A Mythical Encounter [Liltotto, Sigurd]

The sun sank into the horizon of this calm evening within the midwestern United States. The job wasn’t so bad, and she got good food out of it too - this first outing in a long while was no brainer. She came by on request to assist with the logistics of rebuilding a portion of a city after a hollow attack had occurred, and to further inform the parties existing here of how they could further reinforce their city on the cheap yet effective. Doubted they’d actually go along with it, she could tell from those looks on their features - incredulous, stuffy… That sure was dealing with people who thought they knew better.

Didn’t matter, work was done here, she’d be heading home tomorrow morning; just wanted to enjoy the sunset with a whole pizza and beer… The latter still tasted disgusting and did nothing for her, but she wasn't going to let it go to waste.This new life she was adjusting to wasn’t so bad, she could help a smile.

Work sometimes got messy. He'd rather things stayed on the downlow, but you can't force every aspect to go your way. All you can do is mold what you have into what you want. This particular case is nothing more than a rogue bastard throwing a wrench into plans. The job was a simple Hollow package movement. He takes the Hollow, the guys get their money.

Then someone tell him why he's suddenly crashing out the side of a building into the public, Hollow beneath his feet as they both slam into the pavement below. He pulled out his gun, bullets designed to handle spiritual beings and fired into the large dark mass beneath him, but the bastard's giant hand came and swatted him before he could make any other move.

Off he flew until he crashed into some area where some people were enjoying their meals outside. Not really his problem, but they made sure to protest the sudden intrusion before some of them started to scream as the Hollow rose and started fleeing down the street, knocking side cars and whatever got in its way.

..And that was when her recommendations would finally be taken seriously. Establishing zones and evac procedures? Too many logistics. Quick access bunker per zone? Reparation fund or insurance pool for losses due to an attack? But the tax dollars… She’d click her teeth; if they wanted anyone living in this city, let alone this state, they ought to adapt already. Though she was certainly no soldier anymore, it was hardly an incident she could ignore.

A calm appearance via her mock Steigen, she’d pinpoint the hollow’s location between her Reikaku and sense of smell, and get into position with her weapon yanked from her throat. She just had to be a few seconds ahead of where the ugly stinking thing was charging… There.

Bow drawn, four arrows clutched in her fingers, her eyes focused on the approaching hollow with barely a sweat… The cushion net behind her was already deployed, she made sure this move caused as little further damage as possible.

“..Seiben, sechs, fünf…” She’d murmur a countdown under her breath until, “..Eins.”

A release of the arrows sent them flying in an outward arc, the web of Reishi connecting the tails of those flying would embrace the charging hollow with a wrapping of thorny chains which clasped and squeezed onto it’s flesh, her quick sidestep averting the charging bull’s crash as it most likely wouldn’t have the time to stop before the second net got it.

..What was that smell? Someone familiar was nearby… Seemed like the big guy was stopped, she ought to check up on what had it charging in. Apparently a man was atop it, according to a quick ask around and check up on the citizens.

And soon, she’d be before this man… Coated in armor.

“If you’re conscious, you have a lot of explaining to do.” Her voice was neutral yet chastising, as if speaking down to a reckless youth.

Chasing these things aren't ever fun, and his bike's a bit away. It seems the Hollow's going to get a chance to crash out before he can put it down. That's just great. He heard that the boys in white are in town too, so that means he's going to have to deal with them if he's not quick with this. Though, fortune favors everyone but him today, and it's just his luck that what he thought would be an hour or so turned into minutes.

His head canted to the side as he got up, listening to the wailing that followed a few more crashes before the sound of nothingness reached his ears. Something took care of the Hollow, and that something's coming towards him. He reached behind himself but remembered he had left his blade with his bike, and that's when a familiar face appeared in front of him. Of all people, it just had to be someone he's met before.

Of course, he didn't say anything, aiming to rise from his spot and promptly begin walking down the street where he's sure the Hollow is waiting. Time is not on his side, and if he doesn't get what he needs, he's going to lose what he's after.

The man before her definitely seemed familiar, her olfactories rarely lied to her, even after these damn headaches. What was proving to be a headache was the armored individual getting up and walking away as if she wasn’t there. Seriously? If she was in a worse mood she would’ve pulled a scowl at the blatant dismissiveness. Or maybe there just wasn’t anything intelligent under the hood…

No, anything with even the most basic of stimuli would’ve reacted in any other way than just pretending she isn’t there. It was deliberate.

To that, she’d quickly draw her bow with multiple formed arrows again, laying a very painful looking net several feet ahead of him to stop his advancement.

“That wasn’t a suggestion, pal. I’d rather not make this any bigger a scene than what you’ve put together, so just let me have a few minutes of your time.”

His foot stopped as the net was thrown on the ground. It seems he won't be allowed to just walk it off. He wished people would just let him be when he required it. She doesn't want the scene to grow chaotic, yet she's going to hinder him. There's no time for this. For all he knows, reinforcements are on their way.

"I will kill the Hollow and be on my way," He voiced through his helmet, his voice scuffed by the metal around his head. "It is best you stay out of it."

He didn't give an answer why and would rather not. His business doesn't take kindly to authority, and he'll lose a lot of leads and jobs if he's caught dealing with them. Besides, her knowing its him puts a hinder on a lot of things he'd like to accomplish later. The City of Lights becomes less useable if someone there knows his identity.

“And I am keeping you here until you actually feel like being a human being and having a real conversation.”

Her hunger was starting to kick in, but she wasn’t gonna relent on this. Arms crossed, eyes narrowed, she’d huff,

“Thing’s pinned. It isn’t moving anytime soon - no need to hurry off. My question is why the hell are you riding a Hollow into a damn city? I know you hunting types, novel as you are - i’d think someone who’s apparently so experienced that he can afford a whole armored suit could manage to either kill it before it causes any damage or veer it away.”

She walked in front of him, eyes narrowed, “So are we gonna talk or are you gonna keep being a stubborn toddler?”

His head tilted down.

"Nothing's easy when you try and work with people," He answered, making a point of emphasizing his words near the end to show his disdain with her stubbornness. "But people who makes things hard usually get what's coming."

And without really answering, he simply put in her head the idea that someone got in his way. She's in his way. He'd like for nothing to be in the way of his job right now, and it may be impossible for a suit of armor to seem annoyed, but he pulled it off. His hands on his hips, head canting to the side, he leered down at the lone Quincy.

"Toddlers are at least good at keeping secrets."

“Oh yeah? What’s coming to me out of an uncooperative child?”

She was feeling less willing to adhere to social pleasantries the longer this conversation went on. It felt like she was trying to get a stubborn kid to fess up to something they did. She was getting awful curious of who this could even be with such unattractive behavior.

“I’m certain you get very far in life with an attitude like that. We could’ve been done here by now if you just listened. Now i’m teetering closer to calling the guys who’re actually supposed to be handling cases like you. Like, suspicious guy in a full suit of armor causing public distress? You may be tied up in community service for a good bit..”

She pretended like she wasn’t paying him much mind, walking around him, before in a sudden lighting-fast move she would have transformed her weapon into a bony black spear, not to attack him but rather to suddenly attempt to swat his helmet clean off! Really was inclined to get a good look at this weirdo…

He doubts anyone would or could handle him outside of the annoying organizations trying to govern the world, and even then, he's someone who knows enough to probably weasel out of anything they could do to him. Nothing's perfect in this world, and as a man who's lost in the darkness, he knows what to do when the light's shining too bright. He doesn't have a reason to even recognize the words she's spouting as he continued on his way.

That is until she actually made a move...

He doesn't have his weapon, so his only option is his armor, but being caught unaware always left one available for a mishap. He probably should have expected something of the sort, but people rarely go for his helmet. They're usually too busy trying to stop him from assaulting them. This is what he gets for not showing her proper respect, but he'll not make things easy.

Even as his helmet bounced down onto the ground, forcing his arm up over his face. His other arm was quick to move and swat at her, a sudden rise of energy in his arm to force her back. Brunette hair cascading down the side of his face, as he'd quickly go to pick his helmet up after her intrusive attack. First thing's first.