Most of the traps were easy to avoid, dodge, or just dispose of… but there was a few the group almost fell victim to. Noriko was a sucker for the classics, anything involving whipped cream, sweets in general, really… buckets of water suspended above doorways, glueing coins to the floor, having dollar bills taped to the end of a fishing line...the usual tricks one would play on a friend, family member or coworker. How the hell did Honnouji Academy get their hands on killer crocodiles, Nevada has no idea...but she knew it’d be better to avoid any and all traps, rather than just a few. It was exhausting, however… and she was quickly running out of steam.
Nevada just about had enough of all the bullshit, though. It was annoying, every single bit of it. There was never a moment where she, or any of the others, could just… catch their fucking breath. Was that so much to ask for?! Her eyes narrowing, anger flashing within the brown depths...Nevada glared down at the bakery bomb that dared to land near her foot, and gave a small growl. “Seriously? Seriously, now? A fuckin’ muffin bomb? How...fucking...ridiculous can you get?!” More than a little frustrated with the situation, she brought a foot back...sending the muffin flying. It wasn’t long until a bright, white light went off, blinding she and the group gathered.
“Whoa~!” Noriko blinked against the dots dancing in front of her eyes, and leaned out over the building’s rooftop, mouth practically dropping to her collarbone. “You kicked the muffin bomb straight through someone’s window~! Their entire apartment is wrecked!” Nevada couldn’t care any less at the moment, given how she’s dodged, avoided, not to mention destroyed… five hundred… and fifty fucking traps. How the hell does a high school academy get their hands on that sort of shit?!
Eyes flashing rather dangerously, Nevada didn't look upon the damage she caused onto someone's apartment building, instead placing both hands on her hips and letting out a low growl. "I can't believe this shit! Five hundred traps, and we're not even close to the Academy! Excuse me, five hundred and fifty." The last word dripping in sarcasm, contempt, among other things, Nevada glared outright at the Academy standing just beyond her reach, imagining it spontaneously combusting. Preferably... with Satsuki Kiryuin running around in circles, with her hair on fire.
"I am so done with this." Enough is enough. I'm not playing by that woman's rules anymore, no... I'm playing by mine.
Question is...no, well… better question is, will it work? Nevada hadn’t tried it before, but there was no better time than the present to experiment. Besides… the last idea worked wonders… this one’s bound to do the same. Her fingers tapping a rhythm on her hip, Nevada lowered her gaze from the ever-present Academy, and met the golden eyes of the clothing she’s come to call… friend, and partner. "Do you trust me?" she asked, giving him her trademark grin. "I have an idea... okay?" It runs parallel to Time Pause, only... she wasn't planning on stopping time. Her eyes lifting from his to meet those of Kendrick and Noriko... before moving back to the Academy, she let out a soft sigh while straightening her shoulders. "Here goes nothing..." The twin brown depths narrowing into what could be considered a glare, Nevada concentrated with all her might... little furrows forming between her eyebrows meanwhile. Come on... Come on... she thought over and over again.
While she meant to do it, Nevada would never have expected it to work so... well. The smoke billowing out of the apartment window slowed to a stop, the crackling no longer filling the empty silence. Noriko was frozen, a finger pointing out the Academy in all its glory... and as for Kendrick, he was already frozen in place, only looking at Nevada, light glinting off his glasses. "Wow..." Nevada murmured under her breath, moving forward to wave a hand in front of his face. "It really worked."
A heartbeat later, Nevada felt a weight fall onto her shoulders… a weight that felt as though it could easily snap her spine in two.
I thought this might happen… Nevada tried to throw her shoulders back, to alleviate the weight somehow or another… but alas, it stayed exactly where it was. It wasn’t long until she began feeling fatigue creep along her skin… and slowly, slowly sink into her bones. I don’t have much time. I have to get going, or else I’d have done this for nothing. Luckily, touching Noriko and Kendrick was enough to break them from… the time pause, or whatever she’s going to call it in the future. Gazing about in wonder, the two looked to her with questions in their eyes, but she shook her head.
“Don’t ask; we don’t have much time as it is, and I’d like us to hurry.” Besides… Nevada had no answers to give, if there was questions asked. How she did it, exactly, she had no idea… It was only an idea, nothing more, but now that she actually turned it into a reality… well, who knows. If it gets them to Honnouji Academy safely, without injury… then that’s all she could really hope for, isn’t it? Nevada’s shoulders heavier than anything she’s ever experienced before… and a deep ache residing within her bones, and growing steadily heavier, the young girl led the way… hoping Time Stop will last just long enough.
If it didn’t… Nevada, Noriko, and Kendrick… had no chance, what with the traps and people aiming for their heads.
Nevada was carrying the weight of their school careers, not only the Time Stop, upon her shoulders. It was a heavy burden, indeed… but if she could just get them to Honnouji Academy before homeroom starts...it would all be worth it. Her cheeks taking on a dark, rosy red blush from exertion, Nevada led her friends past all the booby traps, making sure nothing was going to suddenly… oh, give out under their feet. This little trick of hers may stop time, but some things can put things back into motion, if her gut feeling is right.
There was a few mishaps along the way, Noriko being the idiot she was. Nevada loved her to death, but really... this wasn't the time to be gawking at all the frozen people. Every moment she held onto the Time Stop, the deeper the ache became... and the more her stomach churned. It wasn't long until fatique replaced the ache, making it difficult to move as fast as she needed to. Gritting her teeth, she climbed over a tall, imposing wall covered in spikes, helping first Noriko, and then Kendrick up over it. At this point, Nevada was about to reach her limit, that much she knew for certain. It was getting hard to breathe...and harder to move.
Honnouji Academy was within reach; the twin walls that make up its entrance was just over the horizon, taunting the trio. No other students have come so far. In the distance, there was agonized screams, blood-curdling cries of pain.
“Finally…” Nevada panted, having reached the end of her rope. Every inch of her body felt as though it was on fire…and her skin, like it was stretched tight over the muscles and bone. Her lungs ached with every breath the girl took. Brown curls laid against her pale cheeks, shadows under her eyes making the girl appear shallow, like a husk of herself. Yes… she pushed herself way too far this time, but if it meant that she and her friends were going to continue attending school together… it was well worth it. Her fingers trembling, she curled a hand into a fist, and gestured for Noriko and Kendrick to follow. “We don’t have much farther. Come on, let’s go, before anything happens.” There were no more traps, not that she could see, at least. Nevada finally released the Time Stop, and birds began filling the silence with their chirping.
It was almost eerie, all of it was.
A grin spreading across Nevada's features, brightening the brown eyes that had dulled with fatigue, she took a step forward... and tumbled forward. Kendrick managed to catch her before her face could meet the ground, however... she had no strength left to even stand. Her knees felt weak, her muscles like rubber. Nevada slowly moved down until she was sitting where they are, the light revealing just how truly pale the girl was. "You guys go on without me," Nevada told her friends after a moment or two. "I need to rest for a minute, but I'll be right behind you." Doubt bubbled to the surface, clouding her mind. Will she have the strength to get back up onto her feet?
Of course, Noriko began wailing something about 'I can't, I can't, I can't leave my best friend behind' or some nonsense like that... and Kendrick just shook his head, acting chivalrous about it all. Nevada wasn't trying to be noble, no, she was just looking out for her friends. It won't help matters any if they decide to wait on her, will it? No. An annoyed scowl making its way across the girl's features, she met each friend's gaze in turn, silencing the girl with a single look. "Really, guys? You're going to sit around here and wait on me, when we've worked so hard to get this far? Absolutely no freakin' way. I'm not going to let you guys do that.Now shoo, before I sart kicking your butts over that wall there."
Noriko left first, reluctantly, of course, and crying all the while. Kendrick, on the other hand, left after a minute or so... and with the strangest expression on his face. Finally alone, Nevada allowed herself to collapse where she sat, spent... exhausted, and just ready to sleep the day away. Every part of her body ached. It hurt to breathe, it hurt to lay down, it hurt to do... well, anything. "Pretty neat trick back there, huh...?" she murmured to Jikan, chuckling.