I don't own RWBY or Call of Cthulhu
AN: Hey so important announcement, well two of them. One sadly my Laptop has died. It can operate at times but only for thirty minutes before blue screening. I took it to get repaired and unfortunately it's beyond saving. So majority of this chapter has been written on my iPhone. Thankfully this coincide with my Christmas break so until January or February at worse this will be the last chapter till I'm back on my feet
On a more positive note, at the recommendation of a friend. I'm putting together a poll for a unique Arc. Set decades if not centuries prior to RWBY and co arriving here on earth, these one shots will reveal some unknown secrets. As well as help establish the world. I'll do each one, just in which order I'll leave it to popular vote. Anyways think it over, and let me know which one you'd like to see first. The poll won't end till the next chapters posting. Your choices will be, Longum Cornu Autumni (50AD Spain), The Rat's With (1390AD England), Oaths and Bloodlines (1789 France), The Shadow over the Seirra Madee (1860 America), Thanks and enjoy
Tampa Bay Florida, May 17th 1926
3rd pov
The scene opens up in a local cafe near the Tampa Bay Hotel. Sitting outside, was Schmidt. With a cold cup of coffee in front of him. As well as a number of spent cigarettes in the ash tray. Despite trying his best he looks like a complete mess. His clothes were running raggedy his hair greasier then normal, and his eyes. Tired from a full day of searching.
As it has been a full day since Yang went missing. He tore apart that damn club looking for the twins who kidnapped her. But after hours of burning everything to the ground in that unsanitary den of sin. He went looking through the entire city, not bothering to sleep, eat or even take his medication. Yet after a day of looking he couldn't find head nor tail of those two Cajuns witches. To make matters worse the attacks on both Don Trafficante and Jefe Lopez businesses are being raided around the clock. Each attack worse than the last, and with it, the possibility of a rekindling of the war between the two families becoming all to real.
"Nǐ quèshí yīnggāi zài rè de shíhòu hē tā." Zehn Fang said to Schmidt, temporarily breaking his thoughts.
"I don't speak chink, Ms. Zehn Fang nor I'm looking for eastern wisdom bullshit. So just give it to me straight." Schmidt said in an annoyed tone.
"Rest. You'll work yourself into a grave… Yǎ de Gweilo." Zehn Fang said as she takes a sip from her tea. Before Schmidt could rebut her, another figure approached the table. Taking a seat he reveals himself to be Butch.
"… Sorry Jacob my Zohn." Butch said with a sincere shrug. "My crabs fished the entire city's ports and waterways. No sign of any of the three of them meshuga'at."
Schmidt clasped his hands over his oiled face. Trying his hardest not to rage but found it difficult. He was hoping with some outside help from Butch and the purple gang at the very least they would find a trace. But now. He's worried if perhaps they had left the city… and in Yangs condition or god knows what they would do to her. He has no idea what he was going to tell his daughter, or his boss. Butch and Zehn Fang can see how Schmidt was doing. Though they didn't know how to comfort the murderous sleep deprived mobster. As they sat their feeling the gravity, soon came a commotion. Loud gasps and murmurs can be heard. Looking over Butch nearly choked as he had to a double take.
"What the fuck?!" Butch said eyes wide at what he's witnessing.
Schmidt looks up from his hands to see in utter horror Yang. She was stumbling towards them… completely naked. Without thinking Schmidt got up from the table and removed his white blazer. Wrapping it around Yang who collapsed into his arm. Muttering aloud. "Oh, god. What have they done to you!?"
Yang couldn't speak but her eyes showed horror that one could identify as being tortured. Her body was covered in leather lashes, wax burns marks, nail scratches, small hickey like bite marks and lipstick marks covering her entire body. However one easily identifiable mark was a carved symbol of sorts over her heart. A strange symbol made of lines that crooked in a way that looks like an Ultralight Divider with a ring at the end, lines carved in like a crown on a cloaked figure. She stared with a dull look as Schmidt struggled to cover her.
"Yang, Yang! Yang! Oh god what have they done to you?" Schmidt said as he held her. Yang finally pulling herself together just only for a moment of lucidity wrapped her only arm around Schmidt and whispers.
"A lot." She said as she hugs. Small amount of tears rolling down her eyes as she gripped tightly around him. "They did a lot."
Schmidt hearing her horsed voice and feeling her tears. He was resolved to get her to a hospital. Picking her up he was about to rush her to a hospital when a voice. Full of sarcasm and sad that screams of Southern hospitality, but in such a way it would make one's skin crawl. And if the creepy tone was not enough the voice was all too familiar. "Aw, enchanté, we just had us a good time. Ain't no mal fait."
Rage burned in Schmidt as crackling of cannons, hissing of muster gas canisters, and whizzing of bullets flew in his head. He reached over Yang and drew his colt, spinning Around and pointing it at the one said it, Adelina Boutin. Before he could even cock back the hammer, five guns already were pointed at his head. A tsk sound can be heard from the other twin who held the barrel of that B.A.R to Schmidt's Gut. "Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. Y'ain't s'posed t'play with dem tings. Gens can get hurt."
Nina motions to the few civilians who saw the guns and begin fleeing. For fear of being caught up in a shootout. Worse three more armed with scatterguns walked out of the store. Taking aim at Zehn Fang and Butch. Schmidt could see how he was outgunned three to eight. Yet he didn't dare backed down. He held his pistol to Adelina head. Ready to take her down should this be the day. Seeing the fire in his eyes didn't terrify her or her sister. In fact she pressed her head against the barrel, with a creepy wide tooth smirk ready to accept death. The scene tensed as the two parties waited in anticipated. Eventually after a few minutes or what felt like hours did Schmidt spoke. His words dripping with Venom, and Anger that only a man who walked through hell could muster.
"What the fuck do you want." He said not even letting go of that haired trigger pistol.
"Ah, Monsier Schmidt. We done got what we been wantin'. Just wanna rembourser what we owe, cher." Adelina said before snapping her fingers. One of the Zobop put down his revolver before handing a file. Schmidt didn't take it as he was holding Yang tightly who seems to be fearfully holding onto him. After a few seconds of not budging, the Zobop opens the ledger revealing a map, marking a spot out in the Green Swamp north of the city. Adelina goes on to explain; "We done told ya where to go, and sho' it took us a lil' while plus long, y'know..."
"S'cuz we had too much fun dancin' to what that Neapolitan gal voulais faire, or what ce petit kitty dreamed of doin'." Nina adds as she made a lewd gesture with her tongue. Driving Schmidt even further into rage.
"But after hours of... givin' her a real bon moment. We whipped up some directions, rented us a few pee-rogues under your name, and hauled her back sûre to ya, all on our tab, je t'en prie." Adelina explains with a smug smile as if she had no shame for what she had done.
"Your dime? Yeah no amount of money will ever make up for this you demented harlots!" Schmidt spat back.
"Oh cher, take it easy, at least it ain't your real fille Abigale." Nina said. That did it, and in an instant Schmidt pistol whipped Nina, dropping Yang as he yanked the B.A.R from Nina's hand. He barely Swung it around when two Zobops grabbed him. Holding him back as they delivered a hard punch to his Ribs. He coughed up a lung but he didn't stop struggling. Another had to hold him down as he flailed about.
"Say her name again! Do it! I'll skin you two bitches alive with my bear hands!" Schmidt sneered with pure hatred.
Nina slowly pulled herself up, feeling her jaw as blood ran down her nose. Strangely she didn't take offense by it. She seems rather amused. Her sister then remarks "You shouldn't of done dat. Dat boy still hear de call o' de bataille, dear sœur bien-aimée."
"I know, sœur... but can ya really blame me? He's way more fun when he's actin' this way, non?" Nina said as she licks her own blood running from her nose in a suggestive manner. "Sœur, t'ain't nuthin' but funny t'ink you're all the things dat da bird mama ain't, eh."
"Oh là là, dat's real funny. But we gotta déguerpir. Dey's gettin' ready for de next attack. Ain't wanna miss out on dat, sœur." Adelina said before hearing the blasting of police sirens off in the distance. "An' if we gon' handle dem flies, we might be sittin' a spell."
"Miss, what?" Zehn Fang asked as she moved slowly over to Yang. Helping her to her feet.
"Oh, them cursed folks gonna lay a whuppin' on both Don Trafficante an' Jefe Lopez, eastern cher." Nina said with a sadistic smile as she takes back her B.A.R. "C'est un bain de sang!"
As she takes a seat inside the Car, the rest of her Zobop begin to pile in, with the three throwing Schmidt to the ground. Making sure to toss his pistol out of the way. Adelina taking a seat next to her sister then said, "Well now, you got yuirself a choix, Monsieur Daddy man! You can take dat little sunny dragon o' yours to the hospital, get her all vérifié while those two burn, or ya can head on up north. Mettre un bullet in El Conductor, and bam, end dem raids on dem two mob bosses."
Nina then tossed Yangs clothes, her jewel necklace, and robotic arm out onto the street, at Schmidt's feet as Butch helps Schmidt to his feet. She then remarks. "Oui maybe ya mix it up, who dat bother us? We gonna have a très bon moment watchin' the show. Laissez les bon temps rouler!"
The car then starts up and drives away, leaving the four behind. As the hear the laughter and crackling of those two from within. The car swirled out of the way of oncoming police, which swirled to avoid crashing. They quickly turned around and chased after them. Leaving the four on the side of the road. Schmidt stood there looking pissed for a few moments before taking a deep breath. He picked up Yangs clothes and handed it to her. Asking. "You think you can tough it out. No fault if you back out now."
"… As much as I want to… I don't think I should be alone." Yang said quietly.
"Your positive? Cause once this is done I'm going to find those predators and skin them alive with their own god damn teeth." Schmidt asked.
Yang didn't say anything at first. Simply took back her clothes, reattaching her robotic limb to Butch and Zehn Fangs curiosity. As she does she remarks in a dark low growl. "Don't… don't harm a hair on their heads till I get my first kicks in."
Schmidt gives her a solid nod before turning to the other two. "How many mooks can you two get together within the hour? This will be quick and hard."
"A dozen maybe a bakers if lucky." Butch said with a nod.
"A little less since I lost a few of my boo how doy." Zehn Fang states.
"Alright, get whoever we got left, and once after we burn these fuckers we take these two predictors to the mattress." Schmidt said before going over to pick up his gun. As he inspects it he looks up at Yang before adding. "And don't worry. You'll be first in line to get your licks before Lupara Bianca."
As Yang buttons herself she gives a fiery look as she cracks her knuckles. Remarking as the scene goes black. "You better."
Hours later in North Swamp
The scene opens up out on the Bayou where a set of five Small canoe like boats called pirogue. Inside were a group of rather unsavory Jewish and Asian individuals alongside our four protagonist. They headed north and like the twins promised these boats were rented to out to them under Schmidt's name. Taking them up the river they followed the directions left behind on the map the twins had left behind. Following it till they reached the swamps edge. Then navigating deeper in. Surrounded by foliage and the sound of buzzing nats, and cawing birds, Schmidt seemed to be eying up Yang. With concern as she seems hell bent on getting this over with. Feeling his eyes on her she broke the silence.
"Please stop staring at me. Eyes are not going to grow on the back of my head." Yang states as she paddles silently.
"Just worried for you is all." Schmidt said as he paddled along.
"Well don't. Ok." Yang said with frustration as she puts down the oar. "They did what they did… and I will get them for it. So just…. Let it go."
"I know but…" before Schmidt could finish. Yang accidentally snaps the oar in anger.
"But nothing." She cursed nearly shouting but kept it down due to the proximity of the two dozen mobsters. "Ok. They raped me. Used me like a piece of meat, threw me onto the street butt naked, and I'm pretty sure they stole my underwear, but hey let's just talk about it openly. I'm sure talking will solve all the problems."
Schmidt remained quiet. Hell he was wasn't sure how to go about this. He wasn't kidnapped and tortured by two predators. I mean he did had his mind fucked by the war but this was an entirely different wheelhouse he wasn't sure how to handle. All he could do now is back down before Yang explodes in Anger.
"You're right… I just…" Schmidt tried again but Yang once more shut it down.
"Just, feel sorry? No don't just… leave me be. Leave me to think of ways to make those predators pay." Yang Said with one last hmmth before they went silent. She takes out a spare paddle from the side and begin rowing.
Behind on another pirogue, Butch and Zehn Wang paddle silently. They overheard the argument but wasn't sure how to react. After drifting back a bit, Butch spoke to Zehn Wang. "Did you know about the meshuga arm of Ms. Long?"
"Shì de. I noticed that back in China town. But it's not my place to ask." Zehn Wang explains as she rows silently.
"… you just don't care do you." Butch asked in a deadpan tone.
Zehn Wang gives a shrug, remarking. "Perhaps… but now is not the time for idle talk."
"Fair. Just curious is al…" before Butch could finish. An arrow suddenly impaled the side of the boat. Quickly looking up. In the fog, there were a number of those Yellow cloaked swamp folks. Armed with makeshift bows and arrows. "Ambush!"
Arrows flew, as quickly as the mobsters get up, more arrow were sent. By the time they could mount a counter attack, three of the twenty mobsters were struck down by makeshift arrows. Schmidt pulling out a FN browning 1900 quickly blasting two swamp folks before loosing his balance after something knocked the pirogue over. Trying to get back up in the chest high water, an arrow near struck him as one of these nakedly ragged freak had him in his sights only for his head to explode from Double-O buck shot. Looking over Yang can be seen holding a sawed off, smoking from one barrel. Twisting it around she fired at another swamp folk as she holds onto the side of the pirogue. Out of shells she throws the double barrel at another with surprisingly lethal force.
"Shvimen you two! Shvimen!" Butch shouts from his and Zehn Wangs pirogue. Firing a shot from his rifle. Schmidt and Yang quickly swam as Arrow flew, whizzing by, barely missing them as the mobsters open fire on the ambushing party. They managed to pull themselves up onto the pirogue barely avoiding being scoured by makeshift arrows.
"Christ where are these freaks coming from!" Schmidt said with a huff as he barely avoided an arrow that pinned beside his head.
"They're coming out of the fog!" Zehn Famg said as she fired off a burst fire from her MP 18. "We need to get out of here!"
"Don't have to tell me twice!" Butch said as he hands Yang his rifle, taking an out he brings Paddling. Before Schmidt quickly joins him.
The remaining mobsters quickly took stock of their odds and begin to move between killing the swamp folks and paddling away. No matter how many they gunned down, more seemed to emerge from a fog that strangely appeared out of nowhere. Sadly a number of the Purple Gang and Tong's were cut down as they escaped leaving only twelve including the four. The Swamp folks moved quickly and unnaturally along the edges of the river. Forcing the criminals to switch between rowing and shooting, but as they move closer they soon spotted something ahead.
"There! I think I see it!" Zehn Wang shouted out as she pointed forward.
Through the brush was a small settlement of sorts. Closer they got, the more obvious that this was indeed the lost settlement that the twins had told them about. Covered in swamp foliage, barely holding on as the buildings were half sunken into the swamp. But no one was interested in the architectural marvel of the settlement or how it survived nearly four hundred years of neglect, storms, and other problems. They were more concerned by the incoming never ending waves swamp folks who scoured the edges. Rowing aboard the remaining mobsters quickly departed their pirogue.
"Monty Almighty just how in the hell we got through that?!" Yang said as she tried to dry her hair.
"No idea. But you two Meshuggeneh got lucky." Butch said as he looks over his men. "Lost five of my men."
"Yeah… add it to the reasons of why we need to put two in that Conductor's head." Schmidt said as he pulls his colt out. Racking the slide before remarking. "Come on. Let's find the bastard."
Reloading their mixture of shotguns, rifles and the odd machine gun they wandered into the forgotten colony. As they do. That ever present fog that had appeared around the river seemingly begins to manifest around the village. Slowly pushing forward. As they walked through they found signs of recent activity. A destroyed still, modern firearms, and blood splatters, though dried to the wooden ground, was far too recent for this hobble. Along with that there seemed to be an ever growing feeling of dread. As of being watched. Schmidt's Military instinct was flaring up, it felt like Fismette. Danger creeping around any corner. Yet despite every fiber of his being screaming of the trenches, he willed himself to remain cognitive. Crossing over a small bridge Yang spot in the distance, a large building. It looked rather grand in comparison to the other building, but at the same time burned as hell.
"There, I think that's the theater." Yang said as she begins to move toward it. Eager to handle this she didn't hear Schmidt calling for her to stop. Just as she crosses the street suddenly hands broke free from beneath the floating streets. Multiple sets of cold broken finger nailed hands of various sizes grabbed of her legs like serpents and nearly dragged her beneath the floating village.
"Yang!" Schmidt shouted as he dived forward to grab ahold of her arm. Thinking quickly he pulled his Trench knife from his sheath and begin slicing madly at the hands. "Get off her you ghouls!"
Yang didn't stood idle, struggling and kicking madly at the hands. Though not to a great affect as she is unable to throw any punches, but thanks to Schmidt she avoided being pulled under. As she was pulled to her feet away from the living landmine. The fog that seemingly followed had closed around them, and more of those feral swamp dwellers appeared. Screaming that strange Spanish like Language before charging at the group of mobsters on all sides.
"Shit! Everyone inside the theater!" Yang called out to everyone seeing the danger they were in.
The mobsters agreeing without a second thought took off running as makeshift arrows were shot at them. However as they run more hands shot out from under the floating wooden ground. Grabbing some unlucky mobsters and dragging them down, only their screams followed by blood and bubbles can be seen of those unlucky few who were dragged down. One Purple mobster was tripped by the humanoid like landmine, causing the charging hoard of freaks to dog pile on top and tear him from limb from screaming limb. Schmidt, and Yang quickly got to the entrance of the theater first. Turning around Schmidt using his pistol while Yang using her two wrist mounted shotguns to give some cover fire as the few scrambled inside. As Butch and Zehn Wang raced inside with three other mobsters who made it. Yang and Schmidt grabbed the side of the two large wooden doors and begin to pull it shut. Yang did so with better ease then Schmidt, who Butch and a Tong Boo how doy quickly came to his assistance. Barely able to slam the door shut as the hoard of crazy naked swamp people slammed into the doors like a wave of murderous fanatics. Leaving the seven surviving members with a new problem. Being locked inside a very dark place.
"(Huff, huff…) Does anyone have a light?" Zehn Fang asked in the pitch-black darkness.
"Yeah, (huff, huff) I got my lighter on me somewhere." Schmidt said as he pats himself down only for suddenly the seven to be blinded by light. As suddenly all the candles within the long-abandoned theater lit up.
As there eyes adjusted to the sudden Luminescence. They looked around in shock to find themselves not in some decaying old theater. Rather in some grand opera house of the most prestigious order. Fine tapestry like silk rugs, blended with well-crafted wooden flooring. Beautiful mahogany furniture and railings decorated the entrance of the opulent Opera house. Along with some of the greatest oil paintings of the 16th century. The group was in complete stunned silence as they went from a ruinous village to a beautiful theater before their eyes. Yet there was something off. Something wrong with the setting they find themselves in. Especially that weird carving above the door. Holding a symbol beside two beautiful yet grotesque looking animals that looked to be a cross between Horses and the flies that bite them. It looked like a question mark with three others attached. For some reason Yang sworn she had seen that symbol before, least she did last time she saw Jaune.
"Zhè dàodǐ shì shénme dìfāng." Zehn Fang mutters to herself as she looked around in shock.
"You can say that again." Butch mutters aloud. After a few minutes of silence did he add. "Just, what the hell is going on?"
"Swamp Gas." Schmidt said casually as he loads a fresh magazine into his gun.
"Swamp gas?!" Butch said as he turned to Schmidt. "Swamp gas didn't kill ten of my shtarker's!"
"This isn't the first time I've delt with bullshit like this." Schmidt said as he cocks his 1911. "Started when I met Ms. Xiao Long, no offense Yang, ("None taken") but I've taken to going with what ever life throws at me. Including this magical bullshit."
"When you met the meshugana der?! OY vey, just what the hell you dragged me and my shtarker into." Butch said with a mixture annoyance and agitation.
"The mesh-whatever the fuck that means, didn't asked to get involved in this bullshit!" Yang said feeling the eyes falling on her.
"Agreed. For once I agree with the Hùnxiě báichī." Zehn Wang said stepping before the two. "I've seen my fair share of Qíguài de. These two have seen more. But we need to focus at the task at hand."
Butch looks at her with some concern. Especially given how many he lost. He remained silent for a few moments before he opens his mouth. However as he opens his mouth, a strange melody can be heard. Coming from within the theaters stage hall. It was beautiful, seductive even. Yet they seem to invite a sense of unknowing dread at the same time.
"Lungo la riva si infrangono le onde delle nuvole I soli gemelli affondano dietro il lago Le ombre si allungano a Carcosa. Strano è il cielo dove sorgono stelle nere E strane lune volteggiano nei cieli Ma ancora più strana è la perduta Carcosa. Canzoni che le Iadi canteranno Dove sventolano i cenci del re Devono morire inascoltati nella cupa Carcosa! Canzone della mia anima, la mia voce è morta Muori tu non cantato come lacrime non versate Si asciugheranno e moriranno nella perduta Carcosa!" The mysterious voice sang from within the main room. Yang slowly begins moving towards it, drawn by the noise. Her hand was about to touch the door when Zehn Fang grabbed it. Confuse Zehn Fang pointed down, where a thick mist can be seen pushing out from under. Not sure what they will walk into, Zehn Fang points to the stairs where they could at least have the high ground advantage.
Heading up the stairs they can hear what sounds like Opera with wild commotion of laughter, crying, terror, and anger underneath a very loud musical orchestra of euphony and cacophony. They soon found an open booth that opened up on the left side of the stage. What they found was absolute bizarre. An empty theater with a thick fog that poured out of the orchestra pits, covering the seats. Sounds of music erupted despite nothing but charred rotting instruments poking barely out of the pit's mysterious fog. The seat though empty seem to echo with the voices of an Incorporeal Audience. As Yang and Schmidt walked out onto the Theater Box. The whole theater goes dark before a single stage light illuminated. Revealing a single actress or actor on stage. Wearing a yellow cloak with a pallid mask, the figure was difficult to identify, the voice was so mid-range no one could quite tell if it was a boy or a girl. The figure seemed to move silently as if interacting with others on stage.
Play Darkest Dungeon Butcher's Boulevard Music for added effect
"Lei, signore, dovrebbe smascherato." An invisible voice sang out, before the cloned figure sang back. "Infatti?"
Another female voice sang out "Infatti, è ora. Tutti abbiamo messo da parte il travestimento tranne te!"
The figure remains silent before looking up, almost pushing their neck out. Whispering the words in melody, "Non indosso alcuna maschera."
The music stops and their is a pause before suddenly the first from before shrikes in a musical tone, "Nessuna maschera? Nessuna maschera!"
Whatever the figure was singing was enchanting but no one was here for musicals. One of the mooks with a rifle takes aim at the figure and fires a 308 right at the lone actor. The figures head leans back but whoever it was behind that mask didn't collapse rather after a second after being hit, the figure leans up and reveals the Bullet only sticking in the mask by the tip. The figure flicks the bullet before singing in strange words, "Y' l' uln uh'eog mgleth uh'eog! llll ymg' orr'e ng aimgr'luh ot lloigehye, ahe fahff ahf' l' ah'gotha ymg' mgathg!"
As the figure sings, the one who shot fell to his knees. Screaming in agony as blood begins to pour out from every pore and hole in his body. Horrified, the rest quick turned their guns on the stranger but suddenly the entire theater burst into flames. The stunned mobsters struggled as the theater box nearly collapsed, sending two mobsters over into the fiery seatings bellow. Butch nearly fell in as well but was grabbed by Yang. She used her wrist mounted shotgun to fling herself and Butch onto the stage. Meanwhile Schmidt and Zehn Wang grabbed the sides and begin climbing over with the last unnamed mobster. In the Stage Yang turned to the figure and was about to charge when a sudden yellow long tendril appeared out of the stage floor, swiping Yang back who barely avoided being thrown into the fire. The tendril seemed to move erratically swiping at anything around. Even going for the three climbing to safety. Schmidt nearly was crushed but avoided a sudden death by diving onto the stage.
Pulling himself up he takes aim with his cult when suddenly a translucent figure appears. Looking almost human all be it extremely tall and deathly thin with lengthen fingers. A cloaked set of rags being the only visible feature and a mask made of some white material that gave a pallid oceanic look. The figure moved with the grace of a ballerina, swiping at Schmidt with its limbs, sending his pistol off the stage. It proceeded to give kick after kick from all angles. Sending Schmidt to the ground. It then tried to kick him off stage but Schmidt took the blow before thrusting his trench knife into the ankle of the ghostly figure. He felt a bit of resistance when he did but his knife seemingly pass though. The figure throws another kick intending on kicking when a copper hair pin impaled it. Zehn Fang had reached the stage with the other mobster and used a unique hair pin that she brought for just an occasion.
"Go! Kill the Dìyù zhǐhuī!" She shouted as she takes out another Copper hairpin.
Schmidt barely pulling himself to his feet, rushes over to Yang and Butch who were dodging the large ethereal cephalopod limb. Butch had difficulty avoiding the limbs due to his size, while Yang used the kick back from the shotgun mounted wrist gauntlets to dive around the large tendril. Yet despite their ability to avoid. The damn thing kept them away. As Schmidt rushed over the figure moved its hands and the music changed, not in tone our sound but in a way that caused all five to fall to their knees in pure agony. Bleeding from their pores as a sadden voice can be heard singing inside their heads. It was beautiful yet in a way very alien. No words could describe the sound it was for the human mind. Perhaps it is for the best as the last mook fell silent his eyes widen as a rapturous smile appeared on his face. His eyes dilating unevenly to one another before suddenly popping in a gooey gory mess. As the four remaining struggled to keep themselves from internally exploding, Schmidt looking up see's that tendril moving down on Yang. Pushing through the pain pushed Yang out of the way… at a cost. The Tendril smacked Schmidt. Hard Yang looked over to see Schmidt flying over her. Landing on the ground with a thud. He remained still as his body goes limp.
Yang goes quiet as she sees Schmidt complete still body. Her heart skipped a beat, mind blank, eyes wide… then from Lilac to red as her hair caught fire. She lets out a war like scream as she launches herself forward. The glowing tendrils tries to stop her but by either sheer will or that special power her shotguns used broke through. Snapping the alien like appendage in half. Crashing to the ground she didn't skip a beat and rushed for the figure only for more of those spiritual preforms to emerged. Dancing towards her. She threw multiple fiery shotgun fueled blasts at them, yet it seemed to pass through. They delivered multiple kicks and backhands to Yang, sending her flying back. Despite that damn music and pain of being beaten by ghostly figures, Yang stood back up and spat out blood from her mouth before rushing. The two figures leapt towards her ready to beat her down, when suddenly two copper hairpins stuck these figures. Yang in her rage didn't looked back but knew who threw them. Not sure why Copper worked well against them, but whatever the reason it stunned them long enough for Yang to pushed past and rushed El Conductor. The figure seemed to try and put everything into one last blast of that body destroying music, but before the syllable could even leave the lips of the masked figure Yang delivered a legendary right hook to the figures face.
The mask chipped and cracked, causing a sudden explosion of light that blinded everyone. When the light subsided and Butch and Zehn Fang eyes adjusted back to normal they found themselves back in the theater. No longer opulent but in complete decay. Whatever had happened when they entered seemingly averted back to normal. Though the bodies still remained. Speaking of which. As Yang got ahold of her senses she quickly turned and rushed over to Schmidt who lied still on the ground.
"Schmidt, Schmidt!" Yang called out as she gently pulled the bootlegger up. His body remained limp and his eyes shut. "Please, don't quit on me! Please…"
As Yang gently shakes Schmidt. Trying in vain to wake him, Zehn Fang and Butch took a moment to look around, serve the damage. "Oy gevalt… just what the hell happened."
"Not quite sure. Perhaps it was swamp gas as… he suggested." Zehn Fang said as she looks over at Schmidt. Still not moving as Yang holds him in her arms. "Something's… I think our beyond us. And best be left that way."
"Maybe… doesn't give me comfort… or explain why those fancy Tzatzkeleh hairpins did something to literal ghosts." Butch said pointing to the copper Hairpins. "Honestly, where you even get such a thing?"
"After my last encounter with… strange things. I started caring around items of spiritual meaning. Copper is used to ward off Liè jiǔ. So I was told. Seems it is true… for them." Zehn Fang explain before turning her head. She heard a faint rattle and she quickly ready herself, as did Butch who took aim with his side arm.
Emerging from the rubble was El Conductor. Yet something was different. As the broken plaid mask slides off, it reveals a little girl. Blond as Yang, with Bluish eyes. Her pale skin made her look like a porcelain doll. She looks around, frightened as if she has no recollection of what has happened or who stood before her.
"¿Q-Q-Quién eres? Donde esta padre? Donde estan todos?" She asked quivering in fear. Under the rags.
Butch looked to Zehn Fang who also gives a look. Both unsure what to do. They were here to kill this El Conductor. But a child? That seems a bit much even for hardened criminals. Least for these two. A shotgun blast rang out nearly hitting the girl who hid under the cloak like a child would with their bedsheets. Turning around they see Yang with tears of anger. She was about to shoot when Butch stopped her.
"Stop! Far der libe fun, she's just a little girl!" Butch said as he quickly got in the way, pushing Yangs Gauntlet aside before another shotgun blast came out.
"She killed Jacob!" Yang blurts out with tears streaming down her face. Looking down at Schmidt's broken body she whispers. "What am I going to tell Abigale."
As she looks down at Schmidt, Zehn Fang. does something uncharacteristic of herself and comforts Yang. Patting her shoulder. She gives a soft look rather than the usual stoic or discussed glair. She opens her mouth to give some kind of comfort however before she could utter a word, her first syllable was interrupted by a loud bang. The child that was El Conductor fell to the ground hard. Bleeding heavily as a slug like hole can be seen. Horrified the two mobsters turned to Yang thinking she just shot a child. But the look on Yangs face was just as shocked as the others. Looking down they see Yangs robotic arm firing mechanism was open. A hand grasped around it, activating the firing mechanism though a tug. It was Schmidt. He wasn't as dead as Yang and the other two thought, but he definitely was in agony by the looks of those bloodshot eyes. No not just in utter agony. But completely deranged with hatred and pain.
Forcing himself to his feet, legs mangled, torso cracked with unpleasant sounds, and blood spewing from his lips as he stood up. Yang could only utter a single word, "Jacob!" Before Schmidt tore off her robotic arm. Not destroying it, more so he learned from Jaune what that arm Yang had can do. Well with the exception of a few things, one being how to safely remove the arm. In his hand he staggers over to the little girl. Her eyes filled with fear as an intimidating no monsterous looking man stood over her. Her screams died as the end of Yangs robotic arm came crashing down across her face. Then another smack, followed by another, and another, and another, and another. Blood splattered the ruinous stage as the three looked on in shock as Schmidt continued beating in the child's face. As he beats her a cruel and sickening smirk appeared in his face as he hum's a toon.
"John Brown's body (Smack!) lies a-mouldering in the grave, (Smack!) John Brown's body (Smack!) lies a-mouldering in the grave, (Smack!) John Brown's body lies (Smack!) a-mouldering in the (Smack!) grave, But his soul (Smack!) goes marching on. (Smack!) Glory, glory, hallelujah, (Smack!) Glory, glory, hallelujah, (Smack!) Glory, glory, hallelujah, His (Smack!) soul goes marching on. (Smack!) John Brown died that (Smack!) the slaves might (Smack!) be free, John Brown (Smack!) died that the slaves might be (Smack!) free, John Brown (Smack!) died that the slaves might be free, But his soul (Smack!) goes marching on (Smack!)." Schmidt hummed as he kept slamming Yangs arm into the little girls face. Or what's left of it. It was unsettling for all. Even Yang who was only moments ago about to kill the kid. But that was a reactionary decision, but this, this was like watching a man snapping mentally after years of stress. Nobody wanted to stop him out of shock and fear.
After a full three minutes of watching, Yang finally gets up and walks over to Schmidt. He still is bashing in the pasty gory gooey remains of that child that was El Conductor. Yang reached out and grabbed the arm. Calmly saying. "Schmidt… that's enough."
Schmidt continued moving his hand up and down. As if he was smacking that bludgeon corpses body with an imaginary club. As he continues continuing to hmm and disjointedly sing as he repeats violently. As he does, Yang wraps her arm around him. Not sure what it would do, especially in this state. But it seems to work. His stokes slowed to a stop, his breathing became ragged but slow, and he stopped singing. Yang continued to hug him for a few moments before she heard a raspy voice.
"Kid… I'm fine… please… just in… a lot of pain." Schmidt whispers. Pulling back Yang could see his bloodshot eyes were… well still blood shot. However no longer had that craze look. He seems to have calmed down.
"Sure… just don't scare me again." Yang said with a cheeky yet undeniably disturbed tone. She can't ignore what Schmidt did… but she's just glad Schmidt is back to normal. Last time he lost control like this… well she wasn't sure if he would ever recover like last time. He held out a hand and Yang helped him up to his feet.
"Fine kid. Fine." Schmidt said as he leans against Yang for support. He can see the look on the two other mobsters faces and he simply respond. "We'll talk about this later. We did what we did… nothing else for now."
The two gave a look of objection but Schmidt and Yang didn't seem to care to answer as they walked past them. They just looked at him with astonishment as they had no words to describe what they had witnessed. However given everything today has thrown they were more than fine with waiting to talk. Butch gives one last look behind him, at the very bloody remains of the child, her face not show but the splatter of blood on the broken mask. He looks at her apologetically before following after the other three. Walking towards the lobby they made for the front doors with Yang taking the lead. She opens the door to come to an unexpected sight, the barrel of a B.A.R. The one holding it, was Nina Boutin beside her was her equally perverse sister Adelina. Before anyone could react Nina sent a burst of a 30.06 into Yang sending her flying back, dropping Schmidt. The last thing Schmidt and Yang heard before the bullets flew was the haunting greeting, "Bonjour Enchanteur."
Seeing the two go down, Zehn Fang and Butch quickly rushed over only to feel a hard swat to the back of their heads. Seems a few of the twins Zobop has snuck up behind them and got the jump on them. Both struggled as they were dragged out. Schmidt still battered struggled to get off his back. His eyes twisting about in his skull as he seethed with absolute rage. The sounds of artillery crashing in the back of his mind. Snarling he struggled to do anything as extra Zobops held him down and the pain stopped him.
"I'll fuckin kill you! You kraut bitches! I'll skin you from ears to toes with your damn pickelhaube!" Schmidt cursed as he fell back into his insane ramblings.
"Oh là là, dere it be! Dere's da mad eye, da craziness of a veteran, da bloodlust psychopath nous been waitin' for. " Nina said as she licks her lips. She puts down her B.A.R for a moment to… rub herself rather openly. "I done heard a whole lot 'bout your shell shock, thought I'd avoir un aperçu."
"Hmm, dat's right, sœur! You best forget dem awful pills. Dey ain't nothin' but trouble at a good fais do-do." Adelina said with an equally perverse smirk.
"You two are way beyond dead! You hear, beyond DEAD!" Schmidt said calming down a bit. Not that he wasn't ready to skin them alive, even when internally bleeding. But he knew Yang would spring up after playing possum. To place there asses where there faces be… inside out.
As if on cue Yang who was pretending to be dead opened her eyes, burning red as she threw a punch at one of the Zobop, sending a large section of his guts over the wall in a fiery circle of buckshot. She flipped onto her feet and rushed the two fire in her eyes, and all the hatred one could muster. She was practically breathing fire when she threw her first punch at Nina face. However stopped abruptly mere inches from her face. Not even flinching she grinned that insidious toothy grin. Yang could not move closer, despite wanting to beat this bitches face in. That's when she found to her horror her entire body was frozen in place. As she looked around trying to figure out why, her perverted sister spoke as she walks in view.
"Aw, aw, aw. Temper Temper little Dragon. Like the good book say, don't be hasty, don't let that fire rise too fast in ya heart, 'cause only a fool let it settle there." Adelina says as she walks behind her sister. Playing with something in hand, Suddenly Yang feels something agonizing. In her chest. Her body almost forced fell to her knees as she got a chance to look at what's in her hand. It was a strange doll, looking a lot like Yang with a crude yellow painted twig on the missing right arm. On it was the symbol of that they carved into her chest, and it seems to be bleeding just like her own chest was now.
As Adelina played with the doll, whatever she does with it, Yang mimics it, Butch spoke up. "What the hell are you two. What you want with us?!"
"Oh Monsier, y'all already know who we be, tu es petit kike worshiper. But what we want, it's somethin' real simple." Adelina said uncaringly, as she focused on tormenting Yang some more with the doll. As she does one of the Zobop came out of the theater holding that Palid mask. The two turned and begin admiring it with great interest.
"Gweilo whores! You wanted the mask didn't you!" Zehn Fang shouts as she struggles to break free from the grip of the two.
"Give dat gook a pig, she be close enough… close. We wanted de Mask of de Unspeakable, but we had some other les idées flottent' 'round." Adelina said with a shrug as she inspects the mask whipping a bit of brain and blood off with her thumb before licking it.
"We was itchin' to meet dat étrangère, eh. An' de guide dat's s'posed to keep an eye on her. I gotta say, we done got lucky when we called out dem whispers 'bout dis lil' shack. Dem moonshiners took le appât an' stirred up de maudit folks. Good thing y'all jumped at de chance." Nina continued explaining, crackling a bit at the end.
"Yes quite fucking amusing. What's next now that you have us? You're going to kill us?" Schmidt said spitting out the blood from his lip.
"Kill? Oh cher, you way too fascinatin'. Like da Dragon, we see big tings comin' for ya, that's for sure!" Nina said as she approaches Schmidt kneeling down to his height with her sister joining her. "We wish to simply… capitalize on your unique role."
"Mais chére, we be needin' some… assurances, ya know!" Adelina said before ripping open Schmidt's Shirt, revealing his bare chest. The two girls begin eyeing up his chest with a perverse glair that they gave Yang. Not willing to give them any satisfaction, he tried to pull out of the grasp of the three Zobops, but he could only squirm. Adelina then further commented, "Laissez les bons temps rouler, Monsier Schmidt. C'est bien vexant to have our fun, but ya know, we got our own clock to follow, cher."
"Well, sœur. Maybe a lil' joie de vivre?" Nina said as she takes Schmidt's iconic Brass Knuckle trench knife from him. Playing with the blade some before she puts it to her nose to smell the blade. Taking a deep wiff before commenting. "Hmmm, All-Mother, stirrin' in some Auld Glaikit blood. That's a true Enchanteur. Jette-le dans le pot a bit more, and that Blade might just be a gem for our hoard!"
"Dat real good, sœur, but for now… she needin' some sang humain. So let's give her un verre." Adelina said as she takes the blade and wraps her cold fingers around the grip.
Schmidt struggles as the two girls prepared to carve his flesh. He could only look over at Yang. Still bound by some unforeseen means looking on in horror as she had been the victim of a similar assault. Before they begin Schmidt could only say before they started to Yang, "Close your eyes kid… everything will be fine."
Yang does as Schmidt instructed. Closing her eyes as the scene goes black. The last thing the audience as well as Yang hears. Is the familiar wet carving of flesh, and Schmidt's screams of pain.
Play: "Black Swamp Village" by The Speakeasies Swing Band
The scene opens up back inside the theater. There a strange Palid masked figure emerges on the ruinous stage. He seems to stop, slowly picking up the Palid mask from the ground. Still stained with blood of a child. As the figure looks it over. The earlier creepy music begins to pick up as shadows begin flickering in the background begin to sing.
I went to the black swamp village. Where strange people live. I saw a scrawny drunk old man. Who gave me a flask to drink. He started speaking unusual. Sounded kind of scared. He said listen to me carefully 'cause. I'll tell you something I never tell.
Soon more of those shadows begin to appear, dancing around in the corners of the strangers eye. The darkness begins to become more evident as these shadows approach the figure. Getting closer and closer.
I went to the cemetery. Where lies my dead wife. And believe me the graves were opened. And skulls and bones raised! They said hey ho (HEY HO)! They said hey hey ho (HEY HEY HO)! They said hey hey hey hey!
As they got closer the stranger found himself completely surrounded by the shadows. As it became clear that they were closing in, moaning in a ghoulish "Hey, Hey, Ho" the figure looks down at the Palid mask before placing it on.
They were raised from the dead! Swinging their bones outta hell...
After a moment the mask was on, the figure opens their eyes. Finding themselves no longer in a ruinous theater. Rather a stunning and beautiful stage. Surrounded by elegantly dressed people in what could be described as a masquerade. The only consist theme being that everyone was in yellow. Just as the figure turns around they saw the only two who were not in Yellow but a royal purple, wearing skull mask they pushed the figure down.
I hear hey ho (HEY HO)! I hear hey hey ho (HEY HEY HO)!I hear hey hey hey! They were raised from the dead! Swinging their bones outta hell! I tried to run I tried to hide! They re comin' after me! They grabbed my arms! They grabbed my feet! You're goin' nowhere until you sing!
As the figure falls back, they were grabbed by the guests who pulled him to a dance like frenzy. As he dance with a new partner the figures mask oddly resembles Yangs face, all be it in a white Melpomene style of mask. As the figure dances with the stranger words appeared on the side that read as the following.
(Alice Terry as Yang Xia Long)
Hey ho (HEY HO) I hear hey hey ho (HEY HEY HO) I hear hey hey hey! As loud as i could! But they wouldn't let me go!
The figure was pulled by another dance partner. This one wearing a mask resembling Butch in a white Thalia style. Dancing violently as the mob of crazed dancers watch on. As they dance words appeared to the side reading as;
(Borris Karloff as Davis "Butch" McCollin)
I left that old peculiar man! And his creepy yarn! I walked down the gravel road! And I heard voices from the misty black swamp!
Hey ho (HEY HO)! I hear hey hey ho (HEY HEY HO)! I hear hey hey hey! Whatever I hear! I get the hell away from here.
Another dancer the. Grabs the stranger, this time dancing before the two in purple who are seen conducting the music. This new dancer like the one Yang masked dancer, except with a white Melpomene of Schmidt instead. As they danced words appeared on the side reading as followed;
(Buster Keaton as Jacob Schmidt)
I hear Hey ho (HEY HO)! I hear Hey ho (HEY HO)! I hear Whoa whoa (WHOA WHOA)! I hear Whoa whoa (WHOA WHOA)! I hear Whoa whoa (WHOA WHOA)! I hear Whow whow (WHOW WHOW)! I hear Hey ho (HEY HO)! I hear Whoa whoa (WHOA WHOA)! I hear Whoooooo (WHOOOOOOO)! I hear roar! (ROAR)! I hear Roar, roar roar! (ROAR ROR ROAR)! I hear Rooooaaaarrrrrr-O-Whoa! (ROOOOAAAARRRRRRR-O-WHOA!)
The figure breaks free only to be grabbed by a fourth dancer. Pulling him close as they dance madly in the center of the wild mob of yellow dressed sycophants. In a white Thalia style mask that resembles Zehn Fang. The words appeared beside them reading as follows;
(Ann May Wong as Su Zehn Fang)
Hey ho (HEY HO)! I hear hey hey ho (HEY HEY HO)! I hear hey hey hey! Whatever I hear! I get the hell away from here.
Pulling away from the fourth dancer, the figure goes to rip off the mask before a fifth one could, however found much to their shock and horror that the mask would not come off. He silently screams as he tugs and tugs and tugs painfully till eventually he rips it off with a sickening fleshy slapping noise. As the mask comes off, so do the hallucination. Leaving the figure alone in the long abandoned theater. Taking a sigh of relief he turns around on to be greeted by the two in purple only to be shot dead. The view pulls on the blood covered mask as the song comes to an end, fading to dark
Hey ho (HEY HO)! I hear hey hey ho (HEY HEY HO)! I hear hey hey hey! Whatever I hear! I get the hell away from here!
The scene opens up back on stage. The Boutin twins from before are seen packing there things. The place, was completely wrecked from what could only be described as a raging party. But not the kind one could recover from. As they do, Adelina turns to the camera.
"Well, bonjour y'all, looks like our time's all done, ain't that a shame? We was just gettin' started havin' a good time... but I reckon all good things gotta dois conclure at some point. We kindly brought back the Dragon to her Papi after a night nous tous won't soon forget, they settled their business avec eux les gens des marais, our crazy bootlegger slidin' deeper into the madness, just a smidge, and by the finish, every party got their wish. The family's problems outta their hair, and us... well, shh, no spoilies!" Adelina said as she picks up a fuel tanks, dousing the set with gasoline. As she does her sister who is also dousing the place took over.
"Mais, I reckon we can have one last fais do-do!" Nina said as she tosses the canister aside. She begins shuffling some tarot cards she had on her deck. "Them outlanders ain't the first, ya know? If ya ain't been blind to the signs they left hangin' around. But guess what? There's more recent folks who popped up on this ol' dull rock and water. Made fo' a real hoot, mais pas plus for them who savvy. So, the question is... how we gonna spin these tale, eh?"
Pulling out a deck of Tarot, Nina shuffled the cards before placing down four sets of three cards. She begins with the first set, revealing a rather Augustan in appearance. "Longum Cornu Autumni: Da Tower, Reverse Empress, an' Five of Wands, cher. Da end o' an era be comin' round the Empire. Les vieilles beliefs be fightin' as da word of de Nazarenes take root in da empire, but a force lookin' to stir up old feuds be risin'. Only when légionnaires of different faiths set aside dey différences may dey live to tell da tale."
Her sister then sits beside her and flip the next three cards that seem 12th century Gothic art, once shown she explains. "The Rats Within: Six o' swords, upside down Moon, Strength. Lookin' for work now that them fights on the mainland are finished. A bande de guerriers finds jobs with dem fowl and dark, secret Comte et Comtesse folks. What's hidin' deep down in dat ol' site where them ancient stones stand ain't just needin' a strong esprit, but also bravoure to face da dark and them à deux pattes rats scratchin' 'round."
Nina follows her sister and flips the next set, revealing a Rococo style of decor. With the reveal she begins describing the tale. "Oaths and Bloodlines: The Chariot, Reversed Death, an' Justice, Cher. Big changes comin' to France, A revolution folks only dreamed of happening 'bout in this new world. But while them Mass's of paysan and paysanne be swearin' to fix up their kingdom, an ancient evil be lurkin' 'round the Palace floors. One that ain't never known nothin' but death for siècles. An' them what need to know their place gonna learn who to be afraid of!
Lastly Adelina flips the last set of cards. This one having a Western Luminism impression of the frontiers. As she flips the cards the last one proved… rather distasteful for those who know. "The Shadow over the Seirra Madre: 10 of swords, Upside down 6 of Cups, …The Devil. Oh la la, dat guilt's heavy like a sack o' stones! Ain't no shame askin' for help, cher. But when the devil come knockin', ya better drop dat pride, or maybe even your consciente, and reach out to folks when you have no cards left. Unbeknownst to tous, or perhaps knowingly ils might be layin' your own troubles on 'em too."
"Hmm... I be thinkin' if they gonna get what it means. We's more like a mystérieuse than our host." Nina said before recalling. "Talkin' 'bout it, let's tackle dem spicy questions 'fore we set dis place en feu!"
"Oh sœur, dat's real nice! Dis time, I take care of da sweet talk." Adelina said before pulling some oiled soaked question cards.
From Blackwing8: I ain't callin' it no trip, chére. But, là, you seen it. An' we surely had a good old time. Not too sure if Schmidt or Yang gon' feel it, though. But don't you fret… I know we'll have jus' as much fun with her sister, dat's for sure.
Thanks for writing Blackwing8.
From Naedinefebruary2.0: "Oh, chére… could ya hold yer horses an' wait for us in da next room, pretty please." Adelina said before leading you into the room full of Alligators. Slamming it shut and locking a few dozen locks
Thanks for writing Naedinefebruary2.0.
From Enigma42: Hmm, well now. Our lil' joint would get shut tighter than a crawfish pot… if them cops could even sniff it out. It's always bouncin' around, ya know? Swappin' names like a gumbo mix. Maybe you done heard one, but ain't even realized it. When the Host stumbled on our spot, it was down in New Orleans. He said it called him like a sweet melody. I reckon at the time we was goin' by La Maison du Soleil Levant, The House of the Rising Sun… and lordy, it was the downfall of many a poor boy. Who knows, you might end up bein' one.
Hmm, non, but I'll dig deeper later, cher. Maybe for some good ol' inspiration.
Sacrifice, garçon, we just wanna enjoy what de cat or dat glace quiet one couldn't or didn't do to de Sunny Dragon an we did, cher.
Aww, well Monsier Enigma42, y'know them big ol' companies ain't really popped up 'til the fifties, right? But, the closest thing you gonna see be comin' in an arc set in 1931, titled "A Bug in the Machine." Got a Mineral and oil company in Detroit in the mix, an' your OC too! Now I ain't sure when dat gonna drop, we in 1926 right now, so it might take some time, mais c'est la vie. So many fears he can play with, so many angles à tordre. Could take a while, but trust me... I seen his notes! You'll be scared at first, but you'll be dancin' avec joie when the Purple Gang rolls in!
Thanks for writing Enigma42.
From Dustiniz117: Well, cher, dat was a lil' hint 'bout what we be doin'. Fun tidbit, de first strap-on come from ancient Egypt, and let me tell ya, de practice just kept on goin'... We got dem rubber ones even in the twenties, but me an' ma soeur? We stick to de wooden kind. Real stiff like mahogany, y'know!
Ah chouette, we been seein' plenty of tries on FF an' DeviantArt, cher… after some real head scratchin' moments, the host done called it a 'when I reach out' kinda deal. From here on out, any extension from the Artist gonna get the ol' heave-ho or just plain ol' ghosted. But dat's on DeviantArt. Here, we toss 'em to the gators, like dat one up yonder.
Thanks for writing Dustiniz117.
From Crimson Weresloth: Heh, Pourquoi commencer yé maintenant, chére? It's too much fun to quit.
Thanks for writing Crimson Weresloth.
"Well, dat's how it is... for now." Adelina said before throwing the cards down. Standing up, her sister is seen finishing dousing the stage. "I reckon it's time we be makin' our exit. Our host done got… a lil' too cozy. Closer than we prefer."
"Yea, some tings best left in de shadows for a while, mais don' worry, he gon' be back… quando dis place get fixed up nice, cher." Nina said as she pulls a cigarette from her wild hair. Lighting it before taking a puff. As she lets it out, she hands it to her sister before continuing. "Until he gets back on his feet, y'all do Fav and Fol, ya hear? He gon' need all y'all's support, for sure! Cast yer vote for the prequel story ya wanna see first, and don't forget to leave a good ol' long comment so he can clear things up. If he ain't too tongue-tied, that is!"
"Heh, afta all dat smoochin' he done, I'm shocked dat boy still got lips, cher!" Adelina said with a smug smirk as she takes a drag. "Mais jusqu'à la prochaine fois… Jusqu'à la prochaine fois, des étranges." The last thing one sees is her dropping the cigarette, causing the entire studio to burst into flames.
A few days later, back in Tampa Bay Don Trafficante estate.
The scene reopens up back in Tampa. Exactly back at the Wedding Venue. At the start of this maddening adventure. Since the attack on that lost colony in the swamp, the whole town has gone silent. No more small skirmishes, or even unexplained assaults. Seems whatever they did worked and both Don Trafficante and Jefe Lopez were more then over the moon. That said the question of why these people were attacking their organization or how in so many would remain an unanswered question. A blood footnote in history. As for the four in question. They made it out of the swamp. The few bodies they brought back were given an all expenses funeral proceedings. Those whose bodies could not be retrieved… sadly their mothers will be forced to attend an empty casket funeral. As a reward, both Don and Jeff personally requested that Schmidt and Yang sits at the front beside them during the wedding. When the wedding ends they will personally organize transport of Carabian rum to be send up river. Along with that some diversions of goods to Detroit and New York as well. However despite successfully ending the attacks, the four did not get off completely Scott free. As the scene pulls in on Schmidt can show, he was bleeding, profusely. That mark the twins had carved into his chest would bleed every few times every once in awhile with a burning sensation. Didn't help that the fight had cracked multiple ribs if not every bone in his body. Was a miracle he didn't had severe internal bleeding. The same goes for Yang but thanks to her aura it doesn't seem to be painful. Physically, mentally she's still going through that. Butch seemed to have taken the lost of his men rather hard, and can be seen swigging from his flask one to many times. Only one who seems fine was Su Zehn Fang.
As the wedding commences, no interruptions interrupted the proceedings the two kissed and there was an abruption of cheers and applause. Even Schmidt took a moment to remove his hand from under his shirt to applaud before quickly placing the cloth in his hand back under his shirt before the blood seeped through his shirt. The wedding commence with dinner and shortly after a dance. Drinks flowed. The food top notch. And the music that got the attendees to relax for a moment.
As the people danced, Schmidt can be seen sitting at the table with Yang. Eating a cod cooked Greek style, while sipping from a large glass of whiskey. He struggled to lean forward as the pain from what they did still linger. As he struggled to bite down, a figure slinks over. With a familiar voice speaking to the two.
"Surprise you still have an apatite. Thought the pain would keep you in bed." Zehn Fang said as she takes a sit at the table.
"Maybe… but I'd can't keep letting the kid show me up every damn time." Schmidt said gesturing to Yang. She rolls her eyes but then become more concerned as Schmidt let out a painful cough. Holding his back as he tries to pull himself up. "Besides (cough, cough) I've served with men who've had bigger appetites after loosing their jaws. Hate to disappoint them."
"Well, if you can eat through the pain then what about a dance?" Zehn Fang suggested as a slower paced song begins.
"Heh, maybe. Not sure if I'd…" before Schmidt could finish he get a hand on his shoulder. It was Yang.
"Go on old man. After this shitty weekend. Maybe have some fun. Even if your dance partner is a bitch." Yang said earning an uncharacteristic friendly bird flip from Zehn Fang. The two let out a small chuckle before Yang in a serious tone said. "Seriously. Go on. You've worried to much this weekend."
Schmidt lets out a lighthearted sigh before slowly getting his feet. He stumbles a bit before making his way to the Tong assassin. She assisted him to the dance floor where they slowed danced to Dream a little Dream of me. Yang smiles as she watches the man who cared for her dancing with a lady she'd hates. On any other day this might seem strange, but then again not everyday is a wedding for two crime families. She's just glad Schmidt isn't the type to settle down. Not with her and Abigale around. Would complicate things, even more so then what they are now. As she leans back, in the corner of her eye she noticed the napkin that Schmidt used to staunch the bleeding. Flipping it over she can see the symbol those two had carved into them. What those two did… burned deep in her mind. She has nightmares of what they have done. And no doubt she'll continue to have nightmares. As she crunches the napkin. She made a silent promise to kill them. Not just two in the head, but to make sure they die as her boss would put it 'Morte Lenta E Dolorosa'. As she made that promise to herself the scene cuts to a train leaving Tampa for places unknown.
Inside a single car had been decorated with various voodoo artifacts. The twins can be seen walking to a cabinet with the mask in hand. Opening it, one could find multiple artifacts of antiquity and lunacy. Just owning one of these items would leave those who possessed it on darker trail. Settling the mask right beside what looks like an idle that resembles a dragon squid being, a vial of Milky yellowish white substance, a bronze Brazier holding a green flame, an orb of multicolored glows with at the center looks to be looking at a void where only a few people and items are seen floting, and a skull that looks like snakes though as big if not larger then a wolf's. As they look over the dark artifacts, a figure emerged from the shadows behind them. Looking rather dapper, with a suit made of purple and top hat with a skull. The two didn't even flinch, rather they got on the knees and seem to worship the unknown figure dark figure. Offering it a rather large Cuban. As they do, the view pulls to the cabinet where the fetish doll of Yang can be seen. Right beside a recent forged fetish doll of Schmidt. The symbol on the chest, bleeding as the scene goes black.
The Imperial Russian Ballet, Saint Petersburg, 1909
The scene then opens up in pre revolution Russia. Inside the Imperial Russian Ballet Theater. In the heart of the Russian empire, ballet was a matter of national pride. Expressing through movement and elegance with a grace years of righteous training could only form. Yet as the coldness of a Russian winter howls in the night, something was rather off. Screams, though faint can be heard deep within the theater.
Cutting to inside it seemed a small set of dancers, stage hands, prop designers and the odd janitor were running around in a fit of panic. Something was in the building with them. Buzzing a deafening buzzing noise almost like a wasp but bigger and to… unearthly. Whatever that thing is, it carried around a strange fungus looking weapon, unleashing clouds of spores that caused instant paralysis. One by one twenty eight victims were dragged backstage. The director was on his knees. Quivering and shaking as his body slowly coming down from that strange fungus.
"YA-ya-ya-ya ne... ne ponimayu." (I-I-I-I don't... dont understand.) He pleaded in a shaking voice to the strange buzzing.
There was a cute off by screaming and what sounded like an electric buzz saw coming from behind the curtain. One of the female ballerinas was pulled back stage. Screaming raspy and struggling to move as the unknown force dragged her behind the curtain. The buzzing sound loudens almost as if demanding a question from the director.
"P-p-p-pozhaluysta, prekratite! YA ne znayu, o chem ty govorish'! YA-ya-klyanus'!" (P-P-P-Please stop! I don't know what you're talking about! I-I-I swear!) he pleads once more with tears streaming down his face. As he does more screams followed by that buzzing saw noise can be heard behind stage curtain. Another dancer was grabbed and was about to be dragged off when the director shouted in a hoarse tone: "Ostanavlivat'sya! D-D-prosto ostanovis'! Pochemu vy dumayete, chto ya privel vas, chertey, v eto svyatilishche elegantnosti!" (Stop! J-J-J-Just stop! What makes you think I brought you devils to this sanctum of elegance!)
Then something dropped at his feet. It was a strange metallic disk, inscribed with complex mathematical equations that had multiple unknown symbols it might as well be a different language all together. The buzzing noise points to it and the director speaks up.
"YA-ya-ya-ya ponyatiya ne imeyu, chto eto?! I kak ono popalo na kryshu! YA d-d-d-ne zval tebya!" (I-I-I-I-I-I have no idea what this is?! Or how it got on t-t-t-the roof! I d-d-d-d-didn't summon you!) he pleads as the poor dancer was taken away behind the stage. Just as she disappears a voice from off stage calls out.
"YA sdelal." (I did) A voice booms from the entrance door. The unknown entity turned, the the director struggling to turn his head to see who it was. The figure was obscured by the darkness but what could be seen is that it's a rather tall figure sleek and lengthy. Giving off an intimidating slender vibe with two female figures holding onto him as he walked towards the stage, undisturbed by the entities. "YA proshu proshcheniya za opozdaniye. Menya vyzval v Zimniy dvorets tsar'. Pros'ba, kotoruyu ya ne mog ignorirovat'." (I do apologize for being late. I had been summoned to the Winter Palace by the Tsar. A request I could not ignore.)
The buzzing got louder, as multiple strange metallic cylinders and fungus shaped guns pointed down at the man, almost as a threat to stop the man from coming closer. However he seemed undeterred by the threat. "Pozhaluysta, ne nado voyennykh deystviy. ya prosto khochu predlozhit', kak vy vosprinimayete... korporatsiyu. Da. Korporativnyy eksperiment." (Please, no need for hostilities. I simply wish to offer how you perceive... corporation. Yes. A corporation experiment.)
The entities lowered their weapons and a buzzing sound that seems to be in a form of a question asked as the man slowly walks on stage. He responds with a chuckle as he leave behind the two girls who held him deeply. "Kto ya? Heh, heh. Menya nazyvayut po-raznomu. no ty mozhesh' nazyvat' menya ottsom. Otets Grigoriy Yefimovich Rasputin." (Who am I? Heh, heh. They call me many name. but you may call me Father. Father Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin )
The Mad Monk now standing tall over the few remaining hostages look up with a mad glair and wide toothy grin. "YA videl, chto vy sdelali nad Podkamennoy Tunguskoy. I ya dumayu, vas mozhet zainteresovat' to, chto ya predlagayu. Vidite li, ya natknulsya na dovol'no interesnuyu notku iz dal'nikh ugolkov Finlyandii. Tot, kto khodit, dukhovit muzyku. Sdelano sposobnym dlya nas, lyudey, igrat'. YA uveren, chto vy mozhete predskazat', k kakim rezul'tatam privedet etot malen'kiy eksperiment, da?" (I saw what you did over Podkamennaya Tunguska. And I think you may be interested in what I have to offer. See I've come across a rather interesting sheet of music from the far corners of Finland. The one that walks on winds music. Made capable for us humans to play. I'm sure you can predict what kind of outcomes this little experiment would result in, yes?)
There was silence before one of the things moved down from the curtains. Crawling with multiple limbs the entity appeared in full view. It was horrible looking critter. It was the size of a cow, with a body of a wasp, limbs of a crab, multiple fungus that grows over its limb. And its head was a large brain. It moved with an unatural grace. Slowly making its way till its pincers touched down on the wooden floor. Giving off a creeping noise as it stood taller then Rasputin. The hostages flinch in a stiff and jagged manner. Not even wanting to lay eyes on the thing as it looked at the mad monk, twitching its head around to examine the man. After a few moments it spoke surprisingly good Russian all be it with a buzzing overtone.
"BBBBBBBZZZZZZZ-Rasskazhite nam bol'she. Muzhchinu zovut Rasputin-BBBBBBBZZZZZZZ." (BBBBBBBZZZZZZZ-Tell us more. Man called Rasputin-BBBBBBBZZZZZZZ.) The thing said with interest or what sounds like interest. Not many humans can call down them, whoever this human thinks he is may have some merit to them.
Smiling even wider he held out his hands like he was going to be crucified. Saying with a sickening voice just before the scene cuts to black. "Sradost'yu moya zvezda porodila druga, s radost'yu." (Gladly my Star Spawned friend, gladly!)
Play Ra Ra Ra Rasputin by Boney M.
The scene then reopens with a comic fall in place. The cover art was in a Socialist Realism style, almost like a propaganda poster. At the top and most of the right corner, casting a shadow over Ren, Olof, and a man dressed in uniform was Rasputin. As he points two of those fungus hornet crabs are seen flying towards the three with three abominations of man and machine that looked like male tantsor. To the side were only three-character bubbles and the title above reading as:
RWBY NOIR
Five Years Red
Staring: Lie Ren: The Boy who's seen to much!
Olof Larsson: The unfortunate Swedish Sailor
Bogdan Sergeyevich: A true Comrade