View source for 12416/15 Fears: NotHunter Becomes Prey

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2022/08/12
|Location=New York, Various Locations
|Synopsis=Gabby manages to track and confront the NotRien. After finding its lair she interrupts its feeding habits and lets it know that Rien is not the only child of Logan that needs to be taken seriously.
|Cast of Characters=3387,502
|pretty=yes
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{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:3387|Chas Chandler (3387)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A few weeks ago, Gabby Kinney was given a human hand by Cha, wrapped in wax paper. There was little explanation as to how he acquired it but it came with distinct instructions: 1) Learn its scent. 2) Be vigilant. 3) Follow to a stationary position if the scent is found and alert the leadership of the JLD. The hand didn't bleed and was surprisingly resistant to necrotisation, as well.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Originally, the hand was dark of skin (matching that of the thing that was masquerading as Gabby's sister) but over the course of a few weeks the color has changed. It's gone an offputting white-grey in coloration and as well as acquiring a few extra modifications; the fingers elongating and growing extra joints seemingly overnight. Combined with some not so great dreams, and you have a recipe for some trauma. Welcome to the JLD.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nothing's come from the air since then, so it might be a surprise as Gabby's walking down a busy city street that she gets a whiff of the scent the hand put off. The hand smelled of spice and vanilla, the perfume the NotRien was fond of before it seemingly vanished. But underneath the the perfume is a different smell. One that's grown more prevalent over the course of time; the scent of ozone, bleach, and ammonia. An acrid clean scent that tingles on the nose of those with senses greater tuned than those of normal humans.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The buldings on either side are both residential, but Gabby's nose can tell that's not where it's coming from. It's further out. Not too far, but... there is an abaondoned strip mall just one street over, the boarded up windows glimpsed through trash strewn alleys. It'd make for a good place to hide.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:502|Gabby Kinney (502)}} has posed:'''<br>'Find this person.'<br><br>It wasn't the first time someone had come to her with such a request. It was however the first she could do something about it instead of turning them away with an apology about not having inherited the same traits as the majority of her mutant family. Though she was still overwhelmed quite often by the heightened senses she'd recently aquired, she was also stubborn. In this case, rightfully so, as this *creature* that had posed as one of her sisters deserved to be brought to whatever justice they may be able to dole out to it.<br><br>She was diligent even in her attempt to search for it. Perhaps it was Tim's influence but she had mapped out the city in a grid and begun her search methodically. There were breaks in between. Times she'd caught up with some old friends, or met newer ones for icecream. Things that were pleasant distractions to help her rest so she could continue on rested and refreshed.<br><br>Now she pauses on the back of her little Honda Trail motorcycle letting the engine idle down as she sniffs the air with a crinkle of her nose at the scent. It was suitably unpleasant in all sorts of ways. The hand was with her though it had been stowed in a box with a lid and a lock because, let's face it, no one wanted THAT to be opened up by accident around normal people.<br><br>She alters her course just a bit to park. Then on foot she heads through a few alleys drawing close as she dared to find the exact location. Pulling out her phone she takes a photograph of the abandoned strip mall, and puts in a pin on the map in her phone.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:3387|Chas Chandler (3387)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The scent is definitely coming from the dilapidated building. Something is definitely moving in there as well, as Gabby's ears can pick out the distinct sound of motion within. If it's a raccoon or a wild animal, it's a big one since the displacement of debris is much more noticable than what would come from some small vermin.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After a few minutes of casing the joint, there's something new. A plyboard on the side of the building shifts and allows a figure in a tattered hoodie and filthy jeans to emerge from the confines of the building. Immediately Gabby's nose picks up on the scent. It's the creature. The NotRien.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is something odd about it though. A rippling underneath the fabric of the hoody as if something much larger is struggling to confine itself within the garment. The same jerky rustling occurs around the kneejoints and Gabby can hear the sounds of bones cracking and breaking even from her distant vantage point. It stops and looks around for a moment and Gabby can see that it's the same dark skinned woman, at least in face, as the thing that was not her sister, before it turns down the alley and starts walking.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:502|Gabby Kinney (502)}} has posed:'''<br>The shadows were something that Gabby had long ago learned to stick to. It made watching all the easier as she stands with her head turned to the side as her back is to the wall limiting any silouhette that might occur from her position. Certainly it would be hard to judge it as a 'human' shape without the obvious head and shoulders visible. The Not-Rien in all it's clearly unstable state is watched quietly as it leaves.<br><br>The entrance is immediately regarded with thought as she strides out of the shadows in the direction of that entrance. Her hand flexes at her side while she judges her options. Just a quick peek inside, claw out to shed some light, and then away again. Going inside completely seemed a rather bad idea since she had no idea how long the creature would be gone.<br><br>Slipping a cloth from her pocket she wraps it around one hand which then reaches for the plyboard to pull aside gently. Slowly. Keeping in mind EXACTLY where it had rested before so she could replace it as such.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:3387|Chas Chandler (3387)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It might be seen in hindsight as a bad idea to take a quick peek inside. What first hits Gabby is the stench that wafts from the place the moment the plyboard is slipped aside. The wash of offal, rotting meat, garbage, human waste, and blood hits Honey Badger in the face like a wet sock full of stones. But it's enough to tell her something, or multiple somethings, are very much dead or dying in there. Her enhanced eyes can even make out several lumps of flesh that seem like they were mostly human several days ago.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The creature's been busy.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sliding the plyboard back into place to keep the stench and whatever unmentionable acts within the building is an easy enough task and it doesn't take long for Gabby to find the acrid trail of the creature to follow more directly. After the second alley turn she even catches a glimpse of the stained grey hoody the creature was wearing.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The trail leads through the varied alleys and corridors of the neighborhoods before it finds itself in Clinton. Hell's Kitchen isn't the best of places even on a good day and today is no exception. The number of homeless and transient people has grown steadily in the niehgborhood and little has been done to help them in their various plights. As such, crime has grown and missing persons and exploitation rank among the highest of the victimisations that occur.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The NotRien and Gabby both pass a number of liquored up and passed out people before the NotRien turns a corner and slows down its pace. Gabby's ears can pick up the sound of words from the voice of the creature that posed as her sister just around the corner. "<span style="color:#9e9e9e">It's been a while since I've had something so fresh... you'll do nicely...</span>" it says before the sound of fabric ripping and bones and joints cracking rachet up and a young child's weak whimper can be heard underneath.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:502|Gabby Kinney (502)}} has posed:'''<br>Gabby Kinney is quick to clap her hand over her mouth when the stench of the abandoned mall hits her. There was definitely something dead in there. She'd half expected as much but she HAD to check. Had to. Now she withdraws quickly holding her breath until she can feel her lungs burning so that it doesn't upset her stomach enough that she leaves an unfortunate trace of her presence--Her lunch.<br><br>The cleaner, fresher air after is sucked in needfully. It's only a few moments before she's back on it's trail doing her utmost best not to be seen or heard or otherwise make it aware of her stalking.<br><br>She rather wishes she'd headed home. At least then she would have plausible deniability for ignoring the cries of a child. Which is to say... she can't ignore it. That just isn't going to happen.<br><br>Without thinking about it much at all she pulls her hood up around herself, then surges into the alley at a full tilt run. Right into the wall of the alley opposite so she can jump against it. Her foot impacts allowing her to rebound higher before she comes down from above with claws drawn.<br><br>There's no yell, no warning, no 'HIYAH!' or anything to announce herself. Only the few quick footsteps and then... She's coming for it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:3387|Chas Chandler (3387)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The creature she encounters on the other side of the turn only vaguely resembles a human. It's skin is that same milky-white, greyish tinge to it. It's also close to ten feet tall in it's hunched state. It's torso and limbs are bare, having shredded the hoddie and jeans it wore before. What's there is rail thin, literally. The arms looking more like PVC pipe than anything physically normal, complete with extra joints all along its length. The legs are also pipe thin with backwards pointing knees and an extra join in the thigh area. One arm ends and a long fingered, talon tiped hand, the other in a stump at the wrist.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The only thing remotely normal about it is the face. It's still the face of the NotRien, only stretched and contorted into an uncanny valley semblance of what it used to be. The red lips are parted and a long purple tongue is rolling out to lick at the face of a young boy, maybe 12 or 13 huddled against a garbage can.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Gabby leaps for it, it moves with deceptive speed to one side avoiding her attack by several feet as it displaces air in a flurry down the alley. It turns at her and that twisted face tilts far too far one way and then the other. "<span style="color:#9e9e9e">The sister of this one, right?</span>" it asks, its voice a modulated caricature of Rien's voice. "<span style="color:#9e9e9e">Must you continue to torment me when I have reliquished your precious Queen of Nothing? You have no need to harass me further, our business is concluded.</span>"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:502|Gabby Kinney (502)}} has posed:'''<br>Gabby Kinney lands on her feet in a crouch, head whirling around in the direction the thing managed to skitter away from. To the boy she states simply, "Run. Somewhere with people, and light, far away from here." And don't stop running is implied, but not said as her attention fixes on the Creature. Even now she couldn't think of it as anything else.<br><br>"Relenquished?" She grins broadly at this as it gives her the perfect opportunity to reply. One that Tim and Phoebe would be proud of. One that would cause many others to groan at the reference. Yet it fit. It fit SO WELL.<br><br>"Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, they fought their way to the tower to take back my sister that you had stolen."<br><br>With a little forward lunge she lifts her clawed fist as it flicking off the creature. "And now you have no power over me by pretending to be her! Get out of here!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:3387|Chas Chandler (3387)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the boy flees, the creature watches with envy. "<span style="color:#9e9e9e">No matter! If you deny me my meal, I will use you to supplement!</span>" it hisses out and starts for Gabby with odd jerky motions that eats up ground at an alarming rate. "<span style="color:#9e9e9e">Let us see if you taste as good as your sister did when I devoured her!</span>"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That one talon tipped hand swipes at Honey Badger with murderous intent just as the creature's long tongue lashes out. It's coated in a sticky ichor that it hopes will slow the youngest Kinney's agility and maneuverability.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:502|Gabby Kinney (502)}} has posed:'''<br>"Eat a criminal, an *actual* criminal, and I'll be less inclined to stop you. But innocent people and children are OUT!" Gabby blurts. It was one of those iffy situations. Some part of her felt at least a little bad that the creature was starving in spite of everything, yet... Not bad enough she was goign to stick around and become lunch for the creature.<br><br>Leaping back and away she doesn't try to outright fight the creature so much as dodge, duck, and evade. Though she was still relatively small she'd grown enough now that she was similar in size to Rien. It wouldn't be that different if the creature had already fought her sister after all.<br><br>Yet claws weren't the only weapon at her disposal. Rather than just running, or fighting hand-to-hand, she pulls from her fitted belt a flashbang which she throws at the creature's mouth. Let it chomp on that and she would run like hell because hell no.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:3387|Chas Chandler (3387)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gabby's toss is true and accurate as the grenade goes into the creature's mouth and as the teeth and compressive force of its jaws pierce the canister the device detonates. The sound and light are muffled for Gabby, but exacerbated for the creature. It jerks and falls over like a large beetle that's been overturned, all thrashing limbs and exaggerated motion.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It opens is mouth and a gout of smoke and black ichor pour out along with a sound that tears through the city. It's somewhere between a deer's alarm scream, a puma's mating call, and an industrial sized lawn mower.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The sound grates and hammers on Gabby's ear drums likely, damaging the sensitive tissue even as it works to reknit and repair itself. Gabby succeeded in wounding it for sure and she has information that the JLD, specifically Rien, will likely want. The creature's lair, after all... it doesn't know what Gabby knows. Scout is certainly living up to her second monicker very well.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:502|Gabby Kinney (502)}} has posed:'''<br>The sound tears through Gabby's eardrums leaving her jaw clenching tight. Not against the pain--That was there though not felt. It was the sound itself that leaves an unpleasant shiver running through her as she vanishes in the shadows of buildings that were familiar to her.<br><br>Hell's Kitchen is where she and her sisters had first hidden when having escaped Alchemax. The area had changed a bit since that time but the streets had not. The alleys had not. The drainage ditch that she knew was just around the corner, behind this building, was still there. She bodily leaps into it skidding down the side while the sound fades in and out from her healing factor taking over.<br><br>It would take awhile to get her motorcycle back because she didn't dare return to get it tonight. Even if she'd come in a different direction and it was parked a few blocks away it was too soon to go so close to the Not-Rien's hiding spot again. Let it go to ground, let it think it was safe. Then she could get it.<br><br>For now she literally heads underground.<br> <br>
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