Sniper Challange

[Jonathan Winters *Deceased*]

Over at the desk of the Training Ground's attendents, there is a little note pinned on the bulletin.

To any and all who read this,

I am Jonathan Winters, a sniper, new to your school. I've written this note for all who are interested in seeing on how they would fare against a sniper, and for myself to see the general preparations that one would have for fighting against one. If you are interested, meet me in the fields with the tall grass.

The weapon I will be using is a M82A1 Sniper Rifle, and a full cartridge of ten rubber sniper bullets. If you get hit with one of these sniper bullets, the challenge is over, and I've won. If you can find me before I make my shot, or you can evade my shot... you win the challange.

As a loophole, I have a sheathed knife and a Beretta also with twenty rounds of rubber bullets for my own self defense, in case I have not shot off the sniper bullet yet. Use everything against me... I'd like to see how strong the kids this school yields.

Cheers,
Winter

[Lienn~]

Lienn wandered into the training grounds when a slight flitting caught the corner of her eye. It was a note, ona bulletin board...funny she hadn't noticed either before. Stepping closer, she placed a hand on the corner of the note to keep it from moving as she read. A sniper, eh? And Winters, that sounded familiar...hey, that was the kid in her magical potential class. M82A1, Beretta? Those were all jibberish to her, as she had little to no knowledge about guns or militia-esque weaponry. Rubber bullets, hmm, she guessed those weren't fatal but they could still hurt.

Quite the challenge, she admitted, though she was sure she could surpass him, seeings that she could simply veer all of him shots off course with her telekinesis, simple enough. She walked out into the field with the tall grass, as requested in the note, and looked about, squinting slightly as she looked for any sign of him.

"Winters, are you here? I saw your note.."

["The Priest"]

The Priest walked in, finishing reading a book. His two pistols dangled nonchalantly in his jacket. He walked in to find Lienn, and read the note.

Hello, madam Lienn... You may want to duck and cover...

[Lienn~]

She spun around, noticing the Priest. 'Madam?' She wasn't married, but she understood the meaning behind it. and 'duck and cover?' She wasn't even sure if he was still out here..that was the problem with notes, you never know when they were put up or how long he'd stay out her until he got bored and went back inside. Even still, she lowered her slender frame and center of balance, her head and shoulders still out of the tall grass as she didn't feel like totally disappearing yet. As nice and forewarning as the Priest's words were, a pang of independence asserted itself in her.

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thanks."

She said, eyes scanning for any movement, though she managed to keep her composure casual enough. Realizing that what she had just said was a little bitter, or cold, she looked back at him.

"So, have you accepted his challenge as well, or are you just out here to help a damsel that is not yet in distress?"

She asked with a wink and a grin. So she hadn't managed to remove all of the stubborn autonomic streak in her voice, but she wasn't all flowers and ribbons when it came to battling..sure she may seem soft, but on the inside was a toughened unmerciless warrior, as would be expected of any Arcane Academy student, otherwise there'd be no reason to be here.

[Jonathan Winters *Deceased*]

Quietly, the husk of the wind rushed over them, leaves going, the tall grass swaying... swaying. In the midst of of these leaves, something was watching as these two talked with one another. They were so.. loud. No attempt to try to attempt to be inconspicious. Although, with definite good reason, as he had to greet them first, before anything got started, but, all the same, the lack of discretion that Jonathan saw them use.. well, he wondered how they would be when it was time to start to the challange.

A sudden brush of leaves swept by Lienn's legs, a few pieces of rock that had been stacked, falling on itself, crumpling in some of the leaves, near the Priest, when in a blink, Jonathan was standing behind Lienn, his Beretta, fully loaded, aimed at the back of Lienn's head, just a few centimeters away from touching the first hair. Such movement on his part was actually more noisy then he would've been, but, he had to see, had to know. Standing sideways, right hand being the main holder, the left hand supporting it, Jonathan knew he had a shot that he wouldn't miss, unless God himself had decided to destroy the laws of physics, and slow down a bullet down to the breadeth of an hour per centimeter of travel. His M82A1 rifle was in a sling, on his right arm. He was even in his generic sniper suit, just for the ocassion, but, for the moment, he was unmasked, his completely blank face just staring at the back of Lienn's head, no emotion emitting from his eyes, not even a single thought entering in his mind, except to breathe, to focus. Focus. *Bangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangbang bangbangbangbangbang* A few bullets had hit the ground a few kilometers away from Lienn on both ends, though most were aimed at the tree, across from her. Huge, wet welts upon the tree's now exposed skin could be seen, some of the younger branches even torn off. Rubber bullets. Jonathan recoiled from the excess of noise that he himself had just produced, as the cartridge slid out, and he followed up with another one, sliding it in with the same blank face. Lienn.. a telekinetic, from his 'Magical Potential Class'. Perhaps she had the advantage of knowing his thoughts.. that just ment he would be forced to keep his mind blank, but, that would be inconceivebly difficult, even with his pills active. But the other one.. he looked like some sort of priest. Damn, not enough information. Would probably have to use 'Sniff' as well, just in case he was some sort of animal instinct for smelling. Difficult, he honestly had equal doubts for both sides, at this moment. Two on one was never easy, after all.

Reholstering his beretta, he walked to the side of them, still with his completely unreadable face, but his eyes shined. There was excitement in his eyes. But, he took the time to look at the passing clouds, the windy skies.. it was a beautiful day. Turning around to face them again, he held up his mask in front of him, just resting on his chest, for the moment. "..S-so... y-y-you c-came he-he-re t-t-t-t-to try m-my challange, e-eh? S-sorry i-if I d-didn't men-mention, b-but, y-y-y-yes, I-I a-am a s-s-st-st-stutter." Glazing into the sky again, for a brief moment, he got over his slight twinge of embaressment. Such a struggle, just to say a single word. Annoying, really, he had never gotten over it. Looking into Lienn's eyes, he blinked, as if to be apologetic. "L-Lienn, s-sorry abou-about that, b-but I jjj-ust wan-ted t-to s-see h-how y-you w-would han-handle cl-close ran-range fire-firing, s-seeing as h-how y-you will m-most d-d-dddefinetly s-see this, sh-should eee-either o-of you f-find a-and con-confront me." Holding up a flare gun, he nodded. Firing this would be the mark of the challange. He raised it high, aimed up into the sky, which would also serve as another distraction, but his left hand secretly crept into his pocket, fingering out a handful of rubber bullets, for his own disappearance. "R-ready?"

OOC: I don't have photoshop, so, I'm sorry, for this ugly-as-sin map, but, it's the best I can do on short notice. Also, the several green blothces surrounding you, and the one closest to you are the trees that Jonathan may possibly use to hide in. The green and yellow are just the mixing and matching of the tall grasses in its different shades.

["The Priest"]

And just like that, after watching the flare arc, Winter's was gone...

Dammit! These people were everywhere!

The Priest instinctively ducked and covered. Using on of his spells, as quitely as he could, he summoned the Lurker, a beast that would cause anyone without a stomach to immediately vomit. He sent it to the west, so that it would look as though the Priest was moving to his right.

Then, Summoning his two other beasts, the Devouring Ones, Zerglings from another dimension, he sent one north, and the other south. He pushed Lienn, and together, they began to move to the East.

No. Talking.

The Priest had moved in to the side of her head, the two being almost serenely close, and spoke the words so lightly, he believed he had only thought them...

[Jonathan Winters *Deceased*]

As Jonathan fired off his flare, he immediatly spun around, throwing his rubber bullets in all directions, using a lot of his strength so that they would go far, disturbing the grass everywhere, so that, no matter where he walked from here on, even with the grass here.. he was still able to move undetected.

..Initiating. Codename: "Ghost". Codename: "Sniff". Codename: "Mutter". Codename: "Forest".

Quietly stepping back, as he put on his mask, without a sound. This would be a good test for their senses. Quietly, he crouched down, as leaves and stems, and other things that resembled the grass blades around him began to sprout from his body. Even though the leaves themselves were invisible, should they touch other leaves, it would at least make a very resonating feel, as if the leaves were ebbing and flowing in such ways. Step by step, he crawled, knowing that it didn't matter what direction he headed to. He heard summons run off, in two directions, but, from the limited sensitivity of what his mask could give him, it was only just enough to know that Jonathan was heading in the right direction. They couldn't see him. They couldn't hear him. They would not be able to even smell him. These were his gifts. The only problem was that he would not be able to take a shot, without focusing on the shot, and thus, breaking his concentration. Therefore, it was pertinent that he found a great hiding spot.

Whisking through the grass, he took his time, knowing that it was the uncertainty that would truly be a true test of their breaking points. He stopped, for a moment, just to get a good look at his surroundings, completly invisible as he was. Thoughts came to him.. he needed to develop another 'stealth' spell, because he was aware of one of his vulnerabilities in stealth itself, but fortunately, it was a beautiful day, the sun shining, thus making that weakness drastically reduced. And besides, so long as Lienn couldn't fully read his thoughts, or at least, where his thoughts were coming from, he'd be fine. His pills were there to mask his emotions, issued by the D-13. Xeryth had been quite correct. These pills were made particularly for the neccesity of a sniper, in awareness of their weakness of being found out by telepathics, and the lack of emotion would definetly be of great use.

Taking his time, he slowly began to stand, waving around a little, going with the waves of grass as they futtered. Still they were hiding. And... what were those? They looked like monsters, going from his left to his right, but thankfully far, rather far. He wouldn't need to silence his pistol, as he would only need it if he was found out, anyways. Hmm..? Taking a quick glance, his mask zooming in automatically, he realized that some of them weren't as far as he had hoped, but, still, they were in the wrong directions, or at least, rather more sluggish in coming. There was no need to haste. He could hide in the grasses themselves, though it wouldn't provide much cover when it came to firing.. Unslinging his M82A1 into his right hand, he noted with some thankfulness for 'Mutter', as it would've made a rather large sound, landing in his hand like that. Ducking back down again into the grass, he began crawling again.. patience... patience... he would not take a shot, not take a shot for the longest time. And here came the fun part.

Codename: "Ghost" is active! Visibility has been reduced drastically! -1 Energy!

Codename: "Mutter" is active! Sounds coming from Jonathan have been dampened drastically! -1 Energy!

Codename: "Sniff" is active! Jonathan's scent has been sealed! -1 Energy!

Codename: "Forest is active! Jonathan gains additional personal foliage to himself! -1 Energy! +2 Energy produced!

Jonathan's Remaining Energy: 23

[Lienn~]

Lienn's back straightened as she felt the sniper's presence directly behind her, and somehow it felt all too familiar. Junpei had done the same thing, trying to see how little ol' defensless her would react..which she had replied with a swift ground level crescent kick, a move known as the monkey's paw, to land him swiftly on his ass. But she had known that the boy wouldn't initiate their training excersice without a greeting first, it was just polite. So he's a stutterer? Why would he be sorry about that? She didn't mind, things happen, but she could guess he'd received at least a handful of ridicule over the years, and we simply setting things straight before they began. No matter. One Jonathan had disappeared, she noticed the Priest summoning all sorts of things, and she without a lick of real spells, felt suddenly helpless. It didn't help that he was hissing orders at her. She clenched her teeth stubbornly to keep from giving him a piece of her mind, that could wait till later.

The lucky thing about this deep grass is she could disappear as well, her slight frame hidden among the varying green hues. 'I can take care of myself, creatures of not.' She thought, sidling up to the of the trees, and rested her back against it, still hidden. The first thing to do would be to listen of any irregular sounds..she guessed one of his specialties was stealth, being all army gung-ho and all, and even though he may be able to silence himself, he cannnot silence the grass, and that will be his downfall. Hopefully. Just then another spray of bullets fanned the area..he was trying to mask his position, as the sounds richocheted everywhere...Everywhere except his position that is. She turned her head the slightest fraction, the sounds changing from the different angle of perception but...damn. She wasn't listening for one moving sound now, she heard multiple. The priest's monsters were fogging up her perception, even just the slightest. She would have to wait to make her move, then, even if she did get shot at, because she had an ace in the hole. Reaching into her shin holster, she took out three of her five throwing discs (she hadn't yet replaced the one that Junpei melted) and concealed them in her hand. No, she wasn't going to throw them, but they could come in handy for deflecting a shot, if it even came down to her using them, that is.

[Jonathan Winters *Deceased*]

OOC: I apologize for not responding to this for a while, but.. yea. I'll do a short one to keep things going.

Quietly, he hunkered down, yet again, gently pulled down one of his four mic pieces, with the mic facing up, as he crept on all fours now, being very cautious, as he proceeded to the most southern tree. Had to be cautious, because those things... whatever they were... were stilll looking for him. Centimeter by centimeter. Soon, he'd be able to take a shot at one of those things. Ten rounds in the cartridge, four summoned beasts, it seemed, so... provided he got one of them, he'd give away his position. That ment, having to hunt down the summoner.

.. Centimeter, centimeter, he crawled, being very gingerly about how he walked, disturbing the grass very little, praying that the cover of the winds blowing atop would be enough.. but he eased into a stop, as he unslung his sniper rifle, quietly into his hands, as he stepped up, causing a very minor disturbance in the grass, barley noticeable, unless they were watching, standing up, which would be a bad move, in some respects. They had know idea of his speed, and he had none of theirs, but.. as he silently fixed his scope to zoom in, surveying the grass a little, he watched, waiting. Move again, or watch for a shot? He thought he saw something, more towards the center, and from the corner of his eyes, he could swear he could still see the beasts rampaging through, but.. his main targets were Lienn, and the man who had come along with her. The beasts, whatever they were, would at least hinder them in hearing him out. For that much, he forced a smile, though it had no feeling to it.

Patience... patience.

Codename: "Ghost" is active! Visibility has been reduced drastically! -1 Energy!

Codename: "Mutter" is active! Sounds coming from Jonathan have been dampened drastically! -1 Energy!

Codename: "Sniff" is active! Jonathan's scent has been sealed! -1 Energy!

Codename: "Forest is active! Jonathan gains additional personal foliage to himself! -1 Energy! +2 Energy produced!

Jonathan's Remaining Energy: 21

[Lienn~]

(ooc: that's alright ;D)

Lienn had almost grown bored of listening, straining her ears gave her a headache, but then...there it was. Barely there, and possibly not him at all, but she heard it. South, there was a deliberate rustling, and if she hadn't been using all of her focus to catch it, she wouldn't have because it was so slight. Ducking farther into the grass, her stomach resting against the ground, she shimmied south toward the sound, keeping to the western side of the field, taking shelter behind the next tree she came across. Reaching out a hand to the side of her, she made a waving movement, disturbing the grass a few feet off, and making it trail off in a easterly direction, away from her, in attempts to throw him off if the sniper were listening for movement as well.

She paused to listen again, eyes wide and searching. Of course she couldn't see much of anything, but she was using her eyes more as a direction pointer to what she heard. She rubbed her temples momentarily, her head already aching from the strain, but it would be worth it once she found him.

[Jonathan Winters *Deceased*]

OOC: Ah, again, I am guilty of the same crimes. Also, what will we do with the Priest? Do you want to RP him, until/if he comes back?

Quietly, his sniper's scope closed in on some various movement. Jonathan stared strangely. Why would they be so obvious as to give away their position? ... Unless it was a decoy, or a trap. Slowly raising down the sniper rifle, he reslung it, without a sound, again, thanks to 'Mutter'. Too bad it wasn't completely full proof as to mask the things he touched.. was more of something one needed to hide indoors, but, it still had its uses. Still, he had three ear pieces left. Reaching back, onto the top of his small backpack-ish thing, he drew out another, and held his arm ready, arching, aligning his eyes, to see where yet another thing was. That place with the movement.. Yes, he'd throw it somewhere over there. Using a little of his strength, he flung it over, going yet atop, as the ghost effect stopped just barely, as it began to clamber into the grass, falling to the ground, a sure distraction, as well as a dual purpose. He looked around, and slunk back to the ground, quiet as a rabbit frozen stiff. And slowly, he made his way, west, careful to be as inconspicious to disturb the tall grasses, to make it appear as if it were just a small gust of wind or something blowing that way, 'Forest' working well to make it look more like natural movement. He'd have to move faster. He couldn't last forever.

Codename: "Ghost" is active! Visibility has been reduced drastically! -1 Energy!

Codename: "Mutter" is active! Sounds coming from Jonathan have been dampened drastically! -1 Energy!

Codename: "Sniff" is active! Jonathan's scent has been sealed! -1 Energy!

Codename: "Forest is active! Jonathan gains additional personal foliage to himself! -1 Energy! +2 Energy produced!

Jonathan's Remaining Energy: 19

[Lienn~]

(ooc: I don't know...I asked him, but he never gets back to me on things like that...let's just ignore him for now, s'alright...)

Ugh, so what now?! The blonde girl rubbed her temples briefly, her growing strain headache was impairing her senses she was straining...great. But wait, what was that? Sensitive ears perked at the sound..she was sure she heard it, but was it because she was meant to? Ugh..Well at any rate, Winters was still probably south of them, unless he could somehow move fast as well as silent. Better keep a watch out anyway.

The trick now was to either a) remain elisuive until Winters revealed himself...but how she wasn't quite sure of anything short of running straight into him or b) find him, but that simply circled back to her first problem. Think think think, Lienn, there must be something you're missing. She thought back to the challenge itself..find me before I find you...yes yes, all very nice but there was something...that's it! Find me before I find you, or evade my shot. It was perfect, almost too perfect. Lienn grinned..'Well if he can't find me, I might just have to help him...but I shouldn't make it too easy..Mischievous grin still in place, she began to crawl out from behind the tree she was hiding behind, simultaneously moving the grass in a path-like move from two consecutive trees near her, and silently thanked the unknown for her gift in telekinesis...it made this all too easy. Rustle, rustle, rustle...not too in your face, yet all too obvious. It was just like the marble under the hat trick...find the real one, Winters...come on and find it if you dare...

[Jonathan Winters *Deceased*]

A rush of grass startled Jonathan as he began crawling again. He was almost at the south-western tree, according to the map. But, he wouldn't let that rustling disturb him. Quietly, quietly, quietly, taking his time, he managed to reach the tree, and thanking 'Mutter', began climbing it without a sound, careful where his hands were, so that he could avoid disturbing the tree, too much. As he climbed, he reached back. He had only dropped about three of the mics... but, that was all he would need, hopefully. Pressing the button, he began to play loudly a CD, that could be heard over the Mics...

Mein Herz Brennt

Nun liebe Kinder gebt fein acht
ich bin die Stimme aus dem Kissen
ich hab euch etwas mitgebracht
hab es aus meiner Brust gerissen

Mit diesem Herz hab ich die Macht
die Augenlider zu erpressen
ich singe bis der Tag erwacht
ein heller Schein am Firmament
Mein Herz brennt

Sie kommen zu euch in der Nacht
Dämonen Geister schwarze Feen
sie kriechen aus dem Kellerschacht
und werden unter euer Bettzeug sehen

Nun liebe Kinder gebt fein acht
ich bin die Stimme aus dem Kissen
ich hab euch etwas mitgebracht
ein heller Schein am Firmament
Mein Herz brennt

Sie kommen zu euch in der Nacht
und stehlen eure kleinen heißen Tränen
sie warten bis der Mond erwacht
und drücken sie in meine kalten Venen

Nun liebe Kinder gebt fein acht
ich bin die Stimme aus dem Kissen
ich singe bis der Tag erwacht
ein heller Schein am Firmament
Mein Herz brennt

Two moving brushes of grass? Crap. This made things more difficult. Slowly letting 'Forest' take into effect, and using the shadows of the trees to his advantage, as the music played, he turned off 'Mutter', 'Sniff', and 'Ghost'. Forest's additional leaf foliage should be enough.. and the mics were the only ones expelling the music. Quietly, his right hand went to his pistol, as he lay on his side, very slowly, very gently, taking his time. He may need some practice shots, before he'd take the real shot. This was an uncomfortable position, as he laid on his side, on the branches of the tree, even as he unslung his sniper rifle, now holding the pistol in his left hand, extended, with his self-made leaves covering it, and his sniper rifle in his right hand.. this should be interesting... how would she react to the sudden burst of music? Would she freak out, and think he was about to take a shot? Because... that wasn't far from the truth.

Codename: "Forest is active! Jonathan gains additional personal foliage to himself! -1 Energy! +2 Energy produced!

Jonathan is now visible, but under camaflogue! (Can be spotted.. but only just barely, if your eyes are keen enough, and you're within 5-10 meters of him)

Jonathan's Remaining Energy: 20

[Lienn~]

She had finally made it to the southeastern-most part of the field, give or take a few meters, and was about to begin a basic grid search pattern when a sound erupted from different areas of the field. Music. Lienn clutched her hands to her ears, biting her bottom lip to keep from callig out in aggravation. The music wan't loud enough to hurt her ears, nor was it that upleasant, but it toally threw off her hearing, which was exactly what he was planning to do, she guessed. So now she had to use her eyes. She couldn't stick her head out of the tall grass, or else Winters will spot her, yet she had to do something to be able to see. Ignoring the music as best she could (which was quite hard, she she was an avid music lover, curses!), She becan to make her way West. Stopping, she scanned each direction, then moving North a guesstimated grid square, then West, and back South. She growled inwardly, this would be much easier with her sense of hearing. But he wasn't making his easy. Raising herself up from her stomach, she peered just over the top of the grass, a quick peek, hopefully he wasn't at a vantage point to spot her pale tresses blended into the grasses of varying greens.

((ooc: sorry it's short, and I know I'm setting myself up, but I've got a plan, so don't worry about it ^_^))

[Jonathan Winters *Deceased*]

Just a few more seconds.. quietly, she revealed herself, but, he didn't move, his eyes only flicking towards here. Not immediatly, anyways. Inch after inch.. his scope slowly began to draw her into view. He didn't have any 'lock-on' magic, so, if he fired right now, he would miss. His forefinger rested complacently on the trigger, with her just barely in view. Would the foliage be enough? She was too close.. and she had telekinetic powers. The fact that she could float her books around in the Historian's class was proof of that. Not yet... not yet. Would he have to soften her up? .. This was pretty uncomfortable, lying on his side, aiming.. if he hesitated when the time came.. his left hand slowly began to raise his beretta into aim.. when? When?