fight vs nestis (defeat)

Nestis tilts her head for a few moments, studying Catherine. Eventually, though, she shrugs and nods.

"Nestis. And you a-"

Pause. Turn. Squiiiiint.

Her head cranes well away, and the alchemist stares off at Ambrose for a long, long while. Nestis' brow furrows noticeably, and eventually, she speaks again.

"You. I never did catch your name, I think."

Her tone is neutral, though the air about the alchemist got noticeably worse, as if she had opened a vial of acid.

"What might it be?"
(Nestis)

At his studious gaze, there were nothing more than a moderately dressed commoner girl, with a pair of shades on! She had a torchlight attached to either side of her rucksack, hanging there in rank with another jar of fireflies!

"Catherine! Nice to meet you!"

They lean, slightly, their head of strawberry blond looking over to Ambrose; a hand raised, waving with a smile-- Which slowly fades as they seem to be less than friendly to one another.
(Catherine Bouchard)

"Hmmmm?"

Ambrose strides with a walk full of confidence and grace alike, an apparent change to his demeanor and appearance alike- at least, to the likes of Nestis that has seen him before.

Still..

"Ah. It's you."

But it doesn't seem like it bothers him much. There's a smile- some could say even taunting one, but in this case..

It's just smug.

"It's Ambrose."

"Nice to meet you, yes?"

Only then he notices Catherine's presence. He gives her a wave.
(Ambrose Roche)

Catherine Bouchard picks up Poppylus.

There was a tenseness to the alchemist, one that had not been there before. Their right hand balls into a fist, her eyes remain narrowed, and fix on Ambrose. Nestis remains silent for a brief while, bringing a hand up to their waist, then gripping it with the other.

Finally, she speaks up again.

"Tell me. What was your reason for interfering? That fight was none of your business - you're plainly not one of the Vanirs, nor do you seem to be one to care for the lives of those two."

Their fist unclenches, then clenches again. By now, the agitation in her posture had seeped into her voice as well, along with a radiation of something that might well discomfort Catherine.

Ambrose wouldnt' be affected, though. They both used the same magic - he'd know what it was.

"That stunt of yours cost me a subject, one I must replace somehow."

And judging by the absolutely vicious glare, Nestis was about ten seconds away from using Ambrose as a replacement - or attempting to, at least.
(Nestis)

Catherine's jaw went tight. First it were that encounter with Anarchy that she had to intervene for the sake of a captured boy, and an all too similar incident looked like it might present itself between the younger boy and the woman.

"Hey, um. Please don't fight! I know you two might've had a bad start, but that's no reason to get violent! I'll even give you some of my crystals, Nestis! How's that sound?"

A nervous smile from the pacifist; the venom which seethes within the air causing her to squirm in her own skin, slightly.
(Catherine Bouchard)

Still sour about it?

Ambrose already forgot about the encounter, and didn't really care. But as evident by the reaction that Nestis gave out, it was really not the case for both of them..

And it made him smile.
Smile so much.

"Ahaha!"

"Wow. I don't remember the last time someone got so pent up at something I've done. That must've been something really special to you, hm?"

There's a pause, and his gaze fully turns towards Nestis.

"You're right. I didn't do that for them. Quite frankly, I don't even know them."

"But is it too farfetched to say that I simply wanted to.."

"Taste you?"

She ought to remember what it was. The sapping of her strength, the swirling shadows that collected something from her- a part of her to join the amalgamation.

Much like the rest joined it.

"You looked exciting. Strong, even!"

"So I wasn't going to just let you go like that. After all... what kind of a collector it makes me to simply let you walk away?"

AS for the subjects.. he only shrugs.

"Oh, well."

"I guess you'll need to find someone else, huh?"
(Ambrose Roche)

Catherine's voice makes them glance back, but the only word that is directed at her is plainly not what she'd be hoping for.

"Insufficient."

Her eyes flick back to Ambrose. Nestis forced out a breath, then took in another.

'Sour' was, indeed, a good way to describe her.

"You wouldn't be the first one I'd fought purely because they sought battle - yet Ka-" She paused, tilting her head a touch. "That one didn't cost me progress. You did."

They paused, and for the last time, took a brief moment to deliberate.

Evidently, it didn't take long for Nestis to come to a decision. Her hand went to the staff, pulling it off their back.

"I suppose I will have to make do."
(Nestis)

Their shades are pulled from their visage! They looked alarmed, panicked eyes at the face of impending violence, something they absolutely hated. Their lips went as tight as their teeth pressed against one another, shaking her head. Crystals wouldn't be enough, apparently.

They found themselves limited on options. Deep down, they knew they'd be insufficient in preventing a fight. Catherine weren't strong, and she understood that more than most. So her next words, were more out of desperation to keep another child from bleeding.

"If you don't fight him, I'll go with you! You said you need a subject, right? Then you don't have to stain your hands!"

"I'll even go willingly!"

Albeit, their hand did fix on the bottom portion of their hand. If even that offer were to be declined, they would get involved; as insufficient as they may be.
(Catherine Bouchard)

A thrill.

Is it wrong to say that this was an incredible thrill to him? That not only he found the concept of facing another in such a battle something incredibly enamoring, but also something he was constantly looking forward to?

It's tiresome to play nice, to wear masks..
So, so very tiresome.

In these rare moments that he could allow himself to show this true nature of his, his eyes could almost sparkle with excitement. A smile that lingered on his face was rather clear indicator of that..

"Oh, my..."

"So eager. Did the last time teach you nothing about what it means to face me?"

She may have been weakened some, but it didn't seem as if she could take the upper hand... even back then, regardless of such fact. Something about Ambrose darkens.

Something wicked- an amalgamation, of thoughts, of feelings and minds, a lingering consciousness..

Dozenvoices.
Buzzing in unison.

"--Hush. I was looking forward to this." There's an off comment to Catherine. Her attempts to stop this would be futile.

If only because both of them want it. And instead..

"Come here, then."

"Nestis."
(Ambrose Roche)

{RP BATTLE} You have LOST round 1!

The staff's tip was pointed forth, the crystal aimed at Ambrose's head. Nestis' form shot to life with green and yellow and red, venom seeping out from the staff and through her skin.

"Oh, it did - but times do change, as do people with them. I won't fall so easily now, Ambrose."

Had it been anyone else, any other time, they might've taken Catherine up on her offer, but now? Her words were ignored.

Nestis took on a stance, one leg forward, the other back. Her breathing steadied, her brow furrowed, her expression, while far from serene, was focused, concentrated.

"Let us do this, then."

And as the words left her mouth, a blade of green shot forth, at one of the Roche's eyes.
(Nestis)

Though the blade missed by an inch, merely grazing across the Roche's temple, first blood did go to the Miredweller, the green crystal's venom seeping in through the open wound.

The battle that ensued was a bizarre one, as combatants who were a near mirror-image of one another danced about the field, shooting venom and corruption one way and another.

"Ambrose. I don't know where you're from, who you serve, or what you seek, beyond simple wanton battle."

Perhaps it was the lack of prior wounds, or perhaps it was simple age and experience, or perhaps she had simply adjusted. Whatever the case, unlike in their prior encounter, Nestis did not fall so easily.

"But it matters little. You will go down, and Nyx willing, you will pay for what you did."

She tanked an arrow, deflected one aside, then finally managed to land in a solid blow, if you could call it that. A wave of corruption rolled over Ambrose, sending him back, and serving to separate them for a few seconds.

"We're not done yet."
(Nestis)

Almost.

But not enough. The arrows fly and zip through the air, aiming to hit their mark as much as possible- but the flinging of dark magics and the toxins alike simply doesn't work quite as expected. Ah, but of course..

To fight wounded while in this was not among the best ideas. Then again... he does not rest, even if already injured, does he?

"Ahahaha!"

Beaten, bloodied and thrashed about, and yet... he laughs? It wasn't about just pain tolerance to him- the thrill of it all even made it enjoyable, more than something that could cause him distress.

But... that does not mean he's not slowly fading.

"Whom I serve? What I seek?"

"If you catch me, maybe I'll tell you!"

He grins. Beyond that, it would remain a mystery- but the unnatural strength within already began to accelerate the healing process; some of his wounds knitting together, albeit not as fast as he'd possibly like to.

"Oh, please.."

"Don't tell me you're one of those religious kooks. I hoped you'd be different!"

Someone who doesn't look for strength outward, but within.

How disappointing.
(Ambrose Roche)

{RP BATTLE} You have WON round 2!

Ah..

The sweet sound of battle. The sweet taste of her essence, taken through the dark magics, piece by piece... even now, couldn't she tell that something is entirely wrong about Ambrose? Something is off..

For each strike only brings further excitement- the amalgamation that follows him only deepening in color, as if it could be brought about to the world at any moment. These emotions, these feelings of thrill, adrenaline and anger..

He feasts on it.

"Come on!"

"I'm so close!"

The toxins serve their purpose well to ensure that Nestis would find herself on the verge of defeat; the dark magics that coat and swallow her whole becoming an ever threatening presence that could spell her doom in this battle.

If only briefly..

But it does not go without a struggle. Dark burns mar his body, lacerations are evidently numerous- yet no matter how much crimson he's caked in, that does not slow him down at all.

Just what is he?

"Don't! Don't fall yet!"

"We're not done playing, are we?"
(Ambrose Roche)

The battle continued.

Step by step, blow by blow, shot by shot, the combatants passed one-another, exchanged assaults, ducked dodged and weaved in a most peculiar dance.

"Don't mistake my choice of words. If you are to be caught, it is by my own hand alone."

Her tone had gotten noticeably harsher, every word spat out seething with venom. Unlike Ambrose, this one found little joy in the battle, yet pursued it with all her vigor regardless.

Even so, the alchemist is on it's losing side for a good while. Nestis is coated with venom and black magic, only escaping by a hair's breath, even though she tosses much the same back at Ambrose.

"No - not just yet."

More words are thrown at Ambrose, along with another shot of green. By now, they were entering the battle's last leg, though it is clear Nestis is growing more weary than he was.

A hand flicks to her belt, and a vial is uncorked, the contents thrown down her gullet in a rapid motion.

And before long, they'd clash once more.

"Come."
(Nestis)

By now, one thing had become clear. Even with the injury he'd already sustained, Ambrose was not going to be worn down with sustained pressure. Only a final, overwhelming assault would do to cut him down.

For the first time in their long dance, Nestis drew forth and outright charged at the Roche. The staff's tip was raised high, and every single attack she had available was tossed out, launched into the ghoul.

Some stuck, others did not. What was certain, that even past the arrows, past Ambrose's own attacks and defences, Nestis managed to wear through and slam into the kid. Even now, he was probably the taller one, but they both wound up tumbling down.

And through the sheer fury of the desperate attack, Nestis wound up on top, knee down against Ambrose's stomach, staff pointed down at him.

"You- you."

Her breathing was catching in her throat, and before she could say anything more, she had to stop herself from keeling over. It was a near enough win, but a win, nevertheless.

"You wanted- wanted to 'taste' me. Very- very well." The staff's tip was pressed into his mouth. "Eat."

Concentrated, liquid venom poured into the Roche's throat - though he might sputter and cough, the only way for it to go was down his throat and into his stomach.

The venom would be digested, and for now, it left him unable to fight, but not quite debilitated. Nestis continued for a few, long seconds, before nearly keeling over again, and tipping off the youth's side.

"Gh-"

She caught herself with a hand, her staff falling down beside them both. If there was ever a time for Ambrose to beat a retreat, it was now.

"Y- You won't- get-"
(Nestis)

Little by little,
piece by piece.

So close! So close to stealing away the essence from her entirely- but what shadows grasped from Nestis was hardly enough to call a 'meal'; the dark magics that were stealing away at her only proved to be naught but a nuisance, one that she would recover from handily. Perhaps only miniscule part of her was stolen..

Of this rage, anger, frustration.
This thrill.

It sustains him. It feeds him. It nourishes him. And she just became his nourishment... as much as he became hers.

"Ahahaha!"

"Yes! Gimme!"

Even as the toxins poured into him, he embraced it wholeheartedly; the body of the young magi was far too twisted to perish from such toxins, and instead, it would become a weighing factor that would need something to be looked at in the future.

Likely cleansed... but that's another tale.

When the putrid poisons fill him, there's still an awful smile that pertains upon his lips; his gaze darting off to where she collapsed, this smugness never disappearing.

"Ahaha... ha.." Until he inches slightly closer, his voice falling into a whisper.

"You know that you're screwed... right?"

Wicked. His smile only grows wider.

"If a little child like me, already injured, can do this to you.."

"Can you imagine what the rest of the world is going to do to you..?"

Odd. When he's serene like this after the battle, his eyes only keep staring at her, expectantly- as if knowing that he's right, knowing that his words held merit.

If she can barely contend with injured Roche..
What is she going to do, now?

"But our time goes short... yes?"

"I'll meet you again."

"I'm sure of it."

Into the thick, green mist, he fades - falling out of sight. It was..

A night to remember. A strange one.
(Ambrose Roche)