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Post by swapgo on Aug 13, 2023 23:31:22 GMT
Ramon's phone proved a more effective form of crowd control, as it was easier to maneuver, prompting the lizards to shelter behind the generator. "No! King shelter us from Sun. He wouldn't let-ACK", the critter was too busy with the rethoric and with the blinding light to notice the leg casually punting him into the floor while Roman made a beeline towards the control. The switch flipped, and the engine ran hot, flushing out the lizards that were using it as cover from the light. The generator turned itself on, and some came the light, it was dodgy and there were plenty of flickering bulbs, but there were enough for them to disarm the critter's hunting fold. "Go! Go! Over here!", the struggling lizards did their best to locate their hurt buddy and beelined towards the safety of darkness, disappearing deeper into the tunnel.
The boy had earned himself a break, the poor mop handle would probably not last another charge, but it appeared that the monsters had stopped slamming into it, they were likely convinced of Roman's purported mastery of the Sun now that the power was restored. The question was where he would go next, what with endless darkness before him, who was calling anyways?.
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Time
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Post by Time on Aug 14, 2023 0:07:02 GMT
Roman sighed in relief as he watched the lizards scamper off once the generator popped on the lights. Sitting down, he realized how hos muscles were burning from the running, how he had basically ran out of breath, and honestly he felt as though he was going to puke.
What in the FUCK was going on?!
First thing was first as he looked at the flickering lights. They worked for the most part, but he didn't know how long the gen would work, or even how much fuel there was. Looking at his phone, he noticed how the light was still on. A quick shake, and it turned off, as he checked the number. It wasn't any number he knew, as he redialed, only to hear, "Hello, were are reaching out to you about your car's extended warranty-"
Instantly, Roman frowned, before hanging the phone up. "Fucking scam calls." he said, before he looked at his phone and realized something. Why hadn't he just pulled up a picture of his dad? That would have likely saved him so much trouble.... Actually, what in the honest to go christ were those things?! He had a hard time believing that this was not some elaborate nightmare, but the clear bruise he felt as he had kicked with his shin rather than his foot made Roman realize this was indeed real life. And what about this cave? Had this always been here? He was certain that there was no cliff or mountain attached to the back side of the store.
Then there was the issue of the other creatures. Likely, they had all scattered when the lights came on. Where they went was a different story. If he had learned anything, it was that he needed plenty of light, and durable lights to do anything.....
Of course, then there was the question of his father's choices, and how he had somehow befriended those things. He was certain he heard the word, 'King' having been said. Did that mean these things had a heirarchy? If so, Roman considered his course of actions.... First, a clear look of one of the creatures. If one of them really had died, then he didn't doubt they had left the body. He'd start there.
Removing the mop handle, Roman opened the door, tire iron at the ready in case it was an ambush.
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Post by swapgo on Aug 14, 2023 1:49:32 GMT
Roman opened the door, and was met with...himself.
This wasn't much of an ambush, and more of a standoff. He could see the light at the end of the hallway, unfortunately, the lights above the door were no good, leaving a blind spot in the sun. While it wasn't pitch dark, Roman could suspect that the creatures were comfortable in this dimness, given there was a...mirror in front of him, presumably filched from the bathroom, he could see a claw on each side holding it, it was likely two of them, given its width, a bold way of sheltering themselves from the light. "You, big kin of sun", a voice called out, apparently, they were paying attention to this debacle. "We will not serve you. We serve King. King protects us", there it was again, whomever that ruler was, it was important enough to not be another "Him" in the pile. "The day cannot be forever, you will not pass. The night will come, and we will avenge him", the critter did not grasp the way electric light operated, but twice a day, broken clocks work just fine.
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Time
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Post by Time on Aug 14, 2023 2:21:03 GMT
Seeing his reflection, Roman flinched slightly before noticing that it was a mirror. Seeing the situation, Roman realized that these things weren't just intelligent or smart. They were clever. He squinted his eyes in irritation, as he realized that the bastards weren't going to let him go. "No, I'm Kin of King. Roman stated, as he realized now what they had called his father. Of course he also knew that he wasn't likely going to be forgiven. Especially if the other creature was dead, but a part of him now realizing that these things not only understood feelings but even desired revenge meant that Roman could feel guilty.
"He attack first, he attack kin of king. I show you king, and you believe, okay?" Roman stated, as he pulled his phone back out. Pulling the picture of himself and his dad up, Roman felt his eyes water again, as he bit the bottom of his lip. The burly man who was a good foot larger than him, with a shaven and trimmed beared and a half toothy smile stood beside his son with a fish on the hook. It had been taken last spring break, and was the last time he had seen the old man. "Is this King?" Roman asked, as he tried to angle the phone in a way that the creatures could see from above the mirror or something without being blinded.
"Is He dead? Is he not breathing or just hurt?" Roman tried to keep things simple as he inquired about the other creature. Diplomacy was possible, and if his father could do it, then Roman could as well. He just had to learn and listen.
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Post by swapgo on Aug 14, 2023 22:01:18 GMT
There was an outraged, coordinated snarl, which betrayed that there was, in fact, still an ambush waiting for Roman at the edges of the doorframe. "Lies! You are unlike King. King big, strong, protect us from the Sun, from them!", the critter behind the mirror rebutted, its snout peeking from behind the glass as he continued to be frustratingly unclear. "King let only him in, you aren't him, you side with the Sun!", the second one followed suit. Ramon presumed incorrectly, whomever this King is is not his late father.
It said much of these lizard's discomfort of light that Ramon had (presumably) slain their brethren and slandered their king, yet they wouldn't simply enter a well-lit garage. Convincing them to look at a backlit device was probably not a great idea.
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Time
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Post by Time on Aug 15, 2023 19:31:03 GMT
Roman pulled his phone back quickly as he realized that these things were obviously still waiting on him to try and come out. He was tempted to tell them that he could just break it down, but then it occurred to him that he might just end up giving them weapons, as well as giving himself 7 years of bad luck.
Grimacing, Roman felt like he was trying to talk to children. "Fine, I'll leave Sun on then." Roman stated. As he turned around. There was no guarantee that the lights would stay on for long. He didn't even know how much fuel the generator had. Looking at the now broken torch, Roman knew it was permanent out of commission, the chisel having demolished the cheap plastic and glass shattered. The batteries were scattered, none seeming to be busted. They were the D batteries. Something that if you placed your tongue on you'd shock yourself with it.
He needed to figure out what to do.... Checking the area the most he had available were pallet cars, which he couldn't even use as anything except a super clumsy scooter at best. He needed to find some way out. He could try to scatter them, maybe with the flash option of his camera, but there wasn't a guarantee that they wouldn't overtake him. Thinking about it, was King possibly a lizard like them? They obviously had a society of some sort.
Looking at the Cavern Roman wondered if it was his only choice..... What was he even thinking! He wasn't in some sort of fantasy Isekai or something! He barely knew how to defend himself...... But..... Walking back to the door he decided to try something. "Hey, Lizard... People... Things.... I don't know what to call you. What if we make deal? I give you something to block sun and see. You forgive me and introduce me to king.".
It was a stupid idea, but maybe he could bargain with them. The worse that could happen is that he was lied to. "You let me out, I come back and prove it. If you attack, I use sun again."
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Post by swapgo on Aug 15, 2023 23:10:41 GMT
"You will not outlast us! We are Kin of stone!", one of them proclaimed proudly, despite how well stone did against steel. As Ramon mulled, the rabble muttered their intent. He might not have time to actually sit by and listen, but he heard something about 'putting this thing back' and 'have you seen him'. As Roman attempted to plea with them, his phone rang once more, a notification, rather than a call. Should he check it, he would see it was a voice message from Lisandra Mills, couldn't be worse news than this. Should he open it, it would say as follows. "Good morning Mr. Dimitri, I want to share with you my grievances regarding the tardiness of databases regarding death certificates. As Mr. George's former legal rep, I'm still receiving messages from companies that haven't gotten the memo yet. I will forward them to you without a forethought until we reestablish a service contract. You're welcome" The mere buzz of the phones broke the droning growls, a single "what?" echoing through the hall
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Time
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Post by Time on Aug 16, 2023 2:48:26 GMT
Roman muttered and grumbled. They weren't budging, though he could hear them speaking. Something about putting things back, and have you seen him.
It suddenly got Roman thinking. Who was him anyways? The king was obviously missing at this Point, and they were waiting.
Of course before he could ask, he saw the text before noticing a text sound go off. Almost immediately Roman suddenly heard them shut up, before one word was spoken.
It dawned on him, and a wicked smile crawled on his face. "Fine, you may be Kin of Stone, but the Kin of Sun are many more! So many more we would flood your tiny cave! That sound was a... A magic spell!" Roman boasted and called a bluff. If they were savages, perhaps he could pull a Montezuma's wrath sort of thing, frighten them into reacting a certain way. Raising gus voice he spoke once more, "It was a message, calling for me! If my Kin do not find me soon, they will come! Each one capable of holding the power of the sun, and the fury of fire within each of their claws! Release me, and I will grant you mercy! If you fail to, then they will come for you, and those in the cave too! Even your king cannot stop a hundreds of hundreds of suns!"
He felt silly, and honestly like a bully, but if they were going to threaten him, and try to pin him in a corner, how was he suppose to react? He didn't want to head deeper into the strange cave. Not without some degree of safety or insurance. "If you think this is a trick, then I will call them to come. Dare you threaten me and attack me first again!"
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Post by swapgo on Aug 16, 2023 16:19:45 GMT
The mirror skid backwards as Roman pronounced their sorcery, it was working.
It at the very least got them bickering, the full conversation was vaguely understandable, 'more will come anyways, 'what would he do', 'where is he', 'how is he here', 'the king could beat a hundred suns', 'we shouldn't bother the king'. One of the two mirror-holding kingpins cleared his throat, and stammered slightly. "W-we are...kin of Stone! We do not fear you. We do not fear-!", Roman could feel the entire crowd turn their head back towards the corridor, as he heard a faint scream come to a sudden stop echo through the empty mall. Sure, this small regiment was under a cloak of shadow, and they could brave light for long enough to run in a straight line and leave through the tunnels, but the same couldn't be said for the unlucky reptiles that were blindsided by the mall lightning up above them.
"That was him...", "yes...", "how many did the King-". The left side of the mirror skid forward as one of its bearers shoved forward, forcing his buddy to catch up. "Fine, fine! What do you want! What do you want!"
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Time
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Post by Time on Aug 16, 2023 21:35:39 GMT
Roman waited with baited breath as he began to listen to their doubts. It was clear that they were loyal to their beliefs, but loyalty and foolishness were not one in the same. He also began to realize something else. "King" and "Him" were not the same. King was likely their leader. Which meant Him was..... Could it be his father? That explained it though. Him being his father would indicate that they had seen his father. A glimmer of thought etched in his mind. Maybe... And it was a stupid maybe, his Father's killer could have something to do with this madness. Perhaps these things knew something... Or their King did.
Of course when he heard the frightened yet stern voice cry out again, Roman's heart sank, before he became perplexed by the sudden scream.
Roman began to realize something. Were they.... Were they all photosensitive? Not just blinded by light, but ACTUALLY harmed by it?! The sudden though was interrupted by their words and actions. His mind raced as they demanded what he wanted, "I- I uh, I want forgiveness and friendship!". Roman said, "Promise not to hurt me and hear me explain. Talk to me, and help me understand who you are, then I turn off sun, deal?!". Roman said. Once he heard the promise, Roman would sprint back over, before shaking his flashlight back on, and then pointing it over himself, illuminating him, he'd shut the generator off.
Worse came to worse, he likely had the best possible weapon to use against them.
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Post by swapgo on Aug 16, 2023 22:32:54 GMT
"What? Uh yes yes! W don't hurt you just attack the sun!", most of the words were too long or didn't make sense to the lizards, but they understood the end of the bargain. The machine whirred and the lights slowly powered down, as they did, the mall came back to life as the ground floor was filled with scampering stomps as all the critters regrouped. Roman could see that the two stonelings holding the mirror actually left, presumably to put it back in its place. The rest of the squad quickly skittered in, roughly thirty eyes staring at his illuminated face, fidgetting amongst themselves. They whispered and glanced at each other, before one rose his voice. "Why are you here, Kin of Sun? You shouldn't be here. Only he can be here", one asked, or was it three? It was much more difficult amidst the darkness.
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Time
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Post by Time on Aug 17, 2023 0:57:12 GMT
Roman was just as dumbfounded as the other lizard had been, though it was clear not everything was understood. Once everything was said and done, Roman watched in anticipation as the crowd of lizards approached. About thirty sets of eyes. Had he chosen to leave, Roman wasn't sure if he would have been able to even think of returning.
Of course then came the first question. To which Roman stood there confused. Shaking his head, his mind went back to the first lizard he had struck. "I did not know. I was given this...." Roman gestured to the building hoping that perhaps gestures and words could bridge the gap.
"Before that, is.... Is that other one... That Stone Kin..... Alive?". Roman bit his lip in anxiety. "I did not mean to.... I... I am sorry.". Roman exclaimed. With that said, he had assumed that perhaps his strike had been deadly. Now that he had time to think, he realized just how small they were.... Had he overreacted?
"and.... Who is 'him'? Can you tell me what 'him' looks like?". Roman held his breath. He hoped it wasn't what he thought. He prayed. Maybe this was just a big misunderstanding. He just happened upon some freakish event. Hell, he wasn't even sure if he was actually sane... "Until I know who 'him' looks like... I don't know if I can answer anything else."
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Post by swapgo on Aug 17, 2023 1:33:24 GMT
"But he gave this to King, not to you, Kin of Sun", one of them interjected, so there was an arrangement between (presumably) his father and the King of these stonelings. "Last him gave him our King's blessing, now we permit only him to pass. You are not him. Until he or King tells us, we cannot trust you", they explained, that didn't sound very possible at the moment. When asked about their slain comrade, a good third of the group turned their glinting eyes around, watching their comrades return from the bathroom, and wordlessly walk past Roman. A third set of eyes dangled, above them, glinting even in lifelessness, the 'No' was implicit.
"I don't know, do you know? I don't know. I know", the question passed along until someone got it. "He is tall and has skin like Kin of Sun", of course. "He sounds different than you, that's how we know you're not him", they elaborated, their memonics lied elsewhere
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Post by Time on Aug 17, 2023 2:07:33 GMT
Roman suddenly realized something. Whoever this him was, he had given this place to their King.... But.... That could only mean...
His mind went blank as he saw the slow trudging of a handful of lizards eyes.... And one who's glint was no longer there. "I.... I....." he felt his face contort into one of sorrow. He couldn't say anything else. He....
Then he heard them talk about his description, until one spoke up. So it had been a human, but as the lizard in question clarified how they knew he wasn't the 'him' Roman suddenly had an epiphany. "Wait, you say you remember his voice.... Does it sound like this?. Roman lowered his phone, enough to where there was still a barrier to buy him time or blind any revenge driven stone kin, Roman pulled up his last video he had with his dad. Strangely enough, it was from that same last fishing trip. Instantly, he turned up the volume, before letting it play. His dad's voice echoed with merry joy and a sense of pride that his son had finally caught a fish bigger than what he caught. The two of them chatted.... Until suddenly Roman heard something he hadn't remembered his dad saying, "Hey, do you remember that Mall we went to when you were a kid? I remember you going to all of the stores, and seeing all sorts of yhings that you wanted when you grew up.". "I'm not a kid anymore, and I'll soon be able to buy whatever I want once I get my own business up. You'll see.". "Son, I know that, but don't forget what you said to me." "Whatever, Want a beer?" "Son..... Yeah, pass me one. I gotta drink to your victory after all!".. Roman stared at the phone as he realized how dismissive he had been. And now..... Now in this moment he couldn't take back anything. He couldn't have figured out what his old man wanted to say. He couldn't figure out what was going on, or why he was in this insanity. He.... He.....
He finally broke down, as he couldn't help but to sit....... "Was.... Was that the voice of Him?". Roman asked, as he wiped his eyes, his voice heavy with pain, sorrow, and now guilt. "If so.... A different Sun Kin Killed him.... They stabbed him.... What do you call someone who raised you? To me, he was my father.... The one who raised me.... And now he's.....!"
He couldn't hold anything back once again. "I'm.... I'm so sorry.... I can't undo what I did to your Kin.... I am..... How can I ever be forgiven."
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Post by swapgo on Aug 17, 2023 2:36:33 GMT
The lounge of lizards gasped and leaned ever so closer as Roman did some sort of recollection spell. "It's him", "He knows him", "where is he", "big words", and other strange quandaries. There was some contemplative whispering as they saw Roman in a moment of weakness, but it was all dispelled when he claimed that his father was slain. The stonelings worried, perhaps Roman wouldn't understand them in his grief, they offered no compassion, and were instead largely worried that their King would not like the news.
"Sun Kin", one of them called out for him, and Roman would find himself surrounded, they all gave him a side-eye view, likely to avoid being blinded by the still lit torch. "King order us protect this, for him. If he is gone, we don't know what to do with you, with this", they elaborated, from this close, Dimitri could see that their teeth had a gemlike glint, and their scales were peppered with mineral sparkles of different colors. "King needs a Sun Kin, you're going to be him. You will follow", it didn't sound like a question, however, they stepped away to give Roman space to get back up. Whether it was because they honored this truce, or because they no longer could afford to slay Roman, was a question for another time.
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