Bared Fangs [Open]

[LEANNE MARTEL]

Leanne leaned against the grimy, alley wall with her arms crossed and gaze down, giving a tired sigh. She felt exhausted. Too exhausted. But that was precisely why she'd come here. She needed energy, quickly. She'd let herself get too low. Maybe she should've drained those last two Sirens completely instead of leaving them with enough to live... She was paying for those moments of kindness she'd been exercising lately now.

What was wrong with her? She shoved away the brief feelings of guilt that appeared in her chest. Why had things been getting to her so much the past few weeks? This world wasn't about kindness, it was about survival. Only the bold and selfish lived, those who let their feelings get to them were doomed to fall quickly. That was the kind of life she had to live. It wasn't that she hated it or liked it, it was just the way it was, and that was that. Sometimes she wondered just what there was to live for, though. Was there anything? She gave a sad, but somehow bitter smile. Maybe one day, if she could survive long enough, she'd find it. Until then, and maybe until the day her time was finally up, she'd just have to continue to drift through everything with cold eyes and a numb heart. As empty as that was, she wasn't about to let it end today.

It was a bit cliche to come here, perhaps, but people tended to gather here when in need of energy for one reason - it worked. Back in the main square of the village, there were far too many people to try and stage an attack. Back here, in the alley ways, that wasn't the case. Most of the people who traversed this area were generally either up to no good themselves, or desperate for energy in their own right, though, so it wasn't often you could find a victim without a fight, and sometimes it took more than one person to find enough energy to fill up off of. The Leech shrugged to herself. Maybe she'd be lucky today. She couldn't wait much longer to start her search, though - she didn't want to reach a point of no return, where she no longer had the strength left to claim what she needed.

She stepped quietly as she started moving again, clinging against the shadowed wall as she patrolled for anyone she might be able sink her teeth into.

[SOPHIA FLYNN]

Sophia moved through the back Alleys slowly, a limp to her walk. She growled at herself for being so weak earlier. She had been called to Everai to help with the Virus attack there. She had been thrown through a wall, and that took a lot of her energy to recover from. Once she helped the others escape, she came here, her duster cinched tightly around her. She shuddered as she walked, running low on energy.

She usually carried a few extra chips with her, just in case she was in need of it, but unfortunately, the crash through the wall destroyed her extras. She felt cold, and weak, She hated this feeling. She hadn't felt like this for almost 7 years... Since she started carrying the extras...

She sniffed the air, there was a different smell drifting through from somewhere. 'No... Not here...' She thought, her eyes portraying a bit of fear. There were a lot of people that she'd taken from in these alleyways, and all she needed now was to run into someone that wanted her dead.

She increased her pace to a slow run, then skidded to a stop as the scent grew stronger. Her eyes rested on a figure moving through the alleyway, the one the scent was coming from. It was moving toward her, staying in the shadows. It was someone she didn't recognize, which was good. She stood up as straight as she could, and looked toward the figure through shaded eyes. "Why, Hello. Seems like fate has delivered me a snack." She said as best as she could.

This leech looked strong enough to beat her, but Sophia wasn't sure if the intimidation would work. She hoped it would, so she didn't have to deal with a fight that she would surely lose. She took another step toward the Leech, flashing a toothy grin. "You look... Mighty Tasty."

[LEANNE MARTEL]

The Leech gradually noticed another figure moving in the alleyway. Blinking, she cautiously approached it, watching it from the shadows. She realized that it was a female, wolf-like Beast as she got closer. She grimaced. Great. Due to the nature of the way they regained energy, and their natural physical strength Beasts could be extremely hard to deal with, and this one looked like she could use some energy, herself, judging from the way she'd been walking. That meant the Beast woman would likely be desperate as well, and therefore, desperate to destroy her chip. The woman was obviously weakened, but going against a Beast could well be more than she could handle right now.

Hesitating and going over the situation in her head, Leanne shook her head to herself, frowning determinedly as she took a few steps closer. By this point, the Beast had already noticed her, a grin on her face. Too late to change her mind now. From her words and taunts, the woman did indeed have the same idea that she did. There was a confidence in her voice that the Leech hoped was fake. She wasn't sure she'd be able to face someone at high energy in her own current state anymore. But nonetheless, she was desperate enough to go after this person - the first she'd come across alone in the alleyway.

She put on her own, fake confident grin - she herself was no stranger to facades. "Really? A pity that I'm going to sink my teeth into you first."

[/color]

Wasting no time, she let loose her sound imitation ability, creating a high pitch screech in hopes that it would stun her opponent long enough for her to get her fangs into her victim. Not taking the time to see if the stun worked, Leanne lunged quickly in her direction. Her hunger and desperation was making her movements a bit clumsy and reckless, her judgment weakening along with her body.[/size][/blockquote]

[SOPHIA FLYNN]

Sophia laughed at the girls comment. Trying to cover the fear in her voice as she spoke. "I was about to say the same to you. Let's dance, hun." She said with a sly grin, throwing her duster and hat to the side, revealing her sleeveless black shirt, and matching pants. She moved one leg back and set herself, ready for an attack. She knew she wasn't going to get out of this without a fight, but she hoped she had the energy to beat her. 25%... She was going to have to end this fast. Her skin was rather pale, and her hands shook. She fell to a knee as the piercing sound echoed from her enemy.

Sophia was able to see her opponent lung at her, and jumped out of the way. She spun with her hand outstretched, some of the shadows of the alleyway lashing out and aiming to constrict the girls arms and legs. The shadows solidified, and Sophia fell to a knee, coughing. 20%? That maneuver must have taken more energy... She was, however, straining to keep standing. She looked at the other, and released the shadows, not wanting to risk it. "I can't win... Ive not got nearly enough energy... But if you spare me, I can show you where I was headed to get energy..." She said coughing again and falling to her side. She took two deep breaths, and finally pushed herself up.

She grabbed her Duster and hat, looking at the other. "Lets go... before I run completely dry..." She said, a crackling in her throat. "Or, if you're going to feed off me, kill me so I don't have to lie here in pain..." She muttered, coughing again.

[LEANNE MARTEL]

Her opponent dropped to a knee as she let out he screech, but her lunge still didn't connect, Leanne managing to get a hold of nothing but air with her tired, rushed movement. Some of the shadows along the wall of the alleyway suddenly solidified as the Beast spun around, becoming tendrils that reached for her arms and legs. Startled, the Leech stumbled back in an attempt to avoid it, one of the shadows managing to grab hold of her arm as she fought to pull it off. They all at once disappeared, though, the girl looking back up in the Beast's direction as she coughed and spoke, collapsing to her side as she did so.

Now would be a perfect time to take the energy she needed - and judging from the Beast's condition, that would be all she had left - but she hesitated, considering her words. She didn't know for certain, but she guessed that she had about 30 something percent of her energy left...maybe she could afford to take a little bit of a walk. Panting herself, she looked back in her direction as she Beast pushed herself up, grabbing the Duster and hat she'd taken off during the brief conflict. "Very well. But this place you're taking me better be good, and it better exist. Otherwise I'm taking everything you have left."

[/color] She threatened, still trying to sound a lot stronger than she felt. It briefly occurred to her that it could be a trap - the Beast woman could be taking her to friends or companions of hers, to gang up on her instead, but considering the Beast's own desperate condition, she decided to believe her story - it made sense enough. She wiped off her own button up jacket, ready to follow. "Let's make haste, then. From the looks of things, it seems we could both use it."[/color][/size][/blockquote]

[SOPHIA FLYNN]

"Yes... lets." She said, starting to lead the other. Sophia limped as she walked, but still pressed forward. She led the girl through some alleys, looking back every so often for two reasons. One, she wanted to make sure she was following, and two, she wanted to make sure she wasn't going to get jumped as they walk. After a few moments, Sophia collapsed to her hands and knees, coughing again. She looked up and she smiled slightly. She pushed herself back up and moved to a nearby doorway, and pushed it open. "Hey, Tibbs. I need... Chips." She said between breaths. A voice echoed from inside, but was barely discernible from past the doorway. "Lets say about 3... 75% energy each... I can go from there." She reached into a pocket and pulled out a small roll of cash, handing it through the door and returning her hand to her pocket. "Thanks, I'll see you later Tibbs." She said.

She moved back over to her follower, a grin on her face as she broke a chip. Her skin returned to normal and she seemed to be a lot better. "Well. Looks like Ive got energy to spare now, and theres still the small matter that you attacked me, just recently." She said with a glare. She brought a hand up, but instead of swinging at her opponent, she rolled up the sleeve of her jacket, and held her bare arm forward. "But I stay to my word... Take some energy... Just not all of it." She said with a glare, shadows coiling around Leannes neck. "If you start getting too much, I'll end you where you stand." She warned.

[LEANNE MARTEL]

The Beast frequently cast her glance back in her direction as she walked, but Leanne pretended not to noticed or care, simply following after her as steadily as she could with her gaze tilted slightly downwards and her arms crossed. They reached a doorway before too long, the Beast woman opening it and calling inside.

...They sold chips from those already dead here? The girl blinked slightly in surprise. She hadn't realized that there were such places. It seemed grim, but she supposed it was a good resource for Beasts, who took their energy directly from chips themselves. She absently wondered how much they cost, but didn't ask - after all, she wasn't going to offer to pay, so what business of hers was it?

The Beast woman moved back towards her, breaking a chip as a grin spread across her face. The color instantly returned to her skin. That was fine and dandy for her, but being a race that didn't get her energy directly from chips, the Leech failed to see how this benefited her. And now the Beast, at a higher energy level, would be a lot stronger than she was. She better not have been duped! She thought to herself, about to say something when the Beast started speaking again. The wolf-like woman held out a hand, but instead of swiping it, she pulled up her sleeve and held her arm towards her.

Leanne smiled just slightly. "Honorable, indeed."

[/color] The girl commented, before sinking her fangs into the woman's arm and absorbing the energy she needed. She wasn't the type to say 'thank you', but she was admittedly a bit surprised that the Beast had kept to her word, even now when she would have an advantage in conflict. She savored the feeling of the energy as it moved to her body, recharging it and bringing back her own color, but she stopped as soon as she had enough, not wanting to risk another fight.

"Much better."[/color] She commented simply as she removed her fangs.

Before she could say anything else, though, she suddenly heard another voice coming towards them. Several, actually.

She turned to see a small group of other Leeches coming their way. One of them flapped their wings impatiently, its gaze hungry. "Another good opportunity for a meal, it never fails here. Even if we can't take the energy from the chips ourselves, there's always plenty of prey right here."[/color] The leader of the group commented, pulling out a sword before all at once charging towards them. Apparently they indeed weren't the only ones looking for energy in the alleyway.[/size][/blockquote]

[SOPHIA FLYNN]

Sofia winced slightly as she felt the teeth entered her flesh. She clenched a fist and let out a growl, but was able to keep herself from attacking the Leech. It was the first time she felt the sting of a Leeches bite, and hoped it would be her last. She reached into her pocket and popped yet another chip after the Leech was finished, balancing her own energy back out. "Much better indeed. Now, We should go our separate ways." She said with a nod, turning and starting to head off when she heard the threat from the newcomers. "What, you'd attack poor, harmless women?" She said with a laugh, tossing her coat and hat aside. "Sounds like fun."

She turned and watched as the group charged. "Well then. Let's dance." She said and ducked low, sweeping her leg outward toward the group, tripping a couple of them. She dodged the rest, and watched as they charged Leanne. "I can't take all the fun, right?" She said with a laugh.

[LEANNE MARTEL]

The Beast winced and growled as Leanne sunk her fangs into her arm, but kept to her word, not attacking. She broke another chip as she pulled away, getting her own energy back up, before commenting that they should now go on their own business again. Leanne nodded, the new gang of Leeches then appearing before they could part. Annoyances. But now that she felt refilled, she didn't feel too worried - the pests had picked the wrong time to attack.

She nodded again at the wolf woman's comment as the newcomers lunged for them. Her companion tripped a few, dodging the rest as they came towards her. I can't take all the fun, right? The Beast laughed. "Indeed, I could use some fun! It's been a while since the last time I was able to let loose."

[/color] She let out another screech, stunning them a bit as she charged forward herself with her axe. She knocked one over before he could recover enough to get out of the way, making him fall hard to the ground below. She raised her blade, about to bring it down on him again, but another of the Leeches spun around behind her, about to slash their own weapon her way.[/size][/blockquote]

[SOPHIA FLYNN]

Sophia looked at Leanne as she had her fun. She laughed as the group fell, and the comment that the Leech had made. Her ears perked up as she saw the man spinning to slash at Leanne from behind. She pulled her hunting knife from it's pouch and threw it toward the mans chest, then ran quickly toward Leanne, and lunged, feet first, at the back of her knees. This was meant to drop Leanne under the swing of the other man, not as an attack, though it could be perceived in either way. Sophia stood and brought her hands up, moving them rhythmically around her as she spun. The shadows in the Alleyway flowed into her hands and lashed out at the still living enemies, and solidifying, binding their hands together.

She used the control of shadows to move them all next to each other, and stared at them with a menacing grin. She looked at the one that seemed to act as the leader Earlier, and knelt down, placing a hand on his chin softly. "You made a mistake, hun. You should never have even tried it. A strong armed attack against a beast that's obviously at full energy? I mean, come now... There's smarter things you could do." She said, brushing her claws along his cheek, cutting into it slightly.

She cracked her knuckles and looked back at Leanne. "You can drain any of them, if you'd like. If you don't, Im going to start my 'harvesting'" She said with an almost hungry grin, looking at the enemies with bared fangs.

[LEANNE MARTEL]

Leanne realized what would've been a moment too late that the Beast had flung a hunting knife at an attacker behind her, before knocking hard into the back of her knees. Giving out a startled cry, she fell to the ground as her legs buckled, her attacker collapsing as well. Seeing her companion capture them all with solidified shadows, she grimaced slightly as she pushed herself up again, wiping grime from the alley floor from her clothes and face. It hadn't exactly been a graceful save, but she supposed that she couldn't scowl too much. She'd messed up there, and was lucky that the Beast had been around.

The wolf-woman taunted the one who seemed to serve as their leader, before turning back to her, telling her that she could take what she wanted before she began to 'harvest' for herself. The Leech could swear she saw some of the others flinch at the words. Having your energy 'harvested' by a Beast wasn't by any means a desirable fate - it meant death. That was why she'd need to take what she wanted herself, first.

She grinned a bit spite of herself. "Very well."

[/color] She answered simply, bending down and bitting the upper arm of one of the other Leeches. She took everything she needed to completely refill the rest of her energy, leaving him almost drained. She licked her lips. Even if the sense of taste didn't really exist anymore, she could still swear sometimes that energy had a flavor. Maybe it was psychological, but either way she'd quite enjoyed that helping. Feeling good now, sharp and awake, she stepped back. "I've got all I can. The rest is yours."[/color] She gestured to the Beast, giving just a brief, almost grateful nod. That was as close as anyone would get to a 'thank you' from her. She waited to see if the woman would really 'harvest' them all, leaning against an alleyway wall again. If they weren't such fools, she almost would've felt sorry for them, but she quickly scolded herself, reminding herself that such feelings were nothing but weakness here.[/size][/blockquote]

[SOPHIA FLYNN]

Sophia nodded at the other girl. She cracked her knuckles and grinned, sniffing the air. She dragged her claws across one mans cheek with a playful smile. "Let's see where your chips are, shall we?" She said, Digging her claws into the man. She tore him apart with a bestial vigor, and after a few moments, found the chip she was looking for. She continued this for a few more moments, tearing into each person and ripping out their chips. When she hit the 'Leader' she stopped and grinned at him. She reached a claw up, but instead of cutting into him, she allowed the shadows to fade.

"Let this be a lesson to you. Know your enemies before you attack. Or you'll die." She said with a laugh, turning to Leanne. "Well then, Im off, do with him what you will. I have to return home, Check in with my family. I will see you around, maybe." She said, and started walking away. She tossed a quick glance back, and then hopped up a nearby building and running in the direction of Fort Defray.

[LEANNE MARTEL]

The Beast woman tore into their fallen enemies, finding and ripping out their chips with savage hunger. Leanne couldn't help but look away slightly, hearing them cry out, though she grimaced at herself for it. It was just the way of things, that's all. She looked up in surprise, though, as the woman let the leader go, telling her that she was off and that she could do what she wanted with him.

"See ya'."

[/color] She agreed with a nod, watching as the Beast hopped up a building and disappeared into the city with a last glance. At least things seemed to have worked out for the best for both of them - she had the energy she needed now, meaning that she should be on her way now, too. It occurred to her as she vanished that she'd never even learned the woman's name. Nonetheless, she doubted she'd forget her anytime soon. She smiled just slightly, before looking at the other Leech, the only one remaining of the attackers. She was full energy-wise, and she had not other need for him. "Unless you want to play some more, I suggest you leave."[/color] She threatened simply. Already weakened, and possibly upset and frightened by the loss of his teammates, he simply took off, also vanishing into the dimness of the alleyway.

Sighing a bit, Leanne hesitated for only a moment longer before doing the same. She didn't know where she'd go next, or where she was headed, but she'd survived another night.
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