[center][h1][color=0072bc]Calbert[/color] & [color=limegreen]Kazumin[/color] & [color=#B2DFDB]SURPRISE GUEST[/color][/h1] [/center]

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[color=0072bc]“If I am indeed a [i]corrupt[/i] noble she is going after, then you cannot fault me if I defend myself.”[/color] Calbert began to speak. However, he paused shortly after.

In the background, shouting could be dimly heard while Calbert had been speaking. Guards were yelling indistinct orders at one another. A few soft [i]thuds[/i] were heard against the Damien mansion. The yells were pierced by the sound of glass shattering. Servants who’d been upstairs had come rushing to discover the meaning of the sudden chaos. The yelling continued and began escalating louder and louder. One of the guards could be heard yelling, [color=yellow]“...and there’s another one!”[/color] More glass shattering was heard, this time closer to where Kazumin and Calbert were situated. 

Kazumin tilted his head, which was now resting against his left palm propped up by the elbow, blinking sleepily.”[color=limegreen]Hm? Did you invite other guests? Because if so they don’t sound very happy. Might…[/color]” Momentarily interrupted by burping against his right fist.”[color=limegreen]Might um..want to get that, my lord.”[/color]

[color=0072bc]“What in the hell… Did you plan an attack on my estate!”[/color] Calbert’s voice rose as he looked around wildly toward the sounds around them. He pressed the gun into Kazumin’s forehead. Rage was consuming him now.  He leaned in to meet him eye to eye, seething as he sneered, [color=0072bc]“You vile creature! I’ll find this Percy and I’ll rip her to shreds in front of you! I’ll gut her like the pig she is while you watch and make sure her death is the most painful experience I can. Then we’ll see how funny this joke is to you.”[/color] He grabbed his arm now as he kept the gun to his head. [color=0072bc]''GET UP!”[/color]

Kazu simply blinked in confusion at the accusation. “[color=limegreen]Attack? Plan? I’ve never been one associated with making plans.[/color]” The blonde answered tiredly, having figured all the ruckus was just some rowdy guest or worked up pet. It was at this point everything was starting to become a hazy blur as he could hear Calbert speaking while some cold, metallic object pressed against his head; only catching every other word  the angry nobleman was saying, something about Percy and pig and death among others, the rest muffled gibberish.

Then he felt himself being jerked up to his feet while in the midst of trying to shake off the drowsiness and piece things together. ”[color=limegreen]Ow! Hey, take it easy man! I don’t know what’s going on either and I don’t think Percy is in the mood for a pig.”[/color] His words finished with a slight slur as he stood swaying on his feet confused and barely lucid.

The windows to the dining hall abruptly shattered. Glass flew everywhere and ricocheted off the wall. Arrows flew in from every direction, narrowly missing Calbert while completely missing Kazumin. The chandelier hanging over the table crashed down, causing food and silverware to fly off the table as it split into two. The noise drowned out the yells and cries of the guards, all of whom were helpless to do anything. Finally, there was a pause in the arrows. Next, there were a few gunshots which caused some of the guards to duck and dive behind trees. Moments later, arrows flew one after another into the dining hall. This time, they were coming closer to Calbert. Miraculously, they continued to miss Kazumin, though by mere inches. The arrows stuck in the wall or fell to the floor, while some pierced glass or other objects. Shattering and thuds were a continuous melody. It was absolute chaos, and there was no stopping it.

Calbert had let go of Kazumin’s arm to duck as the glass shattered. With wide eyes, he proceeded to crawl under the table as chaos erupted around his dining room. It had been a mistake to invite him and underestimate the two of them. There was no doubt in his judgment now; he had been right on the money about them. These two were psychotic killers set on his family. [color=0072bc]“Someone get the royal guards!”[/color] He yelled over the noise. 

So much screaming and destruction was going on around him, but Kazu failed to notice any of it or the fact Calbert was no longer holding onto him. He was barely even awake and standing while arrows flew and things broke; not even the arrows whooshing inches from his head seemed to faze the exhausted blonde.Then he jolted awake abruptly. [color=limegreen]”What the heck? Wuh...  oh god no…noooooooo!”[/color] He cried, dropping to his knees grabbing at the scattered food and broken plate that had seemingly stirred him awake.[color=limegreen]”Oh, to see such food wasted. Please let this all be some sick, cruel nightmare!”[/color] He exclaimed in horror while contemplating the urge to eat the scraps and spare them their pain. 

A hand grabbed the back of his shirt and began dragging him backwards. Though the figure wore mostly black and was hooded, blonde strands dangled out by her neck. She paused and grinned down at Calbert, half her face concealed in shadow. Burn marks lined her arms. She then grabbed a piece of bread off the broken table and shoved it in her mouth. With a victorious grin, she proceeded to drag the delirious Kazumin over to the window. [color=#B2DFDB]"Jump through the window Kazumin if you want some pudding."[/color] She whispered as she began to push him out. Her movements were now hasty as she noticed Calbert climbing out from under the table.

Kazu washed with grief at the loss of the food to pay any mind to the ensuing chaos around him. Barely even noticing the fact he was being dragged by the mysterious black-robed figure; not that he had any strength to free himself even if he could. Next thing he knew he was hearing a voice whisper in his ears and one he might have recognized were it not for his delirious state. And yet, the instant the word pudding left her lips had Kazu gotten up and leapt through the window without questioning why or hesitation, merely that it would get him pudding was all that mattered. 

Persephone hesitated briefly to stifle laughter from watching Kazumin leap through the window. She hopped out after him, somersaulting neatly onto the ground then back onto her feet. There, she grabbed hold of his scruff and dragged him after her so he didn’t get lost in the sea of guards or chaos then let go. To occupy the guards, she took her gun out and aimed it at them menacingly, while the other hand pushed Kazumin forward. [color=#B2DFDB]”Pudding this way. Stay with me!”[/color] 

Kazu had just gotten to his feet who was attempting to dust himself off when he was grabbed once more to be dragged along by the mysterious robed person. At this point it was impossible to follow anything; mind whirling from the drug’s aftereffect and exhaustion, the promise of pudding the only thing keeping the cowlicked blonde conscious as he was running on fumes at this point.” [color=limegreen]Oof! Hey, come on. Take it easy.[/color]” He complained about being shoved.

[color=0072bc]”I can’t believe this.”[/color] If Calbert could have caught fire from the rage boiling inside, he would have at that moment. He scrambled out from under the table and practically dove to the window. He leaned on it, his eyes locking on Persephone as she pointed a gun at some of the outdoor guards already in tow. Some of them broke formation in fear of the gun while one in particular took out a gun and fired a shot. It struck right behind Persephone’s feet.  Other guards were pouring into the room inside the estate but alas, they were a moment too late. [color=0072bc]“AFTER THEM! NOW!”[/color] He bellowed at them without hesitation. The men looked at each other in alarm, then began climbing out the window.

*[color=lightblue]Sheesh, what’s Calby’s problem? He acting like someone died.[/color]* His thoughts towards Calbert’s enraged shouting though it was lost in the lost bang of gunfire which made his head pound anew with a fresh headache.” [color=limegreen]Ugh, does everyone have to shout and go bang bang so much? Fuck… you better have that pudding![/color]” Kazu warned in an annoyed tone as he forced his body to run down the way the robed person shoved him towards. Hopefully not for long as he could feel himself dipping in and out of consciousness as he went. 

[color=#B2DFDB]”You don’t say!”[/color] Persephone exclaimed, continuing to push Kazumin forward and shielding him with his body. The bullets made her jump in the air and stumble when she hit the ground. Scowling, she fired behind herself at the grass and continued forward. Then, realizing the men could catch up to them on [i]horseback[/i], bit her lip. [color=#B2DFDB][i]I don’t want to do it…. But how else will I save us….? You know the effects…. But it’s temporary…. And yet, here we are, running from a noble bastard with more guards than I….. I… I have to do it… But only this once…[/i] [/color] 

Persephone took a long, shaky breath, when a voice answered her back. [color=black][i]A famous lie you’ve told yourself before, my dear.[/i][/color] 

She halted for a moment and turned to glance backwards at Calbert. Despite being a safe distance away, she knew their luck would eventually run out. Persephone bit her lip and then concentrated, allowing herself to become distant to all the other noise. Her head began to ache as if she’d smacked it against the wall, and the familiar scent of iron filled her nostrils. 

[color=#B2DFDB]”Invisio.”[/color] She whispered, her voice barely audible, so Kazumin couldn’t hear her. Though Persephone could see Kazumin and the opposite, Calbert and the guards were no longer able to see the pair of runaway peasants. Persephone wiped her now bloody nose on her sleeve and then pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and quickly tied it around the lower half of her face to staunch the bleeding. Despite her vision blurring, her head pounding and her nose bleeding, the rush of adrenaline pulsing through her veins made her feel more alive than ever, on top of the sweet victory she was procuring. Up ahead was….

[color=#B2DFDB]”See that fancy building up ahead? Go to it. You’ll get your pudding, I promise.”[/color] Persephone encouraged Kazumin, her voice slightly muffled from the handkerchief mask. 

Calbert’s expression was shrouded by the distance between them now as he lingered by the window. The guards slowed, many of them looking about in confusion. They determinedly kept on forward, looking around for the two. The sound of horses in the distance could be heard as more enforcement was arriving. 

Things strangely became considerably easier with Calbert’s men suddenly unable to find them which was certainly odd. They were hardly stealthy, but Kazu wasn’t one to complain as he just wanted this whole nonsense over with.* How did a simple invitation for brunch turn into such a mess.* Thinking this with an exasperated sigh; taking notice that the robed figure looked to be in pain though saw no signs of any injuries or bullet wounds.” [color=limegreen]Hey uh… you alright?[/color]” No longer thinking about pudding as he was concerned for the person who then pointed out the fancy building.” [color=limegreen]There? Alright, you take a breather.[/color]” Without asking or waiting the blonde slipped his arm under the masked person’s shoulder and quietly made for the building while aiding his savior. 

The sound of silence reassured Persephone that her magic had worked. The consequences of the action remained to be seen. For now, she pushed it out of her mind. She had to focus on finding them shelter to hideout. Up ahead was the Vikena Estate. Her mind was reeling from the course of events and the magic. Nonetheless, she continued forward and began eyeing the mansion for any windows on the first floor. When Kazumin spoke and then supported her, Seph blinked with surprise. A warmth spread through her unrelated to the recent events. She glanced at him and smiled as if he’d asked her if she’d won the lottery. [color=#B2DFDB]”Of course I am, Kaz. Remain silent, we’ll talk more later.”[/color] 

Persephone put a finger to her lips and patted his head affectionately, then opened a window as quietly as possible. Once she’d checked the coast was clear, she ushered him inside and kept the finger to her lips, and then helped him inside. She quietly shut the window and ushered for him to follow her and continued to signal for him to be quiet. Throughout the whole ordeal, they remained invisible. 

It quickly became apparent that this person was someone he knew and if his mind wasn’t a fuzzy mess he might have been able to guess their identity. Too tired to bother questioning the person or any attempts to make sense of what was going on, especially the fact those pursuing lost them so easily.

And so, he simply nodded his head after being told to keep quiet. The sole focus of getting to wherever it was she was taking him and the promised reward of pudding the only thing that kept Kazu moving at this point, pushing through exhaustion and brief spurts of black-outs. [/color]