tampered | Log; Ongoing

Log; Ongoing

When; October 24th [Evening].
Rating; R [Violence & Language].
Characters; Jr./Rubedo [

spiritrage], & Shelley [

allegiant_lady].
Summary; After waking up in a holding cell with Shelley, Jr. finds out about Albedo's return in a most unlucky scenario.
Log;

There were plenty of reasons to be pissed. For one, he'd been tricked. And not just by anyone...but by the bastard he practically hated. Sure, he didn't hate Tseng as much as Albedo or his dad, but...the unpleasant feelings were pretty damn violent, and now they were even worse.

He knew that if Tseng was cursed, it couldn't have been helped... But really, he'd been looking for a good excuse to beat on the guy, and this was a pretty good one. Plus, he'd gotten Shelley caught up in the mix, and Rufus? Rubedo was terrified what might have happened to Elena and Sakura at this point. Everything had spiraled out of control and it was all his own damn fault for being suckered.

It took a lot of concentration to focus on using the thermal energy to melt the shackles off of him without actually burning his own skin, so he just concentrated on one at a time. As soon as his left hand was free, Rubedo turned to look over to where Shelley was sitting nearby.

"Are you holding up all right? Did that bastard hit you on the head?"

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Shelley wasn't a fighter so it has been a simple matter to capture her once she had gotten off the Durandal. And it had indeed been Tseng who'd done the capturing, then it would have been even simpler to subdue her before she even noticed.

When Rubedo had stated that he was going to attempt to free himself, no doubt with more than his fair share of success, Shelley had moved herself into the corners, but still within seeing distance of the vague shape that was Rubedo. Her arms might have been chained together, but she could still move around in the cell at least.

Watching the glow of the Little Master's shackles, Shelley shook her head when he paused to speak to her and check up on her status. "I am fine, merely a little groggy. I don't believe I'm hurt in any way."

What luck!

The first two words that sprang into mind were wrong, of course, for the way circumstances knit together in Albedo's favor was not luck, per se--at least, not that he'd admit it. Things worked out as they were supposed to in his presence, and if they didn't, well, there were always other ways to work it, and other events to blame for those that didn't go his way.

Still, of all the blind, fortunate, brilliant strokes of luck to occur so quick on the heels of his return, the URTV could not have picked a better one. It took a force of will to keep from humming with pleasant anticipation as he slunk through the darkened Underground, having left off following his young "guide" to pick up the trail on his own soon enough. It was dark nearly to the point of being impossible to human eyes, but the trail he was looking for stuck out in the psychic landscape like blood would call to a shark.

It had started with the faintest tickle of that other heartbeat in his veins, swiftly blossomed to a clarion awareness down just which halls, behind just which doors his twin had been hidden away. The sound of voices nearby made him slow his steps, normally catlike walk gone completely soundless as he went on the prowl.

He saw no point in disguising his own presence within the realm of the psychic, though; there was no doubt that Rubedo knew he was there in the same way Albedo knew of his twin's presence. Even so, he made no sound as he stepped up to the door, flattening himself against it just so, not letting the slightest creak escape the hinges as he settled his weight there.

Eavesdropping. Dirty habit, but did it count when you meant to get caught--?

Too preoccupied with a throbbing headache, sore wrists, and frantic concern over all of those involved, there were two things he didn't even notice at the beginning. The first would be that there was something there he should have sensed. Something that beat in that extra heart he didn't actually have, and a whisper in his head.

It was when he finally picked up on that psychic pull that he found out the second thing he hadn't noticed in the beginning.

His guns were gone.

His beautiful priceless Makarovs than Gaignun had won for him! Gone. Obviously, Tseng must have taken them before chaining them up.

"Fuck! That cock-sucking bastard is going to have a good fucking taste of the heel of my boot when I get out of this, curse or not! Son of a bitch!"

With another round of oaths that would have made any mother faint in horror, Rubedo gave a hard yank with his right hand, attempting to speed up the process of reforming the metal away from him. He needed to get free, because holy shit he was here, and should Rubedo have been happy about it? It meant he wasn't gone for good. It meant, it meant--

--he was right outside the door.

"...Shelley, don't move," the URTV hissed out as he glowered right at the door, giving another yank at the shackle.

Shelley had heard Rubedo curse before. She'd even heard him curse when he was angry, as he was now, at or with things. So it wasn't much of a shock or a surprise at his sudden change in language. Maybe the reason why was a curiosity to her, but not the word choice.

When Rubedo had gone back to freeing himself of the shackles, Shelley had gone back to the communicator. It wasn't the cursing that drew her attention again, but the hissed out order given only moments later.

Freezing, Shelley wasn't one to question such a serious tone of voice and she instantly halted her movements, as minimal as they had been. She couldn't help however, slowly raising her head upwards in tiny increments when her curiosity got the better of her.

Rubedo's outburst of profanity made his twin shake his head, only just avoiding a "tsk, tsk, tsk" of his tongue as he did so. No, no point in announcing himself quite yet; instead, he checked the lock on the door, then turned to rest his back against it. It swung outward, and now he was effectively a two-hundred-pound doorstop between them and freedom--provided they could even get at the lock.

Not that Albedo had any doubt in Jr.'s abilities about that, oh no. But it was the presence that counted. At last, the madman gave a pleased rumble low in the back of his throat--an amused, predatory noise. "Such language, really, Rubedo--would you kiss our mother, or Sakura, with that mouth?" Folding one hand across his chest, he rested his elbow in his opposite hand, fingers tucked beneath his chin.

"But of course you would," he answered his own question after a moment. "Always one for mixing the sacred and profane; I'd expect no better from a witch." He hadn't been affected by the recent round of cursing, no. But there was no reason to let anyone else in on that secret.

"The trick you're pulling with the shackles is cute, but the door's a little more solid--and you aren't, any of you, supposed to get out until the Church has had done with you..."

Rubedo was careful not to take his eyes off that door, which made freeing himself much more difficult. As closely as he was watching it, he could see the hinges budge just a bit as a man's weight flopped against it. It was so plainly obvious who it was... But he was tense, waiting or the voice that just had to come.

...And there it was. It was like nothing had changed. Rubedo hadn't killed him. Twice. He hadn't watched his E.S. get blown to bits...there had been no goodbye message. There had been no mourning period. No sleepless nights of quiet weeping.

There was just revulsion, and anger, and it was...so much better than all of those other things. So much more comforting. He could handle anger. Knew what to do with it.

"Hell, you're back...and you've been dumb enough to get caught up in this curse? I don't buy it. What are you, part of the Inquisition?"

And though his teeth were grit, his hands clenched into tight fists, and he was continuously working the metal off of his wrist and fretting over Shelley...there was a glimmer of relief in hearing Albedo's voice, and feeling that faint heartbeat in the right side of his chest.

She knew that voice. She might not have known it as well as Rubedo did or as well as she knew the sound of Master Gaignun's voice, but she still knew that voice. After everything that had happened, how could she not know and know of just what kind of reaction the Little Master would have at hearing it.

When Shelley finally caught sight of Albedo just standing there like everything was normal, her eyes widened to a size that was uncommon on her normally calm and elegant face. Staying quiet and trying to draw as little attention to herself as possible, Shelley didn't dare say anything as her brain processed what it meant that Albedo was here in the City, and there on the other side with the door separating them. No matter her amount of shock though, it had to pale in comparison to the feelings that must have been felt by Rubedo.

If she went unnoticed, it would be a blessing. Shelley knew what would happen and what could happen. Mix with that the current curse and their current situation, it would be best for Shelley to just continue to be unnoticed and to let her keep staying out of the way.

So far as Albedo was concerned, nothing had changed. None of the important parts of their relationship, anyhow--the madman looked down, examining the floor beneath his feet before letting his gaze rove to some place far beyond the opposite wall. While he had no direct sight of the room he had his back to, he knew very well there was someone else in there with Rubedo--recognized her voice--and simply didn't care, attention slipping away from Shelley as one might lose an unimportant detail amidst a crowd of others.

Well, slipped away aside from one comment, tossed out and twisted like a knife: "And with one of your kept women with you, Rubedo, really; I can taste her dismay from here. What are you getting your dear friends into?"

He paused, then, listening to the questions fired at him in return--and laughing, the characteristic broken hitching chuckle that was a prelude to his worse bouts of laughter. It didn't get beyond "chuckle," though, before it muted down to the usual undercurrent of malevolent amusement running through his words: "You sound relieved to see me. I'm touched, Rubedo, really touched-- Though," he raised a hand though neither member of his small audience could see it.

"--On the count of stupidity, I plead 'it takes one to know one.' Or maybe 'I'm with stupid.'; I'm not the one bound for the stake tomorrow or the next day. 'Caught!' Pff!"

He exhaled his amusement, then added as an afterthought: "'I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.'" ...And that was about all the answer those questions would get.

The jab did just the trick, drawing out a growl from Rubedo just as the other man's chuckle could be heard through the thick door. It was true... He felt like a complete ass for letting Shelley get caught up in this, but logically he knew there was nothing he could have really done to prevent it, other than tell Tseng to sod off.

And really, he was wishing now that he had picked that option.

Finally, he tore his gaze away from the door and looked over at Shelley. With a jerk of his head, he tried to motion her over. He'd forego his own restraints for now... He needed to at least break the chain connecting her wrists now, in case there was an emergency and she needed to defend herself or run.

Still, he kept his voice loud, rolling his eyes a bit as Albedo quoted Hamlet. For as fast as his heart was beating, his voice sounded surprisingly calm. "Well I guess if I have to choose between that and listening to you quote old plays, burning at the stake doesn't sound so bad. Do I get a last meal and stuff?"

Shelley would have rather stayed right where she was, even though it was obvious that Albedo had indeed noticed her. But he hadn't really thought much of her, which really sat just fine with Shelley. Although her fear was the thing that was keeping her frozen, there was also the faith she had in Rubedo to startle her enough to return the movement to her arms and legs.

Moving quietly as she could, from both nature and out of the desire to stay unnoticed, Shelley made her way close enough so that it was possible for her to make out a bit more than just the bare outline of Rubedo's face. It wasn't all that quietly given that Shelley wasn't accustomed to moving around in arm restraints, but she wasn't making nearly as much commotion as it might have been possible to.

Her heart was in her throat and Shelley was so much on edge, but there was enough nerve and calm still in her that she was still rational and silent. She could surmise as to what Rubedo's intentions were, and if she didn't want to hinder him any more than he already was so, it would be best for her keep doing as she had been.

He acted quickly, as soon as she was near, using his left hand to grip onto the chains binding her wrists. With a sigh, he shut his eyes and concentrated, the familiar red glow emanating from beneath his palm as the metal was taken apart and reformed, eventually forming an iron ball. Both eyes snapped open and he quickly caught it before it could hit the ground.

Damn, but it was heavy, and there was a little grin as he handed it to her, whispering just under his breath, "Throw it at anyone who tries to keep you from escaping. I want you out that door as soon as you find an opening, okay? Just sit back in the corner and wait."

He hoped she understood. With Albedo here, Shelley's presence would only serve to distract and hinder him. He would feel better knowing she was safe and out of harm's way.

Straightening back up, the red-head shot another glare towards the door, waiting for what he was sure would be a snarky response from his brother regarding that Hamlet comment.

And she did understand. Shelley was not a fighter. Hadn't ever been one and would never be one. For her to assist in the best way that she could would be for her to simply stay out and remove herself as much as possible from the situation. And until she could do that entirely, she would stick with staying back, keeping the Little Master's communicator and the iron...ball... that was winking at her...

It would be somewhat appropriate that Rubedo would personalize what little defenses he could form for her with the materials and with the time allowed. The gesture, though a little misplaced, still managed to bring a small sense of relief and calm back to Shelley. Enough so that when she moved back to the far corner, this time nothing more than the rustle of cloth to give away her movement, Shelley knew that, when the time came, she would be able to run and would not be paralyzed with fear or an ill-conceived notion that she should stay.

Pressing herself close to the corner and holding the ball and communicator in a tight grasp, Shelley stayed silent as she watched, listened, and waited for when the time when she could run.

But Albedo was uncharacteristically silent in the moments following the rejoinder--though it would not be hard to guess why. He was still listening at the door, hearing not quite sharp enough to pick up the conversation flowing between Jr. and Shelley, though he could guess its intent--and knew very well that his twin was exercising his powers again.

"She must still be useful to you, if you're making a show of watching out for her," he said at last. It wasn't quite an undertone, more the sort of murmur that was meant to be overheard.

Another laugh, then, as the madman shifted position where he stood against the door. "But, ah--Rubedo, Rubedo! You wound me to the heart; you used to live for those 'old plays'. What changed?" Pause. "And don't be stupid. Why waste food on traitors and witches?

"Or did you think it would leave you a chance to get away? Come, now. Even if they are that stupid, I know better. No, my other half--you'll have to work a little harder than that if you want out of here." ...Extending a challenge like that, it seemed almost as if the mad URTV wasn't all that serious about his guard duty.

Not that he was ever serious about much of anything when it came to life.

I was difficult to ignore such taunts. No matter the time or place, Albedo seemed to always know what to say to make his blood boil.

Chain links were easier than solid cuffs, and so Rubedo twisted around to focus his power on the chain connecting his right wrist to the wall. In a flash of crimson energy, a link softened and bent, finally ripping apart as he gave another yank. The cuff was still attached to his wrist, but he could deal with that later.

Using his power at all tired him out, and having used it as much as he had already left him with sweat on his brow and a heavy fall to his step as he turned to look at the door. Still hiding?

He couldn't risk trying to blow the door open... They were underground after all, and he didn't know how solid this foundation was. Shelley could have gotten hurt. "Big words, coming from someone who won't even show his face!"

Fair was fair on that note, as far as Albedo was concerned. Whether it was the U-DO infection that had consumed his mind entire or something he developed as the years wore on and he grew to adulthood, Jr.'s very presence was enough to keep him in a state tiptoeing around the edges of fury. Nothing blind about it, and it certainly had none of the earmarks that anyone expect (that was perversity for you)--but there it was.

Too much living in the past, maybe. Or the bar was set far too high for Rubedo to make up what had gone between them. But Albedo was still smug enough from the "coup" of having his twin in such a helpless spot to keep him from rising to the taunt. Instead, he clapped his hands together in mock delight (STILL keeping his back against the door; though when the contest over it came it was not likely to be physical strength involved; but it was the gesture that counted) and gave a bark of a laugh. "Accusing me of cowardice, Rubedo? You? Oh, please--do go on. You almost had me thinking you have some intention of finishing things here!"

He sobered quickly. "But you won't, will you? Provided she," he sneered at the word, "gets to safety, you'll turn and run home as well, tail tucked between your legs."

"Stop yapping already! The old plays I like... It's your voice I can't stand!" he snapped out, irritated beyond belief. And he didn't really mean it the way it sounded. Only...hearing Allbedo's voice never led to good things. He was always plotting something. His very presence was a constant foreshadowing of disaster on the horizon.

With a scowl, he realized that Albedo wasn't going to be opening that damn door anytime soon. Was he just stalling because he didn't want Rubedo to leave? That was ridiculous, wasn't it?

But then there was that nagging ache in his heart, a reminder of the things he had already experienced, that Albedo had yet to. Memories of a death that never happened, and a reunion yet to take place. It was the reason he made himself unclench his fists and take a deep breath. He was two years older now, after all, and the least he could do was try to be as mature as humanly possible.

"That's right, but for the wrong reasons. It's already been finished, Albedo. It was finished a year ago... You just need to catch up."

Another chuckle from Albedo. "Ahh, the years have made us strangers, hm?" he said, not apropos of...much of anything.

But of course he had no intention of letting Rubedo go... Forcing him to make an escape attempt, now, that was another thing again... And a part of Albedo was just as happy to let nature and an angry mob take its course, though what few better instincts he had were winning out.

For now.

He stood up away from the door, stretching in a way that made it seemed almost planned, before settling against it again. The fact that he had yet to goad Rubedo to rage didn't seem to be bothering him--not yet--it just made the game that much more interesting. And--besides, that was exactly what he'd wanted to hear. "Ahh, yes--you owe me a story, don't you?

"So tell me. What is this I need to 'catch up' to? I guess you've already ruined the ending for me, but I'll try not to hold it against you. Just make this interesting."

A story was what he wanted? Rubedo's expression was grim as he eyed the door, then looked back to Shelley in a form of desperation. Was Albedo not opening that door until Rubedo told him what had happened?

He had a reason for never telling Albedo the details. It had been the same deal with Mary before she had left... He was going to take the advice from chaos to heart, and not risk making a disaster of the timeline back home. And so the question was...to lie? Or just be vague?

Albedo would know if he was lying. Then again, no matter what he said, he would probably think it a lie.

"...You end up dead," the red-haired boy choked out. And it wasn't really untrue. Just...that wasn't all how it ended. "Isn't that what you wanted, Albedo? You should be happy. You don't have to fear losing anyone anymore."

...oh. Oh ho. Albedo hadn't been quite paying attention before, but... "My, my. Things must have changed; do you really think I'm going to just let you out of here?" The very thought makes the mad URTV chortle again, an edge of something very dangerous in the laugh.

A pause, as Junior continued--one that went on longer than, perhaps, Albedo had meant, given the revelation at the end of the sentence. How did-- How was one supposed to respond to a revelation like that, that and keep up his usual hostility? It was a little disarming.

But only worth a moment's pause. "Happy." No outright denial. "And what gave you THAT impression? That's hardly satisfying as stories go--you'll need to do better."

And, as if it weren't clear: "Details." Better make those interesting, too.

Oh, Albedo was being perfectly clear. Rubedo could understand why he wanted to know...even almost pity him for knowing just the bare minimum. But he wasn't divulging anything else. "You already know a hell of a lot more than I did going into it... Forget it; you aren't hearing anything else."

As if to prove his point, though Albedo couldn't see, the URTV crossed both arms over his chest in a firm stance of rebellion. Maybe Albedo would just get fed up and leave. Then it would be easy for them to escape. Maybe maybe maybe... One could never have too many of those.

But reality kept him in check, and he stepped over so that he was standing in front of Shelley. Albedo would probably make them wait... But it would be dillusional to assume that his crazed twin would actually leave them alone right then.

The denial wasn't exactly unexpected. Albedo gave a quiet "hmph," the noise more amused than upset, and murmured, "So all I have to do is go back, huh? And I'll get the death I deserve?" His chuckle at that was muted, as he turned his head aside. The words that followed the laugh, however, were perfectly clear:

"I'm not surprised. You never had any problems with sending your family off to the slaughter."

He was silent a moment to let that sink in--and to consider his options. It was clear Rubedo had decided to dig his heels in, but then, the older URTV had always been stubborn--and stupid about picking his battles. Time to escalate this.

Stretching again, he took a step away from the door, turning back to give the lock a contemptuous glance. Even without a key, it was the work of a moment to get it open--of course, by that point, it was destroyed beyond repair, but what of that? Pulling the door open, he took up a place in the doorway, folding his arms across his chest and giving Jr. a look of pure challenge.

"Really, if you didn't make life so interesting, Rubedo, I would have done away with you long before now--the stubborness gets tiresome."

It was just the thing to make Rubedo's stance waver, the only hint to Shelley that it had hit him hard being the slight backward step and clench of fists. If only Albedo knew of what had happened to their brother...and Citrine... He really did have a talent for destroying the lives of his loved ones, didn't he?

The sound of the lock being destroyed quickly made him straighten his stance once more, regaining composure by the time the door opened, and he was forced to meet Albedo face to face...once again. It was like he'd been punched in the gut, his exhale sounding more like a gasp than anything. There was a part of him that wanted to run over and just hug him and never let go... But that was the part that had finally come to some sort of peace with himself.

The longer he was in the City...the more it felt like he was reverting back to his old self. Like he'd sooner shoot Albedo than talk to him. Still, he stayed steady. He wasn't going to be taunted... He was better than that. Older. More mature. Damnit.

"Is that right? Well I don't know what you came here expecting... So sorry to disappoint," he spat out, lifting an arm a bit in defense, as if expecting a shock of energy at any time. Keeping Shelley safe was his first priority.

Albedo's attention flickered away from his twin even as Rubedo made a show of his defenses. Shelley was suddenly interesting again, or so it seemed--at least, long enough for the mad URTV to look her in the eyes, then give a jerk of his head toward the door. "Go," he said, softly. "You're worthless to him. I can't guarantee your safety if you're not out of here once I'm done, though."

His attention returned to Jr., his smile positively malevolent--as always. "Wouldn't want you to be distracted from so touching a reunion," a pause, "though either way, I'm sure I'll be meeting her again soon."

Pausing, then, he folded a hand under his chin, look one of mock speculation. "What did I come here expecting...?" he murmured, trailing off. "Certainly something a little more interesting than this; you no longer seem to be, hm, quite so--focused as you once were."

He took a step forward now, clearing the doorway for Shelley's escape. "A pity you won't tell me why; I don't think you're going to enjoy this very much at all..." Another step forward, and he stretched out one clawed hand. "...though I will." Already power had begun to bubble up around him, twining around his body in streamers light nearly the color of his eyes.

Of course, Albedo could do a lot of things to irritate him...and Rubedo could try his best to hold his temper. But when it came to threatening the people in his life, he had no control over the flash in his gaze and aggressive alteration to his stance. "You stay the hell away from her! Shelley, go!"

If Albedo wanted him focused, he definitely had it now. Still, he was tired from using his powers so much just to get the both of them free of their constraints, not to mention they'd both spent the night in the prison without a thing to eat. He just hoped she made it out safely, and that Albedo wouldn't change his mind and snag her on her way out.

With another step back, he also moved to the side, away from Shelley for another signal for her to hurry up and go. With such an underlying threat to Albedo's words, there was no way he was going to let him touch him if he could help it...but at the very least he could keep their gazes locked. He did not like the way the man had looked at Shelley earlier.

Shelley didn't have to be told more than that to get up and run. The anger and the taunts, not to mention Rubedo's reaction to just Albedo's presence... It was all familiar, though a small part of her mind noted that the Little Master was a little more controlled and not so blindly angry at his twin. It was probably due to the knowledge and experience of what had happened that was the reason behind that.

Still, even if they had moved on in time, it didn't mean that everyone else they might meet had done so as well. And Albedo's gaze, time changed or not, was still not something Shelley particularly wanted to be directed at herself. Even if the message had been benign, she wasn't going to press her luck with it.

Standing and slipping easily past Rubedo, Shelley's steps faltered as she drew closer to Albedo, but she didn't halt to look at what the situation might be until she had moved past him as well and was out the door. Turning her head to see what she could glimpse of the reunion between brothers, Shelley's hands squeezed around the objects she had remembered to bring along with her. Her steps and the sound of her heartbeat in her ears were soon becoming louder than the voices of those she was leaving behind, but her gaze was still directed backwards rather than forwards. She wouldn't stay. Couldn't stay. But it didn't change the fact that she was still worried and needed some kind of visual confirmation that the situation hadn't become altogether hopeless as of yet.

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Log; Ongoing

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