The Escapist Avatar Adventure: An Open RP (Now Re-Opened!)

bluerocker · Dec 17, 2017

Diablo1099 said:
Someone helped me wriiiite this~

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Los Angelues, California
Time: 8AM

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It was a normal morning in the city of angels, the sun was shining, the birds were singing; and a man was snorting a line of cocaine off of a pristine coffee table.

At least, he was before the owner of said coffee table elected to show up. Cup of black tea in hand, Inuart had to blink a couple times before he could process what exactly was happening in front of him. He could remember the events from the night prior - where he and his manager had gone to some social event involving other musicians and their pet managers, there was a lot of drinking involved, and after a chauffeur ride, Inuart had allowed Scaramouche to crash on the couch. How that lead to a felony happening in his manor, he wasn't entirely sure, but after a moment to pinch the bridge of his nose, the bard managed to ask,

"What are you doing."

The manager shot up from his little morning activity, powder still under one of his nostrils as he tried to weakly hid the Benjamin he was snorting the coke with behind his back, "Inuart ba-bay! I-I thought you'd be sleeping-"

"That doesn't answer my question. What in the absolute hell, are you doing this early in the morning?"

"Uhh..."

Inuart held up a finger to stop his manager from saying anything before he took a long draw of his tea, making a point to keep holding up the finger until he swallowed, "It looks to me like you're committing a felony under my roof, after I so graciously offered you my estate as a resting area. Now, while I frankly don't care about drugs in general, given their addictive nature, this leads me to question - where did you even get it in the span of our gathering to the arrival at my estate?"

"Why, do you want some?"

"NO, YOU IDIOT - I JUST SAID I DIDN"T WANT ANY!" Inuart resisted the temptation to splash Scaramouche with his tea - were it not for the fact that A) it was some nice stuff, and B) there was a prime opportunity to be had here. After a moment to compose his expression, the bard instead smiled oh-so-sweetly at his manager, "No, I don't want some. But, if you managed to get a hold of such a thing so easily, then that means you know people. People who might able to help me."

Scaramouche took a step back, pointing an accusatory finger at Inuart, "Hold on right he-yah! What makes you think I'm going to tell you that sweet and juicy piece of info so easily? I could pin this all on you! 'Musician caught with drugs' happens all the time!"

Inuart simply drank from his mug, draining the tea completely before he set the mug on the table, "Oh? You really think that'll be the case, Scaramouche? Pray tell - how long have you been my manager?"

"Uh...couple months?"

"Exactly. And how long have I been in this business?"

"Only a few years at most!"

The bard examined a nail, pretending there some kind of dirt under it, "Yes, but you see - prior to your recent employment, my other manager taught me a few things. For one, investing in a modest house and only a few creature comforts goes a long way to maintain one's estate. The second, money and notoriety talks. And I think, were it really the case that you tried to implicate me, I could hire a much attorney than you could ever dream to. Furthermore, seeing I'm completely innocent on this possession charges you implicate me of - as well as not being the one with a bit of powder on my nose, you're not in the position to make any threats. Now, are you going to help me, or am I going to kill your career before it even starts?"

"Alright, alright, Chill, Baby doll...So I know a guy who knows these cats that call themselves "DUSK LLC". Dark Net, Shifty eyes, the works. They know people with REALLY deep pockets, you dig? Now, I don't want none of your business up in mind but these guys? Anything goes."

"Really now? And you can just 'connect' me to them?"

"Yeah yeah yeah, babe - I got em on speed-dial right here-"

"I'll be taking that," he yanked the phone out of his manager's hand before he made dismissive gesture with his hand, "Clean this mess up and get out. You'll get this back by noon."

Scaramouche didn't need telling twice, scrambling to clean up the rest of the coke and getting the hell out of dodge. As for Inuart, he let out a frustrated breath of air he didn't realize he was holding, and padded his way back to the kitchen and getting himself some breakfast. By 9 am, the bard had managed to eat, drink two more cups of tea and run a mile on a treadmill before he felt up to doing any sort of 'business'. Finally making his way back to his living room and sullied coffee table (the cocaine might be gone but he KNEW it was there), he opened up the phone and hit the speed dial.... After a few moments, a voice came on the other end-

"Good afternoon, Mr. Scaramouche. For the record, your Swedish-made Male Enhancement pump has been damaged in transit. Apparently, someone in US Customs needed it more then you. I've already arranged a replacement-"

"...I'll be sure to let him know, unfortunately, this is not Scaramouche."

There was a moment of silence, before the operator said in an exasperated voice, "Oh, please tell me he's dead. I'm getting tired of him drunk dialing us and ordering fast food..."

"Afraid not. I caught him with some interesting products, and he graciously informed me of this line. Rest assured, I'm here to do business."

"Hmmm...I need to talk to my handler. Mind holding for a moment?..."

Before Inuart could say anything, he was put on hold with an... interesting [https://youtu.be/c5fts7bj-so?t=30s] choice of 'holding' music. A moment or two later, and the operator came back,

"Just do us a favor and remind Scaramouche we know he talked. With that out of the way, This is Diabs, I'll be your rep today. What service do you require?"

Right, time to get to business - if Inuart was going to be serious about breaking his friends out of the Dawn, he'd need some stuff to cover their tracks after the fact, coverage in the form of - "I need 5 IDs. Good ones - with solid backing and identification numbers. Whole nine yards - make these people look like lookalikes of whom I'm trying to hide."

To Inuart's surprise (or perhaps delight), the operator didn't seem to bothered by this request, casually answering back, "Alright, just need to process a few details. Can I ask what you need the IDs for?"

Oh, he wasn't expecting this question. Mentioning the Dawn would be a bad idea, considering their notoriety among the criminal circles, so perhaps he could deflect a little, "...Tell me, what's the full extent of the operations your facility covers?"

"You tell me what you need done, I'll tell you if it can be done."

An acceptable response, for now. Shuffling in his seat again, Inuart continued, I see. I'm breaking 5 wanted men out of holding. I need the IDs so I can hide them in plain sight.

"That can be done. Any requests? Want to be Jamaican or something?"

Inuart had to resist the urge to roll his eyes (and partially wonder if such a thing was so commonplace that lended to the operator asking such a question) as he shot back, "Nothing so obscene. Like I said, basically have it to the point where they could claim being lookalikes of their real selves, and be able to pass any background check a potential employer might do."

"Alright, 5 level 3 fake IDs with Background check coverage. Anything else?"

A good question. The IDs were a good start, but if he really wanted to cement this breakout - it would probably do well to avoid using some of his usual tactics - Caim was on the ship after all. With his obsession with weaponry, he'd spot Inuart's sword from a mile away, and that would just lead everything back to him; effectively negating Albert's plea of his innocence as well as making this whole operation go belly up. Half of this hinged upon Inuart being able to house them after the fact, risking that would ruin everything. It would seem, he'd have to turn to some alternate means of defense.
"Actually, since you're here...You don't happen to do 'off the grid' weapons training, do you?"

"We do have the DUSK LLC brand Advanced Weapons and Tactics Implant on special offer?"

"'Advanced weapons training implant'? How exactly does that work..? It sounds like something you'd have to put into your brain..."

"You ever see that movie "The Matrix"? Namely the first one? You know when they stick a USB or something into Keanu Reeves's skull, he freaks out and he's all like "I know Kung Fu"? Basically that, but I think they use magic. I'm not sure but it's a highly recommended package."

"That doesn't answer my question. Not to sound rude, but I'd like to know if I need brain surgery to put it in or not!"

"Nah, from my understanding of it, they use the memories of actual vets training, then put those memories in your head via a quick injection using a specialized hand-held device. Procedure takes about 5 minutes, quick and clean. Best part is that after a few months, those memories fade away, making it perfect for deniability in court. Anything else?"

The topic quickly turned to the matter of basic supply acquisition (guns, tactical gear, etc), and the conversation grew a bit more animated, the Operator finally ending with, "I'll get a local contact for that. Word of warning, she's a former member of the Bernstein Cartel from back in the day. Once she accepts your case, we'll be in touch."

Something pinged off in the back of Inuart's mind at that - Bernstein Cartel? That was the same one that his very cohorts used to work with... Maybe this was good fortune after all. With a smile, Inuart did his best to falsify concern, "Oh, I'll make sure to be careful. Thank you for your time."

"Thank you for shopping with DUSK LLC. We'll be in touch."

"Oh, hold on, I need to give you my conta-"

"Already taken care of. Nice Coffee Table by the way."

As abruptly as the morning began, the phone call ended; leaving Inuart alone in his house. Looking at the clock, it read 10:01. Plenty of time to get some weightlifting done before his next appointment. After that phone call, he had more then enough energy to burn.

NotYetForsaken · Dec 17, 2017

[[Side Story]]

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Rebellion

Code:

lucifer's story

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"So who's Mitty in this relationship?"

Teresa fell deeper into the chair provided by this natural God. She shivered. The raw power of this entity washed over her relentlessly, drowning her skin in unbearable warmth. She ran her fingers over her arms and they came off slick with sweat. Her blood thrummed, desperately trying to pull oxygen from the air around her into the rivers that flowed through her body.

All of this light reminded her so painfully of her past life - of Eden and his priests. A shiver crept up her spine. Teresa had difficulty remembering what it was like before she was born again, but her body had no such luxuries.

Her skin tingled at the thought and she pulled her legs up into her chest, crossing her ankles uncomfortably. She closed her eyes. All she could remember was the light and the white rooms - immaculate and clean but bloodcurdling in it's unnaturalness. Drugged, sleepless, in agony and pain. The suffocating pressure of others on her body, the stench of human forms, these were things that she could recall. Only these visceral details haunted her memories.

But that was in the past. Teresa didn't want the pity of this foreign God. She wasn't the broken doll she was before this life. No. She was here to help end Venia. Anything other than that was a distraction. She needed to save her players and restore her world to brilliant life. Anything short of that... well, wouldn't do.

"I am a God that was created, but Venia is not," Teresa added at the end of Luke's lengthy explanation. She looked up at the avatar of Luke's patron, "She is drawn to suffering and it is for that reason that I believe she has not attempted to feast upon this heavenly plane."

"This is supposed to be a resting place. Peace is part of it's nature."

The child had remained unmoving up to this point, unbound by the constraints of human flesh and discomfort. However, She moved down from her seat on the desk, alighting gently upon the white tiles of the floor,

"However, if what you and Lucifer say is true, and I know it to be, then this is indeed a matter I must attend to. Creation is meant to turn in it's natural progression in it's own time. From what you have told me, Venia, at best, is what would be considered an acceleration of that process. Creation will not survive long if she continues on this path."

She offered a hand to both Lucifer and Teresa,

"Lead me to her. I will do what I can to give the souls she has captured rest, and put an end to this destruction."

She looked at her son pointedly, and he awkwardly rambled out,

"There's a little caveat about the soul saving thing. We don't know for sure if they're dead. If they are, where they go is heavily dependent on their beliefs; so, fair warning there."

Teresa took the small child's hand and thought of that tumultuous sea of gold crashing against the boundary of reality. She was scared. She was scared because she didn't know if she was betraying her sisters by doing this, or if she was going against BlackHarte's own wishes.

"She's there. It is not possible to not know her once there. Please," Teresa whispered, "save my friends. I don't know if I can go with you. To be honest, I'm scared out of my mind by that thing. It's one thing to hear about a monster like that and see it in anime and games, but it's wholly another thing to have witnessed her devastation in person."

The small child gave that same sad smile to Teresa, and spoke gently,

"Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise. I will protect them from those who malign them."

However, it brightened, if only for a moment,

"You will be safe with Me."

Lucifer looked away as his hand was grabbed as well, and muttered something in an embarrassed tone along the lines of, [color=eca222]"That old saying? Really?"[/color]

In one moment they stood still in the vestibule of heaven, in another, they did not.

---

When they reappeared Venia was once again slamming herself into the impenetrable black cloud that hid BlackHarte's section of the multiverse. Huge waves of shimmering liquid gold rose as high as mountains and crashed against the wall, all the while the sad orchestra of Venia's breathing echoed through the space between worlds. At the moment the entity did not seem to notice the arrival of the three. The sea was lost in thought.

Lucifer flinched when he saw the entity again, fear rising through his core. It was her that terrifying thing that almost swallowed him up into it's golden void. He found himself unintentionally edging away, before the Boss' words snapped back to his attention,

"Do not fear, for I am with you."

Right, the Boss was here... But now what?

It was quiet at first, before the radiance that seemed to come from The Boss spread forth, covering both Lucifer and Teresa in a sort of bubble, after all, the small Child was but a projection, an appearance for Her visitors - nothing could properly encompass and contain the vastness of what The Boss truly entailed. There came a sound, similar to a humming noise, that started soft as a whisper, before it rose like a chorus, a reverberation in this shining gloom. Lucifer could not help but wonder if the Choirs were listening, attempting to rouse and aid along with The Boss' entreatment. The air around them seemingly began to shake, before a shaft of what appeared to sunlight from above pierced down into the golden sea, the Boss' voice reverberating in the air:

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me."

"a' saeshia raha"

The sea quelled and became suddenly still. A flat plane of mirror-gold that reflected the ethereal sky above.

"saeshie' naede i gloe i"

Teresa was seized and squirmed. She opened her mouth and then closed her mouth. Then she spoke softly, "I have guests. Guests both foreign and familiar."

"Subarashii desu ne"

"Wonderful."

[color=eca222]"What do you mean guests? Explain, please?"[/color]

Teresa answered for the entity, "Not only has the boy from earlier returned, but he has also brought along his mother and one of my dear sisters. You are welcome, so very welcome."

Lucifer flinched back as Teresa translated for Venia's strange speech. Even while holding the hand of the Boss' avatar, fear quelled in his chest. He wanted this damn thing to be over and done with. He felt like a child who wanted to curl up under their blankets when the monsters appeared; he wanted so badly to go home.

The Boss, however, was unfettered. Her Choir raised once more, and another shaft of sunlight piereced the gold, sifting for the lost and the sleeping.

There was no answer from the depths of the sea. Venia instead spoke again, using her own chorus, but borrowing Teresa's voice. "Please stop ignoring me. To be so forceful as to force yourself into me on our first meeting is quite... rude." The sea shifted and roiled around their bubble, swallowing them.

And then they were in a strange garden, in a shaded veranda surrounded by blooming flowers. The sea above them took the place of the sun in casting down bright daylight on the wild blooms set carefully around them. In the distance they could make out the silhouette of an old mansion.

"Stay close to me" was all the Boss intoned when they found themselves in the strange new garden. With the sea above as a false light source, Lucifer could only imagine that Her power was what kept them from consumed. Aloud he wondered, [color=eca222]"What is this place? The inside of the Mercy?[/color]

"How obnoxiously rude," Venia said through Teresa as she appeared. The avatar had finally made herself known. She was still that young girl in a white dress with long white hair and blood-red eyes. She pursed her lips and shook her head, "this is not inside me. I have not dissolved you. This," she motioned to the garden around them, "is the garden at my childhood home in Washington."

Lucifer's gaze furrowed, and he snarled back, [color=eca222]"And why have you brought us here? So you can try to eat me again?!"[/color]

"Lucifer." A word was enough to silence him, the Boss regarding Venia with a stern expression,

"You do not understand what you are doing, do you?"

Venia shrugged and sauntered up to Teresa, an uncharacteristic sway in her childish hips. "What is there to understand? I am shouldering the sins of all the wayward children of creatio- NNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Teresa suddenly screamed as she slipped through the bubble and fell into Venia's embrace. The younger girl guided her fingers along Teresa's bleeding wounds and teased the flowing blood within using her fingernails.

"Ahh... nnaaa... ahhhh......" Teresa moaned as she fell to her knees, face turned upwards in a mix of fear.

"sa' moe i ne, Te-ri-sa?" Venia giggled.

"D...don't... don't... eat me... please..." Teresa's voice cracked and Venia worked her hands down her sister's body. "I don't... I don't... I don't want to die... NNAAAAAAAAAAA~!" Venia had started drawing soft circles on Teresa's heart with her finger tips.

She turned her gaze to the Boss, "a' dane a'one karaha"

"I have no will of my own," Teresa repeated.

[color=eca222]"Teresa!"[/color]

Lucifer didn't think when he reached out for the young girl. His hand came to the edge of the bubble, before he felt a tug on his other hand - oh right, Boss' avatar. He looked between her, and between Teresa, before he looked back and gave a smile that matched her's not too long ago, [color=eca222]"Sorry Boss - you knew who to pick for the job."[/color] He snatched his hand away and tore through the barrier, fear evaporating for the briefest moment - he promised a sad, scared, little girl that he'd show her the world he sought to protect; and Lucifer didn't like breaking his promises. Surging forward, he cried out [color=eca222]"Get your hands off of her!"[/color] before in one swift motion, he yanked Teresa back, throwing her towards the bubble... and in doing so, barreled right into Venia.

The two fell onto the floor and the Mercy swept up both of them and placed them on their feet. Venia laughed, her voice the rapid pulls of a bow on strings. "Ah! Saene illun, saene illun."

Teresa looked out in shock, heart beating fast in her chest. Did he really just... for me?

"If you are nod hareful, I will ead you!" Venia teased in her shoddy English. She settled down and conjured a chair from the golden sea above. "a' aesh bale no lamana shaesh bidu dare gosa denaede i."

"I will not hurt you now. So long as you remain in your patron's arms." Teresa translated quickly and of her own volition.

"s'a, sore ga choube de da dago dene shaesh, s'a kabanda lorshe i dor i shaesh, a' sor i kabanda dena" Venia curtsied.

"Miss Patron, please let down the bristling heart, you ought to be spoken to in comfort. I am not so bad a person as I am made out to be."

Lucifer looked over Teresa like a mother hen inspecting it's chick after the Mercy let them go, before sighing in relief. The Boss took a few steps forward, pulling them into her barrier again, which Lucifer added after they were pulled in again, [color=eca222]"Stay in the bubble, okay? You really scared the shit out of me with that maneuver. Why did you even do that? Did she compel you or something?"[/color]

The Boss on the other hand, allowed her expression to soften ever so slightly, and gestured with an open palm, "Twice thus far you almost consumed my son. Forgive me for being a little protective of him. Speak. Why should we not fear you?"

Venia put a finger on her chin and opened her mouth to speak. Yet, this time there was no sound. These were words meant only for another deity.

"Was it not you that came into my home and began to strike at my innards with your sovereignty? Not you who now stands, invited to my home, only to hold me in such contempt? Your son thinks me to be unreasonable, and my sister fears my gentle teasing. On our level, however, we are not enemies."

"I had seen what was being wrought, and I had heard. Your golden sea consumes. The world must turn at it's natural pace. You hasten it in an unprecedented speed. It is not surprising that my son and your sister think ill of you. I will, however, take the olive branch offered and answer a question with a question- why did your sea swallow us? That is not what is typically considered an invitation so much as an abduction."

"Do you not do the same thing with your 'presence?' This sea is my body, and outside of it I find it difficult to move, speak, and think. I use my Mercy as my hands and my eyes, as well as my ears and my tongue."

"No, it is not the same. Those who encounter My presence are welcome to enter or leave it as they wish. Teresa did not have to stay near me, when it was fearful and strange. I would not have penalized her for leaving, or forced her to stay. I think she was very brave to stay near Me. She's very brave now. Another question - where are the souls you have taken into yourself?"

"As it is so, you may leave whenever you wish it. I do not force you to stay. My Mercy is unfortunately less refined than your presence, so it comes off as quite a bit more strong. On the subject of the souls, they are all around us now. It is with their essence that my sea is formed."

"And the worlds you have devoured?"

"I have left them be once they are stripped of causality. There is no point in denying a world for any new God that might need a place to start their realm."

"Therein lies our conflict. You take it away, rather than letting it run its course. The gods are bound by rules. If We imposed our will onto all the worlds outside of the beginning steps, no world would survive the clash of interest. It is through the little things We may aid the mortals in shaping their world."

"That is a nice sentiment. But I have rid of worlds only where the people have cursed their god for their cruelty."

"Is it not the nature of children to spite their parents when angry?"

"Is it not the responsibility of a God to save an abused child from the anger of their parents?"

The Boss only smiled sadly, "I have been asked that many times; but I cannot. To do so would impede on their right to decide. It is through Choice that Good can exist. My son has taken the position to facilitate that choice. He has seen the brightest and the darkest my children have to offer. But those brightest of lights would not shine so brightly if I were to make them so."

"We must agree to disagree then. I am not unreasonable, but it is not in my nature to overlook suffering. I was born with the single-minded desire to make all of those that I witness happy, to grant their wishes, and the soothe their scarred souls. But then, I ask of you, is it not hypocritical to come here and impose your will upon mine, and upon those who cling to my mercy for peace?"

"Is it really happiness?"

"What makes you doubt that it is?"

"One cannot know happiness without knowing sorrow. Can one truly be happy if they get everything they want?"

"Yeah, that's what Erika always says. But, when you look at it, I can't create people, so the souls I take are all from places where they've been exposed to much sorrow already."

"And they don't belong to you."

"Who do they belong to? My sisters who forsook them? The wandering Gods that created them and left after they got bored? I know it is good in your world to care after those that have been abandoned. I am doing such work here."

"They belong to their homes. Every soul has a place to go eventually, be to a sweet embrace of stillness, or to a land they call their own. Every soul believes in something. Even the idea of an 'absence' is a belief."

"I am also a belief, am I not?"

"Are you?"

"How rude! Of course I am! I am Venia, the Soul of Forgiveness and the Sea of Mercy. I give unto those abandoned that pray for help their salvation."

"Do you?"

"Allow me the indulgence of answering a question with a question. What makes you believe Teresa's version of the story over mine?" "This sea, you can reach out with your presence and see, none will go with you. They have chosen to stay here with me in the bliss that I afford them. I am doing good where my father and older sister do evil."

"Who said it is Teresa I believe?"
"When my son entered my realm again, I saw it so vividly. How he feared you. How he was almost swallowed up. How you did not listen when he tried to speak with you, tried to understand you. You almost devoured him. I see 'force' in your Mercy, akin to the eaters of Lotus in Greece. Perhaps they do not leave because the Mercy does not allow them to think, to chose."

"Such insults. And I had thought you were supposed to be a kind and merciful God. You and your son are both so quick to judge. It comes to pass that I did not swallow him up, for if I did I would guess I would have already breached Father's accrused barrier and set this conflict to rest. To that end, what have you come here to do then? To tear the souls I have gathered out of my body, to destroy me, and then cast my essence back into the ether from which I was born?"

"It sounds to me like you are already predisposed to see me as some sort of villain, which I will not attempt any further to persuade you otherwise. I am Venia, the Essence of Mercy, and it is my mission to return those that cannot die to oblivion, and those that wish for bliss into blessed sleep. If you would not allow me this, then I suppose you will have to subjugate me."

The Lord remained silent for a moment, then entreated, "You are right in one respect - I did come expecting a fight, and for that, I do apologize." The Avatar, in this space between spaces, gave a small nod of her head, "But, I propose two questions.

The first - were you to break through that barrier, how would you 'set the conflict to rights'?

The second - may I speak with the souls within you? You have my word I will Not take them from you should I do so. I wish only to observe, to view how they exist here.

I do not wish to rip you asunder or force you into silence if you can be reasoned with. But at the same time, I cannot allow you to eat everything in your path."

"I'm going to kill my older sister and release her prisoners back into the real world, and then after that, I'm going to kill Father and return all of his prisoners into oblivion!"

"After that is done, I suppose I'll kill Teresa and Vil and Balance and Hunger, Freya and Erika, Alesha and Miriam. Really, all of the people who shouldn't exist. Then after all of my family is dead, I'll just have to off myself."

"And if you would like to venture into my depths to witness the souls within, it is not my intention to stop you. But I will have to ask you to swear that you keep to yourself what it is like inside of me. My sisters musn't ever discover the truth of those I have eaten."

"Will you swear to not touch my son or his charge while I do so?"

"Hm... Well I want to touch Teresa, but what if I just don't eat her?"

"I don't get a lot of bonding time with my little sisters after all."

"I ask that you do not. It would agitate Lucifer and I don't want to try and break up another fight when we're finally starting to make progress. That said, however - did you not say you wanted to kill her, the rest of your sisters and your Father? I am not one to typically endorse Familicide."

"Hm. Alright. You got me. Teresa has the ability to break Father's barrier, which is the main reason I've been wanting to get my hands on her. But I swear upon my very own grave that I will not touch ether of them."

"Aha! I thought there was something to it .... Very well, we will discuss the details of your plan in a moment."

The Boss certainly felt... conflicted. On one hand - the end result seemed genuine. On the other, she did not approve of the methods taken to get there. Returning back to the Garden, she communicated this as such, "Your Mercy is a beautiful thing, I will admit. However, as far as methodology is concerned, I am afraid we will remain in opposition.

That said... Explain to me why you wish to kill your family."

"It is the wish of my Father. I may not know rest until all of them are dead. I was given no reason, and I cannot disobey."

"Your father created you to kill them?"

"That is what I know, yes."

"You poor creature. No wonder all you do is take things into yourself."
The Boss's expression shifted sad again, "One might consider it merciful to strike you down, for having to be in such a cursed state. Is there really nothing you can do to change it?"

"Hmm... not that I know of. I don't really mind though, eating sin and pain is sort of what I do. I suppose if I was able to experience happiness, I might not want to die."
"And that might be a problem when it comes time to self-terminate."

"I think your Father cruel then, for making you in such a way. A child should be not be forced to wage a war they do not understand."

"I do not begrudge him nor do I question his judgement. It just is so"

"Do you want to blindly follow his law? Does that make you happy?"

"I guess? Despite being able to grant wishes I do not know if I am happy. It is not part of my nature to know."

"It was not originally a part of Lucifer's nature to act against me. And yet he does. The beauty of living is that you can learn."

"It is not your place to try to save me. I do not think I am a creature that you would want to save."

"You know how I speak of choice so frequently? Part of that Virtue comes from the souls I meet. A great swathe of them start ill - fighting, cheating, stealing, murdering... until they grow older. They realize the ills of what they have done, and act in repentance. Once they die, they are absolved. The actions lend to good works, but the turning point is the realization of wrongdoing. So long as they are alive, and are able to make that change - they have a chance to be saved. All living things that think and feel are this way. Perhaps your Father did not intend for you to be anything than one who slays - but think on our conversation thus far. You have displayed many passions about your works and what you do. You grew angry when I questioned it. Does that not imply you can think for yourself? By virtue of that, that seems to imply you can grow and change beyond your original 'programming'."

"As long as I live, I suffer for the sake of others. As long as I do, I yearn for death. I cannot die until my family is dead, do deviate is to change who I am." Venia laughed sadly. "What makes me Venia is my desire to forgive and to absolve. To take that away from me leaves me with nothing but pain. A suffering with no purpose."

"You can change what being Venia means. Purpose is but the decision to fill an existence of suffering with a goal - a goal you decide for yourself."

"It is not so simple for something like me. I am not... a singular entity," Venia swayed back and forth, "I am a conscious idea. My nature,sentience, personality, and drive are upheld by a distributed network of individual consciousnesses that are self-correcting, self-multiplying, and unpredictable."

She pointed at the sea above them. "That is both me, and my prison. It's a bit of a tragedy, but do not weep on my behalf. Soon, it shall be over and I can finally join my family in death."

The Boss remained quiet for a long time. This was reminiscent of the time she sent forth her Son and Avatar, and no matter what he did, someone would not listen. In these sort of cases, what was simply best, was to move onward to the next who might listen. With a heavy heart, She asked, "It will be a kindness for you to kill each of them? Does it not hurt your heart to consider killing your family?"

"I can think of no greater pleasure than to lay my troubled family to rest."

The Boss considered this a moment longer, before she was reminded of a task she asked of her own son many many centuries and eons ago.... Looking to the poor child in front of her, she fully comprehended what had been done. Where she asked Lucifer, Venia was tasked. Where she gave an out, he did not. A cruel one, this Father. She asked one final question - "Should the barrier fall, you will only attack your family members? The other worlds, such as the one my son seeks to protect, will remain unharmed?"

"I cannot promise that. It is unfortunate that my power is indiscriminate. I will try my best to avoid those that belong to another domain, but I cannot promise the safety of your charges. I understand if you would not wish to assist me."

"I am.. Considering assisting you. My primary concern is for the other worlds. If your father is the cause of all of this trouble, as well as what causes you and your sister to suffer, I am willing to aid you. But, if the other worlds, the inculpable get caught in the crossfire, I can't allow it in good conscience."

She looked over the Mercy for a moment, "Bring some of that close to me. I wish to test something."

Venia obliged.

Teresa threw her arms around Luke and hugged him tightly. Tears streamed down her cheeks, "Her pull is so strong, her will is too intense. Please, take me away from here. Take me away from her. I'm scared, I'm so, so scared."

Diablo1099_v1legacy · Dec 17, 2017

[hr]

Rising Dawn: Hallways

David West | Laeta | Nadalia | [color=15650D]Ton Ton[/color] | Cadolbolg

[hr]

"...Alright, that was a bit below the belt...but-...Shite..." David cursed, enjoying getting chewed out about as much as anyone would.
Still, if he didn't know anything about the situation either, then it would just be a case of the blind leading the blind for David to ask him then wouldn't it?
"Well, thanks for your honesty at least. Alright, hang on then. Maybe I might be able to use this..." He mused as he tried to remember some of what had been jammed into his head for Vihaan's little science project.
It still kinda stung to think about but for the sake of experimentation (And slightly out of spite for Blackharte), he tried taking his advice and thinking long and hard about the information had he had.

It was a list of people with all their personal details and other information, so he began to look and see if his own name appeared anywhere in the database to see what it said about him, as well as Ton Ton, Nadalia, Blackharte and-
"Laeta?...You alright?..." He then asked, noticing she was acting a bit strange which was understandable seeing how hard Blackharte hit her right in the skull.
Glancing around the room, he didn't seem to notice this fog or the heat she was feeling.
It was then that he attempted to look for Laeta in the database out of a hunch, wincing slightly as he did so.
Ahhh...how the hell does Jenny do this all day?... He thought as he tried to access what knowledge remained in his head.

NotYetForsaken · Dec 17, 2017

System Message

Query: David West

Return:

Name: West, David

Alignment: Neutral Good

Ethnicity: Irish

User Submitted Information: Born and raised in the countryside of the West of Ireland, David had a rather uneventful life, joining the military at a young age, mostly out of a desire to help his fellow man and partly because he didn't do too well in college.
He served in the Irish Army Ranger Wing, a branch of the Irish Military on par with the British SAS until he was brought onto a developing EU wide faction, The European Anti Terror Task Force.
Designed to help secure the landmass of Europe from threats too large for lone member states to handle, it soon was tested to it's limits during what would be known as the Monster Attack Summer, where the entire faction was crippled and disbanded soon after.

David was on the front lines in Moscow when the Monster Attack Summer happened. Despite his best efforts, he was mind controlled by the creature attacking the city into killing over 300 allies and civilians and even into attacking the Rising Dawn themselves.
To make up for his Ill Deeds, joined the Rising Dawn and soon became the lead contact for the band of heroes as part of the United Nations Intelligence Task-force (or UNIT)

Though his time on the ship, he has encountered many dangers, found love, lost it and while he often finds himself doubting his usefulness amoung Demi-Gods and Superheroes, he will always aim to save as many lives as possible.

User Submitted Abilities:

Master Marksman: He is one of the finest marksmen in the entire world, being able to hit just about anything if given a line of sight and enough time to ready his shot.

Unlimited Ammo: Thanks to a wish granted to him by Philemon in exchange for assisting his world, David now has the means to instantly refill the clip of any conventional firearm by just touching it and desiring for it to be so.
He can also use this to replicate matter, but it's not really too useful in that respect due to the fact that whatever he creates would have to fit in a firearm's gun barrel anyway.

Agent of UNIT: As a UNIT official, he can call in support from the global agency as well as use his position to pull rank against common civilians, enabling access to classified areas beyond the reach of conventional law enforcement.

Iron Liver: Years of being Irish have granted David the ability to more or less weather the effects of alcohol, barring amounts designed specifically to break those limits anyway.

User Submitted Weaknesses:

A LOT: Being one of the few proper humans on the ship has it number of drawbacks. While he has proven himself in battle time and time again, it doesn't change the fact that he has little to no powers to protect him.

Insecure: It's hard to keep a positive mental self-image when even 13 year old elves can bench press 10 times more then you.
Years of being on the Rising Dawn and witnessing the feats of it's crew have left him feeling like he's coming short and that his presence on the ship is far less valued then it is.
While he doesn't let it show, his insecurities can be a liability and a possible means to control or influence him.

Capture Date: 5.15.2015

Query: Ton Ton

Response:

Name: Ton Ton
Species: Tonberry
Age: 9 (mental equivalent of 16-17)
Alignment: Neutral Good, Lawful leanings
Text Color = 15650D

Backstory: In a realm outside of AA; a child purchased a stuffed Tonberry from the Internet, and cherished the doll as if it was a real object of flesh and blood, giving it a name, gender and 'life'. Treated with respect and adoration, the child's love for the doll allowed it to gain sentience and took it upon himself to protect the girl who had treated him so kindly. However, he kept his sentience secret; for he did not wish to scare his owner, The Mistress (as he called her). Thus, for many years, the creature kept a silent vigil over his charge, battling away nightmares and various beings lurking in closets as The Mistress slept, unconditionally and faithfully.

However, this was not to last for long. As The Mistress slumbered, a powerful creature sought to attack her dreams, and instill great and terrible nightmares into the slumbering girl. Ton Ton fought valiantly, and wounded the being with his knife and lantern; however, it was for naught.

In the creature's retreat, it summoned a horde of it's minions and dragged the Tonberry into darkness. When he awoke, he was in a strange land, and in the stead of felt skin and faux objects, a blade of steel and a blue glassed, iron wrought lantern were in his hands; and scales covered his brow. Ton Ton was shocked by the developments, and was fearful for his Mistress. Had the demon sought to attack her again? What would become of her?! Thus, the Tonberry quested to find a way back home, and into the loving arms of the one to whom he owes his life.

AA Backstory: After many adventures in the realms of AA, Ton Ton made a pact with the turtle-dragon Cadolbolg, gaining great power, but losing his stuffed form as a result. None the less, the Tonberry continued questing with his ally, and eventually found his way back to his home world, by way of a wish from one Philemon. Upon return home, he found that his Mistress had aged, but had not forgotten him; and a happy reunion between the two was had. However, with age, and a new-found awareness of Daemons, the Mistress had begun drafting efforts to start combatting Daemons. Through the creation of other toys/stuffed animals, she had made each and every one with the hopes that they would one day help children as she was aided, as well as encouraging others around her in subtle ways; such as gifting adult friends with toys for their children, etc. With this new effort inspired by his actions, Ton Ton was given the Mistress' blessing to return to AA with Cadolbolg, under the terms "someone else needs your help more than I do." and the two were sent along their way; now filled with more vigor to combat whatever Darkness would rear it's ugly head.

Personality: Generally speaking, Ton Ton is something of a contradiction. His understanding of social matters is similar to that of a child's, not catching the subtleties and nuances of interaction with people, or understanding his own emotions (as he was a doll for a good portion of his existence.) However, when it comes to serious matter such as death or battle, his comprehension is like that of an adult, and he suddenly matures; seeming to be a completely different being.

Aside from those mixed reactions to the world, Ton Ton is a gentle soul, and only resorts to violence when it is absolutely necessary. He tries to be helpful and to stay out of matters that are not his business. If anything, Ton Ton will try to befriend somebody before fighting them, and is always happy to make new friends; after he gets over being a little shy.

Abilities and Assests: As per AA's strange nature, and the beliefs of the Mistress, Ton Ton has been able to retain certain abilities associated with Tonberries:

Uniform and Equipment: Ton Ton has entered AA in a light brown robe, carrying a lantern and a small knife. The lantern always burns, and never goes out so long as Ton Ton wills it. The knife has a keen edge, and does not dull. Ton Ton has also gained a glowing star above his head, a sign that he has gained much experience as a Tonberry. (Does nothing mechanically)

Improved Toughness - If a normal Tonberry has 9,999 HP, Ton Ton would have the equivalent of 44,444 HP, and he possess Immunity to the status effects placed here.

Essentially, he took a step up the Tonberry Ladder. Furthermore, to most normal enemies, Ton Ton has a better strength than most Tonberry's like him, if the group were to encounter any more.

Everybody's Grudge: A powerful attack, Everybody's Grudge utilizes negative energy and channels it back at the attacker, creating as much damage as the number of enemies (be they human or other) Ton Ton's attacker has defeated. However, this attack can only be used after Ton Ton has been hit, so it is a reckless tactic to rely upon it.

Chef's Knife: Easily the strongest attack in his arsenal; Ton Ton calls upon The Mistress, and uses his combined faith and her adoration to instill the Knife with an attack that can kill weaker enemies instantly. However, on stronger enemies, it will only damage them. Either way, it is accompanied by a "DOINK" sound upon contact, and is very precise; regardless of the enemy's movements. Given the Nature of this attack, it requires some time to charge, and will leave Ton Ton unable to use Everybody's Grudge, and only tank the hits directed his way.
What it looks like, generally.

Favored Enemy - Assaulter of Minds and Servants of Darkness: Ton Ton has literally spent the entirety of his existence combating creatures that ensnare the mind and/or are made of darkness. As such, even should his powers wane, he is able to combat such beings. It is in his very nature to do so.

Examples of those on his shit list: Slenderman, Embodiments of one's own darkness/evil (Storm's for example), Dream Daemons

Weaknesses:

Faith and Trust Because his faith and persistence in fighting for The Mistress has caused Ton Ton to gain power in the AA verse, if his faith in her falters, his strength does as well. This can be seen physically with how bright the flame in his lantern burns. Furthermore, if he loses his faith completely, he will lose his powers, as he does in the hour of loss.

The Hour of Loss Even when holding the Mistress in high esteem, Ton Ton is forced to be without his powers 1 hour everyday (Let's assume Midnight, as that's the time stuff happens in Faerie Tales). Why this is, he is not certain; but in this way, Ton Ton is at his most vulnerable. His weapons have no use, and his strength is diminished against creatures of flesh and blood. However, he is still able to combat his favored enemies, as he did before coming to AA. But those are few and far between in a realm of everything and anything.

Dark-Aligned Magic: Despite being a creature made to combat the forces of darkness and the like, Ton Ton just feels the sting of Dark Magic to be particularly harmful.

Capture Date: 5.15.2015

Query: Nadalia

Response:

Name: Nadalia
Origin: Dark Souls 2
Age: Unknown
Height: 178.3 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Race: Child of Dark
Dialogue Color: Fire Brick
Title: Bride of Ash, The Iron Queen

Clothing: Bone Crown +5
Black Robes +5
Penal Handcuffs +5
Bone King Skirt +5

The Iron Queen wears a robe as black as night itself, with three iron bars stretching across her chest. The collar itself, is an iron crafted to suit that of a ruler. For the skirt, iron scales race downward on the black silk. Her majestic crown is very thin with three sharp pillars standing straight up.

Bride of Ash's hair is a murky dark gray, with a large but short ponytail idly pressed up on the back of her hair. Despite being a wondering Child of Dark, she is shackled to the human form which is why there remains a penal handcuff locked onto her right arm. Although she inherited the power of pyromancy, due to being the Child of Dark ... her eyes glow a grimly lavender color. Unlock her other sisters, she is in fact dark colored on the surface.

Personality: Nadalia is one who seeks greater power, and although she is not necessarily 'evil' ... her very existence is vile upon all whom live on Earth. Manipulative, intimidating soul that settles for nothing less than the chance of obtaining something more from anyone, or anything. The Queen of Iron has a twisted way of convincing people to serve under her, with promise that they'll be granted immense strength. Her desire for want exceeds that of the common human emotion, for Nadalia will go to great lengths in getting what she wishes to grasp.

However, the one who symbolizes the dark doesn't grant death to the innocent, nor belittles humanity as a whole. Rather, Nadalia's nature lies with understanding the vessel of the human soul ... and how it works. In other words, after time has passed... Nadalia has acknowledged the importance of man and therefore, will not smite them off from the land. Experience and contact with specific people can sway Nadalia to become close to whomever, shielding them from harm and bestowing warmth from her own essence to heal said specific people. It can be taken as a 'motherly hold' on the selected individuals.

Weapons: Possessed Armor Sword +10

Powers:
Dance of Fire - Cast a dark flame in a sweeping motion across a targeted area.
Fire Snake - Cast a row of flames, rising up like pillars towards a target.
Flame Swathe - Cast a sudden spark near an enemy that erupts into a powerful, massive explosion.
Iron Flesh - Engulfs one's flesh into pure iron, ensuring high poise and resistance.
Forbidden Sun - Cast a giant, fast moving fireball with such magnitude to deal critical damage.
Warmth - Creates a gentle, warm flame that heals those who touch it.
Outcry - Spouts multiple dark flames around the caster, that would be devastating to anyone who approaches such hellfire.

Flame is the art of the soul, the burning sensation to live. Depending on whom wields such a soul, the fire shall grow in size & power. Nadalia's pyromancy is the most wicked out of all the souls out there, which in fact, the flames itself echo with black streaks alongside the blazing colors.

Many have fought to put an end to the Child of Dark, but met with an agonizing fate. Her influence can certainly take hold of the strongest men and turn them against their former kings. With the art of such monstrous flames, the Bride of Ash can even mold Ash Idols by splitting her soul into them... giving them immediate life. Apart from that, her skills on swordsmanship are on par with an elite knight.

Weakness: Regardless of Nadalia appearing to be a being of sheer reckoning ... she does hold multiple weaknesses. The Iron Queen in her current form is not above immortals, let alone demi-lords. She cannot handle brutal assaults and can likely get wounded like any other member. Also her pyromancy cannot cause heavy damage to those whom are resistant to flames or the dark flames, let alone fire overall.

Her personality blinds the Child of Dark from making a good impression, meaning it's hard to bond with people unless someone is willing to look past her flaws. In combat, Nadalia can only cast so much pyromancy before needing to rest and regain her strength. Performing to much 'Dark Flames' at a given notice can deplete her powers all the quicker. Beyond that, wetting her with enough water will put the Iron Queen at a big disadvantage due to her flesh clinging to the fire within herself. Luckily, in cold areas or environments below zero will not hinder her from casting flames whatsoever.

Backstory (Not Canon to Game): Guarding the forgotten Brume Tower, the Bride of Ash waited for her beloved Iron King to return. What she got instead, was an Undead wanderer who sought out to recover the Iron King's crown. Since Nadalia did not wish for the King's last trace of existence to disappear, she had the entire tower assault the Bearer of the Curse. However, it was all futile for the warrior eventually claimed his/her prize and even destroyed all of her Ashen Idols. Since she split her soul into 12 pieces into each Idol, it was only when the Chosen Undead gathered all 12 of those pieces that they fused into the original soul. Instead of using that soul to craft a weapon or spell, he/she decided to 'free' the soul and allow it to create a form for itself... a human form.

In return for his/her kindness, Nadalia taught him/her the core elements of wielding 'Dark Flames'. Afterwards, Nadalia remained in her broken kingdom, still clinging to the thought that perhaps one day... the Old Iron King may return and make her his Queen. Of course, this also led her to collect souls to maintain her form and master the true power of pyromancy.

Capture Date: 1.05.2016

Query: BlackHarte

Response:

No information found. Last edited by Alice Marlow at 5/16/2016.

Query: Laeta Selmy

Response:

Code:
Name: Selmy, Laeta Olivia
Age: 18
Race: Anomalous...System Generated Result: Human(?)
Alignment: Anomalous... System Generated Result: Chaotic Good
Biography: ... Not found.

System encountered fatal error ID.x009Bh134. Kernel crash detected.
Rebooting scrying systems.

Code:

I want a little sister who's strong and beautiful! Someone who's just like mom! She needs to be popular with the boys, and be super cute and cool at the same time. She has to be stylish with long hair, and she has to be sexy in all the right ways. I want her to love me and hold me like mom did. To listen to my problems and protect me when the world gets too scary. Huh? Oh. No, I am okay with that. Even though I'm the older sister, she gets to be the coolest. What kind of powers I want her to have? Hm... I want her to be like wolverine! Immortal and undying, with immense strength! I think that could be super cool. She also [i]must[/i] have a strong sense of justice. She needs to be a woman that girls the world over can look up to!

Capture Date: 8.23.2016

Silence · Dec 17, 2017

The Rising Dawn

[hr]

Anjali | Teri | Garm

[hr]

"My name is Anjali." Anjali said. She felt cold, and on display, especially in front of this person for some reason, as she shook her hand. There was something about her that was ... warm, but hurting her. She did not know why.

"It'ss ... no trouble. I like doctors. I mean ... I mean, nice to meet you. Sorry. And nice of you too, Garm ..." She stood back, a bit guarded, after. "I don't really mean to trouble you ... I must be an odd sight, right? I can barely look at my own reflection. I didn't really ask for this, but ..."

At this point, the message from Rugal was coming from the speakers, loud and clear, causing Anjali to wince for a second.

"Ohh ... that wass loud. But, I think I was invited there, too. Now I didn't even get the right dresss ... if there is anything like it? It did not seem so. I mean ... if you want to accompany me, Teri and Garm, that would be nice. Sorry for talking so much, I am a bit nervous."

With that, she started on her way towards the recreation room, not even noticing that she could read the signs despite never having seen the letters before coming here. As she entered the ballroom, she looked, impressed and intimidated, and walked to the side, letting take Teri and Garm take the lead, looking at them with her red eyes, seeking guidance.

Silence · Dec 17, 2017

The Rising Dawn

[hr]

Mio | B.C. | Party People

[hr]

Mio looked back at her, at various parts, before grinning and nodding. "That sounds exactly like what I was thinking. I hope they have the right booze.
Oh yeah, and I also know nobody. But that doesn't matter. Every new face is just a friend you have not met yet!" she laughed, and led B.C. towards the bar.

"Your best, for me and my lady here." she said to the bartender, before going back to checking out B.C.. "Do you see any good targets in here?" she asked. "For making friends of course. My eyesight isn't the best, and it's pretty loud in here. All the better for a party, but we need to really get it started, first."

She put her hand on B.C.s leg, and tried to make out more of the room. "Hmm, I wouldn't go for that red dress, she gives me the creeps. "Maybe ... uh no, this one gives me even more creeps." she said, pointing roughly at Nina. "Wait, isn't that the former captain?"

BlackHarte · Dec 18, 2017

[HEADING=2]Rising Dawn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3:10 PM[/HEADING][hr][HEADING=3]Lt. Dolores Selmy[/HEADING]
"The folly of mankind is" "it's desire for independence."

Molly smiled and fell back on the heels of her boots. She looked out at the party, but at nothing in particular. Her eyes held a glimmer of nostalgic pleasure. "What are you thinking about Molly?" I was curious what had made her so suddenly blissful. It was like if someone had shouldered all of her worries in the world.

"Oh," she put her hand on my head, "it's nothing in particular." I loved the feeling of her fingers running through my hair, the soft skin of her fingertips tickled my scalp and sent a pleasurable shiver into my core. "I as just thinking, it's like I've seen this all before. I get the sudden feeling that something lovely is about to happen."

I had forgotten how good Molly's instincts were. I waved at Avanovanov and her in turned hit the conductor on the back of the head with a flung toothpick. The conductor turned around and was furious at the lack of decorum, but he knew what he had to do. He waved his wand and the bows hit the strings to a different tune. With a second wave he set the pianist into motion as well.

Molly suddenly stiffened up, "Le Cygne?"

I could hear John's advancing footsteps from outside. The sound of his leather shoes were unique. They clacked against the floor sharply with a full-bodied echo indicative of a caliber of civility so many in the modern world lacked. They were the footsteps of a proper gentleman.

"Kind of an obscure song isn't it?" Molly giggled. She sat down on the arm of my wheelchair. "It doesn't really fit the mood of this party. This song is more like... a ballroom song. For rich people doing rich people things, right?"

"Well, I suppose so, yes." I put my hand over hers, "But I know you like this song. When we were kids you would always talk about how you wanted to get engaged in a great big ballroom in a floating castle to a song like this."

"Those were fantasies of a schoolgirl Dolly, a girl like me would never have the chance. I'm a thousand times too rough around the edges for high society." She looked out at the party again.

"Well you have John now right? He's pretty much prince charming." The footsteps were getting closer now. I signaled Thomas to take control of the lighting crew. The lights dimmed.

"I'm content with being his mistress. A girl like me, ah. I've got no chance in hell with competing with whatever arranged fiance the Langley family has readied for him." Molly leaned back, "Even if I'm just his whore, I'll be happy with just that."

The long pulls of the cello masked John's approaching footsteps. I looked back, holding Kyuubey tightly around its thin body. John looked amazing with his hair styled back, a white tuxedo and a red rose tucked in his breast pocket. He had the package in his hands. Elizabeth followed closely behind him with the recording crew.

"You'll give up getting engaged to a wealthy French prince in a castle in the sky?" I asked.

"What good is it to hold on to such a fleeting fairy tale?" Molly looked at me like I had lost my mind. "Are you sure you're okay Dolly? You're acting kind of strange."

Kyuubey looked up at the ventilation shaft.

The song started to ebb toward it's end. And with the final string ringing in the silence of the room a soft voice flowed through the entire room like silken chocolate.

[HEADING=3]"Molli, veux-tu m'epouser?"[/HEADING]

bluerocker · Dec 18, 2017

[hr]

Teri smiled warmly at Anjali, and waved her over, [color=0E59E4]"Hey, don't worry so much. We'll get you something to eat and I can introduce you to my dad. He was the guy that made the announcement. He looks scary, but he's a cool guy, promise!"[/color]

She began to move ahead, waving Anjali over to the selection of different foods, excitement clearly painted on her face. Adel finally cooled down and a chance to make a new friend at a party? She needed the time to decompress.

Garm perked up at the sound of food, his tail wagging excitedly. Looking over to Anjali, the big wolf chuffed, [color=356D60]"I wouldn't worry about clothes. I'm not wearing anything and no one seems to care."[/color]

---

Meanwhile, back with the group exchanging pleasantries, Caim found himself thrown into a battlefield he was sorely inexperienced with - talking at a party. Between Rugal informing him something was funky and Dolores's greeting, the awkward prince tried to give a disarming smile (which probably looked more like an animal bearing its fangs) while the PDA rattled out,

Code:

"Nothing so serious. I was just coming to pay my respects. I was told you were the one who set up this all up."

he allowed for a pause, then added,

Code:

"And my better half says I need to practice something other than swinging a sword."

His gaze flickered between Kyubey sitting on Dolores' shoulder and Nina, who was sporting her black squishy friend in a similar manner. He recognized her as the girl he had found earlier in that base, and gave a small nod when she looked his way. Good, she wasn't hurting like he had seen earlier before. Nina gave him a little wave as she departed to the food trays, and he tried his best to return the gesture, his stiff demeanor only lending to the gesture looking somewhat comical at his expense.
Meanwhile, over the rings, Caim contacted Rugal again, voicing his suspicions about some members of this even, "Do you know anything about that pet on the Lieutenant's shoulder? Something about it seems off. It doesn't seem to blink. I don't like it."

At a different side of the ballroom, Angelus shuddered as she felt Phillip's acknowledgement run over her. She wasn't terribly familiar with the creature or it's bearer, but she would stay well away from both in the meantime. She kept to herself as she continued her sweep of the party, noting the arrival of their Cleric and her pair of friends, as well as B.C. and Mio's fashionably late arrival. However, as she swept the room, she saw movement by Caim's location. Her sharp eyes darted over to that group, and she saw the little white creature on Dolores' shoulder look up towards the ceiling. Angelus sniffed the air and noted something familiar about it hiding underneath the scents of food - but it was sorely out of place. She cautiously edged towards where the spot on the ceiling would be, playing off her suspicions for investigating a different table, and sniffed again. This time however, the dragoness only found herself confused as she realized what the scent reminded her of -

"Cadolbolg?"

Before she could question this further - the entry doors opened, heralding the arrival of John...

---
(A few moments before, and happening at about the same time as Angelus' part)

Back to the little gathering of Rugal, Caim, and Dolores again, Teri and Garm had managed to drag Anjali along; one of her hands full with a selection of little finger foods for herself and Garm. She gave her mentor a wave and excitedly spoke up, [color=0E59E4]"Hey Dad! Sorry we took so long to get here; that thing I mentioned I had to do took a little while, but this nice lady here helped us out with it! Her name's Anjali. Anjali, this is my Dad and teacher, Rugal Bernstein."[/color] her voice dropped a little as she whispered, [color=0E59E4][sub]"She's a bit shy and was worried about her outfit, so please be nice?"[/sub][/color] She took a cocktail meatball and fed it to her wolf, who seemed to be happy at the gesture, and continued, [color=0E59E4]"So how's the party been while I've been gon-"[/color]

She was cut off by John's very dramatic entrance, and the reverberating, yet gentle, refrain that was his proposal...But not knowing any French, the young Cleric only looked confused by the whole affair, looking between the display and Rugal for some sense of clarity.

---

Up in the vents, Cadolbolg felt a jolt of fear run through his little body - he'd been spotted! Twice! The turtle dragon scuttled back from his viewing point for a split second, and then moved forward again, looking down at the party. Some guy with a big package in his hands walked in, and everyone's attention was being drawn to his display. All was quiet, and in his bones, the little turtle-dragon had the distinct fear that something bad was about to happen - calm always preceded a storm, and the apparent replication/spying of the white and pink creature only made this fear worse. He tapped into his pact-link with Ton Ton and worriedly called out to his older brother, "Hey Ton Ton, I learned something really creepy! You know that pink thing David shot? I just found another one - alive at the party Mother and Father and everyone else is at, and I think it saw me looking at it. On top of that, I learned something else. It's been watching us. It's been all over the ship! I smelled it at different vents in the ship; near the Med Bay, the Canteen - everywhere! Something really weird is going on, and I don't understand it. Can you and David get over here, like now?"

[hr]

Rising Dawn: Hallways

David West | Laeta | Nadalia | [color=15650D]Ton Ton[/color]

[hr]

In one moment, Ton Ton was acting out his part as a friendly little stuffed Tonberry - but in the other, the crash course in fleshiness came back. When you're a stuffed animal, sometimes a very small child will nibble on you. This never happened to Ton Ton personally, as he was caring for a child who had grown past this stage. However, this sort of thing usually hurt a creature of the plush - as they were meant to be there for a child in practically every respect. What Ton Ton had forgotten, was that he was no longer a stuffed animal, and also learned very quickly that Laeta was not a normal teenage girl.

When he was pulled away by Blackharte, he cried out, [color=15650D]"She bit me?! Why did she do that!?"[/color]

Code:

[b]"Do not be alarmed. She is not under the influence of anything. This is a natural part of her metabolism."[/b]

He paused.

Code:

[b]"That being said, I would recommend that we all move swiftly in the opposite direction while we discuss the nature of this incident. I am sure that Mistress Laeta will catch up with us once she is more lucid."[/b]

[color=15650D]"What does that even - okay, whatever, fine! Let's run, I like that idea."[/color]

The little Tonberry tried his best to follow after David and Blackharte, his wee little legs having a hard time matching up with what were effectively giants to him. As they ran along, Blackharte tore into David about having a lack of braincells and/or the capacity to use them, the Tonberry voiced a small protest of [color=15650D]"Hey, you shouldn't say things like that...."[/color] before David took care of the assault on his own; following with attempting to do...something? Something that involved a lot of thinking, it looked like. He looked ready to say something, before he was hit with Cadolbolg's pact message, feeling his younger friend's fear and anxiety wash over him in the process. Ton Ton reflexively curled towards himself, before he tried to get the others attention, [color=15650D]"H-hey, Cadolbolg just something weird's happening in the ballroom - among other things. He said there's another one of those white creatures in there and it's been running all over the ship watching us! I think we need to go!"[/color]

Diablo1099_v1legacy · Dec 23, 2017

[hr]

Rising Dawn: Hallways

David West | Laeta | Nadalia | [color=15650D]Ton Ton[/color] | Cadolbolg

[hr]

"....That-...is-....something..." David stammered as he realized something was very wrong about their current situation.
He began to back away slightly from Laeta as he tried to make sense of what he just saw/did.
"...Hey guys...ummm...you know that I think I-..."Interfaced" with?...Well, I'm just after viewing your-..."Files" for lack of a better term and-..." He trailed off before motioning the group (Except Laeta) closer.
"[sub]Whoever Alice Marlow is, she has access to rather detailed information on the crew. She even has stupid shit like something about me being insecure, Nadalia's time at Brume Tower, she even knows about your Mistress, Ton. This is some Author-level shit. Whoever the hell she is, she has more intel on us then should even be humanly possible and it's all stuck inside my head![/sub]" He spoke in a hushed tone before glancing back at Laeta.
"[sub]And apparently, she had something to do with Laeta's-...Creation I think? There was nowhere near as much information on her, just a message about-...someone wanting a little sister, with immortality powers like hers. Fuck this Twilight Zone shit, man...[/sub]" He then added right before Ton Ton brought up his brother's findings at the party.
"Seriously? There's more of them?! Fine, lets go. I'll try and find out what else I can from this-...Database-...bullshit..." He then sighed before the group began to make their way to the party.

Along the way, David winced again as he attempted to run a query on Alice Marlow, as well as one on the Host of said party: Dolores Selmy.
"OW!....Piss!...Uhhhh, this is injecting a raw hangover into my brain. Fuck..."

Diablo1099_v1legacy · Dec 23, 2017

[hr]

[hr]

The party was going rather well as Rugal maintained his observations of his target, as well as being sure to interact with the other guests.
Social graces was a martial art he felt was underrated and one that seemed to be paying off right about now.
Despite it all, he was still able to answer Caim's question: "I'm not too certain of that myself either. Doesn't seem to be like any other animal I've seen. It's strange, I remember before we docked at the Citadel, Major Rhodes asked about seeing a white rabbit-like creature on the ship. Keep alert and calm, if Dolores is involved, we can't tip her off. For now, just-....hmmm...ahhhh..."
He began to pause a bit as he attempted to put his request in terms Caim could understand.
"Pretend that-...You are in a hive of man eating insects who react only to non-conformity. Oh, and remember that time at Dillon's Wedding? Don't mistake the dipping sauces for shots this time..."
While Caim was trying to figure out how the hell Rugal knew about that, the man himself was distracted by no less then his daughter and her new (Scantly clad) friend.
"[sub]It's fine. She still has more class and modesty then Mai Shiranui. Especially ever since she threw her lot in with those "Dead or Alive" Slut-[/sub]Ahhhhh, another new face. Pleasure to meet you. Any friend of my daughter's will always be welcome here. Make yourself at home and don't worry, we have our own share of strangeness about us. I'm sure you'll fit right in." The Acting Captain politely said as Jenny, Blade and Diane began to mingle nearby.
"Hmmm...God, it's so hard to get a buffet with actual vegetarian options that aren't just side salads." he munched loudly as Jenny's wheelchair softly wheeled over.
"Ahhhh, I see the two of you are getting along rather fine. Good, I was actually a bit worried I'd have to break up some row or something." The Gardevoir said to Diane before helping herself to a freshly made Poffin, using her powers to nick it from the meal table and drop it into her own hand. (As well as being sure to bring an extra one to her friend Chrysalis.)
It was about this time that the music began to change and John made his play, revealing the true intent for this party to the entire ship.

Rugal was-...surprised to say the least but he was still able to bend down slightly to whisper to his daughter "[sub]John is just after asking Molli to marry her-[/sub]"

[HEADING=3]"OH SHIT! OHHHH, HE'S PROPOSING! OH MY GAWD! Awwwww, That's made my damn night now! WOW! ~LOVE HAS COME TO TOWN!!~"[/HEADING]

While it was a rather touching moment, it was a bit soured by the Rising Dawn's new "Medical Technologies Expert" Dr. Violet having a far less composed reaction and one more akin to someone squealing at a major twist in some god awful reality TV show.
Still clad in that violet rimestone doctor's coat/fashion car crash, he stood uncomfortably close to the proposal, trembling with excitement with his fingers crossed muttering [sub]"Say yes, say yes, say yes!"[/sub]

NotYetForsaken · Dec 24, 2017

System Message

Query: Alice Marlow

Return:

Name: Marlow, Alice
Race: Human
Age: 20
Alignment: Lawful Good

Biography:

"alice.char" is corrupted and cannot be read.

Code:

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

Capture Date:

Code:

Null()

Relatives:

Code:

Null()

Powers:

Code:

Null()

Medical History:

Code:

Null()

Birthday:

Code:

Overflow...

Query result encountered a fatal error. The system will now initiate self-correction procedures. Please stand by.

Query: Dolores Selmy

Response:

Code:
Name: Selmy, Dolores N.
Entity ID:

Code:

Test_Char_1

Comments:

How does this work? God I'm no good at this stuff... I wish dad was here to help me.

Hold on. I think I got it. So... if I do this here... and then import a model... Ah! There we go. Neat.

Now just to modify the settings... Hey... what's this light? Oh, it's recording! Hey! Turn that of-

Click to expand...

Height: 5'2"
Weight: 120 lb.
Hair: Blonde
Eyes:

Code:

IF(Inactive,Green,if(Active,Blue,if(Critical,Red)))

Skin:

Code:

IF(Critical=False,Fair,Pale)

Foreign Keys: The Lieutenant, Lola Selmy, Lolita Selmy
Primary Key: Dolores Selmy
Powers: Leave this Open
Is Essential: True
Is Administrator: True
Biography:

Code:

I want a character that has a really dark past. Like... Black Lagoon dark. She should have all sorts of physical and emotional trauma. A father that uses her without thinking of her like a person, a mother that's too busy to take notice. She has to be useless and envious of her little sisters, but too prideful to back down from harm coming her way. I want her the curse the world and the world to curse her. But that being said, it's not some fetishistic abuse. Her character needs to be about overcoming the weight of the past against all odds. At the end of it all, she should stand strong and tall above all of those that have hurt her. Her heart should be magnanimous enough to forgive all. Her insecurities should be her power. She wants to become other people, her heroes, so that she can be strong like them. And then in the final confrontation, she realizes that she was all that she needed! Borrowed power does not a hero make! Outside of that make her pretty and cute, but flat. I think it's adorable when a young woman is self-conscious about her breasts. That part is fetishistic.

Zepherus14 · Dec 26, 2017

[hr]

The Escapist Avatar Adventures
The Rising Dawn Airship: Recreation Room
Let's just be honest here, it's a whole mess of characters!

[hr]

"As you wished, here are your refreshments miss." The host voice cut through the slow meloncholic music and quiet contemplation of the duo. "Oh! Uh, thanks." Nina turned around, having to get Phillip to take the water glass since she didn't have the third hand. With a remarkable degree of dexterity, Phillip quickly coiled around the glass of water for Dolores while Nina took her mixed drink and the small platter of picky foods. From cooked pig skins, baked goods, and several delicious treats; Nina couldn't help looking at them with a hungry eye.

"So, how'd he do, anything not covered in Stardust?" Nina eventually asked her personal chef, which after only the briefest of waits made her groan. "Really, practically everything?" She rolled her eyes while bringing her attention to her mixed drink. "No no, it's fine. You still have some stuff on you anyways right? It's not like I need to worry about having a severe peanut allergy and the host literally dumping peanuts over every single meal right in front of my face." Nina said, emphasizing the last part so the waiter behind the counter could clearly hear her. She'd start walking down the tables at this point, perusing the dishes, much like someone would do when getting a new cookbook and looking over new recipes. "Don't be too hard on that guy though Phillip, he didn't cook the stuff. Sure he could have tried getting something different, but there's no reason to get upset with the waiter. Do you at least see that plate of inky pasta stuff you made?" She asked, frowning as she heard the answer. "I can't believe that captain, how can he call himself a cook after that. It's just plain rude... Although... inky, that does give me another idea." She said eyeing her mixed drink. "No way? Is this a Digrat?" She laughed taking a sip. "Oh my god it is! Haha, I can't believe they'd make this, I love root beer!"

"So, you see anyone suspicious yet? Or John?" She asked looking out into the crowd again, eventually looking behind herself to Angelus specifically. "Her? Na, Angelus is pretty cool, her husband as well. I highly doubt they'd be responsible for pranking us." She argued, taking another sip as she continued along the tables, enjoying the Twitch plays Pokemon inspired drink. "Hmmm...God, it's so hard to get a buffet with actual vegetarian options that aren't just side salads." Nina stopped short as she saw these two, utterly stunned to see Pokemon just out and about. A grovyle and gardevoir were having a grand old time at the buffet, and she couldn't help but gawk at Jenny. 'Oh my god, it's a gardevoir! They have psychic powers! What if she reads my mind and sees- What if she's reading it right now?! What if she's not even a she!?' She started to rev up the mental gymnastics within her skull. Nina was extremely familiar with the fandom this particular pokemon garnered across the internet, and had made numerous contributions to it herself, most being rather risque. Enough in fact that Phillip lifted a tentacle to point at Jenny lazily, causing Nina to awkwardly cover for his unheard remarks abruptly. "Hahaha, ya that's right! They do have a LOT of good food here! Oh hey, nice to see you three[footnote]Diane,
Jenny and Blade[/footnote]. My name's Nina, this is Phillip, and- Oh geez, how silly of me! I forgot to give Lt Dolores her stuff she asked for! She must be wondering where we got off to! Nice to meet you, maybe we could chat some other time?" She proclaimed a bit louder than she really needed to before ducking back towards Rugal and company.

The only thing that managed to stop her in transit was John's marriage proposal, which she didn't initially realize was the case until Violet was so kind to inform the entire room of. Although she didn't react in quite an outlandish regard as the good doctor, Nina did pause to watch Molly's reaction. Her mother was a sucker for this kind of sentimental garbage and she would be a liar to say she hadn't picked up a little of that herself. "Well... at least that's one thing off the list of things to do. We found John." She spoke quietly to Phillip slowly eyeing the two.

NotYetForsaken · Jan 1, 2018

[[Main Scenario]]

[hr]

Lonely Nightmare

Code:

elizabeth's story

[hr]

"Mankind's greatest folly is it's desire for independence."

Lizzy pressed Maria closer into her side. The coolness of the metal barrel was nice. It kept her awake. Though it had only been some few hours since she awoke from that strange nightmare, she felt like she had been waking for the past year. She shook her head, brown hair slapped her cheeks.

Living was so tiresome.

The sweet release still lingered at her finger tips, the gold liquid BlackHarte had called Mercy. Lizzy remembered how good it had felt to be embraced by that girl in her dreams. How good it felt not to have to worry about adult things in this adult world. No more suspicions, no more skepticism, no more doubletalk. She longed for another hit of that beautiful bliss.

Still, she had work to do.

She leaned against the back of her chair and sighed. There was a pleasant smell in the room that reminded her of violets. As the music changed she steeled her heart. There was a shimmering at the edge of her vision. She drew Maria from her holster and pulled back on the chamber. She slot in the bullet that the General had given her and slid the cover back over. Then she released the safety.

"Captain, are you feeling alright?" Lizzy looked over and smiled. It was a staff member and by the looks of it she was the comely girl from the young Lieutenant's squadron. Lizzy thought about it for a moment, her name dancing at the tip of her tongue.

"Yes Ilana, I feel fine, I just haven't gotten much sleep these past few days."

Ilana nodded and hurried off to the prep room to do whatever it was that it was her job to do. This entire party was a big staging for Lieutenant Langley to propose to Lieutenant Faust, and like all good proposals in fairy tales, every pair of observing eyes would be waiting for her answer.

For the tiniest moment, no one else would be in the spotlight. Even the universe would skip a beat just for this fraction of a second.

And when the music stopped and John knelt down, he opened the box in his hands to reveal a glimmering ring, Captain Elizabeth Donnell pulled the trigger.

So that the second that Molli Faust said, "Yes."

The First Lieutenant had been killed.

BlackHarte · Jan 1, 2018

Code:

And then when Molli said yes, just like I knew she would, my heart leaped...

Wait. Hold on. What happened? Where is everyone? Why is it so dark?

Hey... did...

Did I die?

I'm dead? Who killed me? This wasn't part of the story.

No. I can't have died. Who was there to kill me? Why would someone want to kill me? This isn't part of the plan. This... I cannot accept this. This isn't how the story ends.

No! I don't care how many people you hijack to try and kill me, I can't die! I won't die! To continue to try and solve your problems by murdering me is so stupid! You keep doing the same thing over and over again, hoping that it'll work [i]this[/i] time. Uhg,
 I'm so done with you.

The seventh time. You think you would have caught on by now. Well, whatever. I can always just do this.

System Message:

Alice.Marlow(Admin) has begun a system reboot.

A white life engulfed the world, starting from the East and spreading to the West. The shining was swallowed whole by the white light, and all the wrongs were undone and the dead were returned to life. The damages and harms that the world suffered were erased and our band of heroes once again found themselves in a familiar place.

The Rising Dawn was resting softly in a lush field of grass. It seemed to be spring. Everything outside was calm and peaceful. The ship was bare of life, except the heroes that occupied it. Brilliant and extraordinary individuals that were tasked to keep the world safe.

They were meeting each other for the first time in this new world. A new adventure.

System Message:

The following entities have been removed by an administrator:

Code:

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp /Rugal.char
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp /Inuart.char
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp /Nina.char
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp /Phillip.char
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp /Icarus.char
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp /Katya.char
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp /BC.char
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp /Anjali.char
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp /Nadalia.char

[HEADING=2]Origin Plains ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12:00 PM[/HEADING][hr][HEADING=3]Administrator[/HEADING]

[hr]

Right to Rule

Code:

rugal's story

[hr]

"Vultne his conservare?" The voice was gentle and sweet. The sun was warm on his face. The air smelled like fresh wheat, sunbaked stone, and the mild earthy flavors of oak.

"Hmph," this voice was a little deeper and had some gravitas to it, "non huic mortitude en domu mi. Virem excitate."

Rugal felt two gentle taps on his face, and when he opened his eyes he found a young woman dressed in plain robes standing over him. She was comely, but simple. She had curly brown hair and amber eyes. Her brown tunic ran down to her ankles. She smiled, "Qui est?"

"Loquoturne latinam barbarus? Virem aut ex Brittaniae aut ex Germanicae esse puto." A girl a little farther on laughed.

"I think he's from another world entirely!"

"Such a strange thing to suppose, Kyuubey, but I will defer to your expertise in this matter. Servant, rouse him. We bring him back to my estate. Jove in heaven smiles upon those that tend to travelers."

[hr]

Lost to Love

Code:

inuart's story

[hr]

What even had he done? Just one second he was plotting to break his friends free from the confines of the Rising Dawn and now he was in this barren field of dirt? The plains seem to stretch on forever. The smell of fire and steel stung his nose. Even without any context he knew that there had been at least a battle here, but there were no corpses.

Weapons on the other hand littered the dirt field. Everything from broken blades to abandoned siege weapons lay on the earth. His head hurt terribly. Where was he? When was he?

All he could remember was a blinding white light that had enveloped the world.

He heard a scream from a ways away, somewhere deep in the field of ruin.

It was a woman. It sounded so familiar. Inuart jolted to his feet, his head swam from his sudden ascent, but he could hear the cry again.

Where was it?

It was to his left. He turned and saw in the distance two men chasing a woman through the field of ruin. They were in steel mail, brandishing swords and shields. Inuart couldn't make out the emblems, he was too far away. Then one of the men lunged forward and tackled the woman to the ground. There was another ear-splitting scream.

Even beyond languages Inuart understood what that pitiful tone meant.

[hr]

Table for Two

Code:

nina's story

[hr]

"Excuse me miss," the station attendant said, gently shaking Nina awake. The air was warm and the lights were dim. The soft yellow glow bathed the wooden walls and floor in an other-worldly light. It pulsed as if it was a beating heart. But not in a bad way, it was actually kind of nice.

"Miss, you're going to miss your train," he said again. He held out a ticket that had... Phillip's name on it. "I'm sure your owner paid a lot to bring you onto the main cabin, so let's not make him upset alright?"

This was a train station. But it was one of those old train stations you would see in the old movies. It had the glass roof above and the open air tracks. Yellow lamps hung down from high up on the ceiling and swayed back and forth as the rumbling of locomotives passed on other tracks. The train in front of Nina was one of the older kinds, a long fancy series of opulent cars each fitted with creature comforts. The outside was painted delicately with scenes of some foreign epic.

Where was this?

The sky outside the glass was foreign. It shimmered brightly with dancing stars and twisting galaxies. The other patrons around her were... strange. She knew intuitively that even though the gentlemen and fair ladies that were boarding this train looked human in their fancy dresses and sharp suits, they were really just like Phillip.

Speaking of which, where was Phillip?

"Your master is already on board, please miss. He is waiting for you in car five, next to the kitchen car. Please follow Ms. Lockstar to car five." He motioned to a girl wearing a chef's uniform who just happened to be passing by. She was carrying quite a large load of cooking materials in a big cart behind her.

"Eh? What was that?" She said suddenly.

"Miriam, do me a favor please. One of the guests has left his pet, Ms. Zaczoltski here by accident," the attendant said softly, motioning to Nina.

"What?" the girl called Miriam pouted, "Well, alright Reign. But you owe me!"

"It's literally one car up from your car. It's hardly even a bother, Miriam."

"Well I don't get paid to look after a guest's carry on!" Miriam shot back bitterly. She paused, looked over Nina and turned to start walking again. "Well, come on then. This way, human."

[hr]

Child in Chains

Code:

bonnie's story

[hr]

God, fuck, shit, damn. The jungle was hot and humid as a drunkard's hairy balls. The buzzing of the insects, the wet stickiness of the vines, the leaves, the branches, and even the fucking earth beneath B.C.'s feet was conspiring to piss her right off. Whatever happened was bullshit. Fucking, one second she had a hot pirate chick at her hip, and the next second a white light dumps her off on some god forsaken jungle world full of bugs, lizards, and whatever tentacle monster rapist creature that lurked deeper in the buzzing fuckwit of a ecosystem.

At least whatever happened gave her back her weapons. That was at least some consolation. So whoever teleported her this time was at least a little better than that whole thing that happened with Balance.

As B.C. pushed through the foliage and the heat, she heard the sudden roar of engines overhead. She immediately recognized the distinctive whine of faster-than-light thrusters struggling in an atmosphere.

Where was this?

When was this?

There were voices ahead. Men. The language was batshit gibberish, full of hard stops and nasally whistles. B.C. hid behind a tree and looked out. In the distance there was a clearing... a fire. Smoke... and the cry of women and girls. There were several flashes of light. Laser weapons.

One of the women broke into the jungle, dashing through the ferns and vines, her chains jingly madly behind her.

The men, soldiers most definitely, called out orders. Two shots rang into the jungle, incinerating the cover as they passed through. There was a scream and a thud. One of the soldiers broken into the jungle and stalked after the woman who fled, inching closer and closer to where B.C. was hiding. She could see the fallen body of the woman ahead. She was strikingly beautiful, with blonde hair and frankly ridiculous curves. Were those natural? And she was wearing even less that B.C., makes sense given this awful climate.

[hr]

Reason to Rise

Code:

anjali's story

[hr]

"Let it alone Vil, that's just another naked corpse," Freya said. She stalked slowly through the swamp examining the bodies that had been coughed up by the churning roil of the land.

Vil, a towering construct leaned over Anjali's body and raked it's fingers gently over her bare back. "No. This one is a corpse, but she is not dead."

"What kind of game are you trying to play here Vil? Are your sensors malfunctioning? There's no one that can come out of this bog alive. Each of these corpses have been in this mud for at least a moonscycle." The girl leaned over the rotted body of a soldier and pulled the backpack off of it. "Only thing useful left is the metal in the gadgets they were using."

"No. I am not malfunctioning," Vil wrapped its massive hands around Anjali's waist and hoisted her body out of the mud, "This body is fresh. Maybe still functioning."

Freya flicked on her scavenger's loop and glanced over Anjali's body. "It's a body in good condition, but I'm not getting any vital signs from it."

"Give her time, she will awaken." Vil said softly. It placed Anjali on the air-raft and poked her cheeks gently with a claw. "Wake up, won't you little snake girl?"

[hr]

Abandoned Abyss

Code:

nadalia's story

[hr]

Ash. Nothing but ash as far as the eye could see. There was a crown of light that eked through the clouds around the horizon, casting weak orange rays across a landscape of uniform grey, but that was it. The soot was drifting down like snow, piling on top of layers and layers of the warm grey carpet that covered the land.

Where was this? Was this the age of the ancients? Or was this mankind's age of dark?

No. This was different. The fire here burned, but was covered up by this ash, these clouds. It was almost like someone was trying to smother the burning soul of this world. She felt the embers inside of her flicker and her dark soul felt uncomfortable. The presence of man here was... perverted. They were here, but different and in a way that put her ill at ease.

Outside of herself, it was as if there was nothing in this world, just ash and emptiness.

But underneath a pile of ash somewhere in the distance, her keen eyes saw something stirring, buried beneath the false snowfall.

Texas Joker 52 · Jan 1, 2018

The Escapist Avatar Adventures | Child in Chains | Some Freaky-Ass Jungle
"Load up on guns, and bring your friends..."
B.C.

[hr]

One moment, B.C. was preparing to answer Mio and follow it up with a long drink from what was undoubtedly a flute of very expensive booze, the next she was stepping through a suspiciously-familiar feeling portal. She didn't even remember getting to her feet and starting to walk, she was simply sitting one moment, and then moving forward the next. But the Space Convict was far from stupid, and the sensation was familiar enough that she stomped one foot and swore skyward at the top of her lungs. Not a-fucking-gain! This was the work of some inter-dimensional fucktard like that stupid crystal from earlier that day. Balance or whatever the fuck it's name had been.

She placed her hands on her hips and began to scowl. Only to blink and look down when she realized that she didn't feel the frilly skirt that she had been wearing earlier, her hands instead brushing against metal. And after a glance, her suspicions were confirmed: She was wearing the same halter top, leather pants and leather jacket that she had when she was initially snatched away from her "shopping". But more than that, she had the grenade belts, sub-machine guns and Beamer that she had lost.

"My babies! You're back! Oh, momma's so happy!" she cried out, her earlier indignation almost completely forgotten as she drew each weapon and lovingly kissed it.

And even with her normal disdain for the Confederate weapon, she pulled out the Beamer and gave it a light peck as well, adding, "I'm even glad to see you too."

Then, with an MP7 in either hand, she strode into the jungle with renewed confidence. After all, she had her guns and explosives back! She could tackle just about anything, now, even alien tentacle-rape monsters, or the odd dinosaur. Delighted as she was to be armed again, however, that still left the question of where the fuck she had ended up. She didn't have any experience in jungles, especially since she usually avoided the wilderness. It could have been on Earth, or some other planet for all she knew. And when she could hear the telltale sounds of advanced engines in the air and the flashes of laser-fire, she realized that she probably could have made a temporal jump too. Which would've been problematic.

She rushed forward before ducking behind a tree just outside of a smoking clearing. Then she listened and waited. Running footsteps, multiple people, and the sounds of voices. Most of them men, but a few... A few were female. Whatever the men said however, she couldn't immediately understand. Even with her CUNN1NG-L1NGU4L Bod-Mod, it would take some time to be able to translate or speak it. But the context was clear. Barked orders and threats. Typical.

A sudden fall into the foliage next to her interrupted her thoughts. When she glanced down, she couldn't help but snort and shake her head. It was a woman, chained-up and scantily clad, face-down and ass-up as she had fallen. B.C. shook her head before she sighed at the sounds of the stalking footsteps of one of the soldiers.

"Well, honey, guess it's your lucky day," she drawled, holstering one sub-machine gun before she unhooked one of her grenade belts, "Because I'm gonna be your motherfucking savior."

She lifted the grenade belt to her lips, clenched the priming strip that connected all the pins between her teeth, and tugged. The next moment, she was cackling as she tossed the armed grenades into the clearing and bent down to grab one of the girl's chains with her now-free hand.

"Hope you can still run!" she said, whooping as a large explosion rocked the trees a good distance past them.

Pulling the girl to her feet, she let loose a burst of gunfire behind them in the direction of the currently-lone soldier. Then the Convict broke into a run with an exhilarated grin on her face and laughter in her chest. Now this was more like it! As inconvenient as the earlier dimensional-fuckery was, she had no doubt that subtle subterfuge at that party was going to be rather boring, even with the rather entertaining Mio on her arm. Running for her life with a hail of bullets and an explosion at her back? That was fun.

"So, what's your name, babe?" she asked with an excited and breathless giggle, "You can call me Bloody Cherie!"

Silence · Jan 1, 2018

Anjali's Story
???

[hr]

She heard voices, two of them, coming near. She was confused. The thing inside her, it was confused, too. Had she not just had been inside a ship? A lot of people around her?
This did not smell like it. This felt pleasant. Swampy. But she did not know how she got here. Someone picked her up. Already? Was she dead? What a thought. Of course she was dead. Apparently this had not changed.

She was placed on something, then felt porcelain on her cheek.
"Wake up, won't you little snake girl?"

She opened her eyes. Something loomed over her, something ... something that she had never seen before. And a human. She slowly rose. "I am awake..." Her voice sounded hollow, as it had before. But it still surprised her. "I am ss ... where am I?"

As she looked around she saw what she had smelled, a swamp all around them. An area that brought her comfort for some reason. Maybe because she had been revived in one. And she felt powerful. She looked at the human and the construct again. "I do not know you ... who brought me here?"

Zepherus14 · Jan 2, 2018

[hr]

Table for Two

Code:

Nina's story

[hr]

P̷̨̧͉̺̩̓̇̾̓̂͆́͘͜e̲͕̖̭͍̠͍̅̔͊̽͝r̛͔̥͕͖͕͐̓͂͗́͛̉͞͠ĥ̶̨̤̦̫̳͕̽̓̌̂̆̚͢͠͡͝a̬̙̰͖̺̘̔̋͗̿͊̈̀͐̾͠ͅp̛̼̱̩̤̬̙͂͌̏̋͌͋͗͛ͅs̶̛̗̻͎͙̟̣̳̻͎̿̋̅̿͆̀̕ͅ o̷̧̭͙̪͎̳͗̒̀͛͆̂͝͝t̫͇̖͇͚̺̥̱̐̔̐̏͗̿h̝̝̠̘̽̀̀̍͛͊͒̄͢͡ͅe̢͇̙̯͍͙͚͖̼̊͐̑͐́͘͜r̡͕͚̞͔̹̩̂͐̃͋̊̊̽͑̂̕͢'͇͇̫̝͗̊̐̈́̏͘ͅs̴̨̧̡̤͇͑͋̈̓͒̕ ẇ̷̤̻͉̩̤̝̮̣̹͐̇̔̓͗̎̓̕ͅi̸̡̼̺̠̯̤̼̯͍̾̇̂̀̍́͆̆̚̕l̛̟̮̹̣͎̠̐̐̆̊̕̚͜͝͝ľ̨̤̱̰͈̳̬̇́͌̆̓̇̕͢͠ b̵̧͉̥͔̼̃̓͐́͐̂ͅe̲̺͓̮̻̻̺̽̀͒̌̓̒̚͡ ẖ̡̨͙̬͍̥͈͇̳̍́̈̈́͘ṵ̧̡̡̭̬̳̤͆̊̍̍̄̏̅͡n̴͈̘̖̘͖͈̓̌̌́̎̀̊͘͢͜͢g̸̟̠̜̰͔̦̙̿̈̋̀͂͆́̋r̨̛̰̬̤̳̊̈̋̇̀̈y̳̫̪̹̯̙̒̈́̉͐̅̅̋̚ͅ?̵̨̡̫͚͙̰̬͍͉̈́͋͑͆̍̌̓̓͑̚

A loud bang deafened the room, crimson marbles danced in the air as the very shadows themselves reached out to gobble them up. Where had this come from, so out of place from the happy scene that had been painted before her mere moments ago? This felt like a dream, watching as the droplets warp into scurrying beetles, time seemingly creaking to a crawl as Nina felt her perspective on the surroundings wane. And that was when everything went black with a light yellow hue.

[hr]

"Excuse me miss"

Her eyes felt heavy, much like when she'd had her wisdom teeth removed. Dazed and unfocused, she slowly became accustomed to her new location she found herself in, or had she always been here? She hadn't seen this place, this train, these lights, that nebulous space scape she thought was simply a monitor screen displaying a neat background. There was someone talking to her, that much she was sure of, another new person? Groaning softly as she sat up from the bench she'd apparently felt appropriate to rest on, she pressed her hand to her face, wiping the sleep from her eyes and touching... her hat? A quick pat of her head and removal of the cap confirmed she was indeed wearing it, and not only that but her outfit from the previous day?

"Miss, you're going to miss your train," He instructed, placing a ticket in the conveniently presented cap. Nina hadn't had much experience with trains, being much more of a luxury item than a reasonable form of travel. But as she plucked it up to examine it she found he wasn't wrong, that was definitely Phillip, but... how? "I'm sure your owner paid a lot to bring you onto the main cabin, so let's not make him upset alright?"

That certainly got Nina's attention, although she couldn't tell if this guy had misspoke or perhaps she'd misheard him? "Look, uh, sorry about that maybe I'm just a bit out of it from last night sir but... just give me a second here." She requested, gently waving her hand for him to slow down a moment. 'Oh my fucking god what the hell was in that digrat?!' She shakily looked over her surroundings again, starting to feel like she'd been unknowingly casted in the next Hangover movie. She had her duffle bag which she'd used to carry Phillip in, but a quick pat of it confirmed it was empty, but he couldn't have gotten far? She couldn't have left him somewhere unattended!?

A couple beads of sweat started to form on her brow as her scan of the area had her vision fall on the passengers boarding the train. The consistency was striking; each one of them, their skin seemed to wave like a woven tapestry of tendrils than flesh. This wasn't her seeing things, but reality; even this man seemed to exude a similar tone. He didn't seem to appreciate Nina's request much either, clearly trying his utmost to keep things civil much like a customer service rep from Bell. "Your master is already on board, please miss. He is waiting for you in car five, next to the kitchen car. Please follow Ms. Lockstar to car five."

'Master? His Pet? What the fucking christ are these two talking about!? Where the fuck am I!? Where was Phillip!?' Nina thought to herself, finally getting to her feet as she watched the exchange between the two. She needed to get out of here, getting on this train when she had literally no idea where she was would only help her get even more lost. It was only when a singular black tentacle extend outwards from the front of the train did she take pause. At the end of this tentacle was the comically oversized chef's hat she'd given Phillip. That shitty hat that she'd found at a garage sale was like a ray of hope in this dark time. He was on this train, Phillip was on the train!

"Well, come on then. This way, human." Miriam commanded as Phillip's tentacle quickly retreated back into the train's interior from afar. "Nina, my name's Nina?" She corrected, noticing that Miriam too was different than what Nina would call the norm. "Sorry that I passed out there on the bench but, what's going on here?" Nina asked as she quickened her pace to keep up with Miriam, unsure if the woman if Nina could call her that would even give her the courtesy of an explanation given the tone Miriam spoke to her in. At the very least, she knew following this person would get her to Phillip, they could figure out a game plan after that.

BlackHarte · Jan 2, 2018

[hr]

Child in Chains

Code:

bonnie's story

[hr]

Explosions rang out in the shrubbery as shrapnel and fire engulfed the pursuing soldier. In an instant the forest was assailed with a flurry of weapon fire, thick streaks of iridescent light left trails of burnt wood and hissing steam in the humid atmosphere. The soldier that had caught the full brunt of the grenades lay on the floor, shocked, but the kinetic and thermal energy from the blast did not pierce his bodysuit.

Syl stumbled to her feet gasping as the chains snapped taught around her neck. Her hair was a storm of spun gold as her legs began to match B.C.'s stride.

"My name! My name is Syl i Olya Lolome i Phraesia Ohnlo Pasie!" She inhaled sharply at the exertion of saying her full name in one breath, "Call me Syl! And we need to turn right! We need to turn right immediately!"

The soldiers were in pursuit now. By the footsteps there were about four or five of them.

"Cherie! TURN NOW!" Syl screamed as she dug her heels into the earthy jungle floor and scrambled suddenly eastward. The chain snapped taut and pulled B.C. toward Syl just as a volley of laser fire bore into a colorful boulder, leaving thick burn scars on the scaled surface.

The boulder stirred, great feathers bristled and threw off the cover of fallen leaves and vines. A brilliant light flickered across the golden feathers on the back of the massive beast before it turned its head toward the soldiers and opened it's maw.

A beam of golden light lanced through the forest, tearing apart trees, stone, and soldiers with a fury like the sun itself. Once it finished unloading the energy it had harnessed from bathing in the sunlight, it rose to two massive legs and bellowed into the sky, shaking the canopy and sending the fauna into a frenzy.

The soldiers moved to cover, battered but not yet broken. They trained their rifles and the gargantuan death-lizard instead of B.C. and Syl and began to fire at it's stony hide. The dinosaur charged forward, feathers bristling as they gathered more energy from the sunlight and sent arcs of lightning leaping between it's thick white teeth.

Syl threw herself over B.C., holding the convict's head in-between her arms and bosom. "Stay quiet! This is the territory of the Dahmahwa. If you are so reckless you will wake more from their daylight slumber."

[hr]

Reason to Rise

Code:

anjali's story

[hr]

Freya pulled a stake gun from her belt and held it toward Anjali, "Seven hells! Vil! Get away from that! She's a vampire!"

Vil placed it's other arm, a massive porcelain blade, on Freya's stake gun gently. Vil smiled behind it's perpetually smiling mask. Anjali could see in the eye-hole that this... thing was organic. It had old scarred skin pulled tight around a yellow reptilian eye. The massive thing was amused.

She realized it had an aura, a flickering amber light around it that resembled a salamander.

"Calm down master," it said softly, voice reverberating in the hollow shell of it's chest, "she is not that kind of child of the night."

Freya lowered her gun, still somewhat cautious of Anjali. She flicked a switch on her armlet and put on a set of goggles, stepping carefully around Anjali.

Vil craned its neck back to Anjali and ran a clawed finger through her long hair gently. It cocked it's head, "You are unsure of a great many things. But allow me to alleviate you of some of your ignorance." It took a step out of the swamp and placed a foot on the air raft, lowering it enough so that Freya could climb aboard. "You are currently in Offal, the Bog of Dis. This world's name is Amaranth and we are some ways away from civilization." It tapped Freya on her head with its hand. "Introduce yourself, my master."

Freya tutted, annoyed that her construct servant was giving her instructions, but she introduced herself anyway since that was the right thing to do. "I'm Freya Alyonne. I'm a Soul Tinker, I build automatons and infuse them with souls captured in crystals." She sat down and began unload the contents of her bag. It was mounds and mounds of broken weapons, pocket-watches, knives, pots, and badges. Every now and again there would be a beautiful blue gemstone that fell out of the shattered tools. "Vil and I are recycling right now. These soldiers died fighting in Kalbotha, a mountain up in the North. Their bodies get carried here by the rivers and earthquakes. Their tools and soul gems are integral raw materials for constructing new dolls."

Vil stepped inside of the raft and folded its knees into its chest and bent it's arms inward. In this pose, Vil was no taller than Freya, and just as wide. "And I am Vil, Freya's dutiful servant automaton." It motioned to itself pleasantly.

Freya started the raft's engine and started to steer them out of the bog. The mangrove trees ran for as far as the eye could see, and the black mud below them bubbled with decay. All over the surface were floating cadavers, corpses in military uniforms stripped of whatever salvage could be torn off of them. In the distance Anjali could see other air rafts and what she assumed were other scavengers scrounging around in the shallow mud looking for useful materials among the corpses.

"Now it is your turn, little snake girl," Vil put its hand on Anjali's bare shoulder, "who are you?"

[hr]

Table for Two

Code:

nina's story

[hr]

"Are you mental?" Miriam asked as she adjusted the lapis headband that held her immaculate red hair in place. She swept forward daintily in her heels, towing the great assortment of kitchen tools behind her as if they weighed no more than a heap of cotton. "You don't even know how you got here? I sure do hope for the sake of your master that you are quite a good toy for him." Miriam shook her head, her blue eyes were back-lit with some sort of bio-luminescence.

"Have a good trip!" Reign called out from behind them as he gave a polite bow.

Looking at more of the other guests, Nina saw that not only were there tentacle monsters, but monsters of all sort of different shapes, sizes, and ethereal make up masquerading as human. There were creatures of pure magic, ogre-like beasts, creatures of pure suffering, flitting essences of fairies and brownies, and even other more eldritch entities.

Was this Phillip's surprise class reunion or something?

"Not to mention he's forcing you to wear clothes? I'll never understand that kind of fetish. A human's natural state is to have as much bare skin as possible. They are, after all, carnal beasts at heart," Miriam continued in her strangely aggressive rant. Miriam glared at Nina "Are you even broken in? Aye, I can stomach that he's given you a name, and one as Earthly as 'Nina', but on the cross of my father's heart I cannot understand why he'd choose such a scrawny boy-looking girl like you to be his pet."

Miriam pointed toward one of the open doors as she passed it. "Aye, this is your car. 'Have a nice trip,' is what I'm supposed to say, but I for one would be glad if the administration would stop insisting that it's fashionable to bring thrice fucked pets aboard." Miriam tossed her luggage into the next car and vanished into a mess of other staff.

The car the Nina found herself in, and the one that Phillip was in, was a dining car. It was huge on the inside, far larger than possible given the size of the cabin on the outside. There were six tables side by side in the main area, and twelve more four-person boots set up on the side with the windows. A long bar occupied the other wall of the cabin.

The people here wore beautiful and elegant clothes, decorated to a fault with glimmering gemstones and precious metals. There existed the same variety of all sorts of foreign creatures, some having dropped their glamours and returned to their natural forms, and others still enjoying the quaintness of pretending to be human.

Phillip was at on of the booths, already having been served a beverage.

A violet-haired women was leaning against his booth chair, chatting nonchalantly with the eldritch horror. She had eyes like broken glass and a dress that held a galaxy in it's midnight weave. She smiled when Nina entered the car and waved.

"Ah, so this is the 'roommate' you were talking about?" the woman smiled, "she's a cutie, I'll give you that." She held out a gloved hand to Nina. The rings on her fingers were adorned with little human skulls. "I'm Talavie, I was just introducing myself to Phillip here. He's a gentleman of few words, you're lucky to have someone as understanding and gentile as he is."

Zepherus14 · Jan 3, 2018

[hr]

Table for Two

Code:

Nina's story

[hr]

"Must have had more alcohol last night than I thought..." Nina apologized, quickly coming to terms with the fact that until she understood exactly what was happening, going along with the flow was probably the safest option. This Miriam clearly was speaking to her not because she wanted to, but because she felt obligated in some rhyme or reason. Given the attire, Nina assumed she must have been one of the crew's cooks. How high up the food chain she was was an entirely different story, Nina wasn't well vested in the culinary hierarchy. She was pretty at least, that rack attached to her chest definitely garnered Nina's envy. As she followed along, she'd also notice the strength Miriam displayed, clearly inhuman to say the least. Despite this, Miriam's stab at Nina's boyish appearance would fall semiflat as Miriam's immaculate hair was nothing compared to Nina's locks, not that Nina'd mention it herself. [small]"Maybe he just likes to think of it like wrapping for a present..?"[/small] Nina said meekly, looking at the floor as even she felt awkward suggesting such a lie.

She knew Phillip better than all of these people, even the mention of sex was more than enough to drop Phillip's interest like a rock. Whenever she'd watch a pervy movie, hold a commissioning livestream, or have one of her occasional 'Non-Alcoholic Stress Relieving Evening Encounters of Solitude'; Phillip would make himself as scares as he possibly could within the confines of their apartment. It was convenient for Nina to keep him a secret, but she'd be lying if she wasn't a little disappointed her own little tentacle monster was as asexual as could possibly be. Clearly from the window, this was her Phillip and not some nega Phillip, so how why he have bought this ticket with all these perverts? That question was at the forefront of her mind as Miriam presented her car. 'Just play nice with her, no need to stick it in her face for being suck an ass...'"Thank you very much for the help regardless, Phillip will be very pleased I've returned, I wish you well." She said, mostly to Miriam's back as she didn't seem interested in waiting for anything Nina had to say.

Nina merely rolled her eyes before opening the door to the dining car, then quickly had to do a double take as the car seemed way too big to be part of this train. "Ṅ̛̦̄́̃͌͠i̤̎̋̽̆̔̕ñ̥̓̊͆̂a̡̢̿̇̏́́̏̈͘̚͞?̨̓̅̀͌̅̀͜͡͡" Phillip beckoned her to the booth with a curling tentacle, his voice sounding like a very congested Michael Smith to Talavie. Swollen to his enlarged state, Phillip took up the full size of the booth's seat, several tentacles dangling below it while a couple lay on the table like elbows slowly swirling a glass what Nina could best describe as a greenish blue mist that swirled like cake batter. Nina would wave back to the new woman as she approached, clearly enamoured by her galaxy dress although admittedly unsure if she'd get sucked into it if she attempted to touch it.

"Ah, so this is the 'roommate' you were talking about?" the woman smiled, "she's a cutie, I'll give you that." "Well, I do what I can." Nina smiled sheepishly as she accepted her hand. "I'm Talavie, I was just introducing myself to Phillip here. He's a gentleman of few words, you're lucky to have someone as understanding and gentle as he is." Nina glanced over at Phillip, getting the idea he was enjoying Nina picking up the majority of his side of the conversation. "Oh, you have no idea. He really is one of a kind, definitely changed my life for the better. But that dress you're wearing is, if I could be so bold, absolutely stellar. It's so pretty!" Nina giggled.

Out of the corner of her eye, she'd notice Phillip stretch a singular tentacle up and into the glass. It wasn't even one of the ones with a mouth, just a fairly mundane tendril that dipped into the mist like it was getting into a hot tub. "Sorry, if I'm interupting anything, I got a bit lost outside." She said glancing back from Phillip to Talavie. "Didn't really know we were going on a train ride today... or tonight? Um..." She hesitantly added, unsure how the ruse she was maintaining would hold up if it appeared like she wasn't as 'broken in' as Miriam had put it. All it took was a brief motion of Phillip, a 'Please continue, go on', for her to ask. "Do you work in this train Talavie or are you a guest like Phillip too?" Feeling that was quite tame of a question

BlackHarte · Jan 4, 2018

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Table for Two

Code:

nina's story

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Talavie laughed, running her fingers over her lips. Her eyes sparkled in the warm light of the cabin lamps. "I am a guest," she finally said. She whistled and a swarm of shadows came careening toward her from the far side of the cabin.

"This is my husband, Nocturne." Talavie motioned to the swarm of darkness that swirled around her feet. "He is staff and handles security on this train."

The living shadows named Nocturne chimed back an affirmative response.

Talavie tilted her head and smiled, "He would like to thank you for complimenting his handiwork. He says the dress took quite some time to fashion."

Nocturne rang, his voice was like the ringing of Christmas chimes.

"It is hard to find a celestial who is capable of appreciating such art, let alone a mortal girl," Talavie repeated, "he says. Still, I do wonder why you two are here. Neither of you are the colors of our world, you stand out like the moon in a starless sky. And even past that, for you both to be on this most unique of train rides." She turned to Phillip, "So tell me, is it a curiosity, or a perverse lust that beckons you two? It is exciting, so much so, to know that I can bear witness to the end of a world parallel to ours. Truly, it will be the most beautiful of deaths."

Nocturne rang. Talavie rubbed it's "head" with her free hand.

"Most fortunate indeed," she whispered, "it will be the greatest spectacle of all deaths. The end of all ends. A once in a life-time opportunity to see how a universe comes apart at the seams." Her skull rings glimmered as if they were reacting to her honeyed words. "Not to mention that the catering, so I hear, is to die for."

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the Heart of Darkness

Queen of Cockblocking and Misery

Doom needs Yoghurt, Badly

Doom needs Yoghurt, Badly

Power in Procedure

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Power in Procedure

the Heart of Darkness

All hail the Pun Meister!

Living undeath to the fullest

New member

the Heart of Darkness

New member

the Heart of Darkness