Texas has been kidnapped! [paragraph]

(continued from 'Let's sneak into the UN!')


Stepping outside into the street, countless strange impressions struck against Hannes at once. Usually he would have been curious, but right now, it was only giving him a headache. He just wanted to get away from all of it, as soon as possible. He continued to keep closely behind Texas, looking down as he walked. Trying to ignore how ironical the situation was, that he should rely so much on his captive as he did. It was making him feeling rather embarrassed.

"H-hey, Alfie!" At her voice, Sycrensia again gave a start. Who was she greeting? Now? He had told her not to attract attention... As a feeling of anxiousness came over him, he thought to remind her by pressing the edge of his blade a little harder against her back, throwing a suspicious glance at the stranger...

No...! The thoughts raced through Sycrensia's mind. This was becoming much too dangerous... What would he do? He could not cut her down here, not surrounded by all these people. Should he leave her and flee? ...No. Even though he had good confidence in his ability to hide, if they chased him in such a confusing place as this, his chances of escape would be far too low. "Lady Texas..." he began, speaking in a low voice. "Please, do not. I may not be able to escape... Should you force me to take your life here, this place shall become a slaughter before I am caught." While speaking, he kept his eyes warily on Alfie. So as to tell him that if it came to that, he would die second.

In seeing her change of mind, Sycrensia was noticeably relieved to think he still had a chance. "Alfred, is it... Do I take it you are her knight?" Hannes gave him as bright a smile as he could under the circumstances. Apparently more apologetic than anything. "'Tis a pleasure to meet you, but I am afraid I cannot accept a duel at this time. On my honor, you shall have the Lady Texas back unscathed," he promised. "...As long as neither of you by any means will seek to hinder my retreat." He made a slight movement, tugging at her arm, as if wanting to tell her that they should get going.

"Nhh...!" Hannes did not react in time. Perhaps he had not been expecting such a bold move, or he was just too dazed from all the confusion and lack of sleep... Not only that, but the sheer physical force by which this knight now held his throat had taken him by surprise. He had to let go of Texas, and despite knowing how futile it would be, moved his hand to take a hold of that of his captor in an attempt to free himself. Then remembering his sword, he quickly placed its tip before Alfred's heart, throwing a determined frown at his foe...

Feeling his blade being pushed away from its target, Hannes attempted to strike, but he was already unable to deal any more damage than a slight scratch. There was nothing he could put up against this... unless--

On being thrown aside, for a long moment he remained lying on the street, trying to catch his breath, before attempting to stand up. As he did so, he gave the knight a burning glare. "I am aware of that... ... Now, as the lady has been returned to you... Will you allow me to take my leave without any further harm...? ... ..." By the end of the sentence he was already taking a few slow steps backwards.

Hannes was trembling. Being ordered to leave was much too humiliating, but at the same time he could not risk to offend the knight and lose his chance of escape. He bit his lip to prevent himself from responding with an insult. "... ... ... Be that so, there is one thing I must know ere I withdraw," he said, then paused to take a breath. "That... house," he began uncertainly, "with all the countries. Tell me who the convicted is, and of the crime that has been committed." He had to know. For, the only logical explanation to such a gathering that had struck his mind, was a case similar to his own... and if so, it was possible that his appearance had made the situation worse. Depending on who the accused was, he owed them a rescue attempt, Sycrensia concluded.

"Regular world meeting...?" There was no convict? ...How could a world meeting be regular? Feeling dizziness come over him again, Hannes put a hand to his forehead, and a thought that he had been holding back came up from the back of his mind. Texas and Alfred... Who in blazes were they? For his life, Sycrensia could not remember either of them. And then again he had believed his memory of that time to be quite sharp. Was this not Earth, or... maybe he was just too tired...

He abruptly shook his head. As Texas approached him, with an anxious glance at her knight Hannes began to back away further, careful to keep the sword lowered. "H-Hold, come no closer--" He stopped at her words. "... E-England...?" So this strange place somehow was Earth, after all... Although still confused as to what was going on, he decided that this was not the time for further inquiries. "Lead me out of here, and you shall have the answer to your questions."

"I-Inside-- again? No!" Sycrensia cried, shaking his head. "What kind of a fool do you take me for!? Said I not I am headed away from this-- this town, if that is what 'tis supposed to be--" He was tempted to turn and flee on his own, but as he could feel the stare of several curious eyes by now, he highly doubted he would get far that way. He adjusted his hood to make certain his face was still mostly concealed by its shade. "I-- I will not be trapped that easily."