Summary:Piotr is being tormented. N'astirh makes good on his threats and help arrives from an unexpected quarter. Log Info:Storyteller: None |
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There's a lovely little park just down the road from the Rasputin/Kurita/Guthrie residence and it's here that Keiko often heads to when she needs a break from the house. Today, she's taken Elena to play on the equipment there, while the tattooed woman plays 'fetch' with her demonic spirit wolf.
She might have company as well.
Bella, the demonic looking spirit wolf, bounds across the grass quite happily to drop a tennis ball at Keiko's feet. Picking the ball up, she feints a throw causing Bella to take a couple of steps before glaring at Keiko. Keiko laughs and throws the ball for real this time.
The wolf bounds off.
Watching Keiko as she's playing with Bella, Piotr's large frame is sitting nearby. With his pencils and paper out, he's currently sketching the woman and wolf at play, the seven and a half foot man is at least a little shorter as he sits. The feint by Keiko draws a chuckle from him. "After this, solnyshko, would you like to have dinner together"
When things become chaotic, Alexander can practically feel the metaphorical or not so metaphorical threads that help guide his destiny. They're not actually there, just slithering hints of sensation that occasionally offer some hint of one way or another. Nothing to do with him, and more what the wizened old goddesses in the sky wish of their playthings.
But the blond haired youth has it figured out. He won't go the way they seemed to be guiding him, to be urging him downtown. He'll show them. Hands deep in the pockets of his loose jeans, and his expression decidedly set in a scowl. He even went so far as to get on the subway. That'd show them.
But then when he emerged from the subway in the neighborhood in Brooklyn, he didn't recognize it. Hadn't been there before. But he set off walking anyways, towards the dog park down the block.
Hah, take that Fates.
Elena is on the swings as all this goes on, giggling as she tries to make the swing wrap round bar. "Nearly, Papa. I nearly made it…" The girl calls out. "Mama! Did you see?" She swings higher and the chains on the swing go slack as she reaches the xenith of the arc. Keiko nods and smiles, standing not far from the girl. "I did, estrella. You are getting good at that." She answers - her accent a mutts mix of South American ones. "I might, Piotr. Did you mean at home or out?"
ella stops as she's about to pick up the ball, ears tilting forward as she takes a 'point' and growls.
That's the only warning that Piotr gets as a horse faced demon appears from the shadows of the trees, just behind Keiko - and casts an evil grin at the large metal mutant as he moves towards Elena.
"Out, perhaps. If you want to bring Elena with us, we can go to Chuck E…" then Piotr's blood runs cold as the demon appears. The mutant's form shifts immediately, going to it's steel form. "Elena!" he calls out to his daughter, "Come here!" His eyes are narrowed, his frame stiffening as he rises up, knocking aside his drawing supplies and knocking them all over the ground.
At first the youth is looking at the ends of his shoes as he walks, frowning distantly. But then he looks up, just a glimpse at first then a double-take to take in the realization of what he's seeing. It's an abrupt cavalcade of silhouettes that stand out. A wolf that is entirely too large, then a creature with a long face and wicked features, and then the metal man rising strong and powerful.
It's the space of one second, two seconds, as the hero moves to protect his family. Alexander peers at this demonic thing, the off-color cur, and then children? His mind makes an incorrect leap, presuming that he is of course the center of the universe.
"Hey, it's not them you want!" Perhaps presuming this is another effort of his uncle. He breaks into a run, backpack dropped and left behind even as its zipper tears and a flurry of papers fly out. He crosses the street toward the park, planting a hand and skidding across the hood of a car as he rushes toward the crisis and shouts uninspired, "Hey!"
It might be easy to mistake Keiko for a child - she's tiny and slim - until one gets a good look at her face, where the story of her is etched for all to see.
"You." Keiko frowns as she turns, looking at N'astirh and drawing a short metal rod from the pack at her feet. It's extended to a quarterstaff with a flick of her wrist and she sets herself ready to protect her daughter.
Which is why she doesn't see the second demon that grabs her from behind and *tries* to put claws at her throat. That demon gets a sound thwack with her Quarterstaff but Keiko is struggling to get away from the creature.
"Don't come any closer, Rasputin." N'astirh chuckles "He'll break her neck …"
Elena has moved though, as soon as Piotr spoke. She barrels the short distance to the big metal man and hides behind him.
"I told you, didn't I, Rasputin? That I could get to her. Watch …"
As Phobos gets closer, he'll feel the fear that's rising. Keiko - for all she doesn't show it, she's concerned for Piotr and Elena and now the blonde man running towards them.
With Elena behind him, Piotr freezes in place as he threatens Keiko. "Let her go." he says with a growl in his throat, the large mutant's hands clenching into fists at his sides. With his massive armor form, the right arm morphs into it's infernal armor and he grips his hand tightly. "Let her go, demon, and I will make your death quick." he growls beneath his breath.
There is fear there. He is responsible for Keiko, and while completely in love with her, that deep responsibility is there that he caused this somehow. And now, this demon is threatening one of the centers of his universe.
There's a glance to Elena, and in a low voice, asks her in Russian, "«Can you tell them to sit?»"
Alexander definitely doesn't give off quite the same vibe as the other creatures, though his rush towards them slows when he sees the daughter move so quickly to take cover. The sides become more defined and what is more, the demonic creatures pay no mind to him at all. Unconnected to him as he stops and looks upon the wolves, then at the hostage situation.
His hands lift signaling no desire to do harm as he looks between the mutant man and the captive. For a moment he takes a deep breath, swallows.
And then he gets the scent of the fear, the harsh rise of peril and dread coming from those nearby. It's impossible to ignore. A step to the side is taken slowly, to make the angle a little better towards the one that holds Keiko making it split its attention, though it likely may be focused entirely on Colossus. He'll watch perhaps hoping for a moment when its attention is fully away from him.
"What is… happening?" He asks slowly, quietly, probably not even heard really.
Elena's eyes go milky white - if Alexander looks he'll see that - "Sit!" She calls out and N'astirh just laughs. "Oh, really, Rasputin. Getting a child to do what even the Dark Childe can't." The command is completely ignored but N'astirh doesn't seem inclined to engage with Piotr with Alexander.
Though the blonde mans presence draws a look.
The other demon has its hands full, with Keiko - who has black scales creeping over her shoulders to form armour. It's down over biceps now and slowly flowing over her body. She manages to spin away, batting at the demon with her quarterstaff. That will give Alexander an opening - if he's looking one. The blondes question is going to have to be answered by Piotr.
"I told you, Rasputin. I would hasten her corruption. Look at her, the little demon is really quite beautiful, isn't she?" Keiko's eyes blaze bright yellow - the slitted iris ever so obvious, as she circles. "She'll make such a lovely pet, don't you think?"
When the armour starts to contour to Keiko's frame, Alexander slips his hand to the side and turns his hips just enough to present one side to the creature that holds her. A quick glance is shot toward Piotr, as if gauging which way the man will jump, but then he looks back to the demon.
And then there's that /thwack/ as she clocks it with her staff. It's that moment when Alexander's arm comes up and over, a blade flashing into existence in his hand with a reversed grip that he brings around smoothly, cleanly, sending it in a blur of motion toward the creature's arm. The green blade glimmers as it crosses the distance.
Piotr knows he can't get to the demon in time, and he frowns. He is working to keep Elena safe - Keiko can - yeah, she's more than capable of taking care of herself. His responsibility is their daughter. But when the new attack flashes in, the large mutant holds his breath suddenly, as if unsure if it's friend, foe, or…
Keiko spins as she sets up for the next attack on the demon, as Grasscutter spins past her and slices through the demons arm. The creature screams as its arm drops to the ground and it takes the quarterstaff to its head. The obsidian scales nearly cover the whole of Keiko's torso now and the demon that Alexander just sliced up drops to the ground.
N'astirh laughs "Oh, so very good… you're coming on nicely." Then looks at Piotr "It won't be long before I'll claim her for my Master… You know how to stop it … and save her and your daughter."
The horse faced demon grabs the downed carcass and fades into the shadows.
He's gone which leaves Keiko panting and growling a little. "Is Elena safe? Are you?" She hasn't acknowledged Alexander yet. Piotr's going to have to do that.
"I will not." he says to himself, as he lunges at the demon, but before Piotr can get to him, N'astirh is gone again, and the large mutant snarls. "Pest." he growls, before Keiko is speaking to him. "We are safe." he assures her. "As are you, thanks to…" Steel covered eyes focus on Phobos and he frowns for a moment.
"Who are you?" he asks him, his expression surprisingly not friendly towards the man that probably saved his partner's life.
For his part Alexander moves over to take the quick strides needed to scoop up the blade that he had hurled, stepping clear enough away from the group to present no obvious threat. Though, he did just throw the weapon some fair distance. He makes a quick check of the blade and a drift of his palm along its surface as if checking for imperfections or traces of the demon's blood.
Finding nothing he looks between them, then at where the creature departed, then back to them.
A small smile is given as Piotr speaks to him, "Oh umm. I'm Alexander. Aaron. Alexander Aaron. Or just Alex."
"Is uhm. Are things okay now?" He chews his lower lip thoughtfully, still looking up towards the tall Russian, and then down down down to the Keiko. He holds up Grass Cutter and then confides, "Oh, sorry. It's a uhm. Magic sword." Which is technically true. Though… yes not all of the truth.
There's some blood on the blade but that's easily cleared.
Keiko takes a moment, just standing there with the armour partially formed - she needs to collect herself and get control of that spirit. Piotr will know that, Alex … couldn't possibly know.
After a moment, the scales start to recede, flowing back to the silvery lines of the tattoo that Alex can see part of on her back.
"You did well but you should be careful what conflicts you involve youself in. It could be hazardous to your health. I might have hit you." And it looks like she's capable of doing so.
For the moment, she doesn't say anything to Piotr of what she heard but the metal man gets a 'look' from the woman.
"I'm Keiko." Piotr can do the rest of the introductions.
Shifting back to his human form, Piotr can feel the look from Keiko, and her short introduction. "I am Piotr. This is our daughter, Elena. Those were demons, from Limbo." he grumbles as he shakes his head and frowns. "We are recently returned from being trapped there for seven years." Considering that their daughter can't be more than six - do the math there.
His hand rests on Keiko's shoulder gently, to support her. Finally, he lets out his breath. "Thank you, for your assistance."
Eyes a little wide, Alexander looks at Keiko as she speaks and she advises him to caution. He gives a nod to her and replies after she declares she might have hit him, "Yes ma'am," But then she makes her introduction and he gives another nod, "Good to meet you, Keiko."
Then his eyes shift to Piotr Rasputin and he looks back up to the tall Russian hero. "Sir," He offers in return for the gift of his name. And then he explains a little about their circumstances and he shoots a look towards the children, then back to the man.
"I'm sorry, that must have been very difficult."
Then the thanks given and he lowers his eyes slightly before looking between the family. "M'sure you would have been fine. I just… was passing by." He then reverses his grip on the katana and releases it as it fades from existence.
But he doesn't seem to move to leave, at least not yet. His brow knits as he looks between them, "Are you going to be safe? That…" He looks to where the creature disappeared. "Did not bode well."
"Ma'am?" That gets a yellow eyed stared. Keiko's pupils are slitted and the eyes are definitely reptilian. Or perhaps demonic. "Just Keiko…" she manages to say with just the hint of a growl in her voice as she starts to get control of herself.
When Piotrs hand comes to rest on her shoulder, her hand covers his and she squeezes. "It was what it was." She answers Alex. "We are here now and we have family around us. We're as safe as anyone else can be."
She's minimises the danger deliberately. "That was a throw you made with the blade. It was very impressive." She doesn't say 'thank you', but it's a Keiko.
Squeezing her in return, perhaps to remind Keiko that being called ma'm doesn't make the young man an enemy, Piotr nods to what she says. "We have ways to protect ourselves - even if they attempt to catch us off-guard. But fortune smiled upon us today." He doesn't want to get too deep on his family, and exactly where they fit into it all at this point.
"She says thank you for helping her." he adds, unofficial translator of Keiko speak.
"Keiko," Is said almost instantly in correction as he nods, as if committing it to memory. He even dares a small smile in that instant as she speaks, then she mentions the throw his brow knits again a little and the smile remains though perhaps a little more self-deprecating.
"I'm just glad I made it, m… Keiko." But then Piotr steps in to provide the appropriate translation and for the first time since they've met him some of the tension eases in the youth as he says, "Was little as could be done, sir."
He looks to Elena, one eyebrow lifting then he looks back to them and asks, "Should I walk with you and yours on your way home?" As if not likely to be at ease until they're at least somewhere safer. Despite the rather formidable ensemble that they present. It seems he errs more toward the side of caution.
Bella hadn't attacked during all this - it had happened quickly and the demon wolf is really well trained. Now, she trots over and sniffs at Alex's hand, then at Piotr and then Keiko before butting the youths hand. "Bella says thank you as well." Keiko answers, now much more herself than she was a moment ago. "That's an interesting, may I see it?"
That's a way of saying thank you isn't it?
There's the faintest of smiles as Piotr translates "It was well done." Still not thank you but close, right?
"Are we ready to leave, Piotr? Elena?" Keiko holds her arms to the girl and picks her up when she comes over. It's obvious now that's her daughter and Piotrs - she's a fusion of the two. Well, she is when Piotr is in his human form. "Or shall we stay a little longer. It's not likely they'll try again here?"
"I need to collect my drawing supplies." Piotr responds, and lets out a breath. "No, I think our evening over is here, solnyshko." he offers to Keiko as he steps away from the two to collect what he knocked over.
"You are not a mutant. Are you a being of magic?" he asks Phobos.
The blond youth turns his hand over and presents it to Bella, as non-threatening as possible. "S'alright, pup." Though the demon wolf is anything but a pup. Usually someone would likely be taken aback, but Alexander… seems to keep himself level for now and even smiles warmly at the overgrown critter.
Then when Keiko makes the request his eyes lift up toward hers and he gives a single short nod. He extends his hand back out to the side to make the weapon fade back into view, the long blade appears crimson with a golden handle, though when he extends it hilt first and over the forearm of his free hand, moving it toward Keiko, it seems to shimmer so that the blade becomes almost white.
"Be careful of the edge, Keiko. It's…" He likely might catch a look from her then, but he tries to carry through, "Very sharp." Since, well, it is.
Once she has the blade held, the youth turns towards Piotr and says, "No, sir. I'm not a mutant. My father's family has always been strong in magic. I suppose some of it filtered down to me."
Bella chuffs, the warm air blowing over Alex's hand. Her sign of approval at the very least. "Bella won't harm you unless I tell her to." That much is clear by her behaviour. And what a name! Bella.
When the blade fades into view, Keiko's brows rise and she juggles Elena a little to look at the blade. "This is a good blade, Elena and Alex is correct, do not touch it. It is very sharp. You saw what it did to the demon." beat "I am not as skilled with blades as I am with Quarterstaff." She offers, inspecting the blade with her eyes only.
"Piotr. have you seen this?" She doesn't realise what the blade is. "It is … magic?" As to his family, the tattooed woman looks to Piotr for confirmation. "You are a mage then, Alex? Like Koa, yes, Piotr and the Nightfall Magi?"
Not at all.
"If we are done here, we will return home and bathe, Elena. Maybe Hank will be able to watch her tonight." That answers Piotrs earlier question. It will be just them, going out.
It's clear that Alexander has been raised not to dissemble in polite company, and perhaps there might be a few strictures here coming into conflict as he doesn't exactly have a poker face. "No ma'am," His concentration shifted a little that he forgets at first then adjusts, "I mean Keiko."
The blade is withdrawn and he extends his hand to the side, letting the sword flicker out of existence with only a brief moment of concentation. "I'm not a mage."
A look is given to Piotr, then he looks between him and Keiko alternating slowly as he speaks. "My family, most of them, live on Mount Olympus." He gestures to the side with a slight nod of his head as if he said that his family lives just down the road.
And then he smiles a little. Weakly.
Keiko lets the 'ma'am' slide offering the faintest of smiles, her eyes returning to the dark brown they usually are. She looks almost normal - if you discount the slitted irises and the tattooes of demonic and fantastical animals that cover her arms and shoulders. And the black leather collar with silvery pink lines running through it that has melded with her skin.
Totally normal. Really.
"Mount Olympus? Is that an area in New York?" She asks. It's really not clear if she's joking or not. She's fairly serious at the moment. It will come to her later. Or Piotr will explain it.
"Thank you for your help." She finally manages as Piotr touches her shoulder again. Taking a card from her pocket she hands it over "Just in case." she offers, another small smile flitting over her face.
It's her business card with her number. She's a … handyman.
"I think we are going. Take care, Alex."
With that the small family heads out of the park. Bella licks Alex's hand and turns to trot after them … dissipating to smoke that flows to Keiko's arm.