[center] [h1][color=red]S[/color] [i]a m u e l[/i][/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/YAOdhnj.png[/img] [color=red]"I'm out of hands but not out of options!"[/color] [color=888888]— Sam[/color] [hider=Status]30 | Male | G.E.M.I.N.I | Creeping Anxiety Stab, Slash | Dagger, Sword | Arcane | Fade Paranoia | Hallucinate Malice | Darkness | Devious Intent [Obfuscate (4)] [Intangible (4)], Damage X (6), Pull (2), Dispel (6), Mana Burn (6), Restrain (4), Extend (2), Trap (0), Piercing (2), Full Enhance (4) DAMAGE: D | SPEED: D | SENTINEL: D | 750 [Bronze Self (4)][Intangible (4)] = 32 Mana PHYSICAL: E | ARCANE: C | CHAOS: D | 538[/hider][/center] A battered, burnt, and breathless Samuel used what he figured were his last moments to defiantly gaze into the eyes of his foe. The pitiful human he returned to was able to express the disappointment at the result of this fight, but no fear. [color=red][i]I haven't accomplished enough yet... if only I were stronger...![/i][/color] But Lenore's attack never came. Instead, Arzendale's demise caused the nun's mad enhancements to dissolve and with it her desire to kill him, apparently. With a few parting words, she left while Samuel was still speechless from surprise and confusion. Samuel snapped out of his daze when not long after, grunting in pain as he scoured his immediate area for his mask. He cast a glance over the edge of the pillar and though he couldn't see much, he gathered that the fighting had ceased. It appeared they had come out victorious, but it was certainly not without cost. ... ... ... When Silhouette was able to regroup with his team, he approached them massaging his wrists. This was the only outward indication he had even been subject to any discomfort aside from labored breathing, but the fact was he was having trouble not repeatedly and vividly recalling the pain of losing his hands moments ago. Managing to put on a convincing and purely figurative mask, he glanced around at the rest of the G.E.M.I.N.I agents and only just avoided frowning as his eyes moved over the corpses of the sacrifices. [color=red][i]We managed to avoid losing any agents so ultimately this mission is a success so far, despite the hardship and deaths. Still... 'Little Sammy', huh? I certainly don't feel victorious. [/i][/color] Binky's voice drew Samuel's attention, but he wasn't surprised in the least she was ready to get things done with. They couldn't waste time worrying about how bad that fight could have gotten or who they could save. [color=red]"I suffered a lot of damage in that fight but I still have a fair amount of mana to provide,"[/color] he said in direct response to Binky's calling that those who couldn't fight should leave. [color=red]"...provided that someone can spare a beneficial note or two."[/color] Samuel may not have expressed it quite as well as someone like Jacqueline could, but he was just as likely as her to call it quits. He was driven by not by righteousness or empathy, but purely dedication to his duty as a G.E.M.I.N.I agent. [color=red][i]...yes, it would set a bad example for our new blood were I to flee when I might conceivably assist still.[/i][/color] It was also quite conceivable his presence could be a detriment, but he chose to ignore that potential, and the group made their way further into the mansion, and towards Justin. ... ... ... [color=red][i]All the clothes in the world aren't going to keep him safe from us. [/i][/color] The G.E.M.I.N.I demon was being diligent despite his pain and keeping his eyes open for any more ambushes -- another nun like that getting close would surely result in his death -- but it was impossible not to observe the sheer fascination this vampire seemed to have with clothes. Samuel understood fashion to a small extent because appearances are quite important in a business, but nothing could prepare him for Justin. Literally. [color=red][i]I wish I could say that is the most disturbing piece of 'art' I've had the displeasure of witnessing...[/i][/color] Though every fiber of his being screamed out in unison to do so, the transformed Silhouette didn't roll his eyes. It also helped that the unmistakable form of Billy Black, a known terrorist, was present in the room. The entire exchange between Binky and Black was tense. As an upstanding member of G.E.M.I.N.I, Samuel would not hesitate to remove the head of the snake that was Maverick, but it appeared as though the two heavyweights in the room agreed that Justin must take priority. ...that was why it was a little offputting that Binky left them to fight what Samuel interpreted as some mixture of Maverick 'agents' and some Freelancers, a couple of whom Samuel couldn't mistake as having participated with them at the precinct. Unlike Su Fang, Samuel Howard had fought alongside them and it was hard to mistake both Klava and Apollo as they didn't exactly look inconspicuous. Of course, neither did he. [color=red][i]This situation is exactly why I would prefer not to mingle with their types, even if their results can be spectacular. You never know when they'll end up on the opposing team...[/i][/color] Samuel cursed the circumstances but was ultimately not emotionally invested in either of the two Freelancers he recognized aside from respect for their capabilities, something they likely both would prefer he didn't have as it would lessen the chance he may underestimate them. Strangely enough, his eyes came at a complete halt on one member he didn't recognize. Or, well, he didn't think he did? But she still felt familiar, a little bit. That was really odd considering he specifically avoided associating himself with clowns and the like where possible. [color=red][i]Where possible.[/i][/color] For some reason, Samuel felt the need to reiterate that in his head. But much like the familiarity with the jester, he wasn't sure why. [color=red][i]Well, it must be nothing. I don't meet enough cute clowns to have the ability to forget them. And it's really for the best if I don't know them, I think.[/i][/color] That was because he offered no objection towards Breacher's decision and, lacking the hands necessary to signal back to Orion (he wasn't even able to wield his instruments in a way he could fight with them, deciding to carry them tucked into his armpits) he replied with a nod to her inquirey as the attack started. While both Breacher and Valkyrie went on the offensive, Klava initiated her assault, but thankfully he wasn't a target. It would be a lie to say he didn't desire to focus her down right now and limit the damange she could cause, but even with a numbers advantage, they couldn't afford to neglect everyone for a single Esper. Plus it was inadvisable to engage in melee combat when you didn't have hands to hold your instruments and severe burns all over your magical body. He chose, instead, to do something else. Thinking about what he should do, he knew he required some setup to make the most out of his contributions to this battle, and thus, he spent most of the time allotted to him darting downwards and taking a position beside the armoire, and self-casting a melody that enveloped his person in a shadowy embrace which masked his presence from both eyesight and earshot.