I'VE BEEN SCARED OF SLEEPING WITH THE LIGHTS ON ♡ RESCUE RAID

[michael t.]

ALL I FOUND THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SPACES
STANDING IN THE NOTHING, AND TIME RECLAIMS YOU

The ground beneath him was cold, and unyielding. The scent of The Typhoon in the air was a lifeline that Michael clung to, even though the bobcat knew his life wouldn't last much longer. The noose of freezing water around his neck made him feel like he was suffocating, and he could do nothing more than stumble forward, over to where Sojourn had dragged him. As he looked up at her, there was a mixed expression of sadness and remorse on his face, along with a flare of anger lingering in his gaze. He had been so close. So close to rescuing Danny and Vayne, and managing to sneak them out without any of this extra bloodshed needed. But the kingpin was too smart... had grown too suspicious. Honestly, he had figured that he would already be dead by this point, murdered in cold blood as soon as Sojourn figured out who he really was. She had different plans, though – not that he could entirely blame her.

Truthfully, he had never meant to play with Sojourn's heart. He had meant to deceive the kingpin, yes, but he hadn't meant to get so close to her. He didn't like being so cruel. Perhaps when he was a younger thief, who didn't care all that much for anyone else, he wouldn't have cared. Now, though? He really did feel bad about what he had done. All he had wanted was information, and he hadn't expected Sojourn to fall so hard for the Silvertongue persona that he had put on.

Perhaps, in another life, where he really was Silver, he might've been able to return her feelings. That wasn't this life, though. Not only were they on opposite sides of warring factions, but he just couldn't feel that way about her – couldn't feel that way about any woman, really. Still, he couldn't help wincing when he saw the pain in Sojourn's manic gaze, glaring down at him with a mixture of hatred and something else. His voice was similarly low as he spoke, words strained thanks to the noose around his neck, "I'm... I'm sorry. I never meant for things to happen like this." He knew that saying that would bring the kingpin's wounded heart little comfort, but he still found it necessary. He really had enjoyed her company, in the rare moments he had gotten to see her not in the mindset of a bloodthirsty and ruthless ruler of the Condemned.

Still... even though Michael understood the pain Sojourn was going through, he couldn't stand down. The Typhoon had arrived, and he knew what they were here for – Vayne, and Danny. He wanted them to be brought back home, and that meant that he needed to take action, even if it meant sacrificing his own life for theirs. Hell, he had almost expected this when he had first decided to come and spy. Really, his only regret was that he hadn't managed to get them out sooner. So for the moment, the bobcat just turned his mismatched gaze in the direction of the fighters, a brief smile pulling at his muzzle. His attention settled on Diya and Roxanne in particular, his gaze full of warmth and love as he saw them. His best friend, and his sister... his two greatest supports. He would miss them... he hoped they would be alright without him.

Taking a deep breath, the vampiric bobcat managed to stumble to his paws, claws digging into the earth beneath him. The noose around his neck still felt suffocating, but he no longer cared – he needed to act while he still could. So, with no more warning than a snarl from the back of his throat, Michael threw himself forward, jaws open wide as he latched onto Sojourn's neck. He was considerably smaller than the lioness, but his large vampire fangs made it easier for him to do damage, the male tearing away as much flesh and muscle that he could, trying to weaken Sojourn as much as possible. When he let go and fell back, he found himself on shaky legs, the noose around his neck seeming even tighter as he glared up in defiance at Sojourn. He knew the wounds he had inflicted probably wouldn't be enough to kill her, especially in her current state, but hopefully it would be enough to weaken her. Just enough for The Typhoon to succeed in their goal.

As blood dripped down from his maw, Michael found that he didn't feel any fear over his impending death. He knew that he couldn't do anything about it – he was far too weak to try and escape from Sojourn's hold. So instead, he merely waited, mismatched gaze full of fury and determination as he expected the kingpin's retaliation.

( permission given by rhosmari to powerplay Michael chomping [member=16709]SOJOURN[/member] )

— Reggan