Lets talk about murder

[saibot]

characters: Noob Saibot, Kuai Liang, Hanzo Hasashi, idk anyone else who wants to invade Kuai's room
location: Kuai and Pikachu's room
date/time: 20th
content: Murder discussion
warnings: I imagine at some point Hanzo and Noob will try and punch each other to death but I doubt there will be anything else bad

[After the town meeting, Bi-Han went back to mostly lurking around (not that he did much different most days) while the rest of the people seemed to be distracted by other events going on. This was partially to consider his options and see what actions others would take after his discussion with Crowley over what he felt should be done. He wasn't the nefarious plotter that others from his world might be, who might have used the scavenger hunt as an advantage to strike down the unsuspecting.

But he did know how to plan for an attack.

And who would be the biggest most unrelenting obstacle.

Which is why he needed to play that obstacle a visit.

Unlike normal people who might send a message first or even knock, Bi-Han's form popped up into Kuai's room from the floor. He didn't trust using the network that the lighthouse keeper also had access to and he wasn't nice enough to make his presence known first.]

Comments

[paletteswap]

[Kuai is comfortably lounging on his bed, half leaned against Hanzo as he plays Sudoku on his tablet. He's not wearing his shoulderpads, or his belt full of daggers, but he's still wearing the rest of his armor lucky for you Bi-Han.

The moment Bi-Han emerges from the ground he's getting a bolt of ice shot at him because you could KNOCK.]

What are you doing here?

[comehere]

[This was the closest Hanzo ever came to relaxing, his usual armored plates stripped away to only the base yellow uniform. His swords were resting just within reach, sheathed on the beside table, should he need them — But for the moment, he was content to lean back against the aged headboard, idly flipping through one of the books he'd salvaged.

At least, until the untimely intrusion. Along with the spray of ice, one of his spears embedded itself loudly in the wall behind him, missing the wraith's head by a few scant inches.

The reaction was automatic, but as he began to register just what had happened, Hanzo could feel his stomach start to twist. They had danced around the subject of their truce for weeks, and while Noob was well aware that they were no longer rivals, this was likely the closest he - or anyone else, for that matter - had seen them.]

Answer quickly.

[saibot]

[Upon entering the room he had not expected to stumble the two of them together. It was a path of thought he refused to go down. The former specter was probably up to something and his brother was a fool to trust him that much. But the naivity of his brother concerning the Shirai Ryu were not why he was here.

He was partially knocked back by the ice and it took every ounce of restraint to not retaliate and just stab them both in the face. His position changed to being slightly defensive but he didn't draw his weapon.

Yet anyway.]

I came to talk, not for battle.

[This was spoken to Kuai, though he did glare at Hanzo before speaking.]

[paletteswap]

[With an icy glare, Kuai sat up fully, sliding the tablet away so that he could fight if need be. His lantern was on the table, and exposed, which was concerning, but his brother, with his flair for the dramatic, would probably opt to actually attack rather than the easy route of smashing the lantern. ]

That seems unlikely.

[ This was Bi-Han afterall, who seemed to act on impulse and only talked when he was in a situation to taunt Kuai about some failing or another. ]

What did you wish to talk about?

[ Kuai may be blind where his brother was concerned, but this felt like a trap. ]

[comehere]

[A swift jerk of his hand, and he retracted the chain, the spear dislodging with a splintering of wood. Hanzo had already swung his legs over the edge of the bed, feet on the floor and prepared to draw his katana at a moment's notice — In truth, it was only for Kuai's sake that he had not done so already.

He knew that he should have. Better to shut Bi-Han's mouth before any poison could spill forth, and end this before it had even begun. It was no secret that his brother was Kuai's weakness, and regardless of how unlikely these overtures of peace were, they would no doubt help fan the small spark of hope he so desperately clung to.

For the moment however, he remained silent, his eyes fixed on the wraith.]

[saibot]

[As a slight show of his intentions, he hadn't bothered to bring out the shadow clone. And Kuai was right, he'd totally go for attacking him directly instead of going after the lantern.

Hanzo staying quiet was probably in his best interest. The only reason Noob hadn't used a portal to dump him out of the room was because he might be useful in this whole endeavor. Being a murderer and all.]

The lighthouse keeper.

[And because he's Bi-Han he didn't choose to elaborate as he is that kind of person who would rather speak cryptically instead of getting to the point -- which was getting his brother's opinion on her.]

[paletteswap]

[His face twisted into a snarl, though if that was because of his opinion on the Lighthouse Keeper or because of Bi-Han's cryptic reply, wasn't clear.]

What about her? If you came to talk, then talk.

[comehere]

[The absence of the clone only served to put Hanzo more on edge. At least seeing it, he knew where it was — But for now, it remained an unknown quantity, and could have been poised to strike them when they least expected.

Still, he had no reason yet to intervene, waiting expectantly for Bi-Han to finish his thought. The keeper was no friend of theirs, or anyone else here really; the wraith's interest in her did manage to pique his curiosity.]

[saibot]

She clearly pulls the strings of what happens in this place. If what was said is to be believed, that is a lot of power to be held by one person.

[Which Bi-Han wasn't totally against one person holding a lot of power, but only when it was him and not someone else who could potentially wipe them all out.]

And now she keeps the town distracted by her games.

[If the clone was to show up anywhere it'd totally pop up behind Hanzo just to punch him in the back of the head. Fortunately for all of them this really was about talking and not chopping people up into little pieces.]

[paletteswap]

I don't think anything she says is to be believed. She views this all as some game, dangling information to us as if we entertain her.

[He is definitely not a fan. He didn't even finish reading most of her broadcasts because he was so annoyed with her.]

They think playing along will keep them from being reset. If she has the power to do so whenever she pleases then what we do is of little importance, she'll do as she wishes.

[comehere]

[Hanzo's eyes narrowed, his hand still resting on the hilt of his weapon. He already had a strong idea of where this conversation was headed, and if he was being honest, he wouldn't disagree if that was the case. The Lighthouse Keeper was a threat, and Hanzo had already spent too much of his life under the sway of others. He had no desire to play that particular game yet again in death.

Though, if that was his intent, it would mean some form of partnership. Whether they could maintain peace between them long enough to accomplish anything was debatable; the second an arrangement was no longer favourable for Bi-Han, Hanzo wouldn't doubt the wraith would slip a knife in his back.

Or worse, Kuai's.]

You came here with a purpose, Bi-Han. What are you suggesting?

[saibot]

Then we are in agreement.

[Good. His brother was of the same mindset. That meant one less obstacle and possible ally in what he wanted to do. Possible being the keyword because he didn't intend to work with either of them longer than necessary.

His gaze snaps to Hanzo but only briefly.]

Make a move against the the lighthouse. Take out it's keeper, but with a group who won't fail like the last -- even if their intentions were for a different purpose.

[paletteswap]

For more information or have you simply found someone that no one will mind if you murder?

[But realistically, the results would be the same. He didn't care what happened to her, she had proven to be capricious and insensitive and viewed this all as some elaborate game. There might have been some hidden meaning to what she was doing - perhaps hiding them from something worse - but he doubted it. For her claims of being on their side she hadn't been exactly forthcoming with information.]

Have you spoken with her before? She must be expecting that we won't stand by idly while she claims to have resources we need.

[comehere]

[There was no doubt that their combined skills would be formidable, but the odds were still not in their favour if she saw the attack coming. To have held her position for this long, it was not by any chance or fluke.

He could not imagine there were many that Bi-Han would consider for allies, and Hanzo could not imagine that he would be among that short list. Then, rivalries aside, he was at least one whose skills were accounted for. He would not pretend to know the way his corrupted mind worked.

He glanced back at Kuai for a moment, awaiting Bi-Han's answer.]

[saibot]

I do not wish to be another pawn, something I have doubt both of you will understand.

[For as much as he claimed to serve both Quan Chi and Shinnok, he disliked the idea of having to submit to anyone. Which is why one day he'll betray them all.]

And I have not spoken to her, there has been little reason to. You could also be giving her too much credit, Kuai. If we are nothing but toys for her own entertainment she might also assume we'd fail. I've seen others state that she is young -- she could very well be naive to our abilities.

[Unfortunately the only reason Hanzo was allowed in on this was because a) Kuai would probably bring him anyway b) There are very few here who have shown any skills that'd be of use and c) He's a murderer and that's what they are attempting to do. Murder.]

[paletteswap]

[If Kuai was prone to rolling his eyes he'd be doing so. Certainly neither he who had been a revenant, possessed and a machine, nor Hanzo who had been a spectre could possibly understand being another man's pawn.]

Maybe. What are you suggesting? An attack on the lighthouse? Few survived from the attempt to get near it.

[comehere]

[The words were pressing up against the limits of his tolerance, his lip curling. The spear was back in his opposite hand again, his shoulders stiff as he struggled to keep his anger in check.

They had served together under Quan Chi - Not that his history was any secret.]

So your plan is to assume she is incompetent?

[saibot]

[Getting a rise out of Hanzo was one of the few things that still 'amused' him. The more he could press those buttons the better.]

A direct attack, no. Despite my assumptions --

[He gave a small look to Hanzo as he said that]

-- I am no fool. None of us know much about the lighthouse. I suggest we find out more before planning an assault. My powers would make getting inside simple. Remaining undetected from the forest spirits is the problem I foresee us running into.

[paletteswap]

[That showed more foresight than he would have anticipated from Bi-Han.]

I spoke to Rosinante who was on the first expedition, during the attack the forest spirits took out their lookouts and their defenses. Their numbers seem immense. However, they don't seem organized nor highly intelligent. Which may make them more difficult to anticipate.

I don't disagree that we need the information the Keeper has, but an assault may be ill advised.