dappledleaves | CICONIA: WHEN THEY CRY

[ They're caught. It was inevitable even without Sinclair and Oria's open defiance. When they're both released from their respective punishments, they're lined up with all the other AOU gauntlet knights. Soldiers surround them with guns, a general barking orders and threatening court martialing for their alliances with the state's enemies.

Ah. This was it. They had avoided it for so long. But the military strategists did know what they were doing.

A few of the knights look surprised. Terrified. Sinclair just thinks about the aching spot at the back of his neck.

But he can't quite hide the mutiny in his expression. He may be a tool loaned by Limbus Company and he's not sure how they made AOU settle things with the ABN other than the trade and declaration of Sinclair being private property of the company, but whatever it was, this general was furious whenever he looked Sinclair's way.

But since he couldn't touch Sinclair directly, he turns his attention to Katherine and makes a gesture. Before any of them can react, she goes crumbling to the floor with a sickening crack of a baton.]

Stop it!

[ Sinclair shouts only to face the muzzle of a gun. There's sobbing, tears...

"Silence! There will be no mercy for traitors!"

Ah...

"Next time it will be the firing squad. Fail to follow through on orders and..."]

[ Like Sinclair, the only thing Oria can think about is how much of a pain this is and doesn't even flinch when Katherine goes down. A vague thought passes his mind when he confirms that she isn't dead just by watching her breathe after collapsing (very little, but still there). Their fellow Knights are crying, a gun is pointed at Sinclair. ]

If the option for the firing squad was actually available, you would have used it already. Your threat of pointing a gun at him [ He gestures over to Sinclair with his head because his arms are too busy being crossed with a dash of irritation in that body language. ] might as well not even happen either. You really don't know how any of us work, and that's why you failed to keep us in check and resort to brute force, because that's all you can think of.

[ Hello. Oria is here to do some verbal PvP again with you lot. The tone of his voice definitely sounds like he's looking down upon them for saying such a stupid thing. ]

Most of the Knights are commodity--a military resource. We already know that you're trying to use us for your own gain, but at least try to maximize our usage. A tool is only as good as its wielder, and you lot suck ass. Not to mention that we're valuable. How many Knights are even made a year? Not that many. I'm sure you want to shirk the nation's military might for the sake of your own ego for lording over some kids more than half your age.

So like, are you done yet? Can we move onto the real topic? If this is all you got, I'm leaving and taking the others with me. And you can't stop me.

[It's natural to flinch at the sight of a gun. But the logic behind Oria's words is undeniable, and Sinclair glances at the gun, thinking...ah, he could make that blow up like they want him to, can't they? He'd be mauled, scarred, but so would the soldier and that general who looked at them like pawns on a chess board. They deserve it, if he could do what he really wanted...

He blinks, and bends down to help Katherine up, checking on her forehead. He ended up liking her after all, despite bristling at the attempts to force them into a team. After all, she was just a kid, like them.

The general's face twists. Oria isn't wrong. But then again...

"Further insubordination is going to result in a court martialing. You may have your name to protect you Severine, but don't think you can speak like this! Now, if you're all traitors, it doesn't matter if there are only a few of you." The soldier puts down his gun at the gesture from the general as files and images get projected around the room.]

[ Oria has a lot of things to say about that, but when the general moves on, he just sticks his tongue out when he isn't looking. This is what youth is about, even when getting mixed up in selfish adult-involved things... but there was one thing he thinks the general is wrong about.

He doesn't think his name protects him from anything--or at least, the things that are worth protecting. He looks at the projected images as he thinks about this for a while. The strategic formation that they call the phalanx is recommended for defensive type Knights to lead the way and protect the other Knights from danger. There seems to be three of these, each separated into groups with several kettes (and rotte). Slow, but steady. An impregnable shield that will run over anything in its path--what a phalanx represents. Of course, in an aerial battle this will be difficult to maneuver, which is why they have their own special formation that deviates just slightly.

In the meantime, the sniper Knights will be in formation behind the phalanx to aim at several group leaders. Attackers will be sent as decoys to scatter the opponent's defenses and take them out piece by piece. Every other role are given specific methods to handle the enemy and support their fellow Knights.

Katherine is bleeding a little from the head, but she does her best to pay attention to the briefing and gets out a handkerchief to wipe it from her head. She tries to assure Sinclair that she'll be fine, and thanks for helping her.

Luckily, Oria doesn't drone out the rest of the information, but one thing does catch his attention--it's when the general's assistant(?) steps forward at the end and mentions that there will be changes to the initial plan depending on who is still active at the end of the day. Oria thinks he's talking about possible traitors that the military will wipe out to serve as an example for the others or something, but Oria is unaffected.

So, be on your best behavior and let the AOU come out triumphant. ]

[ Sinclair lets go when Katherine insists she's fine but he worries still. His expression goes uneasy when he hears the plan, the knowledge snipers were in the wings, ready...

"This is how all desserters were treated in war."

Sinclair still feels sick. These are their friends they're fighting for real now after all. The despair is palpable in the room as the general and the other military brass march out first, followed by the gauntlet knights to the yards.

Ah. This wasn't good. He remembered this type of work. They wanted to break them.]

[ Oria has been constantly mentally bracing himself for the worst. When they're led out to the yards, he subtly sneaks a hand to Sinclair's, holding and squeezing it for a brief moment. We'll be okay, he wants to say because he knows he can't guarantee for the other Knights.

Hell, he's not sure if he can even say that for both of them.

But he knows. He's strong. Sinclair is strong too. They've been through a lot recently.

The fingers that intertwine with his seem to say,

Let's make it out alive. ]

[The warmth of that hand keeps Sinclair steady. He swallows and squeezes Oria's hand in turn, letting go reluctantly when a soldier's eyes falls on them.

Live. That's all he can ask for both of them now. Don't die, no matter what happened.

There's barking orders for everyone to start their usual routine - laps around the field. Anyone who fell behind would be punished.

Hah...]

[ They've done this so many times that it shouldn't be a detriment to either of them. Oria looks at the rest of the Knights, thinking that if they fall behind in their normal conditions—

Ah.

He forgot about Katherine. ]

You guys just bashed Katja on the head enough to make her bleed and expect her to run laps? You are going to excuse her from this because that's your fault, right?

[ The trainer waves the protest off dismissively.

"Cadet Katherine will run the same as everyone else. It will be a good experience for the actual conditions you will be fighting in." Sinclair looks at Katherine, worried, his stomach twisting in knots. But there were other people flagging further and further behind and he can see some soldiers rolling out a fire hydrant hose.]

...but if Katherine gets injured further, she wont be able to participate in the formation. She's a key member of that--

Actual conditions? We don't run in the sky! We fly! Are you stupid?!

[ He sees the hose and that's it. This is just bullying. He won't stand for it. ]

I'm not gonna train under someone who doesn't know how to train us!!

[ So he just jumps one of the people holding the hose with a kick to the arm. ]

[The soldier holding the hose yelps loudly and drops it, cradling his arm. Maybe something is broken. Then another soldier takes out a taser gun and promptly fires it at Oria.

"Insubordination!" Sinclair panics]

No, don't--

[ Oria would have yelled out "INCOMPETENCE" in retaliation, but then he gets tasered. That shock hurts like a sucker punch but throughout his entire body, making Oria fall to the ground. It's as if he couldn't breathe for those painful few seconds.

But they're not Gauntlet Knights for nothing and it would be a shame if the 89th copy of Oria Severine fell here from a simple taser gun whose entire purpose of existence was to create a healthier and stronger body each time.

So he ends up standing and shoves away the nearest officer. ]

... If I'm gonna get written up regardless, I should go all the way, right?

Oria!

[ The other knights have stopped running now, caught up in the drama unfolding in front of their eyes. Sinclair surges forward, only to be pulled back as the soldier turns red and pulls back with a baton.

"Fucking shitty brat. It's been high time someone's taught you a lesson--" ]

[ The GK group chats go wild respectively in their groups. Some even message Sinclair, expressing worry of "what the heck is happening" or "be careful".

Meanwhile, Sinclair would know, but the look in Oria's usual blue eyes aren't usual at all. It's not like they changed color, but the vibes around him, or just him, has changed completely. The thing about Oria Severine is that he doesn't really like other people in general, but he still cares about them to an extent, and is extremely loyal to the ones who matter to him. There's a trace of empathy in Oria Severine.

It's devoid of that right now.

But he does raise his hands as if it's a gesture of surrender. Baton movements are predictable. They've been trained for this. He plans to dodge the baton attack, if any, and then counter. He "shows his willingness to surrender", so if they attack him despite that, he has the right to counter it.

Still, Oria Severine struck the first blow regardless. This is just a different situation from that itself. ]

[ Sinclair goes a little still and he stops fighting against the people pulling him back - his fellow knights of course. He sees the look in Oria's eyes and turns to the soldier, who seems to get cocky in turn.

"Giving up now? I'll teach you a lesson!" The baton goes swinging down over Oria's head and Sinclair pulls away]

Don't touch him - !

[ He's too far away to stop them though ]

[ He easily moves out of the way, though his hand seems to visibly twitch—most likely from the aftershock. That's why when he uses the hose to smack the baton-officer in the face, it isn't as effective. The body hurts. Some muscles move involuntarily. ]

The AOU military officers are pathetic. Adults are...

[ A small pause, probably due to the aftershock. ]

... so very unreliable.

[ It might not be as effective, but it still hurts. The officer staggers back, clutching his face and swears profusely.

"And you brats think you're hot shit, playing at war safe in your VR." The man spits out some blood. "I'll teach you a lesson-"

This time, Sinclair manages to put himself between the officer and Oria]

--stop it.

[ He stops when Sinclair gets in between. There's some silence before he looks down at the hose and sprays it at full force (whatever spray strength the punishment was supposed to be) at the officer's face past Sinclair's shoulder. The officer could probably lose an eye if it's strong.

He doesn't care though. ]

Edited 2025-01-30 02:40 (UTC)

Ah-

[ Sinclair doesn't have a chance to react to the blast of water that goes over his shoulder and into the officer's face. He goes down, screaming,and gurgling and the other soldiers begin to shout and move in to secure everyone involved]

Stop, don't touch him--

[But he realises it's Rodion who has her hands on him and Heathcliff going for Oria--

Hopefully they don't eat each other]

[ As he watches the soldier scream, he laughs a little--chuckling under his breath. He glances over at the other Knights before being lifted by Heathcliff. For some reason, he seems pretty complacent while being carried by Heathcliff like a sack of potatoes--to Heathcliff's side, lifted up by the torso and dangling like a cat. He lets go of the hose too.

No struggle whatsoever. There's no manic expression on him either--though it remains to be seen of what's worse: looking bored out of his mind or maniacally laughing about the violence he caused. It's the former right now, but still.

It's eerie. ]

["Hey, kid, isn't that your boyfriend? He always this crazy?" Rodion mutters under her breath. Sinclair is too weirded out to be even flustered by that as he stares at Oria, as he's lead out with slightly more dignity, scientists with clipboards swarming the area. Don't touch their project!!]

H-he's not my boyfriend. And, no, I've never...seen him like that before.

[ He continues to stay limp in Heathcliff's hold, but eventually lifts his head to look at Sinclair. He doesn't say anything, but there's a slight smile on his face. Hehe.

Hehehehe.

Heathcliff is free to do whatever he wants with Oria. Toss him to the side and let the military officers handle him or whatnot. The Knights are scared to actually do or say anything still. ]

[what the f-

No, don't think like that. There's a reason for everything, right? Heathcliff grouches about the grunt work he has to do but he dumps Oria back inside onto the ground with no ceremony, giving Sinclair enough room to kneel by Oria and check on him. Luckily he wasn't the one scruffed this time...]

Oria, are you okay?

[The military officers are coming soon, but Sinclair isn't the one in trouble this time. Probably]

"My Sinclair."

[ It's clear that whatever happened in the past whatever moments wasn't really Oria and Sinclair will feel a hand on his cheek. It's Oria's hand, but it's not Oria that's behind it. His voice sounds quiet and soft instead of his usual boisterous tone. ]

"Do you remember now? And our promise...?"

[ Sinclair flinches a little but he steels himself. Not Oria. Just a program wearing Oria's face trying to make him lose it]

...there was no such thing.

Christmas Eve Comes

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