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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Apr 14, 2012 20:08:25 GMT -5
It had been a tip his butler had been told to pass on to him. Francis was sure it meant nothing good; Arthur usually showed up spontaneously. If the pirate was leaving messages asking Francis to meet him, then it could only spell danger - for Arthur, for Francis, or both of them, Francis wasn't sure yet.
This was why Francis wasted no time. The moment the sun set, Francis was already wrapped in his dark cloak and hurrying out of his manor's back door.
South of the city. That was the only clue he was given. Francis had to keep himself from running and ducked into the shadows while trying to pinpoint Arthur's designated meeting spot. The Electrical District was too bright for an inconspicuous rendezvous, the Business District was swarming with late workers and officials...
Francis turned a corner and darted into the Factory District. It was empty for now, with only a few stragglers and loiterers present in the streets. Pausing to catch his breath, Francis suddenly heard a faint noise a street away. He followed it silently, edging into a near alley.
Francis' stomach dropped when he peered in. In the dim light of the moon, he recognized that messy blond hair atop the well-worn coat. Arthur was held back by a group of men. Realization sparked rage, and Francis crept to toward the men holding Arthur's arms, whose backs were turned on Francis.
Two swift blows sent the goons to the ground and Francis grabbed Arthur's hand, tugging at him as Francis flew for the alley exit.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Apr 14, 2012 20:15:00 GMT -5
Arthur ran for the exit, a bewildered look on his expression on how fast this was happening -- but wasted no time. They sped along the alleyway, and it was at the moment -- big mistake -- that Arthur started to think they'd get away fine.
A moment later and both Francis and he go flying -- someone having laid a wire across the lane of the alley.
Sprawling to the floor, Arthur curses, but as he looks up, he blinks.
They're surrounded, and boy, do the Ruthians look malicious...
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Apr 14, 2012 20:27:00 GMT -5
Francis' breath was knocked out of him as the wire sent him sprawling to the ground. But as he struggled to regain his breath and to stand, dark shadows with glittering eyes loomed over them.
Before Francis could push himself off the ground, a foot forced him back into the filthy street. Francis wriggled, trying to throw the foot off. Reaching behind him, Francis smacked the foot off and pulled on Arthur's arm.
"Go!" he hissed.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Apr 14, 2012 20:31:05 GMT -5
He glared incredously at him.
"Are you kidding me?" He hisses, before one of the men looming them suddenly lashes and slams him to the ground, pinned there. The group surround them both, and they are both rather trapped.
The leader of this little gang, one of the higher ups in the Ruthians, looks delighted.
"Now, what do we have here? Two members on our hitlist? My, what were you doing together?"
Some of the others snigger suggestively, before weapons are unsheathed.
"Now, we can either do this the easy way or the hard..."
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Apr 14, 2012 20:40:27 GMT -5
Hot anger bubbled inside Francis as he saw the man hit Arthur. In a flash, he snatched the dagger in his boot and surged up to cut the leader. Francis shoved him away before turning to the others.
"Go, now!"
But just as the command left his mouth, Francis was struck in the back and a gunshot pierced the air. Francis lay panting in the ground, hoping against hope that Arthur was not shot.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Apr 15, 2012 15:19:32 GMT -5
In fact, it had been Arthur who had made the shot gun. Since he'd wrenched it out of one of the Ruthians hands, the bullets went randomly into the air. However, the atmosphere fell a lot more denser than it was before.
Immediately, the leader grabs Arthur's wrist, practically twisting it, and Arthur joins Francis on the floor. Heavy boots walk around the pair.
"Now, I think since you're both obviously in some form of cooperation here, I think larger measures need to be taken. You both need killing, but hmm..."
He pauses.
"I say we see who wants to play hero and sacrifice themselves so the other can have at least a head start... then it's all cat and tail from there. That actually gives you a chance to live too, hm? Aren't we kind." He kicks Francis in the shouder.
"Now... who wants to play hero?"
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Apr 15, 2012 15:30:00 GMT -5
Francis' mind was whirring, considering every possibility for an escape. He was tempted to spit on the leader's boot, but decided against it. He needed to keep the leader distracted while he and Arthur waited for an opportunity.
"Do you even know who either of us are?" he snapped, injecting some of his trademark haughtiness in his voice. "And how do you even know? Are you not busy with wreaking havoc in the city to pay attention to two individuals like us? You could have mistaken us for someone else!"
There was a scatter of sneering laughter, but Francis ignored it. In the dark, he could glance around for an opening, any opening.
"What do you want anyway?"
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Apr 15, 2012 16:13:43 GMT -5
"We want you dead." He hisses, leaning down. He glares at the other. "Considering you aided with the rescue of a Noble, Bonnefoy, and the fact you'd be a great threat to the other nobles if we killed you. And then him---" Arthur snarls. "Everyone knows who he is, just from the look of those eyebrows! Geeze! And to think he led a rescue to save a noble! He's just a nuisance. In fact, enough talking, just kill him."
A sword lunged high above Arthur, aiming for his neck.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Apr 15, 2012 16:30:42 GMT -5
All Francis saw was the flash of rusty steel and he cried out. Thrashing on the ground, trying to crawl to Arthur and push him out of the way, Francis screamed, "No!"
The blade paused, just nicking the pirate's neck. The thin stream of blood against the paleness of Arthur's neck wrenched a tiny, hiccuping sob from Francis.
"Stop," Francis panted when he caught his breath. His heart was still racing, even more so now. He knew what he had to do, and he did not even need to think about it.
"Let him go," he said breathlessly. "Let him go. I'll tell you everything you want to know, and I won't even try to escape. I'll stay. But - but only if he's far enough away from here that none of you can follow him."
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Apr 15, 2012 16:37:26 GMT -5
There was another hiss, but this time it was from Arthur. He was glaring at the other. The Ruthians surrounding them seemed to snigger, finding something awfully amusing.
"Hmm, alright. Let him go. Don't try anything, Kirkland."
A moment later and the sword was lifted from his neck. A moment later, and the sword was through the Ruthian's torso. Arthur slowly stood up, dusting himself casually. There was murder in his eyes.
"I didn't try; I did it."
Another moment later and all hell breaks loose.
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