Torture Chamber

[Saber & Kat Tompson]

Saber tried to pull away as Itami placed her hands in shackles. Her sleeves fell down to her elbows because of the way her arms were suspended. She shuddered as his touch ran down her hand and wrist. He was so gentle, and yet so evil. She could almost believe he wasn't going to hurt her... but his eyes showed differently.

Suddenly he stopped, and gripped her arm painfully. she whinced and looked up, surprised at his change in touch. He was gazing at her arm, intently... angrily. Confused, Saber thought for a moment. There was nothing there save... her scars...

Her thoughts were confimed as he pulled away and demanded to know who had mared her skin. He whirled towards her holding a knife. Saber's face drained and then she licked her lips, trying to find her voice. "I... I... I used to be a ring fighter... and... the scars are from my days in France... working under my father..." She paused and took a shuddering breath. "They men there didnt want to cut my face or body... but they had no qualms about slicing my arms in the midsts of the fights." She bit her lip and waited to see what he would do.

[Neron Diego]

Neron had found a bench in the front room and sat, his back against the blood stained wall, and his arms crossed. His head was tilted back, and his eyes closed. One might believe he was alseep, but he was alert and awake as ever. He heard the girl's pleas to be let go, and a devious smile crossed his lips. He hadn't heard any screams, so he guessed rightly, that just Itami's presence was causing the girl to tremble. He had definitly made a good choice in coming here.

However, he could not blame the girl for her fear. Something about this Itami made him want to shudder as well. Especially as he heard his laugh float about the chamber. A man who inflicts pain, simply because it gives him pleasure, was not something you met everyday. But there was something vaugly familiar about the man as well. Neron couldnt put his finger on where he had met or seen him.. or at least someone like him. His smile turned to a troubled frown.

Sudden shouting from the hall caused him to open his eyes and look towards the black doorway. "What the duce? Why on earth..." Oh well. As long as the man kept her under control Neron wasn't going to bother himself with it. He tiled his head back against the wall, and closed his eyes, content with listening and imagining.

[Itami]

::The Japanese man narrowed his eyes even as he lowered the knife in his hand. It should have been obvious to him. Had he not gotten so angry, surely he would have noticed that the scars on the girl's arms were not made by a calm hand. They were too jagged, too...ugly to have been traced with any true intent. Violence.... That was all they amounted to. Just meaningless, disgusting violence::

::Itami shook his head, his usual smirk quickly reforming on his lips. His dark eyes were once again lazy and detached, no longer showing the wild anger they had moments before:: "Forgive me, my flower. I seem to have lost my temper with you unfairly." ::He ran his fingertips over her marred wrists once more, this time reassuring himself that no else had truly laid claim on that fair skin. Not yet, anyway::

"I also seem to have misjudged you. I had not taken you for a fighter." ::He touched his cheek where she slapped him earlier and grinned -- the skin was still red from the mark:: "Well...at least not with a sword. You really are quite a treat...." ::He unfastened her shackles as he said this, and then drew two small daggers from the table next to him. Without a word, he held the hilts out for her::

::And smiled. That dark, mysterious, crooked-toothed smile that proved he was either completely mad or in complete control of the situation. Time, it seemed, would tell::

[Saber & Kat Tompson]

Saber watched as the hate and anger left his eyes. That burning madness that would consume her, faded, and was replaced by his old maliciousness. Saber dared to breath again as he spoke "calming" words. She shuddered yet again as his hands traced over her wrists. Would his cold touch never leave her?

She stared in absolute shock as he freed her hands. She brought her arms down, and rubbed her wrists. Even in that short time, the cold and chaffing metel had hurt her. Then as he extended the daggers towards her, she stared in even more shock. She couldnt move. Was this a trick? Would he just pull them away if she attempted to grab them? Even if she did manage to snag them, surely he would grab a weapon himself and try to stop her.

She sat for what seemed like ages, her eyes glued to the daggers suspended in front of her. Suddenly an impulse shot through her body, and lunging forward she made to grab the daggers, intending to dash towards the door in the next second.

[Itami]

::A grin flashed across his face for a split second when the girl took the daggers, and then Itami pulled away. Without hesitation, he moved to block her path to the doorway, expression oddly calm given the situation he'd just put himself into:: "If you can get past me, you may take your chance at freedom, flower," ::he smirked darkly. He crossed both arms over his chest in some forgotten martial arts pose, planting his feet firmly on the ground at the same time. Though he had a naturally slender frame, he seemed to grow in both size as strength the longer he stood like that, an intimidating presence in an intimidating place::

"Remember, your blades will not slow me down unless you really know how to use them." ::And it was true. Since he couldn't feel pain, nothing less than a serious injury would even affect him, at least not right away. Besides, he'd trained himself to move quickly in a fight to dodge an opponent's attacks. The downside of not feeling the cut of a blade was that he probably wouldn't notice he was bleeding until he passed out later. Always better to play safe in a fight than to never seen another one::

::Sensing her tension, and seeing the way her eyes kept darting to the door, he laughed:: "This is no trick, my flower. I am merely curious to see how well you can handle those weapons. It is not everyday I get to see such an unlikely warrior in action...."

[Saber & Kat Tompson]

Saber tensed as she felt the blades slap into her hands. She had them! The door was but a few yards away! She came to an abrupt halt and stumbled back slightly as Itami blocked her way. Her hair, un hampered by her bandana... where was that thing anyway?... fell in her face as she gazed at the man. So... all she had to do was get past him... then she could be free... she would have to get past Neron as well, but with the two weapons now in her possesion that wouldn't be too hard.

Her heart sank as she was reminded that this man felt no pain. Still the daggers seemed to give her confidence. Rolling them in her hands she licked her lips, and shook her shoulders, trying to loosen up. Her eyes darted to the door, gauging the distance. Her deep blue eyes flashed back to him as he laughed. So... she was an unlikely warrior eh?

New confidence and strength seemed to flow through her body. Wthout a cry or a warning, she lunged forward, slashing at Itami's throat with her left hand, while plunging towards his stomach with her right. Without even waiting to see if she had done any actual damage, she lept back, keeping herself in a defence position.

[Itami]

::Itami watched her closely as she gauged the distance to the door, planning her escape. He could almost read the strained thoughts churning in her weary mind: even if she got past him, there was still her first captor to deal with::

::But she hid her uneasiness behind a mask of confidence, the emotion strengthened by the weapons in her hands. She knew how to wield them, of that Itami had no doubt. To have survived as many fights as she had -- merely for entertainment -- she had to have exceptional skill. Or exceptional luck::

::Then she lunged forward, and he decided it was most definitely the former. As her twin blades spread out for the attack, Itami quickly read their distance and skirted easily to the side, catching only the side of the left weapon in the sleeve of his shirt. Between the ripped edges of the fabric, a gentle flow of blood appeared against his pale skin, though he took no notice. Instead, he gave her an amused smirk and moved back into place::

"Not terrible, I suppose," ::he taunted, flicking back a few strands of unruly hair that had fallen into his face at the sudden evasion:: "But I know you can do better. How badly do you really want freedom, little flower? Prove to me you wouldn't prefer to just stay locked in these dark walls, to chose me over the more dangerous world outside...." ::He was certain he would regret this little game later, but...it was only natural for a hawk to taunt his prey before the final blow::

[Saber & Kat Tompson]

(*cackles* Is flower his new name for her? Whatever happened to peche? *g*)

Saber bit her lip as she looked at Itami. She had done hardly any damage to speak of, and again he stood blocking her way to the door. Swinging her hair back from her face, she thought out her next attack, and tried to not show it in her eyes. He taunted her and she gritted her teeth. "Stop calling me that!"

He was fast... almost if not faster then Kat. Saber had never been able to beat Kat in any of their "playful" fights without hitting her over the head and knocking her out. That reminded her. She best not let this man know that even a slight strike to her head would cause her to black out.

Moving slowly, she gathered herself up, and then sprung forward again. Dropping, she delivered a swift kick in the direction of his legs, and then springing up, she tried to get past him and to the door.

[Itami]

(ooc - I decided it was a little too random for a Japanese guy who's already speaking English to break out into random French...so he's just going to call Saber "flower" now ^^;; )

::Itami watched as Saber prepared to lunge for him, mentally anticipating her attack even as his arms folded in front of his chest as a shield. He would catch her as she landed against him, and then easily toss her back without suffering a scratch. This was too easy::

::But then she did something he hadn't expected. Before she made contact with his upper body, she dropped down for a swipe at his legs. Taken by surprise, Itami quickly jumped back to avoid the blow, only to be knocked back even further when she sprang up again::

"Kuso!" ::he swore, trying to regain his balance in time to stop her from reaching the door. But she was already past him, her legs carrying her faster than he would have suspected. In a moment of rage, he pulled a knife from his belt and flung it hard at the door -- the blade sunk in halfway after very narrowly missing Saber's head::

::Itami paused, staring at her, then took a breath to calm himself. After a few seconds, he began laughing softly, shaking his head:: "Forgive me, flower.... I did say that if you got past me, you were free to leave, did I not? And I always keep my promises." ::He motioned to the door, bowing his head in defeat...though his lips were still twisted into a strange grin::

[Saber & Kat Tompson]

Saber made her legs go faster as she sprung up. If only she could get past him! There! She was past! Now the door. She bounded to it and began to try and figure out how to open it when a knife burried it's self beside her head. Her eyes opened wide with fear as she slowly turned her head to look at it. She gulped slightly and tried to calm her shaking hands.

Turning around to face Itami, Saber blinked in surprise as he bowed and said she was free to go. He seemed to admit defeat... but that grin of his... it held something elusive and evil. I couldnt be that easy... oh no... Saber looked at him out of the corner of her eye, still reaching behind her for a latch to the door. "Why are you letting me go? Why would you do this?" She asked, keeping her voice as calm as she could.

[Itami]

::Itami tilted his head slightly, regarding Saber with a curious smile. Was she really so untrusting of others? She had won her freedom fairly, and yet...she was still here. He took a few steps forward to close some of the distance between them:: "Why are you so cautious, flower? Have I ever given you reason to doubt my intentions? You may not approve of my hobbies, but you can rest assured that I always keep my word."

::He was almost close enough to touch her now, his cold eyes fixed on her gaze. Then, slowly, he reached out one arm...but instead of her skin, his fingers found the hilt of his knife, and he yanked it from it's position in the door frame. The blade glinted in the dim light as he drew the tip almost affectionately along her cheek.:: "Shouldn't you be trying to escape right now?" ::he smiled::

[Saber & Kat Tompson]

Saber stood, her back against the door, her fingers straining for the latch. Itami slowly began to come towards her, closing the distence between them. He was right... she knew he was right. She really had no reason to doubt his word. But that smile, and those eyes... they kept her from turning and running.

He came in close, and she felt he could hear her heart beating rappidly beneath her shirt. He reached out, and Saber jerked back slightly. He took the knife from the door and began to run the tip along her cheek. Yes... yes... she should be trying to escape. Reaching up quickly she pushed him away, and then turning she unlatched the door and bolted out into the other room.

Neron had been sitting with his eyes closed, trying to deduce what the sounds were in the other room. Suddenly Saber came shooting past him. Reaching out he, grabbed the back of her shirt. Saber screamed and faught him "Let go of me!"

[Neron Diego]

Neron grabbed the back of Saber's shirt and held her fast. "Just where the hell do you think you're going!" he roared, and swinging her around, threw her against the wall. he watched as the girl stood up dizzy and slightly confused. Suddenly with force and speed he didnt know she had, she rushed at him, and rammed his stomach with her shoulder. He listened in pleasure as she cried out in pain. Still the blow caused him to stumble backwards out of the way of the door. Again the girl rushed, and gained the door. Neron regained his footing and rushed out to watch her dissapear down the street.

Cursing horribly he stomped back into the torture chamber. "Alright you mangy dog, where are you and why did you let her get away!" he snarled and strode into the torture chamber. He saw Itami, bleeding, and holding a knife "Well!? Answer me man! Do you know the trouble I went though catching that wench? And do you have any idea the money she would have brought!?" he stood there fuming, his hand clenched around the barrel of his pistol.

[Itami]

::Itami grinned as the door slammed closed behind her, and he was left alone in the room again. She was a remarkable girl, that was for sure.... Even as the sounds of a struggle in the corridor faded, and it became clear that she had escaped her captor's grasp, Itami wasn't surprised. That girl...Saber...had more spirit than perhaps anyone else he had ever met. If anyone deserved freedom, it was her. Though...he was quite sure he would meet her again someday....::

::On cue, the door slammed open, and that rough brute of a man Neron stormed in literally shaking with rage. Rage directed at the one who had supposedly cost him his prize. Staring down the barrel of the man's gun, Itami could only smile::

"I let her go because she earned it," ::was all he would say, and nimbly turned to reorganize the tools on his table. He had no doubt the man would continue to push him, to demand a clear answer.... But the way he saw it, that was the only answer. If a person could not earn their right to live, then they would lose it. For now, Saber chose to live, and to live on her own terms. That -- not his mercy -- was what had carried the girl out of the room and into the freedom of the streets::

[Neron Diego]

Neron lowered his pistol and stared at the man. "She what!?" he shoved the pistol back into his belt and walked closer. Reaching out, he grabbed Itami's shoulder and whirled him around. He was shorter then Itami, but he was broader, and obviously stronger. "Now you listen to me. I brought that girl here... she was my property. You had no right, whatever the reason. to let her go!"

He took a step back and glared up at the man. "Now what the devil happened, and why?!". Neron was furious and he could bearly keep the rage from his voice. That had been Saber Tompson... sister of the woman he wanted dead. Not only because of her looks and spirit would Saber have made a good prize, but she would have been excelant as bait or a bargining chip. And now she was gone... all because of this cur who stood before him.