[DW] Dammed if you do, dammed if you dont

[Stimmothy]

The water that flowed through the pipes set a calming, relaxing sense over all visitors. It was a marvel about what Lumos once was before the Calamity; a city of unity, sophistication, and beauty. The sound that reverberated through the pipes should've been grating and loud to the ears but was instead quiet and melodic. It reminded Alvarance of those sounds some people would play to help them sleep. It was almost peaceful here within the walls of the Dam, not at all what it was made out to be. Of course, the forest was calming at first too, Alvarance berated himself.

The Dam was made to be an intimidating force, even for peaceful visitors, but Alvarance didn't run into the fabled guardian of the bridge to the depths. Perhaps something wasn't well on the home front. Alvarance's steps were quiet, but even the steps bare feet seemed to scratch against the peaceful sounds. He wasn't sure where all the workers should be, so he kept an ear strained and his eyes began to scan, looking for even a shadow. Had they decided to hide because visitors were coming? What did that mean for him? He took a deep breath and stepped forward. He wasn't going to let uncertainty scare him, he was a man of action and would do what was asked of him come the forces of hell itself.

[ExplodingIce]

Chaol finished cleaning his nails and reclined on his couch. What a fool that man had been. Was he barely in control of any of his senses and tried to run the gauntlet? He'd only made it half way through the labyrinth of Heaven's tunnels and he'd been half mad with fear. His cackles had been over-kill, the smell of urine so overpowering even a child could have found the man. His meat had been soft. He'd put up a good fight, but he had no technique and no fury.

But what was this? Two divers in one day? Wonderous day. His head tilted back and he roared with laughter, a horrid barking noise that echoed off the stone walls. He wouldn't hunt this one. Let him come to the gates. Let him see his goal before his eyes and fail, inches from Purgatory. Chaol smiled in anticipation.

[Stimmothy]

The laugh sent chills down his spine and anyone watching would see Alvarance tense for a brief second. This was good, though, he tried to convince himself, as this meant someone was down here. That perhaps all of the mental preparation he went through wouldn't be squandered. He took a deep breath and focused on the sound, calling on his animal form to track it. The popping sound that always came with it bugged him but what was he to do. He followed the cackle through the pipes as far as he could and then followed with his own semi-quiet noises. Alvarance was certain that whoever was at the end of this path was able to hear him, however, he was quiet for his own benefit. After a while, screeching noises began to grate on a hawks ears.

It took him a bit to find his way through the pipes, it wasn't like he was familiar with the area or had a form of sight that could help him see the paths to take. He even walked to a dead end once or twice. Eventually, he made it to a more open area that seemed to have pipes branching away from it as if it was a part of the pipes themselves. There was a fire in the middle of this area and Alvarance couldn't help but ask himself where was the outlet for the smoke. Chairs and couches lay mostly haphazardly around it, like for some entertainment purposes, with random personal belongings strewn across them. Alvarance couldn't help but think those belongings didn't use to belong to whoever called this home.

The smell of blood drew his eyes to the only other figure casting shadows, probably the one that let out the laugh if the smile was anything to go by. Alvarance shifted his ear canals back, just in case another cackle was to be release. The warrior did his best to appear non-threatening. "My name is Alvarance au Julieil, Warrior of Havoc," he hated his other title, "I am here for a negotiations meeting. Is this the correct path?

[ExplodingIce]

"Well well,arent you a tough looking one. And from Havoc no less? That last one was a shamed. Looking to make a name for himself." Chaol grinned,leaning off the couch but not standing. "Come take a load off brother." He waved at one of the chairs. This guy wasn't a weakling. It made his blood race with anticipation. Someone who might make him bleed. He wanted to savor the moment. It had been a while since anyone had even tried to make the dive,and the ones who had were pathetic.

"Negotiate huh? I don't know about that. How do I know you arent trying to sneak past me? I'm the First Mate and all. Cant let people pass through my den all willy nilly." He giggled,a mangled disgusting noise that made his own skin crawl. His captain was going to scold him for stopping a negotiator from a big house,but this opportunity was good he couldn't resist.

[Stimmothy]

"Someone looking to become the best that they can is something I can admire," Alavarance spoke honestly. He leaned against the arm of a taller chair, crossing his arms across his bare chest. He wasn't likely to let his guard down completely. "The only ones I see as honor-less are those that scheme and undercut one another to get what they want. Even as children, we are taught that's not how to make us the best we can be. I have no reason to lie. It's not glory or titles I seek." Alvarance wondered how much this man depended on his animal form. Of course, he was beginning to think that wouldn't make a difference when it came to respecting the truth in this instant. "You became First Mate? I'm sure that is a position of respect."

[ExplodingIce]

"Well ain't that honorable," Chaol growled, the newcomer's calm nature making his blood boil. "You know what I learned as a child? The best is the person still standing when everyone else is piled on the heap." He hissed and stood,feeling the familiar ache as his jaw stretched to accommodate his predatory teeth.

"I'm gonna hit you now. And I expect you to hit me back, because that's how you assure your existence. Pain and struggle." He smiled and pushed the couch back against the wall with his foot, the heavy leather sliding across the floor as though it weighed nothing. "And I became the first mate because I ate the last one. He didn't have the strength to stand with our captain." He said and put his hands up in a boxing stance, daring him to make the first move.

[Stimmothy]

Alvarance wanted to say that he was surprised, but everyone knew this was coming. His response was merely taking a deep breath, pushing all of his distractions into a mental flame which resulted in that familiar ugly warmth growing in his chest. (Set-up) The popping of his ears didn't cause him to react like he did before. Normally he wouldn't focus on even making a part of him an animal for this, but something told him he was going to need it. (Set-up 2)

Alvarance leaned back against the chair, flipping it and himself backward. When he was mostly out of sight he forced himself around back to his feet quickly and the following kick to the chair seemed to be a fluid motion. The slightest bit of warmth went through his foot launching the chair quickly in Chaol's direction. (Attack) Alvarance ran after it, quickly approaching his foe.

[ExplodingIce]

Chaol's mind was racing already with patterns and combos, but first things first. Chaol dived out of the way of the chair, coming to all fours with a growl (Defend). "Try not to break my stuff. I claimed it fair and square. " He barked and rushed to meet his opponent on all fours. If he went for a kick he'd make sure he'd regret it and shred him(Setup), but with them approaching head on, he was more focused on an uppercut aimed at that insufferable jaw (Attack).

[Stimmothy]

Alvarance stopped rushing, his right arm moving across his own body to guide Chaol's away as Alvarance leaned further out of the way, his feet coming to position (Defensive Set-up). Their right arms raised, Alvarance prepped his left hand for a rough punch that was aimed for Chaol's side, near the lower back (Attack). Alvarance was certain that Chaol would do something to dodge. Alvarance;s foot shifted slightly, preparing to turn to keep Chaol in front of him. (Set-up 2)

[ExplodingIce]

Chaol let himself be pushed but turned to keep Alvarance in front of him so he could watch those hands (Defend Support), but rather than trying to dodge this punch, as he came down from the uppercut, he opened his mouth to slam shut his teeth against his shoulder (Attack Support). He braced himself for the counter attack by reaching to wrap his arms around his opponents arms near the elbow, limiting the amount of leverage he could get to swing for his torso and also keeping him close. (Defend Support)

[Stimmothy]

Seeing not much else of a way out Alvarance exhaled loudly as he hopped throwing his weight backward over Chaol's closing hands sending a trickle of energy into his foot as he aimed for Chaol's jaw (Counter). Alvarance placed his hands on the ground, stabilizing his motions. Alvarance sprung on backward, pushing away from where Chaol was hoping to gain some distance from his opponent, quickly getting back into a stance (Support). This one was altered, though, his hands drawn in close to protect himself. (Support defend). He panted slightly from the effort, taking a deep breath to steel himself once again.

[ExplodingIce]

Chaol took the hit and felt the force behind it crack his jaw shut and send him sprawling backward. "Alright alright. Hold it. Time." He mumbled and tapped his palm down on his fingers in a T shape. "As much as I was enjoying this, I don't plan on losing any teeth over the messenger. I like my teeth and that hurt like a bitch." He mumbled and wandered over to the table with his backpack on it, fumbling inside until he found an orange pill bottle.

"I like you. What did you say your name was?" He said and popped two of the little white pills inside into his mouth. As he did he felt the aching in his bones as they condensed back to normal human form.

[Stimmothy]

Alvarance was going to find it suddenly a lot harder to relax in here, though he would take the Grandmaster's exact warnings next time. He slowly began to loosen his focus, keeping his body on alert. His ears popped as they returned to normal and his breathing, though uneven, was still deep and quick from the effort. "Alvarance au Julieil," he paused for a moment, "Dragon of Havoc." Maybe he should start wearing his title if it'd only prevent situations like these. "Do you know if any of the others have arrived by chance? Or are they all dead?"

[ExplodingIce]

"Chaol. No family name. First mate of Mutiny." He grinned despite the ache in his jaw and flipped the cushion out of the chair closest to the door, the one that Alvarence had kicked at Chaol. Under the cushion was a key ring with a single golden key on it, beautiful and gilded with a pair of wings on the end. "I did offer you a seat." He barked his broken laugh and picked it up. As he approached the door he stopped and turned, a little puzzled. "What others?"


END- CONTINUES IN PURGATORY THREAD-
"Oh Captain my Captain."

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