Folie à Deux [JT, NDE]

[Luke Clyburn]

"This is the last one before you are going to make me run. Have you actually been able to keep up with me?"

That would be what a smug and confident Catherine Noir would ask the man she would discover was actually sitting at one of the rest tables, scrolling through his phone. There wasn’t a drop of sweat on him. It would seem that Luke Clyburn, despite Catherine’s orders earlier, hadn’t worked out at all. Not even a little. And she would be 100% right. Luke didn’t touch a single machine or weight in this entire gym. ”Hmm… that seafood risotto looks good. Wonder if she’d like that..” Luke murmured to himself, resting his cheek on his hand, as he scrolled through a variety of Italian recipes in the hopes of finding something new to try and cook that he thought Shizuka might like. Before taking his dirt nap Luke had started dabbling into trying to cook more often and actually found that he liked it. Was certainly better than eating takeout and frozen meals every night. The worry of course was if he cooked something Italian how would the actual Italian rate what he made?

”What is arborio rice? Never heard of it..” Luke murmured to himself. Finally, the man would look up to see that Catherine was trying to get his attention. ”You’re doing great! Keep at it!” Luke would say in the most dismissive way he possibly could, giving her a thumbs up as well. In truth, while he hadn’t been working out at all and seemed to have been fucking around on his phone the entire time he had been keeping a close eye on Catty. Well, not his eyes so to speak. It would be rude to stare at a woman working out even if she was pretty and fit. Luke had been keeping an eye on her reiatsu the entire time she had been working out with his mind's eye.

As Catty had been working out throughout the hour, Luke had been carefully studying the reiatsu that was inside her. What the woman failed to notice as she exercised was that her reiatsu was instinctively aiding her. Luke had felt the energy inside her moving and reacting as she exerted herself. What’s more, Luke was rather surprised by just how much reiatsu she had. As he watched her work out he couldn’t help but think to myself, Has she really never been taught anything at all? It just didn’t seem possible. What Luke had found was a staggering amount of reiatsu was sleeping inside her. Like a hidden trust fund for a billionaire's child.

What Luke had said earlier was no lie. Learning how to use reiatsu would come remarkably easier for her than it would for other people. That was the benefit of being a Bount. But Luke had been expecting Catherine to have a smidge of reiatsu. Just a bit more than the average person. Catherine didn’t even seem aware of just how much power she had sleeping in that remarkably toned body of hers. As he watched her exercise, amber eyes locked onto her back, the Bount couldn’t help but smirk a little bit. She might just be worth my time after all. Luke told himself. He would never openly admit this. But this woman, without any of her abilities awakened yet, was already leagues ahead of where he was when he was at her level.

There was the chance that Catherine Noir might be a sleeping giant. Someone with potential. That’s what Luke had concluded. But he needed to water this seed before it would grow into a great fruit-bearing tree. Looking up from his phone at the undoubtedly fuming and annoyed Catherine, Luke pocketed his phone and got up. ”Listen, there’s a chore I need to run real quick. Once you’re finished up with your routine go ahead and do what I told you on the treadmill, alright?” Luke explained in a bit of a hurry. When he had been looking for food ideas he had decided to check out the prices at the local markets nearby. Lo and behold there was a sale on salmon that he wanted to get in on before it was too late. Today was the last day after all!

[Catty Noir ♦]

Catty groaned and stomped over to Luke who was so busy with this damn phone that he didn't even pay attention to her one time throughout the exercise. She'd been getting more attention from the boy she upstaged on the weight floor than the Bount who had said he'd train her. His dismissal was enough to set her on edge, making Catty seriously wish she'd chosen someone else. He was looking up ingredients for food. And why? There was no reason to be so distracted when he had woken her up before she ever wished to be awake and taken her to a gym in a place she'd never been before. Just when she was about to give him a piece of her mind, Luke instead broke the brief silence.

”Listen, there’s a chore I need to run real quick. Once you’re finished up with your routine go ahead and do what I told you on the treadmill, alright?”

She blinked more slowly than she ever intended to as her irritation so clearly grew. He was ignoring her. Maybe he knew how to use his abilities better than she knew how to use hers, but that didn't make him so much better than she was that he could just refuse to help after already agreeing. Catty started feeling embarrassed for ever asking him. Already, she was thinking about another alternative. Maybe she'd stay in Japan for a year and move back home, admitting defeat to her parents and asking them to help instead. Her efforts hadn't led to much up until now, but at least they wouldn't throw her away on the first day.

Without saying a word, Catty would watch Luke ultimately get up to leave once he decided to do so and didn't want to waste time saying anything to him. It wasn't worth the struggle, and she didn't want to expend energy on anger more than she already was. What she'd hoped he wouldn't necessarily realize was that she planned on following him. She may not have been totally perfect at being able to tell whether or not he could sense her from far away, and she had zero stealth to speak of, so she had to hope she would be able to find him using what sensory ability she had. She'd just smell him out if it came down to it.

Until then, she'd wait and watch him leave.

[Luke Clyburn]

What are you doing?

Came a voice within his head as Luke stared down at the fresh fish on display. Street shops were a common thing in Karakura, and Luke enjoyed getting his fresh from such shops. Looking for fish. Luke replied. No, idiot, you know I’m referring to the girl. Are you actually going to train her or are you just fucking with her? his Doll asked. Lifting up one fillet and comparing it to another one, Luke could only sigh. You know as well as I do that I can’t train anyone. the Bount would reply, selecting one cut of fish finally and bringing it to the stall owner. ”So you are just fucking with her.” Wrapping the salmon up in a bag, Luke paid and began walking off.

Wrong again. I can’t train her because I wasn’t trained myself. I’m a natural genius. People like me make horrible teachers. What I can do, though, is what I can to recreate what I went through when I first awoke Jager. Luke explained as he began making his way back to his apartment. ”Recreate that experience? What do you mean by that?” he was asked as Luke entered the elevator. ”Frustrate her. Make her mad. Upset. It should be easy. She’s got that type of personality. She’s starting further than I was when I was at her level. So build up some pressure emotionally before forcing her into a situation where she pops.

”You make it sound like you’ve thought this out. What are you going to do to make her pop?” his Doll asked, though to that all Luke did was smirk. He had an idea. A plan. He thought back to when he awakened his first Doll and the attitude he had back then. The situation, the stress, the sight of seeing his coworkers attacked by those two Bount. Whatever that had been about that night had never come up again in all the years Luke had been in Karakura. But either way, Luke still recalled his first release. That’s what he would do to Catherine. Force her, in an already agitated state, to get pushed to her limit. That’s why he was forcing her to exercise and ignoring her. Frustrate her physically and emotionally.

”Well, looks like you’re still here.” Luke expressed with some surprise when he finally returned to the gym to find the french woman. Without even waiting to hear her response, he turned around while beckoning with his finger for her to follow him. Outside, parked on the curb, was his motorcycle with two helmets resting on it. ”Since you didn’t run off, we can get the real thing started now. But we’re gonna go somewhere where there won’t be many people. And before you complain, yes, everything I’ve had you do up till now was important. So if you have any questions you want to ask, get them out now.” Luke explained, throwing himself over the seat and waiting for her. ”I don’t ride bitch, so I’m driving.” he commented as he put his helmet on and waited for her.

[Catty Noir ♦]

Several minutes had passed and Catty was getting ready to search for the man who had just left her at the gym. With an angry pout on her face, she heaved a sigh and made her way back to the lockers where the rest of her things had been stored thanks to one of the attendants. Rather than waste time any further, she was going to simply tell him herself that she was done and he didn't need to worry about training her anymore. Luke clearly didn't respect her. That wasn't going to fly very well. Catty slammed the locker shut with a frustrated growl and didn't even care that it had gotten bent and stuck in its place because of her tantrum. She had gotten played.

With her bag strapped over her shoulder, she exited the locker room and noticed that Luke was headed back inside the gym. She felt a fire burn within her soul as she stared at the Bount in front of her, wondering if she should break his legs or neck first. The legs would make things difficult on him for a while until he fed to heal himself - something Catty realized she didn't know how to do. If she broke his neck, on the other hand, there was a good chance he'd die immediately and that would give her a sense of satisfaction in knowing that he couldn't bother her anymore. Although, if she did that, she knew her landlord would be sad. That lady was nice.

”Well, looks like you’re still here.”

Catty furrowed her brows with indignance, holding back every urge she had to roll her eyes at this American idiot. To make matters worse, he was beckoning her to follow, and she hated following people like that. Another groan escaped her lips that she barely made any attempt at hiding as she begrudgingly went after the man, curious to see what he was trying to get her to do despite her growing irritation. To her surprise, she saw the motorcycle he somehow had with a couple of helmets. There was no doubt in her mind now that he expected her to ride on the back of that thing, especially since he mounted it with ease and offered her a seat while attempting to convince her that leaving her by herself, completely ignored, was somehow necessary and planned.

”I don’t ride bitch, so I’m driving.”

Without saying a word, Catty grabbed the helmet that wasn't atop Luke's head, held it in her hand for a moment, and then slammed it against the ground. It bounced off the pavement with a loud crack that immediately clued the woman in on the fact that it had been broken. Good. Clutching the strap of her bag in her hand, she eyed Luke with a ferocious glare that could have frightened even the bravest of children. Her bright blue eyes were cold with rage. She had completely lost her patience and will to continue on this venture, and the only thing she could think about was finding someone else to help her.

"I did not know what I was getting into, mon cher, but I can promise you that I do not require your help anymore. Take your stupid bike and go. I will find someone stronger who can actually help me rather than make a fool of me."

With a pivot on her heels, Catty turned and started off towards the direction they came in. The apartment wasn't too far out of her reach for a brisk walk, and the exercise she'd just done needed a resting period anyway. The walk would do her good to clear her mind. Deep in her gut, though, was a feeling she couldn't ignore quite as well. She felt embarrassed but did her best not to show it. She felt silly for believing he was the one she was looking for when she came to Japan. She missed her parents and wondered if they were right to have reservations that she so blissfully avoided. Maybe it was time to go back to Paris.

[Luke Clyburn]

It was fair to say that this was a predictable result of how he had been treating her. Promising to help her, making her exercise, and then leaving her alone. It certainly did seem that Luke was just taking Catty for a ride. Watching her smash the bike helmet onto the concrete with a rather emotionless expression, Luke lifted his eyes gaze up to her as she started to berate him. He was silent the entire time. He simply looked at her. Waiting for her to get done. She didn’t require his help anymore when the real training hadn’t even gotten started. Luke was getting what he had set out to achieve. She was frustrated and pissed. The jab at him was noticed but it didn’t phase him at all. He simply sat there, on his bike, with an expression that didn’t betray any feelings. And so she turned and began storming off.

”Catherine.”

One word. Just her name. Something as simple as her name escaped his lips. Yet a word that she had to have heard countless times in her life had never before now carried with it such a coldness. Catty would feel as though the heat of her body was sucked away. The man said her name with such authority. She’d feel it. It wasn’t as though the day suddenly got cold. No, what Catherine would instead experience was a feeling so familiar and yet never as intense as now. Fear. Luke released what one would describe as a murderous intention. It was as though Catherine was suddenly put in a cage, with no weapons, with a hungry tiger. Or as though a thousand assault rifles were pointed right at her by a firing squad. Fear that would paralyze her in her tracks.

”You ask me for my help and then bitch and moan about my methods? If I’d known you were such an ungrateful brat I’d have sent you back to where you came from.”

Luke never got up from where he sat. Instead he simply allowed the multiple abilities he was using on her to take effect. Luke didn’t just use a portion of his spiritual pressure to weigh down on her, making it incredibly difficult for the French woman to breathe, but he was also utilizing one of the lesser used aspects of Willpower. Using Cog, Luke was broadcasting an intimidating aura so intense that the moment he had said Catherines name he’d have stripped the girl of her will to fight him.

”Now get on the fucking bike, Catherine.”

He commanded, his amber eyes glowing furiously, as he stared her down like he would an opponent far beneath him. There was no joke here. Catty would feel how deathly serious this was. If she somehow still didn’t listen, there was always the next step to this plan. The one Luke really didn’t want to use. He didn’t like doing this at all to be honest. But he needed this woman to go along with him. This was, as much as it sucked playing the bad guy, part of his plan. He just didn’t expect to get to this step so soon.

[Catty Noir ♦]

"Catherine."

Huh? That was strange. Everything looked completely normal until just a moment ago when she'd heard her name. The world around her was moving as she walked forward after telling Luke off, but somehow it froze. Could everything simply stop moving at the drop of a hat like this? Catty attempted to look around but soon realized she wasn't able to. Her own eyes wouldn't work. It felt as if she was in a cage, trapped and helpless, with no hope of ever escaping. She bit her bottom lip. Hard. She didn't understand anything about the situation she was in. She thought she had the last word, only to hear this man spit her full name out as if she were in trouble.

"Lucas."

Drip.

A quick glance down - all she could muster at the time - revealed an oddly-placed rain drop amongst a seamless, cloudless sky. Strange, again. There was no forecast for poor weather, yet there it was, staining the pavement beneath her only briefly before it dissipated within the stone. Her surroundings were still frozen in place, striking her as entirely too supernatural, especially since she was in the middle of effortlessly walking away. Effortlessly... or so she thought. And why was there only a single rain drop? Only a single one, until she witnessed two more drop within close succession of each other.

Wide eyes covered the Bount's face when she finally pieced together what had been happening. Her heart was racing so quickly because of her irresistible urge to get out of there; rather, it would have been irresistible had she not been unable to move. As soon as she felt her heart start to beat out of her chest, she noticed her feet hadn't moved since he spoke her name out loud. Her back was still turned to him, but she could have sworn she sensed his piercing gaze daring to shoot a hole through her back. It wasn't the world that was frozen around Catty. Catty was the one frozen. She was terrified.

"You ask me for my help and then bitch and moan about my methods? If I’d known you were such an ungrateful brat I’d have sent you back to where you came from."

Suffocating... She couldn't breath. Catty started to panic. She tried her best to resist the overwhelming pressure she felt coming from behind her, knowing who was causing it but not understanding how. She wasn't able to form any words and wouldn't know what to say even if she could. She was simply prey to him. She was some piece of meat he could tenderize before throwing it to the wild dogs of power that barked and howled to be released from their kennels. She was hyperventilating. Not enough air. Not enough time. Not enough distance. He would kill her. He was going to hurt her. She didn't have a chance in hell of running before-

"Now get on the fucking bike, Catherine."

Common sense hit her before her ability to properly move again did, but the latter followed soon after. Despite her survival instinct screaming bloody murder at her from the inside, Catty's previously-frightened face contorted into something much more angry. Her teeth clenched down as a frustrated growl seeped out from behind them, not too dissimilar to a teenager having a tantrum after being told 'no' by a parent. She pivoted again, threw her bag on the back of the bike with more luck than skill since it somehow landed on the back, and faced the man who threatened her. In just a few steps, she marched herself back to stand before him, ignoring the height difference, and grabbed his arm.

"My name is Catty," she started, speaking harshly through her clenched teeth. "And you have no business ordering me around." She squeezed his right arm with half her might, knowing that he may have the spiritual advantage over her, but her physical strength would still hurt him. "I will get on the stupid bike. But it is purely because I want to! It is not because you told me to do it!"

Letting go of Luke's arm as dramatically as possible, her sharp gaze locked with his. She may not have any intimidating abilities the same way he did, but he would still see the fury behind her stare as much as any other person would. She didn't hide her feelings. In this moment, though, she knew the smarter decision would be to do as she was told. Catty just didn't want to let Luke think he could control her like that. She mounted the bike with a light sneer and held on to the seat with her hands, avoiding any reason to touch this man at all. She also chose to let him lead her to a new place, deciding one last chance was warranted. Still, she wished she could have at least punched him.

"Never let anyone see that they got to you, Mère. You are strong, too."

"Eh? Did you say something, Lucas?" Catty ran her hand through her bangs and over the top of her head, letting the pieces of hair fall back into place above her eyes. "Or... never mind. I mentioned nothing."

[Luke Clyburn]

A tense few seconds passed between them. Luke’s amber eyes glared into Catherine’s hues as the girl managed to find her backbone and approach him. The two glared at one another as Catty hissed through her teeth at him that he had no right ordering her around. Luke might have been impressed had he not been so pissed at her. The woman grabbed onto his arm and squeezed, prompting Luke to break eye contact with her and look at where she was squeezing. He stared at her hand for an instant before returning his gaze at her, noticing the fire in her eyes. His assumptions about her had been right. Anyone else at her level should have either passed out in a puddle of their own piss or ran for the hills. But despite his Cog and pressure, Catherine fought through it to stand before him. He could tell she was scared, but seemed like she would rather fight than flee.

”Well now, was that so hard?”

As she threw herself onto his bike, he looked over his shoulder at her. ”Are you actually starting to like her?” a familiar voice would ask inside his head. Ignoring the commentary, Luke started the bike and veered into the street away from the side of the road. He’d start the drive, silent, as he let his memories serve as his map. He didn’t answer back when she asked her question, instead taking the role of an annoyed parent or older brother. He chose to let silence exist between them as they drove. From street to street they went. Soon enough they reached the bridge that was one of the exits of town. Luke didn’t stop as they crossed the bridge and left the city perimeter, driving off into more rural country.

She’d realize rather quickly Luke was leading her out of town. He remained quiet, even if she asked, focusing on the ride and trying to ignore something else. A few beads of sweat had built up on his forehead, but with his tolerance and strength of will he was able to ignore it. The drive turned into an hour-long trip down the Japanese highway. A mountain face on one side and treelines on the other. At some point though Luke took an exit, driving them down the curving ramp, and onto another road that led into the countryside. Spotting the off the path road he was looking for, Luke would turn off the road and head down a dirt road.

Catty would probably have a million questions, but before long she would see a building through breaks in the trees. Luke would slow the bike down, easing up on the throttle, as the two pulled up to an old three story building. The building was surrounded by a falling apart fence perimeter. It was a prison. An old one by the looks of it. The entrance barricades were long gone and nobody manned the guard station, so Luke drove right in. Pulling up in front of the front entrance, Luke switched his bike off. But he didn’t immediately get off. ”We’re here. This is the place.” he’d mention, looking up at the entrance with a forlorn expression.

”Come on.” he’d command, opening the door up and leading her inside. Just like the outside, the interior looked rundown. But rather than leading Catty to the prison yard or cell blocks, he led her to a staircase and headed down. He had walked these stairs many times, but now it just felt him with nostalgia and a bit of sadness. Pulling out a key as they approached a door on the bottom landing, Luke unlocked it and opened it up.

What was inside was an empty room. Whatever had once been inside, long gone, except a lone bar against one of the rooms walls. Walking inside and looking at the bar, Luke lowered his gaze a bit as he dragged his hand across the surface. ”This used to be a club for people like us. Was friends with the owner. She wanted a place where those with nowhere else to go could feel welcome and accepted. But as you can see, it’s all gone now. She moved on years ago. Left Karakura and set up shop somewhere else.” Luke explained, looking around the empty room a little more before looking at Catty.

”You’d probably have liked it.” he commented, before pushing off the wooden bar and motioning for her to follow him through another doorway. Leading her through halls, he led her to what looked to have once been used as a dance floor for the club. All the tables, strobe lights, and everything that wasn’t nailed down was already gone. Thankfully there were still a few lights as well as power that gave some illumination to the hidden basement of the prison. ”This should be good enough.” Luke commented, looking around the empty room before turning his attention to Catty.

With one smooth motion, Luke tore the jacket he was wearing off. Wearing a black tank top, Luke revealed to her what had been making him sweat early. Luke’s left bicep had turned into a black and purple swollen mess. The exact same place Catty had grabbed him hours early. ”It’s broken.” the man commented, looking at his damaged arm and then back to her. ”But something like that isn’t a problem for me.” he’d comment as, before Catty’s eyes, flickers of light would begin to appear around Luke. Streams of broken apart light would appear and seem to flow into Luke, who became illuminated in a teal outline, and vanish into his body.

Before the womans eyes the black and blue bruise would begin to take on a normal color again. The swelling reduced until his arm was normal shaped and colored again. The light died down and Luke moved his arm about to make sure everything was good. Smirking to himself and looking at Catty again, the man gave her one order. ”Attack me.”

[Catty Noir ♦]

Even though many people say ignorance is bliss, Luke actively ignoring Catty was certainly the opposite of whatever bliss they were talking about. Be it the after-effects of whatever it was he had done to her to make her sweat in fear or something unknown to her entirely, Catty felt the need to follow him despite his rude behavior. All she was looking for was a mentor. What she got was a slightly-upgraded homeless guy with a god-complex. It was making her feel very small and unwelcome, two sensations that had been so foreign to her up until this moment. She never had issues getting along with people before, but maybe he was different. Or perhaps it was because she was French.

Within a few minutes and after one or two thoughts to herself, Catty looked up from the motorcycle seat she'd been staring at to avoid speaking to Luke - something she soon realized was unnecessary since he took it upon himself to shut up. They weren't in town anymore and anxiety began to pool at the bottom of her stomach, making Catty feel what seemed like a mix of panic and hunger. She was just uncomfortable, mainly. He had left her alone when she thought she was actually going to get some real training done, then yells at her and intimidates her to the point where she was sick to her stomach. Now, she didn't think she'd be able to escape from him if she tried. He could hunt her down and kill her if he wanted to.

At least if she were to die, this was the most scenic way to go. Catty hated having to admit it, but the ride to wherever this psychopath was going was definitely beautiful. The mountains were lovely this time of year, and she didn't really leave Karakura much at all yet since she'd only recently moved. Being able to take in the sights and smells made her smile a bit to herself without realizing she had leaned a bit on the back of the man sitting in front of her. Some moments passed with the two of them like this, though he'd made no mention of anything and she didn't think much of it. She was paying attention to nature, enjoying her last few moments as they pulled up to what the immediately recognized as her last known location.

"We’re here. This is the place."

Catty blinked her widened, surprised eyes. "Bien sûr que non." Absolutely not.

"Come on."

With a whimper, she reluctantly followed Luke. If the dilapidated nature of the outside was anything to be distressed by, the inside was almost worse. This place had been abandoned for quite some time, and even just the smell of it told Catty that there had been some powerful fights here in the past. It wasn't as if she could literally smell the abilities, of course, but there was this odd sense of leftover Reiatsu from some very powerful people, and the damages from their fights didn't seem to stay contained within wherever location they originated from. Something happened here a long time ago, and no one kept up with it since.

Oh, but Luke had a key! Of course! That all makes sense! How obvious! Catty rolled her eyes when she realized this was likely just where he lived. Being at the same apartment complex as her was a coincidence since he was probably just staying with a friend there. This, though. THIS was his true home. That explained the smell and all of the homeless clothes! Clearly, he lived here. Yes. Perfect explanation. Catty was still going to end up dead because she was led to an abandoned building housing the strongest Bount she's ever met in her life in the middle of absolutely no where. By all scary movie logic, she was as good as gone.

"This used to be a club for people like us. Was friends with the owner. She wanted a place where those with nowhere else to go could feel welcome and accepted. But as you can see, it’s all gone now. She moved on years ago. Left Karakura and set up shop somewhere else."

Never mind, I suppose.

He thought she would have liked this place in its prime. Perhaps she would have. Catty had a bit of a habit of getting into trouble when it came to physical prowess, and she did find herself looking for open areas to practice. Since she had to rely on her strength for so long, it became somewhat natural to take advantage of those opportunities when they arose. She didn't want to be out of shape if she ever needed to defend herself, after all. It started to sound like maybe she and Luke were more similar than she thought. It wasn't just because they were both Bounts, but also because of their stories. So then why did he feel so threatening?

Blindly following the man, she came to see that they had reached their destination. Luke had moved stuff out of the way and did his best to get them to this big room safely, but Catty could have sworn she heard some pieces of something falling in the background every time he touched anything. Once he stopped her, he promptly removed his jacket, causing Catty's face to feel hot. Luke had the type of body you'd expect some of the French models to have, which shocked her. Granted, she understood that his shape was likely going to be good because of his nature, but he was much more toned than she'd imagined. Well, not that she imagined much about him... except for maybe once or twice.

What quickly caught her attention was the bruising. There was no way that she'd broken his arm. She didn't use all of her strength, or, at least, she'd avoided that as best as she could. The difference between the two of them must have been greater than she'd thought. The fingers of her hand caught themselves against her mouth as she gasped, unable to hold back the surprise she felt when she had seen how swollen his bicep had become. Guilt rushed over her when she realized all of this happened because she couldn't control her temper. If he was hurt, she could try to fix it somehow. Bounts could heal at fast rates, right? Even if she never figured that out, he had to know.

"But something like that isn’t a problem for me."

All too quickly, Luke's body emanated some strange light as the injury on his arm began to change. Catty watched, astonished to the point of being unable to speak, as the black and blue turned lighter, changed to a greenish yellow, faded, and finally returned to normal. The odd swelling shape calmed down significantly until it was also completely okay again. The woman tilted her head in both confusion and amazement while she monitored the swift progress he made in healing, soon noticing the jealousy she felt. Yet another ability she didn't have access to for some reason, and she wasn't sure how she could ever figure it out. But before she could think on those feelings further, Luke spoke again.

"Attack me."

No sooner did he give his order that Catty was in a readied stance, eyes wide with focus, slit with harmful intent, and itching to move. She didn't even realize she had been ready to pounce on this guy until he gave her the invitation, and she hardly felt bad about it. In fact, despite the difference in power between them and how she knew he could stomp her at any moment, Catty still wanted to at least try to show him that she needed to be taken seriously. Not made out to be a fool, not left somewhere alone while he went and ran stupid errands, but taken genuinely seriously. So, as quickly as she could, she ran at Luke with balled fists.

Her teeth were bared, giving her the most feline appearance she's ever had in front of him. Catty crouched down when she had gotten close to him, hoping the momentum would give her an upper hand if he miraculously remained in place. As she shot herself upward with her legs into as much of a jump as she could muster, her right fist prepared itself to use the motion to its advantage and knock him right in the bottom of his jaw. Her attempt at an uppercut may leave her open, so her other arm braced itself in front of her torso as much as possible to ready herself for any kind of rebuttal. She didn't have fancy techniques or intimidation, unfortunately. She knew this. But he asked her to attack, so she'd try.

If her punch connected, and his arm injury was any indication, then hitting him at full strength was going to hurt. If it missed, she'd simply locate the man again and reassess. She didn't know anything about him, after all. This was much better training than simply going to the gym, and even if she'd mostly recovered from what he made her do earlier that day, she wouldn't be able to hide the slight panting. Her stamina still wasn't up to snuff, and even worse now that she'd already used her energy to show off. How long would she be able to play the offense if she was suffering from her earlier mistakes?

[Luke Clyburn]

The flowing lights of visible reiatsu drifted through the air as if floating on invisible streams, entering into Luke’s body and giving him a similarly colored outline. Rolling his arm clockwise, then counter clockwise, Luke was satisfied with the results of his Immortality Drink. His arm that had been previously broken, swollen and bruised a disgusting purple, had been completely healed. Opening and closing his fingers a few times just to make sure everything was still working as they should, the Bount turned his attention back to the French woman and gave her the order. “Attack me.” It was just two words yet Luke expected them to confuse Catherine. But she managed to defy his expectations yet again.

”Oh?”

Luke hummed to himself as he watched Catty drop into a fighting stance. He had expected her to argue with him but instead she was raring to go. Good instincts. She was quick on the draw. No sooner than he had issued his order had she gotten herself ready. Either she had some experience with fighting at some point in her life or she was genuinely that ready to slug him. Or maybe she was just a natural fighter? Regardless of the reason, it made Luke smirk a little bit. He was pleased that he didn’t have to waste time arguing with her about him wanting her to hit him. Or, well, at least try to.

The girl dashed at him, ducking down when she got close enough, and hurled her right arm at him with all the momentum and power she could muster. Luke’s eyes had never left her. Not even once did he blink. She’s quick. But he was quicker. Luke stepped to her right, letting the woman's fist sail past him into the air. ”God you’re slow.” Luke mocked, noticing how she used her other arm to brace herself. This whole exchange had gone exactly how Luke had predicted it would go. Her opening move had been incredibly predictable and thanks to his insane battle IQ and reaction time, he had been able to accurately predict her every move and respond to it accordingly.

So you’re an enhancement type after all.

After experiencing all the battles he had living in Karakura Town, Luke had learned that every person with spiritual abilities could essentially be broken down into two categories; Reiatsu Output and Reiatsu Enhancement. He was a good example of the former. Reiatsu Output types were the kinds of fighters that utilized reiatsu type abilities in combat and focused on maximizing how much power those abilities had. Things like spells, beams, techniques, and even their releases. Whereas Reiatsu Enhancers, like Catherine, were the kind whose reiatsu strengthened the capabilities of their physical bodies. Super strength and speed, that sort of thing.

Of course there were subcategories for both of these types. It wasn’t a binary. While reiatsu output types typically had large volumes of reiatsu to draw upon, that wasn’t strictly something only they possessed. With Luke’s ability to sense energy, he could tell that there was a respectable volume of reiatsu inside Catherine as well. That wasn’t surprising, in all honesty. Bounts needed a lot of reiatsu to support her Dolls. It did make him think though. Why did she already have this much reiatsu at the current level she was at? There were a few possibilities that sprang up in his mind. Things he would need to look out for.

I might have a little monster on my hands.

All of this thinking had been done in the same instant that Luke had side stepped her punch. Luke turned his right hand counter clockwise, palm open, as black energy swelled and expanded in the open air into the shape of a katana. Closing his fingers around the shadowy hilt, Luke swung upwards at her exposed right flank. She was using her left arm to guard, right? Well her left arm could only help so much for the right side of her body mid motion. Luke’s sword of darkness slashed across her exposed arm with speed and accuracy. But whereas Catty might have expected her arm to be gone and a fountain of blood to erupt out of her stomp, her lucrative career as a hand model ruined, there was only a small cut on her forearm. Just a little nick. Hell, Catty might not have even felt it.

Was he insulting her? Holding back against a child? Well, yes. What sort of adult goes all out against a child? Luke backpedaled after his upward swing, using footwork to get himself some distance from Catty. He was confident she wouldn’t pursue him right away, her inexperience would make her freeze up. Seeing a sword made of darkness slashing her arm, it would leave the girl confused. Luke hoped that the small injury would further rile her up. No doubt she already thought he looked down on her after all. He wanted her to bubble up like a bowling pot of rice. She wasn’t there yet. She wasn’t ready to explode.

”Are you gonna cry over a little cut?” Luke asked with a smug tone. Infuriate her. Get her into a similar emotional state that he was when he first awakened his Doll. This was the only way he knew how to teach her. He didn’t have any magic words or a spell that could just make the Doll she so desperately wanted to appear. It was on Catty to twist the key and open the door. Once she was mad enough, then Luke would put the real pressure on. Make her scared. Afraid for her life. Catty would need this experience, especially living in this town. Especially if she was going to try to associate with the other Bounts.

Something worth mentioning though, was that nick that Luke gave her. Shadows extended from the cut and wrapped themselves around her arm. The girl would feel, maybe not consciously at the moment, a little slower. Physically and mentally. But probably not at the moment. She was undoubtedly running hot. Luke’s ability, Edge of Night, had a nasty side effect to it. When creating the technique, Luke had traded the ability to cause damage for the ability to apply a debuff. A single blow wouldn’t be noticeable yet, save for the shadows that emerged from the wounds location, but repeated strikes would further debilitate Catty. All a part of the plan.

Remaining Reiatsu: 7000 / 8000
-100 for Cog
-600 for Class 2 Immortality Drink Healing
-300 for Rand der Nacht

SPOILER: Click to show

{Rand der Nacht (lit. ‘Edge of Night’)}
Technique Name: Rand der Nacht (lit. ‘Edge of Night’)

Technique Class: 2 - 180 TTP.

Technique Type: Bount Reiatsu.

Usable By: Bount.

Technique Element: Shadow.

Technique Cost: 300 Reiatsu to create, & 100 Reiatsu/post to maintain.

Description: Much as the name of this technique implies, Rand der Nacht allows the user to manifest a weapon pseudo-solid shadow. Generating from their hand, before stretching out into a shape that either compliments any Weapon Skill they have, or taking a specified shape chosen upon taking the technique, this weapon will always take this form. This shadow weapon possesses a durability equal to 2x the users Reiatsu Strength. If a projectile weapon is created, projectiles fired cost 50 Reiatsu per, and fly at 800 Speed. Mastery allows for the creation of two identical weapons for one cast of the technique, reduces the cost of these projectiles down to 25 Reiatsu per, and allows for the creation of one more type of weapon, chosen upon attaining Mastery.

Being a predatory weapon of choice for Bounts that wish to hunt stronger prey, Rand der Nacht comes with a rather nasty effect to those that are struck. Upon contact, those hit with this shadowy weapon will find that a very minuscule amount of damage is dealt to them. What would normally be huge slashes are no more than small nicks. Deep bullet holes are instead bruises that barely register. Those with more than one Rank in Pain Tolerance won’t even register they were struck. Instead, each strike from this weapon will drop the target’s Speed and Instinct by 5%, capping at 25%/50%/75%, depending on the stage of Mastery this user has this technique at, as shadows wrap around and bind the target, slowing their movements and reactive capabilities.

How to Use: Manifest a weapon of choice.

Drawbacks: While certainly potent, Rand der Nacht has its drawbacks. For one, this technique requires quite an amount of focus, limiting the user’s capability to summon their Dolls; no more than two dolls can be manifested at any given time while this technique is active. The statistical debilitations from this technique last for five posts before they’re automatically cleansed. Every subsequent attack with Rand der Nacht will reset this timer. Someone can immediately end the effects of this technique on them by taking a second to rip the shadows from their body at no cost, but doing so without being in a safe location can immediately put them in harm’s way.

Incantation: N/A.

Made By: Luke Clyburn

Reserved?: Yes

[Catty Noir ♦]

I missed!

”God you’re slow.”

At least she was still blocking herself. There was no doubt that Luke would try to counter even after simply stepping out of the way of her punch. Maybe she was too predictable, or maybe he was just that much stronger. Or perhaps... both. Catty was too used to fighting normal humans and overpowering them easily. She never considered that it'd be different from going up against another Bount or someone similar. She briefly recalled what she'd said back when they first met, but she meant it as a method of getting Luke's attention. It wasn't supposed to be the truth.

"I do not want to be hunted and killed because I cannot defend myself."

No, focus!

The sword formed faster than Catty cared to admit she noticed. She was too honed in on the possibility of Luke countering with something physical, but he didn't. He manifested the blade and slashed upwards, grazing over her arm as if the blade were the edge of a piece of paper. The initial shock had Catty reeling as she felt adrenaline pump very quickly from the top of her head to her toes. Panic had struck since she was so sure she'd just lost an arm, but relief washed over her just as fast once she realized this was not the case. Instead, when she glanced down to inspect the injury, she only noticed a small mark on her skin.

Planted firmly back on the ground, Catty raised her arm and stretched her hand a bit, just to make sure this wasn't some trick where she actually did lose her limb. Luckily, she had nothing to worry about, so she set her sights back on Luke and tried to calm herself after the immense amount of chemicals flowing through her body ravaged her only a moment ago. Once she confirmed she was okay, she got pissed off. Baring her teeth again at the man who had now created some distance between the two, she felt heat radiate from her back as her blood started to boil. He was playing games with her and still refused to take her seriously.

"You insult me! How dare you damage my skin! You know nothing of pride and vanity!"

”Are you gonna cry over a little cut?”

"Ugh! You insignificant-"

"Back him into a corner."

Catty lunged again and charged once more, punching with near-wreckless abandon. While she was abusing her anger to try to trap him, part of what she was trying to do was destroy the ground beneath them. Actually, not just the ground. Quick glances around the club reminded her that this place was in shambles, and even though it might make him angry, Catty was not opposed to ruining an old building. She stomped, punched, kicked, and slammed herself into multiple areas on the ground, walls, support beams, and everything else she could find. She might have looked like she was having a tantrum. Maybe she was.

Her years of training with her parents told her one thing - she was physically strong. She may not have any Dolls, and perhaps she was a failure of a Bount, but she would never have to look behind herself when she walked into an alley at night. She never had to worry about getting kidnapped. She held no fear of going out by herself at all, because she was the one they had to fear instead. Catherine Noir may not be the ideal image of a Bount, but she was something else that no one could deny. She was a beast.

By the time she was done, even if Luke tried to interrupt her rampage, she'd be heavily panting and more tired than she thought she'd be. Her objective was to make this place incredibly delicate to the point where one wrong step from someone, be it her or him, would send them crumbling down to whatever lies beneath. She'd be fine. She was durable enough to withstand something like that even if rubble were to fall on her, and she assumed he'd be able to protect himself, but at least she'd be able to hurt something he seemed to care about. That's all she wanted.

Something out the corner of her eye grabbed her attention, causing Catty to look down at her arm. She'd missed it before because she was seeing red, but now that she had a second to try to catch her breath, she realized there were tendrils of darkness flowing out of the wound his blade had created shortly before. These tendrils, snake-like in movement and restrictive in nature, wrapped around her arm. She gasped and quickly attempted to wipe them off with her free hand, but that would prove useless. They weren't going anywhere.

"What did you do to me?

SPOILER: Click to show

{Catty's "Rand der Nacht" Stats}

Strength - [240] = 300 Points

Speed - [300] = 210 Points (now 199)

Spiritual Pressure - [200] = 300 Points

Reiatsu Strength - 100 Points

Light Aura - 50 Points

Dark Aura - 50 Points

Instinct - [160] = 120 Points (now 114)

Senses - 100 Points

Energy Sensory - 50 Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points

Total SP: 1150 Points

[Luke Clyburn]

Funnily enough, Luke might have actually known a lot about pride. Watching her outburst made him chuckle a little to himself. She was a loud brat he’d give her that. As he predicted, she seemed to panic a bit when he slashed at her arm with his darkness crafted sword. She might have had the instincts to jump into a fight, but she lacked the experience that came with battle. She was green. Possessed potential, for sure, but she was green. In her rage though she started acting rather erratic. Luke blinked as he watched her start stomping around, smashing things up, and acting like a bull in a china shop. The man stood there, watching her, as she threw a tantrum and began smashing everything up around her. Had his plan been a little too successful? Had she actually lost her shit?

”Is this a part of your genius plan?”

Maybe?

”Who knows.”

He commented in response to her question. She took notice of his technique's debilitating effect. She had stopped her rampage, so Luke decided to press the advantage. In a way, she had gotten the effect she wanted. Luke looked a little miffed that she had gone and rampaged around the empty club. But it wasn’t like anything was here anymore. These were just ruins of something he once cared about. He still possessed the memories. But, regardless of that, Luke was human. Not everything was perfectly logical. If Catty had intended to hurt his feelings with her rampage, lo and behold she did.

When the girl stopped to inspect the shadows snaking their way across her arm, Luke took a step forward. But as his foot hit the floor of the ruined dance club a loud crunch sounded off from where he stepped. The Bount blinked with surprise and turned his attention to the floor as another crack reached his ears. The floor caved in, his foot sinking down, before the sound of wood snapping filled the dance floor and everything began to fall into an ever widening hole. Caught off guard, Luke started to fall, before he turned his attention to Catty. His instincts nearly got the best of him. He wanted to rush to her, grab her, and hold onto her to keep her from falling. The desires to be a protective hero were flaring. But Luke didn’t listen to them. He choked them and shoved them down.

Stirred up dirt, snapped wood, concrete and other debris flowed down into the open space beneath the hole and hit the ground of what was down below. Catherine’s rampage, whether intentional or not, had weakened the structural integrity of the ruined dance floor. This was what happened when someone with superhuman strength went on a toddler-like rampage. Things fucking broke! But what was the space that everything fell into? The center of the chamber was empty, save for being surrounded by a neck high wall. Past this wall were rows of seats and benches. It looked like some sort of presentation chamber. But everything was even more ruined down here than it was in the floor above. The chairs, the walls, the floor itself looked damaged but never in any one consistent way. Burns, slash marks, and water damage was all over the place.

Catty wouldn’t know it, but what she had fallen into was the fighting ring that the club once hosted. The same ring that Luke once participated in and where he had first met Shizuka Sanamizu. But now it no longer serves that purpose. It served a different one. This was where Luke came to practice and train. He needed a place that was safe, away from where others risked getting hurt, to train. ”Tch.” Luke clicked his tongue as he looked at the mess.

”What? You can’t even do something this basic?”

Luke would ask her, looking down on her from his perspective. While Catty would have had to fall into the chamber below, Luke however was still up top. Not standing on any of the floor, but rather standing on the air itself. He couldn’t help but visibly scoff at the girl. ”Little girl thinks she’s entitled to her Doll when she can’t even stand on the air. I’d be embarrassed.” He wasn’t going to mention how he hadn’t been able to do air ground either before he had gotten his first Doll. ”Do you feel better now though after going and wrecking my training grounds? It’s funny this is where we are. This used to be a fighting ring.” Luke commented, looking away from her and at the ruined room.

What should I do next… oh, I know.

Luke extended his right arm out, holding the sword of darkness created by his technique out horizontally. Suddenly, the sword's form began to destabilize as the shadows that held its form together began to lash out like angry vines. ”Since you're here in the ring… how about I give you a taste of what my life was like. Though this'll be the first time I've been apart of the audience.” Luke said with a smirk before the reiatsu of his sword burst outwards and lost all of its form entirely. He would let go of it, releasing it, and the energy would fall towards the floor as if it possessed mass of its own.

”Rand der Nacht: Drachen.”

The mass of black reiatsu would suddenly expand in size to that of a car as two large shapes stretched outward from the initial source. The shapes would become finer, more detailed, before becoming an obvious set of batlike wings. Shapes that looked to be spikes would run along the top of the mass before two larger spikes would pop out. Before Catherine’s eyes, this blob of what was previously shadow would morph itself into something that let out a deep exhale, blowing up the dirt all over the floor, and a large clawed hand slammed itself into some of the debris on the floor. Eyelids peeled back to reveal glowing purple eyes as a long serpent like neck lifted a reptilian head off the ground. A whip like tail struck the ground as the beast eyed Catherine, studying her, before letting out a rumbling growl as lips pulled back to reveal a mouth full of reiatsu constructed teeth.

”Before you ask; no. This is not my Doll.”

Luke would snap his fingers and, as if controlled, the dragon would raise up its left paw and make an arching swing at Catherine. Luke had used the Dragon technique on his Edge of Night, taking the sword and turning it into a pseudo-living construct. A summoning technique that wasn’t the summoning of a Doll. How would Catherine handle this?

Remaining Reiatsu: 6400 / 8000
-100 for Rand der Nachet
-500 for Dragon

OOC: Dragon has 800 Strength and 600 Speed but is currently attacking with 300 Strength and 200 Speed

[Catty Noir ♦]

Catty braced. Luke's movement had done exactly what she wanted it to do. What he didn't understand about her was that what she lacked in battle experience, she made up for in intelligence. She understood enough of what went into making sure things didn't just fall apart since she worked for so long on herself with her parents. She had made quite a few mistakes when she was younger that resulted in some repairs being made to their own training facility in the basement of their bakery, but even that knowledge was barely enough to get her by. It wasn't something she could make proper use of unless she got lucky.

But she got lucky this time. The floor, the beams, and everything in between collapsed quickly with some of the loudest booms and bangs she had ever heard. The brief look of surprise on Luke's face was enough to make her feel satisfied with her choice. As the ground crumbled away and spread dust across the area, she realized he was falling and felt... proud. She had finally managed to do something against him that succeeded, and maybe now he'd wipe that stupid smirk off his face before she punched him so hard that he-

"-Ah!" Catty shouted, realizing she was falling along with the ground.

She'd miscalculated. Looking around everywhere, anywhere, praying to find something she could grab onto, she came to lock eyes with Luke and saw something she wasn't expecting. His eyes, normally full of some kind of disdain or annoyance, had softened to a point where she could have sworn they actually showed... concern. Her own eyes widened in response, but she had to push the thought out of her mind because she didn't have long before she'd be crushed beneath the rubble unless she did something to fix it. So, with what skills she could muster, Catty gained a bit of spin on herself and used the momentum to flip her body around enough to land on her feet.

Unfortunately, that wouldn't be enough to leave her unscathed. The rubble was still everywhere, and during her landing, it scratched against her exposed midriff deep enough to cause bleeding. She grunted in pain and quickly tried to cover it with her arm, only to look down once she felt the warmth of blood coating her skin. She had been careless and paid the price. To make matters worse, when she looked back up to try to locate Luke, he was standing above her on absolutely nothing, mocking her as if she were a child.

"What? You can’t even do something this basic?" Catty's hands balled into fists despite one still being held against her stomach. "Little girl thinks she’s entitled to her Doll when she can’t even stand on the air. I’d be embarrassed."

It's true. She was. Catty's cheeks began to grow hot and she knew she wouldn't be able to hide the redness that appeared because of the shame she felt. Averting her gaze, she soon realized she was withdrawing herself quite a bit in an attempt to hide from him despite being out in the open after recovering from her fall. Her efforts to hurt him emotionally probably failed for all she knew, but she found out that this place is where he trains. In an effort to avoid him, she looked around and noted the scratches, burns, and odd water marks that coated the walls. He was...

"Dangereux." The word was spoken in a whisper.

"Since you're here in the ring… how about I give you a taste of what my life was like. Though this'll be the first time I've been a part of the audience."

"Mère, run."

"Rand der Nacht: Drachen."

The blade Luke wielded shifted and changed. Catty, looking for any way out, constantly grasped at any straw she felt would give her an upper hand. She needed to get away. She didn't know what that attack was or what it could do, but something inside of her stirred so viciously that she thought she was going to throw up. The difference in power between the two of them was too great, and when the shadows became massive and started to take form, her flight response was reinforced. If she stayed put, she was a goner. She had to get away, get out of there, figure out some way to run.

So she looked to Luke one more time. Then she stepped.

Then she stepped again.

And again.

She had seen him do something she'd only ever heard of but never had a chance to witness in real life. In all of her years being trained, this was never something that was demonstrated so obviously. Catty, ascending higher and higher with each passing moment, was able to successfully copy Air Ground to the point where she truly felt as if she could create a place to stand no matter where she was. As she climbed, her eyes were drawn back to the creature who was forming beneath her, though its sheer size meant it was soon above her once again. She didn't have enough strength at the moment to properly flee, and now that she was more severely injured, she feared her life was over.

Wings sprouted from the shadow, spreading out wide and encompassing everything beneath them in darkness. Claws manifested soon after and gripped the ground beneath with such force that the stones were audibly crunching beneath its might. A head slithered out from the rest of the body and slowly opened its eyes as its teeth were bared, disturbing the debris around them with its breath and terrorizing Catty with its harsh growl. The sound reverberated off the walls so intensely that it felt as if the rest of the building could shatter at any moment. The woman had done her best to steady herself, only to realize that she was the one who was shaking since her body no longer had direct contact with the ground.

"Before you ask; no. This is not my Doll."

Catty barely had time to register the snap of Luke's fingers before the dragon's massive claws lifted and headed straight for her. She had no idea what would happen if that thing touched her, and she didn't know how strong it was, but she had to do something if she didn't want to be its dinner. Luke must've been having the time of his life torturing her after everything she'd said about him. She was right in thinking this was it for her. Agreeing to go with him here was the dumbest thing she could have ever done, yet here she was, dealing with the consequences of her choices.

"You mock our kind by using such a fake?!"

Using what little pain tolerance she had, Catty took a deep breath and held it as she aimed her right fist straight toward the center of the dragon's claw. She had no good way of catching Luke at this rate, and she felt incredibly unsteady on Air Ground despite it being fairly stable. She assumed it was just what came with the shock of being able to manipulate her surroundings this way. In an attempt to hopefully throw the dragon off-guard, she swung hard with her fist and landed the punch where she'd originally targeted. Unfortunately for her, this creature's strength actively matched hers.

What would end in a stalemate gave her some hope that she could make the creature back off long enough for her to get close to Luke, though she had no idea what touching it would do to her if this thing came from the same blade that cut her before. Still, after throwing her punch, she made a break for it. Continuing the use of Air Ground, she steadily climbed toward the man who was apparently enjoying destroying her mentally and physically. She had to close the distance, and if she were successful, she'd be able to do so. Her goal from here was to grab him by his right arm and try to kick his left side as hard as she could, but she was slow. Slower than she had been. This was hard.

Even harder still was what she was trying to do this entire time in addition to not dying. She was fighting fear.



OOC: Let me know if she hits the dragon and if that counts as a strike for the technique to drop her stats again and I'll post updated stats!

[Luke Clyburn]

Beautiful.

There was no hiding the grin that painted itself on Luke’s face. Lips peeled back to reveal his teeth as he watched Catherine defy all of his expectations. Faced with the odds that were presented before her, any normal person would probably give up. The girl was quite literally staring down a dragon. A fucking dragon. But what did she do? Did she curl up into a ball, start to cry, piss herself? No. No not at all. What she did instead was what brought Luke to grin. Catherine didn’t step back. No doubt she was scared. No doubt she was terrified. But what Luke saw burning in those eyes wasn’t terror, it was determination. She charged forward. She rushed him. She ran right past the dragon and started ascending into the sky right to him. Charging headfirst into the jaws of certain death.

I knew it. You’re everything I thought you’d be.

She was like a sports car with a high powered engine that had never once been turned on. The keys were always in the ignition but there wasn’t a drop of fuel in the tank nor someone to actually start the engine. Her parents had sheltered her. Luke had no doubt about that. But now here she was, locked into what had to be her first experience in spiritual combat, and her engine had finally started to receive fuel. She was ignited. She wasn’t a normal human. She was a Bount. What Luke had told her earlier that day was happening and coming true. ”Getting the hang of using reiatsu should come easier to you than it should for a normal human as well.” And he was right on the fucking money. She was instinctively gathering the ambient reishi around them and forming them into solid platforms under her feet, running up the very air itself right towards him.

But with his dragon fully formed at last and launching an attack at her, Luke watched with interest how she would respond. She stopped her ascent as the dragon swung its paw at her, readying herself, and delivering a punch directly into the center of its palm. The even force of both their strengths caused the two strikes to cancel one another out, with the dragon rearing its clawed hand back in response. ”Hah!” Luke laughed, not out of mockery but genuine impressment. He watched her turn her attention back to him and continue rushing towards him.

That’s right. Keep coming. Don’t stop now.

She was aiming to grab him. Watching her movements and understanding how she operated, Luke watched her reach towards him with fingers outstretched with her right arm. A part of him considered giving her this. Didn’t she deserve to get a hit in on him after all he had put her through? If Luke was a nicer person than he was, he might have given her that satisfaction. No. No, he wouldn’t. Right before Catherine’s fingers would clutch Luke, mere inches from their skin connecting, her achievement would be ripped out of her hands. He vanished. At a speed twelve times faster than the blink of an eye, Luke was suddenly six feet further away from Catherine. In less than an instant, less than an attosecond, Luke had created distance between them. And he smirked at her.

”Tail.”

Was all he would say, eyes meeting with Catherine’s, before something heavy and fast would hit the entirety of the left side of her body. Like a fly struck by a swatter, the girl would be sent hurtling like a French bullet through the air and into the ramshackled audience seating area of the ruins. A roar with more bass than a IMAX Godzilla movie came out like thunder, filling the arena as Luke’s dragon swished its tail again and slammed it down onto empty ground. Luke had warned her with that one word. His dragon struck her with its tail at twice the speed it attacked her with before, and with fifty percent more strength. Looking down at the rubble where Catherine landed, Luke’s grin shrunk as he contemplated. There was still no sign of a Doll.

Catherine had been fighting all on her own up to this point. Yet despite the ever stacking odds against her, Luke still detected no presence of anything changing. She had to have been hurting after that attack. He felt bad. He didn’t enjoy playing the bad guy like this. But this was what life was like in this city. He was giving her a taste of what the life she should expect to have if she chose to stay here. It was true she had potential. Her framework was incredible. Luke would never admit it outloud, but he believed it to be the case that she was stronger than he was when he was at her level. She could very well become a monster that rivaled even him with proper training. But she should have come to the city four or five years ago.

”I think we’re done here.” Luke would say as he descended from the sky to finally let his feet touch the floor of the ruined fighting arena. Pacing to stand in front of his dragons left paw, Luke stared ahead at where Catherine had landed. ”At this rate you’re just going to end up dead. And there’s still no hide or hair of your Doll. I wonder what that says about you.” it was a cruel comment, but even now Luke was still playing the character.

”What was it you said last night? That you would make me bend to your will, and that you wouldn’t let a man tell you what to do? Allow me to explain something. I’m not going to kill you. But I’m not going to let you stay in this city. What’s happening right now is what you should expect to encounter when you live in this city. There are monsters that only we can see, and ones who look just like us. Freaks with powers who will take a girl like you and brutalize her, rape her, and murder her. All because they have power. If you’re not picked up and used as a tool by one of the gangs in the power struggle here. No, I won’t have your death on my conscience.”

Luke extended his left arm outwards as the dragon lowered its head for its master. Without speaking a word, the dragon would begin grumbling before a sound like a raging furnace began to start. Purple flashes started to strobe from within its mouth as purple flames began to emit out from between its teeth, with purple and white flashes of lightning amongst them. The dragon was preparing an attack. But Luke, having absolute control over the beast, was reducing the reiatsu output of the attack to something that he knew wouldn’t kill Catherine. Based on her level of strength he estimated the power he was putting into the dragon's fire breath wouldn’t do enough harm to actually end her life.

”As Bount, we have abilities that others would find strange. We have the power to overpower the wills of others and bend them to our own. And with the differences in our strengths, your mind is like empty software I can put any program I want into. I won’t kill you, or harm you in any way that’s permanent, but I will kill your dream. I’ll send you back home and you’ll have completely given up on your dream to acquire your Doll. And you’ll completely and totally believe that it was your own idea and be content with the outcome.”

This has to be it..

What more could he do? He had backed this girl into as tight a corner as he could. Physically, emotionally, mentally. Now she was faced with the reality that he could invalidate her entire reason for coming here. There was nothing else he could do. If this didn’t do it, then it meant that she wasn’t meant to have her Doll. She would just be a disappointment. Despite how impressive she was, despite her instincts, she would just be another victim of this city. Luke wouldn’t have that. That threat was real. He would use Verteiten to invalidate her own will and desires and send her back to France, forever. It was cruel. But it was better than any other alternative that would lead to her being killed by what lived in Karakura Town.

[Catty Noir ♦]

He's not moving... I can do this!

She was preparing herself for what would hopefully give her an upper-hand despite her growing exhaustion and bleeding body. Though the cut she'd received earlier wasn't fatal, it also wasn't healing quickly by any means, so the deep red fluid continued to flow out of her and stain the waist of her leggings. The smell was wafting up towards her nose constantly, making her wonder how it was that anyone could stand to not be distracted by the scent of warm iron. While she never felt the odd cravings for a human's blood, she did have to admit that it was intriguing. It didn't matter if it was someone else's or her own. She didn't mind the smell.

Catty winced in pain as she reached, but felt confident that she'd be able to get him. She never even considered for a moment that he'd be playing with her. The thought didn't have a chance to cross her mind. The muscles in her hand readied themselves for grabbing on to Luke as her fingers drew themselves in closer to his body, only to never actually have a chance to touch him. In a flash, Luke disappeared and reappeared six feet away, smirking as if he'd planned this entire thing and expected her to make a grave mistake. Catty had already resigned to her inevitable demise here and still wanted to go out with a bang, but this was not what she anticipated.

Disappointment flashed before her eyes, contorting her face into that of a wide-eyed, manic little girl. Anyone looking at her would know immediately that she accepted losing, and she felt the surge of cortisol spread throughout her body like a spark of lightning traveling through her veins. Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion, including her, and there was nothing she could do to prevent what was to come. She started thinking about why she ever decided to come here in the first place, wondering if that was the smartest thing for her to do. She'd felt so compelled even just hours ago. Why was she losing that conviction?

"Tail."

She gasped, instinctively raising her arms to block herself as she felt this massive weight slam against the left side of her body. This impact was strong, quick, and unforgiving. It sent her flying against her will into the seating area off to the side, upheaving several chairs in the process and leaving a substantial gouge mark to prove the dragon's might. Catty, not having the strength to move and covered in bloody gashes, tried her best to mentally feel her body and assess the damage. She was broken in a few places - namely a couple of her ribs and her collar bone. This was going to make it impossible to do anything else. She was a sitting duck.

The roar of the dragon reverberated through the entire building. A thought crossed the woman's mind as she wondered if anyone on the outside could hear it. All she could do was close her eyes and flinch when she felt the earthquake that was the creature's tail slamming itself against the ground. She feared for a moment that it was going to be her, then quickly hoped that her death would be swift so she'd feel no pain. It didn't register yet that she'd been in pain this entire time. All she could do was lay there and hope Luke would grow bored enough to leave her alone. By some miracle, the slam hadn't been aimed for her, so she was granted a few more moments to live.

Short, quick gasps escaped her lips as she did her best to hold back the growing sounds of her sobs. She struggled to lift her arm and resorted to keeping her body still instead as she acknowledged the growing pain. Tears fell down her cheeks and her soft cries weaved their way through gritted teeth like a creek's water flowing around lodged rocks. She heard Luke moving around but didn't dare lift her head out of fear that she'd pass out from her afflictions. It was too much and she wasn't enough. She'd greatly over-estimated her strength and was paying the price for it. He wasn't interested in helping her. He only wanted to hurt her.

"I think we’re done here. At this rate you’re just going to end up dead. And there’s still no hide or hair of your Doll. I wonder what that says about you."

"You must get up!"

"What was it you said last night? That you would make me bend to your will, and that you wouldn’t let a man tell you what to do? Allow me to explain something. I’m not going to kill you. But I’m not going to let you stay in this city. What’s happening right now is what you should expect to encounter when you live in this city. There are monsters that only we can see, and ones who look just like us. Freaks with powers who will take a girl like you and brutalize her, rape her, and murder her. All because they have power. If you’re not picked up and used as a tool by one of the gangs in the power struggle here. No, I won’t have your death on my conscience."

"Get up!"

"I-I can't..."

Catty flinched again and balled her hands into fists against the pain. Her cheeks were stained from crying. She heard the dragon's attack begin to charge before she ever saw it, but she gathered enough willpower to somehow manage to open her eyes just in time to see its massive jaw, with numerous sharp and deadly teeth, expose the purple energy welling up within. Whether true or not, her first thought was that this was it. These were her final moments. She was being chastised for being weak and no way to prove otherwise. Luke had been a bad choice in mentor, but she supposed none of that mattered anymore. He was right. They were done here.

"As Bount, we have abilities that others would find strange. We have the power to overpower the wills of others and bend them to our own. And with the differences in our strengths, your mind is like empty software I can put any program I want into. I won’t kill you, or harm you in any way that’s permanent, but I will kill your dream. I’ll send you back home and you’ll have completely given up on your dream to acquire your Doll. And you’ll completely and totally believe that it was your own idea and be content with the outcome."

"I do not want to go back!" She'd started wailing.

"GET UP!"

The heat from the dragon's attack had been growing enough to wear Catty felt it strongly against her skin. The distance between them mattered not when the difference in power was so great. Luke's words played through her mind over and over again as she imagined herself being controlled entirely against her will to return to Paris as a failure. Her parents, disappointed in her lack of development, would disown her. No community would accept her. She'd be forced to go into hiding. She would never be able to be seen again. She would be forever married to the darkness that surrounded her and her kind.

Darkness... Like the shadows that spread beneath her body. Like the pool forming below that snaked around more quickly than she could ever take notice. She hadn't been hearing the voice before despite its efforts, but now it was impossible to ignore. Now more than ever, as Catty lay on the ground only minutes away from death with the strongest Bount threatening her life and mission, her eyes shot open and glowed red with such hot intensity that even Luke would be able to sense the indominable rage behind it. And the fact that this rage did not belong to the woman. Nor did the voice that was heard coming from her mouth.

"MONTRE-TOI!"

A burst of energy so strong it blew some of the remaining seats out of the way surrounded Catty like a protective barrier. The winds that spiraled and stormed were like a small hurricane daring to form around the woman, saving her from any immediate attacks. Even Luke may struggle to stay in place, though these winds would not yet be strong enough to blast him or his dragon away because they were acting out of pure defense and not meant for harm - yet. No, they had not been fully realized the way they were intended to be. Only in a moment's time would Luke see what was preparing to fight.

A figure soon formed from the shadow that grew around Catty, first by its head and beak-like jaw. Bright silver and blue feathers reflected any light shining through like glistening moonlight. Strong, powerfully-winged arms with razor-sharp blades lining the webbing materialized soon after and slammed on the ground around Catty in order to block her from Luke. The same beautiful feathers that lined its head began rejecting the darkness of the shadows it was born from once its body had properly formed, followed only by its long, whip-like tail. Curling around the rest of Catty's nearly-unconscious body, its tail suddenly flexed and impossibly sharp spikes lined the length of it, ready to cut down anyone who harmed the woman. As its eyes opened, the same ferociously red glow that possessed Catty's eyes moments before now belonged to its original body - Amon.

Gripping the ground hard enough to create deep slices beneath its massive claws, Amon opened his beaked snout to reveal rows of threatening fangs and roared so venomously, so panther-like, that the sound would pierce the ears of anyone who heard it - anyone except for Catty. By this time, she was so busy trying to keep herself from passing out that these events almost didn't register. Her vision was blocked by this massive body of silver and blue that raised his wings and beat them with ferocious strength, creating sharp winds that headed straight towards Luke and his dragon. These currents, despite Amon being weaker than Luke overall, still had the potential to cause deep lacerations if they ever successfully hit him. And since they spread out up to 160 degrees, there was a fair chance. They already almost effortlessly destroyed much of the ground and instantly diced up most of the rubble that was spread out in the winds' path.

Now, with his winged claws firmly planted back on the ground, teeth bared, his body still hovered over Catty in order to give his life to protect her, Amon finally spoke.

"Do not move," he growled. "I will not allow you to hurt my mother anymore."

SPOILER: Click to show

{Amon's Stats}

Strength - [200] = 250 Points

Speed - [200] = 300 Points

Spiritual Pressure - [350] = 175 Points

Reiatsu Strength - [100] = 50 Points

Light Aura - 50 Points

Dark Aura - 50 Points

Instinct - 200 Points

Senses - 50 Points

Energy Sensory - 50 Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points

Total SP: 1150 Points

[Luke Clyburn]

There it was. Luke couldn’t prevent himself from grinning ear to ear. He was getting to watch first hand the pay off to all of his set up. He knew he had a good feeling about her. Luke just knew there was something special about her. Catherine Noir was a bountiful feast of untapped potential just waiting for the right buttons to be pushed. Despite all he had done today, despite playing the bad guy for her, despite all the neglect, gaslighting, cruelty and abuse he put her through, he couldn’t regret a single thing he had done. Because what he sought out to do was finally done. What Catherine wanted from him was finally achieved. She had finally summoned her Doll.

It made Luke nostalgic. Bringing back memories of the first time he had gone through this as well. When he was still a cashier at the food mart. When those other Bounts attacked him and his coworkers. The panic, the fear, the anger, the frustration, it had all blended together into a chain reaction that was primed to pop. When Luke was in danger, his first Doll emerged in response. This girl had never been in real danger before. Some mugger on the street that she could handle with her own physical capabilities wasn’t something that would trigger her Doll to surface. Nah. It had to be something she couldn’t handle. Something that pushed her into a corner that she couldn’t get out of. And instead of cowering and giving up, Catherine only persisted and pushed forward towards her goal.

No matter how painful it was. All she had to do was take a step and another step. As though she was climbing a mountain in the dark, during a blizzard, weighed down by mountaineer gear. Despite the pain she endured she kept walking forward, and that’s why she became a winner. Luke extended his fingers, opening his palm up, giving the dragon the command to halt. The space around Catty exploded. Dust and debris were kicked up as a violent wind was birthed in the cramped space of the underground fighting arena. Luke was forced to raise his arm up to shield his eyes from the winds and dirt. But Luke didn’t stop grinning. The exuberance he felt hadn't abated at all as he laid his eyes upon what had been birthed from the depths of Catherine’s soul.

It was like a combination of a bat, a panther, and a dragon. The beast was clearly both feline and draconic in shape, yet possessed bat-like ears and a beaked mouth. Sharp claws, a spined tail, and blade like wings outfitted the Doll with natural weapons. But what had Luke curious was the wind surrounded Catherine and the creature. It reared its head back and let out a piercing screeching road that sounded a lot like a panthers, prompting Luke to close one eye as he tensed up from the sound stabbing into his ears. It’s protective. he thought to himself as he felt a sting across his exposed cheek. Hot blood leaked down the cut, making it to his jawline, before he placed some fingers on it.

It’s freshly summoned and yet already protective of her. It’s not bargaining, it’s not testing, it’s not looking down on her. Good. It’s already got a good foundation for a relationship.

There was a reality in this world that had to be accepted. Dolls were not like Fullbrings, like Quincy Bows, and not like the abilities possessed by so many other races. They were living, thinking, entities. Dolls had their own personalities, their own quirks, their own perspectives. It was one hundred percent likely that a Doll wouldn’t automatically accept its Bount and challenge it, resulting in death for the Bount if the Doll was superior. What’s more, it was completely possible for a Doll and its Master to not see eye to eye on things and build a negative relationship between them, causing the Doll to become disloyal and a hazard to the Bount. Luke knew this firsthand. So, seeing Catherine’s Doll already moving to keep the girl safe from him, gave Luke some relief.

It meant that this Doll was already seeing Catherine as its master. First impressions were unbelievably important. It gave Luke some relief to see the Doll immediately caring about Catherine. But now he needed to reinforce this. He could have ended it here. Told the Doll he wouldn’t harm her and explain to the both of them what had been going on. But why end it here? Luke asked himself with a devilish smirk. ”Open your eyes, Catherine.” Why blueball the Doll when he could test and see how strong its resolve was?

With a snap of his fingers, the dragon created by his technique would rear its head back on that long serpentine neck and let out a challenging roar. Rather than use the fire breath whos preparation had been canceled, Luke simply commanded it to charge. The lumbering energy constructed behemoth charged forward, mouth open, aiming to crush and maul Amon with its strength. Luke wanted to see it. He wanted to see what this Doll could do. He wanted Catherine to see what her Doll could do and put it to the test.