she had just pretty singlehandedly halted major destruction, but her teammates had just bounded away, leaving her somewhat hopelessly immobile.

*

Avery had been observing the team’s actions, deducing nothing particularly interesting. Unfortunately, they were moving quickly back to their base, and her clunky drops onto rooftops weren’t suited to covert following. If Adele floated down to street level and attempted to follow from there, she wouldn’t have an easy visual and would be exposed.

Quite the conundrum.

Though for whatever reason, the vaguely familiar red-haired girl seemed to struggle with keeping pace— the perfect opportunity. Avery had established her allegiance during the fight, and assisting a struggling Lightchaser back to base would be the perfect excuse to follow them and apply for a job.

Adele floated over to the rooftop on which the woman stood.
“Greetings,” She called, calm and polite, “I’m a friend of the lightchasers. Might you need assistance getting back to your base?”

*
Seraphina startled at the voice—she hadn’t heard anyone approach. “Oh, yes, I would appreciate that,” she said, turning to the voice. “A friend of the lightchasers, you said? And what might I call you?” Sera asked, surveying the girl up and down. Her golden-blonde hair fell just past her narrow shoulders, framing an intimidating red glare. Despite her youth, the girl was surprisingly tall.

“Adelaine, and you?” answered the strangely familiar girl.
Seraphina offered a semblance of a friendly smile. “Seraphina, but you can call me Sera. I truly appreciate the help.”
She couldn’t hide her shock when she began to float, somehow trailing behind Avery as the girl bounded from rooftop to rooftop.

But for Sera, the most curious thing was how in the midday light, Adelaine’s hair seemed to betray flecks of blue.

---