[Issue 11] In Cold Blood

by **Narrator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:06 pm

Morning's light filtered through the fog where John had settled. Things felt... just slightly off. It had seemed a secure enough hiding spot the night before, but he found himself not quite concealed by it, some light falling on his skin.

by **John Hino** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:13 pm

John's green scales, his armor having dissipated as he slept, glimmered dully as he began to get up.

Feel... weird...

by **Narrator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:19 pm

His muscles were tense, his bulk lurching upwards as he sat up. The spot he'd settled into seemed smaller somehow.

On the ground before him was a piece of paper held down by a rock.

by **John Hino** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:28 pm

He brushed against the dense overhanging foliage that seemed lower than before, crouched slightly, and picked up the note.

by **Narrator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:31 pm

There were no words on the paper, which seemed small in his hand. Rather, there was a crude hand-drawn map. It didn't seem to depict the entire area, but it showed some recognizable nearby landmarks, as well as a path to an "X" mark.

by **John Hino** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:46 pm

Might as well play along...

John lurched out of his hiding place and the back and arms of his shirt tore as he stretched. He realized he was, in fact, somehow bigger, but he was scared to look at himself. He began moving for the closest landmark.

by **Narrator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:55 pm

The rock outcropping was marked on the map, and though crude was a reasonably good likeness. From there, it seemed a natural game trail wound in roughly the direction the map indicated.

by **John Hino** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 3:04 pm

John took the trail towards the X, tearing off his tattered shirt which was barely on anyway as he did.

by **Narrator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 3:05 pm

Eventually, he found himself at a concrete slab, that an odd, modern-looking metal pillar extended out of at roughly waist-height. The top of it was beveled, and polished smooth.

by **John Hino** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 3:09 pm

"...the hell?" he asked no one as he examined it more closely.

by **Narrator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 3:17 pm

The polished edge... was apparently a viewscreen.

It was a much more detailed view of the area, perhaps a satellite photo.

Several icons were marked on it, stylized animal heads.

They were moving.

by **John Hino** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 3:26 pm

He choked back a sneaking primal fear of the magic hell-pillar and his tech-savvy mind studied it. He tried to figure out what symbol was who as a he tentatively tapped the screen.

by **Narrator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 3:29 pm

As he tapped on an icon that looked like a feline head, a prompt came up in red.

Text read simply "Punish?"

by **John Hino** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:53 pm

John quickly tapped what he assumed meant no.

by **Narrator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:55 pm

The screen returned to its normal map view, the dots still roving.

The one that looked somewhat like a lizard was standing still.

by **John Hino** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 5:00 pm

Himself, he assumed. He tapped it and tried to find other options. He felt an early pang of hunger and knew he'd lose focus soon.

by **Narrator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 5:09 pm

No other options. It simply lit up his icon as it had the cat icon, and again asked: "Punish?"

by **John Hino** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 5:19 pm

He backed out again and tried to figure out if he could zoom out.

by **Narrator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 5:38 pm

It did not appear that he could. It only displayed this area.

by **John Hino** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 5:57 pm

His stomach growled and hunger clouded his thoughts. Maybe he could use the map to... no, he'd find something else. He studied the map one more time and drove a fist into the screen. No one else should use it to hurt anyone.

by **Narrator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 6:27 pm

The screen cracked and caved in, electronics shorting soon after.

Magic smoke, of course, followed in due course.

by **John Hino** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 7:40 pm

John's inner animal marveled at its power and decided it was time to hunt. He left the smoking pillar behind and lumbered into the trees, looking for signs of food. No... prey...

by **Narrator** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 5:10 pm

As John walked, he spotted a large figure hunched over, clutching at its head.

by **John Hino** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 5:16 pm

He slowed his steps and approached quietly as he instinctively armored himself. He'd eat for days.

by **Narrator** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 5:20 pm

It took a moment, but the figure perked up, its leathery bulk shifting before it peered between massive fingers in John's general direction.

"...go away," came the muffled response.

by **John Hino** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 5:36 pm

Rhino...

The struggling civilized part of him pointed out that Rhino would be more trouble that he was worth, and the initial plan died away.

"I go where I pleasse," he said with some aggravation. Who was this oaf to make demands of the forest's new king?

by **Narrator** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 5:47 pm

"You are one of the crazy ones," he muttered, rubbing at his face with agitation.

by **John Hino** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 5:49 pm

"And you're one of the pathetic onesss," he hissed.

by **Narrator** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 5:56 pm

"It is a game to him. You know this, yes?"

by **John Hino** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:02 pm

With some difficulty, John held back the pride of his inner beast.

"I do. I've sseen one of his... obsservation posts."

by **Narrator** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:05 pm

"It is what he is always thinking about. Who is best. Who is worthy. I have seen it when we fought the spider..."

by **John Hino** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:08 pm

I am strong. I am worthy.

"Worthy of what?"

by **Narrator** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:10 pm

"Facing him."

by **John Hino** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:16 pm

"Then perhapss he has bitten of more than he can chew," he said pridefully.

by **Narrator** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:21 pm

"Can anyone be sure when we are not thinking straight?"

He still concealed his face, rubbing at it.

by **John Hino** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:27 pm

"I'm feeling better than yessterday."

Better than... ever...

by **Narrator** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:28 pm

"And so is everyone else. He is counting on that, yes?"

by **John Hino** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 7:45 pm

"He underestimates uss."

by **Narrator** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 7:53 pm

"And what, we gang up on him? How much do you feel like working together?"

by **John Hino** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 7:56 pm

"Perhapss if I were in charge."

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