The Platform of Surrender [SHOWDOWN]

[Delilah Pryce]

Clarisse rushed Delilah again, just as Delilah hoped her attractive opponent would. It was clear by Clarisse's sloppy form and that the woman had no combat training and was acting on pure instinct. In a fight such as this, Delilah could end things rather quickly, but this time she was choosing to play with her prey just a bit. She did this sometimes, like a cat toying with a small rodent before killing it. Torture was a skill and Delilah was an artist with such a skill. She liked others to feel pain, to know pain as she knew it. Physical pain was Delilah's specialty and choice, but mental anguish was easy enough to inflict as well. Delilah's mind was fractured every which way possible and as such, she knew how to make someone feel the guilty mental anguish she did. Inflicting either one of these types of pain on Clarisse wasn't the plan though. Delilah would toy with this one for now and then continue her playtime at a later date, maybe even going as far as to visit this beautiful work of art at her home while she slept.

That creepy smile never left Delilah's face as Clarisse charged in close to her, swinging at what appeared to be Delilah's jaw. Being acrobatic was what Delilah was counting on in this fight and she could be that either up close or at a distance. Delilah had stolen all sorts of moves and forms from martial arts masters all over the world. When Delilah had come to Hammel, the school had given her all sorts of access to videos of every nature to further her list of copied skills. Thankfully, Delilah's memory was near perfect in this matter as she could check off any move she wanted from her mental list. Of course, this didn't always go as planned as this lead to her hesitation issues of choosing what move to go with.

Being able to read Clarisse's telegraphed move gave Delilah that split second edge she would need to avoid the attack. Ducking, Delilah narrowly missed being hit. She was under Clarisse's stretched out arm, still smiling. From here, Delilah could launch any number of fight ending moves, but still chose to hold back. Springing back up, Delilah felt Clarisse's arm rest against her shoulder. This normally would have meant a broken arm for anyone else who had attacked Delilah in this manner, but Delilah chose not to grab Clarisse, but to just taunt her some more. In what seemed like one fluid motion, Delilah had sidestepped Clarisse again, this time pushing Clarisse hard with a soft palm strike to the ribs. Nothing too hard mind you, but an attack with enough force to let Clarisse know she could have hurt her bad.

"Your movements are too sloppy princess. I thought a woman of your beauty would have more graceful movements," she said with a mocked look of sorrow, "Maybe you save such movements for the bedroom?," she asked, taunting Clarisse more. Delilah still had no idea of Clarisse's power and had no desire to know. She was too preoccupied with Clarisse's looks to think clearly. However, one thing broke that trance and it was voice of Sean Neville as he moved in behind her. The look on Delilah's face went blank for a second. Delilah and Sean shared a small relationship, nothing grand or important in the scheme of things, but a small one none the less. Sean had been one of Delilah's doctor's in the past and in some way, had made a bond with the small broken woman. While Delilah normally felt paranoid and threatened in the company of men, she felt welcomed in Sean's presence. The man had earned Delilah's trust somehow in their sessions together. Delilah wasn't about to let Sean leave now, she enjoyed the feeling of being around him. He would become her new pet. "Sean Neville," Delilah said, not sure if Sean would recognize her voice or not. Then with yet another set of stolen skills, Delilah spun around sharply, grabbing a small knife from her belt and tossing it handle first at Sean's head. Knocking him out was the goal as she wanted to take Sean alive and keep him as a pet of sorts. It was weird yes, but he made her feel comfortable and that was a rare feeling for Delilah. This move to take Sean down however, left Delilah fully open to Clarisse.

((Feel free to toss Delilah about like a rag doll, have fun with her. As for Sean, I can have Vincent come in after Clarisse had dealt with Delilah and escort Sean and Clarisse to the cars if you want.))

[Clarisse Prideaux]

Fully open to Clarisse was not something Delilah wanted to be right now. She didn’t appreciate being toyed with, and she hated feeling helpless, that she couldn’t land a scratch on the other woman, or do anything to get her to keep her foul mouth shut. That was what she hated the most: her vulgarity. She’d never been so so angry! First these people had dared to attack James on the school ground, then one of them had toyed with poor Dalton’s heart, and then they’d dared to kidnapping Chase’s husband and child…now to top it all one of them was daring to make vulgar remarks across a very serious battle. It was enough.

When she turned away, Clarisse took her chance. Their bodies collided with a heavy grunt from Clarisse. She hadn’t seen Delilah throw the knife, and so couldn’t take the time to be horrified for Sean’s life. Her arms wrapped tightly enough around Delilah to nearly crush the other woman’s ribcage, Clarisse sent the pair flying several feet. To Delilah, it must have felt like being hit by a rhino. With a harsh, exasperated squeal of rage, Clarisse threw Delilah to the floor with enough force to crack the floor boards.

From anger and just plain fear, the adrenaline rushing through Clarisse was more than she’d ever felt. She felt it buzzing in her fingers, tensing her muscles, and most of all, clouding her mind. Mostly the anger did that. She just wanted to pummel this woman. “Didn’t you mother---“ She grunted slightly, flinging Delilah a few more feet by grabbing her wrist and ankle. “---teach you---“ She snatched the other woman, now fighting back, but her forearms and lifted her off her feet. “---any manners?!” Clarisse was nearly shouting now before she threw Delilah as hard as she could---wall, window, floor, furniture…she didn’t care what the other woman hit. Just so long as she hit something. Hard.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

((OOC: That would be helpful. Sean will be able to walk, but his concentration is going to be limited. Car keys are in his pants.))


Nine times out of ten, the telepath was accused of over-thinking situations and of being too cautious. He didn’t like to rush off where angels feared to tread; he never had, not even as a little boy. When he’d gotten older and had gained his telepathy and then learned psychology, his traits for caution were solidified, as he learned the many reasons it was better to think before acting. People made mistakes when they rushed off to act without considering the consequences. The telepath didn’t like to make mistakes.

Then there was that tenth time in ten, when there was no time for careful planning because danger was afoot and lives potentially hung in the balance, particularly those about whom he cared deeply. That was why he’d hopped into the van and started looking for Josh without hesitation all those months ago when he knew that M.S.A.D. was out and about. In the back of his mind he planned, because he wouldn’t rush off completely half-cocked, but his usual meticulous caution took a backseat to aiding his friends.

Clarisse was in danger, they had multiple cars full of injured Hammelites, and Sean was one of the few who hadn’t been injured. He had to intervene.

Admittedly, even with planning, he wouldn’t have expected a knife. Who brings a knife to a gun fight?

Then again, Sean had come completely unarmed to a gun fight.

He found himself making eye contact with Delilah Pryce, whom he remembered from Hammel; half this organization was comprised of wayward Hammel students who had slipped through his fingers, led by the man who had turned the telepath into Cassandra. Everyone recognized him today; it was like he was the most popular person at the prom, but instead of a full dance card, everyone wanted him incapacitated.

When the knife went flying, he tried to dodge it, but he was slow and a large target. The good news was that he didn’t get stabbed. The bad news was that the handle of the knife hit him at high speeds hit him in his right temple.

Nothing triggered anxiety in a telepath in quite the same way as a head injury could. His heartbeat quickened in response to the pain and the immediate dizziness, and a deep groan of pain that didn’t leave his lips but was loud nonetheless. His hands shot up to his temple, trying both to feel for injury and to protect against any further injury. In that time, Clarisse had stepped up while Delilah was distracted and had begun to wipe the floor with her, far better than he could do, even if he believed in violent retribution.

His instinctive need to protect was triggered by that, and his powers reached out, prepared to stop Delilah from hurting anyone else...but he stopped himself, unwilling to sink to that level. His mental blocks were forced back into place quickly, crashing down and bringing with them another wave of pain as he trapped the psychic energy within his mind. It was inelegant, and he’d pay for that later.

“Vincent!” Vincent!

[Nikolai Campbell]

Niko wasn't sure what to make of Willow when she appeared. Jesse came from Hammel, too, so she might be trouble. But he was beyond suspecting her of lying by now. Besides, he was comforted as she yelled aloud to inform others. There were others! Niko smiled to himself. In that moment, all that mattered to him was that she was warm and she was there to help him. Her injury didn't escape him, but now didn't seem like the time to remind her. It was better to let people just pretend they weren't hurt sometimes, like he did with Chase.

Chase's appearance in the room was far more relieving than Willow's because he'd worried for Chase's safety. They'd threatened Chase and they had guns, but there he was, free of bullets. Niko didn't want to leave Willow's embrace just yet. He didn't want to part with the safe feeling that she provided. Chase's tears would have brought the fear back. And he had no idea if James would be okay. All he knew was they didn't shoot James. Much to his surprise, Sean appeared. So many familiar people in such a horrible place. When Chase actually called for him, he let go of Willow to hug Chase. When he had to let go so Chase could carry James, Willow was there for him again.

It seemed so abrupt, but there was Reese talking to Chase as Willow and he followed behind his fathers. Wasn't it over yet? He didn't dare to meet Reese or Lala's eyes so Willow's small kindness, hiding his eyes, helped tremendously. Maybe if he didn't look at Reese again she wouldn't notice him. Once they'd passed the twins Niko's eyes lifted to examine the mansion's interior and those still inside. Finally, they were out of the building he'd been confined to. Surely this meant safety. Willow set him down so he smiled at her warmly.

"Thank you for saving me, Willow,"Niko murmured, his tone soft but cheerful. He obeyed her without question and followed Chase.

No, no, Chase! Not that car. Niko's breath caught at the idea of taking James' car. He didn't want to be away from James or Chase, but he also didn't want anything to do with the car. Panic. That's what this was. Niko didn't want to tell Chase no so he had to keep walking. Each step got him closer and made him a bit more nervous than before. Much to his relief a dog appeared before he reached the car's door.

"Hey."Niko knelt down facing the dog before stroking her fur. "It's okay now." He smiled. It didn't matter that he honestly didn't know if the assurance was for the dog or himself. The dog was probably just as scared as he, right? And even if she wasn't, she was a distraction providing him with a reason not to get in the car. So there he stayed, stroking the dog. Silently he was hoping Chase would wait for him to be brave enough without him having to admit he was scared of a harmless car.

[Vincent Romanov]

Vincent watched as Reese rolled across the ground, waiting for the wild animal to lash out at him again. She was injured now though, her wrist soundly broke from Vincent's brutish strength. He was ready to finish with the woman now and then move onto the next sucker in line. Vincent new dismantling the MSAD wasn't the goal, but if he could take out several of their key players, then the group might be forced to dissolve itself. However, his plans for finishing off Reese were interrupted by the bullet storm inside the house. Something was wrong and how Reese knew it as well. The woman seemed to forget all about Vincent and took off instinctively, leaving Vincent standing there all alone. It was an odd move and whatever made Reese turn tail and run was more important than dealing with Vincent. The woman didn't seem the sort to just give up that easy and that acknowledgement made Vincent's stomach churn.

What could be going on inside the house was the thought at the forefront of Vincent's mind. He was a soldier and had seen more battlefields than he could count. He knew there could be a massive body count inside and that one if not all of his comrades could be injured or dead. Fear and worry grabbed Vincent right there as he began to sweet profusely. His mind swam with the images of dead bodies, some friends and others that of his enemies. The sound of gun fire and explosions filled his mind as he began to have flashbacks of the night his squad was killed in a nighttime raid. This was why Vincent was discharged from the Army, stress and lots of it. He sometimes cracked under extreme situations and now was extreme as they came.

Staggering around for a bit, Vincent's mouth grew dry and he closed his eyes tightly, trying to gain control of himself. He began to pant and his heart beat violently in his chest. Had it not been for the sound of Sean's voice and then his mental scream, Vincent might have collapsed right there. His eyes opened and all that chaos in his head disappeared. Vincent bolted toward the front door of the house, his body instinctively heading right for Sean. Vincent arrived just in time to see Clarisse tossing about a small woman like some rag doll and then out of one of the room's windows. He was impressed to say the least, but Sean's state of well being took priority. Moving over to Sean's side, Vincent reached to him, "You okay?," he asked, narrowing his eyes to look Sean over for any serious wounds and injuries.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Vincent had been on Sean’s list of Hammelites who were unaccounted for. The telepath had needed to find him, and because he was unaccounted for, he had assumed that he was still in the mansion proper, as opposed to elsewhere on the grounds or in one of the vehicles receiving medical attention. That had been one reason for calling for him: the expectation that he would be closer than others to come and help. The other was more basic: Vincent was extremely powerful both offensively and defensively, and he could keep calm under pressure. If anyone would be able to help the telepath assess himself and get back out to the van, it would be him. Particularly when at the time of his call, Sean was worried that Clarisse might be hurt and Vincent would need to aid both of them.

Between the call and Vincent’s arrival, Clarisse had proved she was if not fine then well enough by throwing Delilah around the room like a kickball. Never anger Clarisse Prideaux, a lesson to remember for when he wasn’t in pain, in the middle of a dangerous situation, and now worried about head trauma. He wanted to apologize about the telepathic call, assuming that it was louder than he intended it to be, but instead he clutched his temple with one hand and took several deep breaths. Scanning the house for additional M.S.A.D. members gave him a headache, the throbbing both external from the impact site and internal from the pressure, but he kept on it. This should be a simple use of his powers, and he didn’t have the luxury of being easy on himself, not when so many of them were injured. Finding that there were no other M.S.A.D. members, he satisfied himself with knowing that as soon as Clarisse was finished with Delilah, they could leave at a slow pace, without fear of any further attack.

He took a few more breaths, trying to calm his heart rate and he looked over at the other man. “Hit in the temple. Pain but I can walk, and I’m sorry for the call. We’re the last of the group and we’ll need to get to a hospital for everyone ASAP.” He then took a moment to look Vincent over. “Are you hurt?”

[Vincent Romanov]

Sean's telepathic call had indeed been more than bold but it was the push which Vincent needed to shake him free from his onset of combat stress. His team mates needed him now and while it was hard to push back the screams in his mind and the memories of that night which left him mentally scarred, Vincent just let his body fall into what came natural and that was helping others in need. He showed no concern as he charged into the place where Sean and Clarisse were at as his meta ability gave him a bit of a physical edge. Vincent was almost physically unstoppable, thus making his presence here in this battle a must. While he hadn't been able to unleash his full potential here today, he had occupied one of the twins long enough for the others to take back their loved ones and that was what really mattered.

Looking Sean over, Vincent could see the mental and physical strain on the man's face and knew Sean was already past his limit. It must have been taxing to reach out mentally as he did, plus keep his own mental blocks in while trying to put together coherent thoughts and sentences. Sean was truly gifted with his ability and while Vincent saw the man as an aging hippie almost beyond his time, he still had respect for the man. Vincent and Sean shared different opinions on how most matters should be handled in life, but that was due to how they were raised her supposed. Vincent had opted for the more physical and sometimes violent answer to challenges while Sean was more of the sort to sit down and talk things out. This led to many a stalemate between them when trying to sort out school matters, but this problem, which effected them all, seemed to find both of these men on the same side.

Giving Clarisse a quick glance, Vincent determined the petite juggernaut had her Delilah problem under control and solved. Glancing back to Sean, Vincent smiled, "Good as ever," he replied as Sean inquired about his well being, "I'm an unstoppable one man wrecking crew, you know that," he added with a wink to try to push aside the growing concern for Sean with some levity. "You think you can make it back to the cars on your own?," Vincent asked, unsure if Sean was going to leave this fight conscious or not.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

If not for the pain in the telepath’s head and his racing heartbeat – which he was trying to control, but there was that instinctual fear of head injuries which set off anxiety, particularly given the stress of the situation - he would be able to focus more on Vincent’s particularly problems. Specifically the combat flashbacks which were in the realm of Sean’s ability to mitigate. Unfortunately the pain interfered with the telepath’s focus, and he couldn’t make that offer. Not if they wanted a positive outcome. Despite the combat stress, Vincent seemed to be in the best shape of all of them, which was why Sean was grateful for the Security Chief’s powers because he was a physical powerhouse, and since they had run out of opponents, he should remain as healthy as he was now.

Sean’s breathing began to slow as his anxiety lessened; the longer he remained upright and conscious, the greater the probability that he wasn’t going to suffer permanent damage from the injury. He could deal with a temporary setback, particularly since they were at the end of this horrible excursion. They didn’t have to worry about anyone else coming out of the woodwork and attacking them, since his scan for Gabriel’s followers had turned up negative and was confirmed by visual evidence of various recognized opponents fleeing throughout the battle. They only had to get back to the vehicles now, check on everyone to make sure they were alive, accounted for, and getting what triage was necessary, and then take the whole lot of them down to Maddock General Hospital for specific care. Mason should have called Ethan to put him on alert already which would make their arrival smoother. Unfortunately, the lack of immediate anxiety did nothing for the pain, but he would live with it. He just had to get them to safety and then he could react to the pain more effectively than surprise and crying out.

Clarisse had put Delilah in her place, another person and power for which Sean was particularly grateful at the moment. And if Delilah weren’t such a threat to them usually, not necessarily at the moment considering the thrashing that Clarisse had given her, then Sean would want to take her with them for medical treatment. But she was a threat, and his team was battered enough and couldn’t handle the additional risk of the delay. He turned away from her and focused on Vincent, letting the younger man’s presence and voice ground him. He nodded in response to Vincent’s question and then immediate regretted the action as it set a fresh wave of pain through his head. “I think so. Just be on the lookout in case I begin to stagger.” He thought he could make it, but he also had yet to take a step forward.

To that end, he took a cautious step and remained upright. A good start.