Raiha

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She kicked the door out of the way, then sat down again, sheets pulled up to her chest. Ken walked in and set the chair upright. She smiled and he closed the door.[/i] Sayuri: To what do I owe the pleasure of your company? Ken: Bored. You seem to be fine. Sayuri: I had to exorse the bad dreams... Ken: Do you ever dream of your home? Sayuri: My home was hell. My mother, a slut. My father, forgotten. I have nothing but myself.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Lifé gave him a real smile, for once. Then she started moving forward. It would take a week to get there. In the meantime, she needed another change of clothes before appearing before her mother again. Daddy dearest wouldn't care, but appearences were everything to the lady she was forced to address as Queen Mother. She sighed to herself, and Ilmiwyrth looked in her direction. Homecoming didn't seem to excite her much.[/i] Ilmiwyrth: Afraid? Lifé: Sad.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue]Lifé: My father is a Gatekeeper. My mother is a Shadow Mage and an Angelic Keyholder. Any questions? Ilmiwyrth: Do you hate them? Lifé: Only when they wanted to arrange a marrage for me. And that's when I left. Of course, the fact that my parents are brother and sister.... Shalistrae: I didn't know that. Lifé: Now you do. Vichante: That explains alot. Lifé: Fück off. Ilmiwryth: That's actually quite refreshing for once. [i]She groaned and turned her face in the direction of the rising moon. Might as well get started.[/i][/COLOR]

[color=royalblue]Finally, somebody mentions me. If Juu could see this....she'd die blushing. Me? Crush? HAH, that's a good one. I'll admit I have grudging respect for Flynn, a sweet big sister relationship to the younger *cough* like all of the *cough* boys here, and a love-hate relationship with Neil. But other than that, I don't have crushes. Except maybe.....*snort* Ken.[/color]

[COLOR=royalblue]Shalistrae: ...and here I am...200 years old and never spent any time lazing around. Lifé: And I'm fast approaching 520. Oh well. Vichante: My age is none of your buisness. Shalistrae: It's not like we asked. Ilmiwyrth: So where exactly are we doing now? Lifé: We could visit my parents. It's only been 100 years. Ilmiwyrth: Ah yes, the in-laws. The King and Queen I presume? Lifé: King Mestone and Queen Primen of the Kingdom of Turn. Shalistrae: Both immortal, both self absorbed.... [i]The princess rolled her eyes.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue]Welcome back to the land of the crazed. Name: Trance Megelani Age: 32 Appearance: see attatchment. Bio: Daughter of a skilled technician and a warrior/dreamer, she has learned everything there is to know about fighting and repairing. She is intelligent, highly sophisticated in manner, yet rather cynical. She is a mercenary, and is currently working with the team in order to improve the size of her bank account.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Trance looked up. Amazing...how he could have dropped her off right next to her apartment. She unlocked the door and got out.[/i] Nate: Going to come back later? Trance: ...yeah, I'll be around. Nate: Thanks for the fun. Trance: Any time. [i]She winked at him and went around the building to the door.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She slipped into her jeans and jacket again, then leaned back, putting on her seatbelt at the same time. He rolled his eyes.[/i] Trance: If we get pulled over, it's one less thing they can site you for. Nate: Good point. Trance: What a nut. Nate: Just remember, I paid for your next meal. [i]She snorted and picked at her nails.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She gazed into the blinding sun, pushing her hair out of the way. His presence was gone. Where he was now....she had no idea. Instead, she turned away and sat down on the beach. She ran the sand through her fingers, feeling its warmth. The blood red ocean seemed to mock her. Taunt her. She sighed to herself and drew her blade. She sat crosslegged, placing it flat across her lap. Neo Angelorum Ananda set her wrists down on the blade, quiet and calm as could be. With one movement it could end. Her life would drain away, but her future would be the same. Why not see if the break could be made? Anything would be preferable to a cowardly end. She rose to her feet, the sword slidding off her lap and to the sands. She reached down with a trembling hand and picked it up. She sheathed it carefully, then turned to face the west. Moon would rise. And then turn to blood. The beast would rise, with the woman on his back. And another woman would give birth to a son to rule the world. She was not that woman. But it would come, and she would bear witness.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She smiled at him, and turned to look out the window.[/i] Vincent: What is it? Luyii: I'm a doctor...I've seen death. I'm also a politician, indirectly, I've ordered deaths. It's not a shock. Vincent: An ambassador, and a doctor. Is there anything you can't do? Luyii: I can't open people's eyes to the truth. Vincent: What is truth? Luyii: We've always feared what is different. We've always fought it. And now it will destroy us. Vincent: You really think so? Luyii: Yes. We've been listening for whispers, but we can't hear the screams. In theory....the truth is blinding us and we're still looking for matches.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She looked up at the ceiling, then closed her eyes. The scent of the joss sticks was still heavy on her mind....dulling her senses....sending her into a heady oblivion that was heaven. At least compared to her present circumstances. She leaned over and felt the sting of all her worth.... not much. Once the object of affection and debacery. Now a mercenary with a chip on her shoulder. Back a mass of scars and tattoos. Self and otherwise inflicted. A child of pain, not joy. Born of a hopeless woman. Now in the company of fools and sage. Doomed to roam the earth with no peace. For years. Upon years. Knock on the door. She sat up.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]But only for an instant, in the next second, she had it out again and flicked it across his cheek, leaving a wound deep enough to scar. She then ducked under his own swing, and sat down again, hand on the tea pot.[/i] Wolf: That was not kind. Sayuri: ....I have a skill with empathy, I know what he was feeling. If I wasn't faster than him...I would have a similar wound. Ken: ...I think it's time you went and prayed some more. [i]Instead of being angry, she merely smiled at him, eyes half closing. An insult from him was not nearly as painful. At least he knew better than to fall under her blade as soon as his back was turned. She smiled and sipped her drink. Kyp glared at her, feeling the blood running down his face. She preened, then stood and walked up the stairs to her room. Once inside, she closed it swiftly, locked it with the only chair, and sat down on the bed. She combed out her hair, then pulled it back again. Braids, long smooth ropes, twisted back and clasped down. Her sword was laid out along with her oragami.....her clothes fell on the ground and she slipped in between the sheets.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]The doctor quickly shifted her hands down to the guard's belt and removed the keys. She placed it in her mouth, unlocking herself at the same time. Then she rolled the bodies into the back and settled down next to her savior. ....Lascron. She adjusted her shirt, then reached into what could've been the equivalent to a glove compartment and removed her journal, her slingblade, and her taser. They were stowed away, where, Lascron couldn't tell. The radio crackled, and Luyii burried her fist in it.[/i] Lascron: What was that for? Luyii: It was Ling. I have no intention of telling him I'm still breathing. According to this log, he was supposed to deposit my dead body on their doorstep. Lascron: Anything else? Luyii: Yeah....he was planning on raping me first. [i]She raised one eyebrow and scanned the rest quickly. Nothing of interest besides....neh. Boring.[/i] Lascron: Why aren't you prejudiced like the rest of them? Luyii: I try to see things from a different poitn of view. I understand what it feels like to be an outcast. Lascron: You seemed to fit in well enough. Luyii: Read my journal and see the truth.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue]A gross exaggeration of the truth, but I'll let it slide. Honestly, you've done nothing but insult me and tell me what a bad writer I am for two weeks now...soon to be three. I can take a hint. And I took it. I never intended on interfering, although you did....ask if I wanted to "join" you. ~~~~~~~~~~~ [i]As soon as she felt she was getting close, the signs came to an abrupt halt. In the void of what she was born into. Obvious enough. He wanted to fight Agustus himself. Fine. It wasn't as if he was no match. He was....it would just involve more blood than he bargained for. It's not every day an arch seraphim fights a demon god. She rubbed her temples, then shot off in another direction. South this time, to the place where the islands were. She landed on the sands of Haiti, wings folding down into her back gracefully. He turned and stared at her. A seal in his hand, transformed into a bowl. The first horseman....aside from all the agony already happening. He poured it into the sea. Instantly, it turned into a pool of blood and steam, and dead fish began to wash up on the beach. He watched her, stained in blood, hair falling down around her face. His voice echoed around her body, like a caress.[/i] "And the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died." [i]She sighed to herself, he was quoting the book of the ending. And he knew where she would end as well. The angel disapeared. And she opened her mouth and finished what he had started.[/i] "The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. For they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve. Revelations 16: 1-6."[/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]They came in, half an hour later, looking slightly toussled. Sayuri didn't even ruffle her brow. Instead, she raised her cup of steaming chrysanthamum tea and drank it down. Ken exchagned a glance with her that spoke of both disgust and embarassment. She rolled her eyes at their pathetic display of human emotion and poured herself another glass.[/i] Wolf: You should've tried the black tea instead. Sayuri: No...I want to get to sleep tonight. Kyp: Like you need it. [i]With calm movements, she set down her cup and dropped her hand to the hilt of her longblade. In one steady motion, she stood, unsheathed it, and brought it around to face him.[/i] Sayuri: Twice you have insulted me. I have been patient up till now.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Apprehension, rather than fear. They had uprooted everything she had carefully hidden. How? Probably a bug. Chances of escape? Not very good. Any hope of survival? If the machines were nicer than everyone thought. Which she figured was not so bad. The Senator, hand bandaged, and wearing a smug smile, traced his hand under her chin. She curled her lip at him and spat in his face. For her audacity, he treated her to a full on backhand. Luyii's eyes smarted and she stopped struggling.[/i] Ling: You've always been a black sheep. Luyii: At least I still have a conscience. Ling: ...well, the machines don't. You're going to die. Luyii: Better dying with on my feet with my eyes open than being a lukewarm politician for the rest of my life. [i]His fury was only matched by her own. He dismissed the guards, and they dragged her out of the room. Handcuffs were the order of the day, with a return to her every day casual wear. Grey pants, sneakers, and a brown spaghettie strap shirt. Apparently, this wouldn't be much of a diplomatic mission. The personel escorted/hauled her onto the helicopter, and she was greeted by Captain Grey.[/i] Grey: Welcome. Are you afraid? Luyii: I was taught that death was a passage into the glory of heaven's bright sun. Grey: Charming....you keep on thinking that. The machines won't give you any mercy. Luyii: I don't intend to fall on my knees and beg for it. After what my country did to them, it would be what we deserve. Don't you think? [i]He merely rolled his eyes.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Ken paused outside the Moon temple. Sayuri walked out from the double doors, clapped her hands twice, then rang the bell. Whatever she said went unheard, but he decided not to ask. She looked at him, smiled slightly, then walked back to the inn with him. From the cool interior of the temple, the ladies watched her go. Every word she spoke was heard and written down. Sayuri watched Ken move, and then her eyes fell to the blade he had recently purchased.[/i] Sayuri: What is it for? Ken: What's your oragami for? Sayuri: I rest my case. [i]The two smiled at eachother. Then he opened the door for her. She nodded and walked in. Wolf was seated at the table, by himself, in the corner. Sayuri sat down next to him, ignoring various stares.[/i] Wolf: You smell like insense. Sayuri: I was praying.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Lifé picked up her slingblade. The laburnum powder was gone, safe to touch again. She slipped it back into its sheath, then turned to Shalistrae. The dragouret sighed and reverted once more. The two watched the villagers mill about, before shouting at them to get back to work. They complied....still slightly dazed.[/i] Shalistrae: Just like sheep. Lifé: The more of them in a group, the dumber they become. Shalistrae: Oh well.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Shalistrae and Lifé whirled in a tight circle, arms tangled together in a swift dance. They moved as one, collective energy rising into view. Both of their lips muttered the same words, over and over, in a language long forgotten. As they moved, some remnant of an angel power flodded into their bodies, giving them a sense of electricity....one not usually in existance during a spell. They held eachother's hands tightly, unwilling to let go and risk an untimely ending. Shalistrae turned and brought her hands forwards. Back to back, they stood. Energy flaring around them. Pure and unttempered. Silver and red pouring out of their bodies as one fine ribbon of magic. It twisted then flung itself around the girls, whispering its way through their arms and legs, then around their hearts. Then it twisted itself against their eyes before fluttering in the direction of Tirakindaro. It paused, before flowing into its mouth.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue]Lifé: Patience young one....they are already coming. Their magic has removed the doors... [i]She sat down and meditated. The words of the spell rolled over and over in her head. Sounds were finally heard, shouting and yelling....more than five minutes had gone by. She stood up and slid into the fighting stance she had used for years. Split rose, defensive and offensive at once. The first of the angry village people came into view. Shalistrae whipped up a barrier between them and all but one. Then Lifé flung her blade straight into his heart and he howled.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue]Lifé: Cause the nearest dispensible minion is more than fifty miles away in the next village. Shalistrae: Be thankful he can only hold so many people in his sway at once. Lifé: It shouldn't be too difficult. If you tap into the power your god forgot to remove. Vichante. Vichante: What are you .....wait a minute. [i]Shalistrae and Lifé grinned at eachother...then winked. It was so obvious, neither could believe that he had missed something like that.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Rugiel gasped for air that wouldn't come, then, relaxing his body, surrendered his eternal soul. Ananda sighed and removed her hand and arm from his body, quietly....slowly. He slumped down, a useless shell. She took his starseed from his necklace, and pushed it into her body. Then she raised her wings...and followed Arano's distinctive scent. Cloying and sweet, death in a fragrance. Six wings moved quickly, the kind only found on Seraphim....like Alujah. Unless it was an underhand trick from her closest and once dearest friend, she would be wise to fear this gift's tremendous power. She looked away from the scar on her chest and turned on her other sight. Eyes focused as the swift trail of Arano flashed into view. A tear sparked on her eyes and she brushed it away. Her body was covered in silver white blood, contrasting with her tanned skin....but it wouldn't do to hide her sin any longer. She might as well give up the ghost and move on with her rappidly declining lifestyle. It would be easier.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue]Shalistrae: We don't have to run. He'll come to us. In the form of one of the posessed. When he does... [i]The other female present brandished her blade, spun it between her fingers, then made a gesture with her arm.[/i] Lifé: I kill his minion. Then he'll appear...for a breif moment. Say....25 seconds. One of us has to do a spell to stop him in his tracks. Tell me you can do that Ilmiwyrth. Ilmiwyrth: ....well..... Shalistrae: Then we banish him...but that takes over two minutes, and requires a dance along with the incantation. So.... Vichante: You want us to hold him at bay while you two dance and sing a pretty song? Lifé: It won't be pretty, and you can't hold an immaterial being. But yeah. That's sorta it. Ilmiwyrth: Oh gods and demons...[/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Dr. Luyii Megelani discreetly massaged her temples. The ambassadors wouldn't stop talking. "The Machines are a threat." "Remove them." On and on. She had heard it all...and was sick to death of it. Here was a prime example of man's stupidity and unwillingness to accept what was different. She could have more frutiful debates with her pet fish. Finally, they stopped. For a break. She stood quickly, fast enough to turn a few heads, then left. Making a break for the bathroom was her first move, then one for the outside. She was almost to the door when a hand descended none too gently on her shoulder. Using all of the self conrol she had cultivated for years, she turned....hand fingering the pen in her pocket. She stared up into the watery brown eyes of Senator Ling. He glowered down at her, and she winced inwardly.[/i] Ling: Where are you going Ambassador Doctor? Luyii: I was hoping to go home and spend time with myself for a change. Ling: Not healthy for a girl your age. You should be out having fun, aside from benefitting society. Luyii: With all due respect Senator, I am not a girl. I am 28, and old enough to do without "fun." Ling: Then perhaps I should send you to 01 yourself. As you wrote of your sympathies to the machines in your journal. A friend of mine will take you through the blockade. I'm sure they would love to meet you there. [i]Her eyes widened, then she whipped out her pen and shoved it into his hand. Then she turned and ran. Before she got further than the end of the block, two of the many guards caught her and restrained her. She grimaced.....why not go to 01? Hah, and have the world brand her as a heretic and a freak for the rest of her life? ....then again.....it couldn't be any worse.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Lifé took off at a headlong run, dragging him along. Shalistrae swiftly grew back her former features and took off, picking Vichante up roughly. The two women didn't stop until they were several miles away. Panting slightly, Lifé undid her belt and took out her slingblade. She dipped it in the pouch she had taken from Kryas. Golden laburnum coated it thickly, hiding the silver with its glow.[/i] Vicante: What is going on? Shalistrae/Lifé: Tirakindaro has been awakened. Ilmiwyrth: And he is...? Shalistrae: A cross between a ghost and an Incubus. Lifé: Able to control mortal man with one look into their eyes. Demonoic in nature, heavenly in appearance. Shalistrae: He was banished by General Seraphim Tai Alujah over 2,000 years ago... Lifé: But the scuffles between the goddesses and gods likely led to this happening.[/COLOR]