White and Red all Over [Semi-Open]

[Ulysses-Σ47]

The world was already remarkably white when they'd set out for the Asylum; now, in the sunset, the blues and pinks muffled by a dark grey gloom of clouds, the whiteness was more enveloping than ever, as it drowned out structures, ruins, the sky, and sight in general. The snow presented other problems, aside from destroying traveler's range of vision; it muffled noise, further hampering enemy detection, slowed transit, especially of pedestrians, and was wet, potentially ruining weaponry and metal.
And it was wet. Ulysses hated getting wet; it was a thoroughly unpleasant experience. He didn't say anything on the matter, however. He simply hunched his shoulders against the cold, and trudged along, a slight ways behind the leader of this expedition, a tall, gangly ragdoll. Some kind of a detective, or policeman, or something, he'd said, though the particulars were secondary to the actual contract.
The contract. The thing that'd brought them out there, days of travel away from detective-boy's little church, risking being blindsided by any number of beasties, and being left as nothing else but a scrap of fabric, maybe bent metal too. The more he thought on it, the less he was pleased by the agreement; Ulysses'd only been told what the offer was for, the location, and the payment, not the intent. Of course, he was professional; he didn't care or need what he wasn't told; that was the employer's prerogative, and their right to secrecy, most of the time. That didn't stop curiosity, but after six years and change, the smaller stitchpunk was able to override it, and focus only on his end. That was part of his reputation; that was part of why he was sought out for these kind of things. The rest, well . . .
If there was ever a reason to show why, they'd see, was the understanding as they finally stopped before the worn, rusted fence. Their destination was beyond it; large, gaunt, and as white as the falling snow normally. The snow was unnecessary, as far as Ulysses was concerned, and his eyes narrowed. His mask obscured the rest of his lower face, a scarf and his overcoat and hood took care of the rest. He stopped when the other ragdoll did, and listened for anything. All he heard was the snow. Maybe, maybe something, nearly inaudible from the Asylum. He tensed, but didn't reach for his blade. Not yet. That wasn't for until he needed it. And that was only once Mister-Sleuth made his move.

[Kuu [32]]

"Probably should have hired a backup navigator for the journey back. I wasn't able to get a good enough look at most of the landmarks we passed due to all this snow," stated "Mister-Sleuth" as he adjusted the overcoat he was wrapped in, letting the snow that collected on it slide off. Then, Kuu took off his bluish-grey hat and shook that as well for the same effect. What the investigator stated was actually a lie, and was said only to (perhaps laughably) be conversive with his mute "temp-counterpart". Kuu truthfully had no trouble at all making out at least miniscule parts of said landmarks, and it would be no sweat for him to find the way back.
After placing his hat back on his head, the Private Eye shot a glance at the gloomy building he meant to enter, and then to his temp-counterpart.
"No turning back now, I suppose," he then stated to 47 before ducking through the chain-link fence caked with red and brown beneath the snow that fell and melted upon it. After he was through, he gave a stoic frown and glare at the Asylum. What had brought him here was a personal matter. It was a private case (or so he hoped it would remain as such) that called his attention so much that he put off other official cases offered to him. There was a disturbing rumor about this place involving Rogues and the act of manipulating others into exploring this particular building of whom are never again are seen once they enter. To follow up on this private case, Kuu felt the need to hire someone with more experience in combat to join him. 47, or "Ulysses" as informed through writing, was apparently one of renown fighting capability. While the anima was just a little under an inch shorter than Kuu, he still felt confident in the reputation 47 held. There was most likely enough within the confines of the Asylum for them both to prove their mettle, and in more ways than one.
Now begged the question of where they should enter. The front entrance might be a little too... expected as a point of entry. After gazing around, it seemed there might not be much other ways of getting in. With a shake of his head, Kuu then walked towards the front entrance.


"This had better be worth it," the investigator mumbled as the broken doorway lay just within a few yards.

[Zosimos]

A few feet away from the doorway, a small, stitchpunk-sized hole had been formed in the snow, and could be seen as the two dolls drew closer. Every few seconds, a bit of powdery snow puffed out of the hole, as if it were being thrown, or more likely, dug. Rustling and the clinking of small metal objects could be heard from the hole, though who or whatever was doing so could not be seen from the outside.

Normally Zosimos wouldn't have been sent out in the snow, and this was exactly why. Whatever he'd been sent out for was long forgotten once the snow settled. Besides magnets and shiny things, it was he most amazing thing he'd ever seen! It was like dirt, he could dig in it, but it was water! Solid water! Most other stitchpunks, his sister included, hated the snow, but Zosimos found it to be one of the most entertaining things in the world.

He'd been playing in the snow for some time, having made little shapes, drawings and sculptures from it, which were laying around the hole he'd made, and now he had decided to dig a tunnel beneath the thick layer of snow.

[Ulysses-Σ47]

"No turning back, I suppose."
Ulysses was silent as the taller ragdoll ducked through the fence, and followed. He had to stoop less, but with his blade, he slid through sideways. When his employer stopped, he stopped. The door was open, if only slightly. Inviting, even. That set off that sense of tension again. Mister Sleuth seemed to be reluctant to use the door, too. That was good. He could focus on a new entry way, while Ulysses did his part. Not that he couldn't help with a new entrance, but. . .
He listened again; nothing, just snow- wait. Faint, very faint clinking. Clinking meant metal. Metal meant- he tapped his associate, and made a hand signal. Please step back, it seemed to say. Another hand motion followed it, as Ulysses opened his small pack, and pulled out a length of tensile string, attached to a collapsible hook, and handed it to the lankier ragdoll. Find a new entrance, FAST. That was what the hand signal tried to convey.
He pressed closer to the wall, and attempted to get a clear view, a difficult task with the snow coming down as it was.
Nothing. Nothing. Nothing- wait. His optics narrowed. Small piles of snow. Snow didn't pile like that; these looked constructed. Almost like effigies, or maybe sculptures. That wasn't something machines did, usually. They were small.
He didn't reach for the blade yet, but he certainly was on edge now. Detective boy had better find a new entry soon.

[Kuu [32]]

The noises that could now be heard just up ahead concerned Kuu as well. He had stopped for a moment, and was about to turn to Ulysses before the stitchpunk was already tapping on Kuu's shoulder for his attention. The hand gestures were easy for the investigator to understand. Ulysses was just doing his job by being the front man to deal with what ever was further up the way, machine or anima. Just precaution, as there was no telling whatever it was that was making that sound was peaceable or if violent, was something more than what Kuu could handle on his own. A gut feeling told him there wasn't really anything to worry about, as Machines weren't usually the type to just burrow or whatever it was doing. Quietly, Kuu accepted the makeshift grappling hook with a nod of his head. He then gazed around the side of the building for any windows he could reach with the tool in his hands... which weren't many... at all. Before he came long across the right side of the building from the entrance, Kuu turned and dashed back across the snow that was all the while piling higher by the hour. If it was another stitchpunk that was making the noises, they would be someone that Kuu would need to investigate. He couldn't let a mute ragdoll try and do an investigators job, anyway. Turning the corner, he then could see Ulysses as well as the artistic works clearly made by something more self-aware than a machine. As Kuu approached from behind Ulysses, he stopped to gaze at a drawing while putting a hand to his chin.

[Zosimos]

Some of the drawings could barely be made out, many had already disappeared underneath the fresh snow. What could be made out where drawings of unidentifiable stitchpunks, coins, and, oddly, a clock. The small sculptures seemed to be of shapes rather then specific objects; a horseshoe-shape, a sphere, a square, etc..

Dusty snow sprayed out of the hole like steam from a geyser for a moment more, then suddenly stopped. A bit more rustling and clinking were heard, now a bit louder, before a burgundy, clearly anima head rose up from the hole, just enough so it's optics could peer over the edge at the two others.

Zosimos' gaze switched back and forth from them both. He had yet to speak, but made a soft groan of disappointment when he realized neither of the two new dolls were female. Oh well. They might still be nice.

[Ulysses-Σ47]

Horseshoe, sphere, square, all of snow. Ulysses took a tentative step forward, his left hand already gripping the hilt of the blade. The slight padding of feet behind him caused him to look back. It was difficult to make out, but even with the dampening effect the snow provided, Ulysses turned.
It was just the detective. A quick blink; "New entry way?" it asked. a larger quantity of snow sprayed from the ground, bringing the Sellsword to confront--
An anima. Ulysses blinked. Just another ragdoll. Aside from the color- Ulysses bristled, and his left hand adjusted it's grip. He'd been through the wastes, the territories, fighting, escorting, and what-have-you for over six years. And, while he made it a point to avoid the Emptiness, and any other machine-controlled area, sometimes it wasn't a possibility. If he remembered one rumor he'd heard enough times to gag as of late, it was of attempts to lure foolish, overtrusting ragdolls into the Emptiness.
The head was a ragdoll, yes, but that didn't make it a friendly. And if it wasn't. . .Ulysses looked to Detective-boy. If he wanted it dead, it would be dead. If not, well, Ulysses wasn't one to let his clients get hurt.

[Kuu [32]]

Kuu was busy memorizing the shapes drawn and sculpted in the snow, so he didn't catch the gesture from Ulysses' optics. He wouldn't have cared either way, as he doubted something busy making art in the snow like this was anything harmful... to others at least. The combination of shapes said something to Kuu that he found concerning, yet not dangerous. Out of the corner of his optics, the investigator realized his temp-counterpart was ready to attack the stitchpunk. At least he held back for the "boss's" call on the situation, which didn't take Kuu long to make as he came forwad to put a hand on Ulysses shoulder.
"Easy, Four-Seven," he said before Kuu gazed at Zosimos with quizzical, fully open optics. "Soo. You from around these parts, mister...?"
The question was left open for Zosimos to answer as the investigator continued passed 47 to quickly come within five inches or so before he stopped and stood where he was with crossed arms with an intent looking expression.

[Zosimos]

"Nope." Was the only answer Kuu received before the burgundy doll leapt out of his hole in the snow, revealing his full self. A wide, though not unfriendly smile was plastered across his face. He stared at them both for a moment in silence, looking them over, his gaze switching back and forth between one and the other. His eyes were wide with interest, even a hint of innocence.

He seemed harmless enough... at least until he drew out the large cross-stitching needle that hung on the golden chain around his waist, and held it out at the two new dolls as if it were a sword. "Come at me bro!" He shouted, though not in a threatening voice. If anything, it seemed more in the tone a child would use while playing. He lunged himself at the nearest doll, which happened to be Kuu, all the while his lips were curved up in the same childish smile.

[Ulysses-Σ47]

"Easy, Four-Seven."

Ulysses relaxed at those words, still at attention as his employer passed by to inspect the new ragdoll. He got the name wrong, but the sellsword wouldn't complain. Not with a new ragdoll around. Ulysses did a precursory scan himself. His overall impression was mixed; burgundy, childish, innocent. Ulysses didn't buy it; innocence was as easy to fake as anything else. He didn't buy it. Not completely, anyways.

His suspicions were proved right. the newcomer drew a needle. Ulysses rolled his eyes. Terrifying.

"Come at me bro!" That triggered his reflexes. The newcomer was a moron, apparently. Charging his employer in front of Ulysses was never a good plan. Not when he was on duty. Suspicions confirmed, target set. Ulysses moved in a blur to intercept the fool, swiftly drawing his combat knife. The ragdoll was still smiling like a child.

The reaction was perfect. He tried to parry the needle, before trapping the arm that held it, bending it uncomfortably at the joint, cutting off some circuitry. In the same instant, his knife was brought up with the same impressive speed that he moved with, stopping a milimeter before impaling Mister Lock through the neck. His eyes narrowed in warning, and he tightened his grip.

Save your monkey games for someone else, dunce. He let go with a strong shove, clearly intending to separate his employer from the newcomer's range.

[Kuu [32]]

Come at me... bro?

It seemed that this stranger was a few wires short of a full circuit, so to say. Kuu wasn't so much taken by surprise by the "attack", as technically the stranger was in his rights to be defensive. More so, the state he used is what incurred the strange look that came on the investigators face as Zosimos lunged at him with his "brandished steal". Kuu moved to block the needle with his arms which were naked of cloth skin attached to them. The overcoat was one made of spare burlap he found and fashioned himself, and it wasn't something he would mind too much getting harmed. A needle wouldn't do much to it anyway. Of course, it hardly seemed worth even the motion as the temp-counterpart did his duty and attempted to pacify the stranger well enough without needing to actually damage him. After Zosimos was shoved away, Kuu attempted to talk with the stranger once more.
"Okayyy. Now since I don't believe your a. complete 'patchjob', I hope you can answer this as well; have you seen anyone suspicious going by since you've been here? Have you seen anything out of the ordinary? Anything at all?" he went on to say to Zosimos, stepping around Ulysses a little to better put his face in view of the stranger. Kuu doubted he'd know anything being as busy as he was with the snow works. It wouldn't hurt to be thorough, as Kuu naturally was with his investigations.

[Zosimos]

The stitchpunk's smile vanished briefly as his arm was twisted back, his neck nearly impaled, and then his body shoved back a good ways. He laid still for a moment, before leaping back up to his feet, his smile having returned, and apparently wider then before, if that was at all possible. He chuckled a bit as he rotated his arm in it's socket, trying to undo what damage Ulysses may have done.

"Hot damn! That was FAST! You're amazing! Usually when I do that everyone's saying "Hey, what the hell" or something before they hit me, and never like that! You were ON it! Hahaha!! Yeah, that was neat."

He rubbed his arm for a moment, before turning his attention to Kuu. "Out of the ordinary?.... Um.... I wanna say yes.... but what was it..." He looked down at the ground, tapping his fingers against his optics for a moment. After a few seconds, he jumped once in place. "OH! Yeah! Yeah I have! Look!" He pointed to the ground. At the snow.

[Ulysses-Σ47]

Ulysses was expecting a fight, or at least more of a struggle. the ragdoll's response, therefore, surprised him.


"Hot damn! That was FAST! You're amazing! Usually when I do that everyone's saying "Hey, what the hell" or something before they hit me, and never like that! You were ON it! Hahaha!! Yeah, that was neat."


The Sellsword blinked. He could count the number of times he'd had someone actually enjoy being restrained and threatened by him, let alone compliment him on it on one hand. There was something definitely loose in this ragdoll's head. Or, maybe there was nothing at all. He shook his own head; whatever this guy was, the danger had passed, and he was just glad to not have to deal with Mister Lock anymore. His employer seemed quite content to do that, and Ulysses backed away slightly, relaxing.

He listened as the detective asked him about suspicious activities, or strange things. When he heard the answer, he looked up, only to repress an already silent laugh. Snow. He was talking about the snow. the same damned stuff that was threatening to bury them all now.

[Kuu [32]]

Kuu closed his optics for a few seconds in containing his annoyance towards the stranger.
"So you haven't seen anything. Fair enough," 32 then stated with a nod. He then turned to his counterpart to talk with him quietly. "He's been here for a good while and hasn't been touched. I'm sure this guy isn't the malicious type, either. Just has a few wires loose. We're continuing into the building then, but we'll take Screwball here with us, just to keep an eye on him."
After giving his instructions to Ulysses, Kuu then turned back to the stranger and approached.
"Feel like going on a stroll with us in there? Probably not, but you're coming with us either way. My friend here will make sure of that," he stated to Zosimos as he continued to walk right passed the anima on towards the deep dark Asylum that Kuu gestured at without saying it's name.


The outside of the building was considerably less intimidating than the inside. The dark passageways were only lit here and there where broken barred windows still allowed sunlight in. The now crumbling walls still showed the signs of the many struggles that went on in the ladder moments of the Apocalypse within the sad interior of this building.

[Zosimos]

The doll still seemed just as happy as ever. Most other dolls would be worried, another forcing them to follow in their company, whether they liked it or not. Most would see it as being taken a prisoner, really. Zosimos, though, just clapped his hands again. "That's great! I needed to go in there anyway, but I forgot why. Maybe I'll remember when I get in there. "

He trotted excitedly towards Ulysses, stopping beside him in an attention-like stance, apparently taking his spot in the group. "My name is Zosimos, by the way. Do you have names? Well, I mean, I'm sure you have names, but I mean real names, not those weird numbers. I don't get the numbers. Am I suppose to have one? Hey!! You guys want a magnet?"