๑ Dieci ๑ Action ๑ Phone ๑

[tomatatas]

A. Action.

[Her footsteps quick, Romana hurries home, hair in a tangled mess, some blood on her blouse. Any cut or bruise seems to be fading, her nationhood returned. She can feel it inside her, the strength of all her people, helping her to keep going. The first death hadn't been easy, physically, nor had it been emotionally. Guilt still naws at her, even as Romana frowns and shakes her head to clear it. What's done is done, and when it comes down to it... one person, one person for so many, for her sister. It was a needed sacrifice, and really... everyone came back in this town.

She can't regret it, not fully. And she knows, if she had to, she'd do it again. Which is why she barely flinches when a new letter is found on her doorstep, a new name and photo slipping out. Her eyes close briefly, and she can feel the photos of her people and her sister burning in her other hand. Well then. That was that, this... game wasn't over. Swallowing, she heads inside, and only then does she let the mask crack a little, only for a few minutes. And then it's business as usual.]

B. Phone.

[The emotion in Romana's voice is clear, moving from concern into threatening as the call goes on]

If anyone sees Veneziano, Feliciano, the little boy with a curl that sticks out to the side and will rave about pasta... make sure he stays inside. I swear... I swear, if anyone lays a finger on him, if anyone hurts him...

I'll make it my personal mission to destroy you, got it?

C. Action; locked to Steven's Road, specifically 2239

[Hair pulled back into a tight bun, and her curl flattened to lessen the chance of being recognised, Romana has managed to hunt her next target's home down. And after changing into an outfit more suitable for fighting and restocking her weapons she now waits, watching the house for a sign of movement. She doesn't feel too anxious to rush in, knowing from years of experiences that it's best to hold the higher ground and wait.

In the meantime, she'll just be hanging out in a tree, tucked up and away and checking her guns.]

Comments

[Phone]

[zombee-slayer.livejournal.com]

Who'd waste their time killing a kid?

[tomatatas]

...Have you not been paying attention to what's happening in the town, or is that a genuine question?

[zombee-slayer.livejournal.com]

It's a fucking question god-damn it! Who the hell would even bother killing a brat!? [This coming from him.]

[tomatatas]

...Children have been killed before. As long as the killer is getting something from the death...

[zombee-slayer.livejournal.com]

Eh, figures. So why don't ya teach the little guy how to use a gun?

[tomatatas]

....Handing him one would just terrify him. Nonna never truly wanted us to fight, and I assume his Nonno had a similar idea.

[zombee-slayer.livejournal.com]

Then hand him a bat or something.

And what the hell's a Nonna and Nonno?

[tomatatas]

...I'll consider it. [meaning, 'no, go away and shut up']

Grandmother and grandfather. It's Italian. Idiota

B

[muskatli.livejournal.com]

...No one will touch him.

[tomatatas]

If they do it'll be the last thing they ever do.

c

[hop-toit-udonge.livejournal.com]

-The movement wouldn't come form within the house, but rather from without. Eirin had been at Olivier's most of the day, after all. And after the fallout there, she needed some time alone to clear her head, and of course to restock her poisons now that she could.

Seemingly defenseless, she walked up to her door, pulling out the house keys. In all honesty, the "defenselessness" was likely extremely suspicious in and of itself. No one would walk with that sort of confidence in Mayfield at a moment like this...-

[tomatatas]

[Eirin has a momentary reprieve while Romana checks the photo against the woman. She's playing the game yes, but she's not going to take out anyone that isn't neccessary.

And as soon as she's sure there's a sharp crack, a bullet being discharged, Romana's gun aimed at the back of Eirin's head.]

[hop-toit-udonge.livejournal.com]

-A previously unseen substance seems to move all at once to the point where the bullet would have struck. It appears to be a gas, but nothing can be certain by just a glance. It acts as something of a force field, stopping the bullet just shy of breaking the skin as Eirin's hair is singed by the heat.

The confidence, it seems, was not unfounced

In the same motion, she turns around and tosses a syringe in the direction of the shot, hoping to get her attacker before they are able to hide.-

[tomatatas]

[Romana curses softly as Eirin blocks the shot and drops from the tree knowing that her hiding spot is most likely ruined now. And she's right, the sound of the syringe hitting the tree reaching her ears. As she ducks behind the tree her thoughts race, trying to work out what had saved the other woman. Had she regained a forcefield, or some other science fiction magic type of protection, or was it just dumb luck. Whichever, it wasn't good. This wasn't going to be an easy fight either.

Quickly, Romana peeks out from behind the tree, raising her firearm at the same time to fire off a volley of shots before ducking back again. She keeps her limbs in tight, knowing that the tree trunk isn't the best protection and that she needs to move soon, find something better.]

[hop-toit-udonge.livejournal.com]

-Eirin reaches into her coat, tossing out a small green vial that shatters against the ground. The green gas that pours out has a toxic, suffocating scent.-

[tomatatas]

[The slightest hint of the scent sends Romana darting, from behind tree to tree, her breath held. Blindly, she aims and fires, throwing the gun when the bullets are spent and pulling another free. Even while shooting blind her aim is shockingly good, and Eirin should feel the bullets come at least close if not hitting.]

[hop-toit-udonge.livejournal.com]

-Eirin returns fire with a few more tossed vials, pouring out the same toxic gas. She needed to ready her bow... But it wasn't looking like the girl would give her any chances.-

[tomatatas]

[Romana drops lower, knowing it's best to be close to the ground when there's gas. And then she wets her finger, checking the wind direction before shifting back up, quickly darting to an upwind position. Once there she steadies herself, and takes aim at Eirin's chest, wanting to finish this as soon as possible. Before the girl could play any more tricks.]

[hop-toit-udonge.livejournal.com]

-Just as the Italian appeared, more gas rushed up between them. Not nearly as poisonous as the other gas, this one just obscured vision, completely blanketing the area in black smoke. Probably still not a good idea to breath it in.-

[tomatatas]

[Still, Romana takes the shot, before darting away from the cloud, her breath held. There's a soft growl of frustration as she takes cover behind a tree, checking her weapons, racking her mind to think of what next to do.]

[hop-toit-udonge.livejournal.com]

-The bullet doesn't quite find its mark, but it still manages to cause more than enough grazing damage. Blood splatters onto Eirin's dress as her collar is damaged. Damn it... She didn't want it to come to this, but she's left no choice.

Pulling out another syringe, this time she injects herself, letting out a grunt that may have well given away her position. Still, she stays on the move. Soon, the drug would take effect...-

[tomatatas]

[The grunt is all Romana needs, quickly aiming and firing at where it came from, shooting again to either side just in case. In return she moves again, knowing that the crack of the gun would have given her own position away.

She can feel the gases starting to affect her, a cough building in the back of her throat even as she forces it down. No. She can do this, she has to do this. She's not going to fail again.]

[hop-toit-udonge.livejournal.com]

-There's a sensation of glass shattering in her mind as the enhancement drug finally goes into her system. The mighty Grand Patriot's Elixir, as she had named it once upon a time. That drug that had given the LDC the edge over all of their enemies. Her senses tingled, her muscles rippled, and everything around her suddenly became clear, even through the dense toxic gases.

But at what cost?

... Well... she already knew that. What happened with a full three dosages, which she had injected.

It didn't matter. She found Romana, and charged her with a primal scream no mortal being had heard from her.-

[canhaspasta.livejournal.com]

S-sorella? Are you okay?

[The whole town's been crazy lately. Something about letters, but he didn't get one, so he isn't sure why everyone is fighting all of a sudden.]

[tomatatas]

I'm fine piccolo. But promise me you'll stay inside, si, and if someone comes in you'll hide really really well, yes? This is very important Veneziano.

[She tries her best to keep her voice light, hoping that somehow she can make this out to be a game to him, so he'll worry less.]

[canhaspasta.livejournal.com]

Stay inside? Why? What's going on?

[tomatatas]

Nothing too important piccolo. But it would be best for you to stay hidden and some place safe. Okay?

A

[lamingtons]

[Leaning against the wall inside.]

G'day, love.

[tomatatas]

[A slight flinch as she quickly raises her hand and wipes away any trace of tears, before making her way to the kitchen. A cup of coffee, and then she'll keep going]

Australia. Were you waiting for me, or just watching the door in case someone else burst in.

[lamingtons]

[Follows her.] S'gotta be one or the other? You're a right mess.

[tomatatas]

It seemed like you were waiting. [Filling the kettle] It'll wash out. If not... [A shrug]

[lamingtons]

No one's gettin' at the kids without going through me first. ["Kids". Even if Seborga's a drone now, he counts.] Bit more worried about where it came from than whether or not it'll wash out, sweetness.

[tomatatas]

Good. [Even if Seborga isn't... whatever, had Australia's answer been any different she would have smacked sense into him] Does it matter? Some of it's mine, some of it's hers, and only one of us is still standing. And you can guess who that is.

[lamingtons]

Unless you're a zombie! [He can't help smiling. Being serious for too long feels weird.]

[tomatatas]

...Ha. Ha. [Unfortunately, she's all serious and no smiles today. A sigh as she turns around to get the coffee]

[lamingtons]

... [Reaches out to squeeze her shoulder.] You regret it?

[tomatatas]

No. [The answer is firm, even if she doesn't shake off the hand] One life for millions, for my sister... I've done it before, and I'll do it again... I have to do it again.

...Besides, the way this town treats death I doubt she'll be dead for long.

[lamingtons]

[He squeezed tightly again before letting go.] Yeah, I get it. [He probably would have done the same for his people, or for his sisters. All the same, he's glad he doesn't have to.] Just making sure you were okay.

[tomatatas]

[She almost reaches up to grab his hand and keep it pressed against her shoulder, and only at the last second does she stop and drop it, fingers curling in the fabric where his hand had pressed] Does it matter? As long as they're okay, and she's okay, I'll be okay.

[lamingtons]

Buuuuullshit. [Australia rolled his eyes, leaning against the counter.] Cut the noble sacrifice shit, you're not Jesus no matter how hard you've been nailed to a cross. If you're not okay, you're not okay. S'fine.

[tomatatas]

Don't use his name and his sacrifice to mock be, bastardo. [She turns away, finally finishing up on making her coffee] And I'm fine. I've done this before, I'll do it again, and it's better it's me and not her. [Sipping the cup she stares out the window, drifting off into a soft mumble] I've failed once, and I won't repeat it.

[lamingtons]

'm not mocking you, 'm saying you don't have to be all high and mighty about this. Do it all you want, I can't stop ya. Not that I approve, but I see where you're coming from...

[tomatatas]

...You'd do it if it was your... whatever New Zealand is, and Wy, as well as your people si? Most of us would... right?

[lamingtons]

I'd butcher anyone that hurt my girls, given the shot. And... Yeah. You gotta look after your own. Pre-emptive strikes are a little messy and you can't take anything this town tells you seriously, so it's that bit that's kinda off...

You're on tricky moral ground, kind of, but that's for the humans to decide.

[tomatatas]

One, or two, or five lives for over 60 million... it's... it's a reasonable sacrafice, si? And with the way this town treats death... they'll be back. But it's a risk I can't take, even if they never come back.