Raiha

[COLOR="black"][FONT="Garamond"]November 30th, 2007 11:45 p.m.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Oh. Dear. God. It's been the most psychotic day I can remember and I've had quite a few. This takes the cake. It beats all. I'm rambling because I'm scared, not because I'm a total nitwit. Remember my landlady? Yeah, well she was small potatoes. This is insanity. This is madness. And if this were Sparta, life would be easier for me to deal with because the government would have less ability to lie. I got on the wire, when it actually worked and contacted old friends. They've gone to ground like I have. And I can't blame them. And you remember the outpost I was picking my supplies up from? Let me elaborate on the situation. I was making the drive to fuel my car, fill the cans I stashed in the back of my trunk away from everything else, when I realized that the old man who runs the store hadn't come out to greet me. I stepped inside, listening to the bells on the door chime above me, when I smelled a whiff of what had to be death. I almost lost my nerve, but something happened. Instead of the proprietor of the store coming to talk to me, I saw a hideous monster of a man, with twisted flesh around his body, huge misshapen teeth. Well, the would've been, but I then determined that he'd chewed his own lips off. My hand automatically dropped for the oversized military knife I'd borrowed from a friend months ago. I drew it, and slashed hard, opening a huge gaping wound across the front of his clothes. No blood. Coming close to a true panic, I began to step back, but every time I did, he advanced, making slow, moaning noises as he did. I didn't know what was making that awful noise, this shrieking, but then I realized that it was just me. Howling aloud, I dodged a clumsy swipe and swung from left to right, and then again on the back-swing. His head, all but severed lolled back, and the thing dropped to its knees. I nearly dropped my knife, but for some reason, I felt the compulsive need to keep it and to keep looking for anyone else that had it in for me. I made a sweep of the place, but it was empty. Whoever had turned him, had already wandered off, or been disposed of. I immediately raided the place of its water, non perishable food that I actually liked, and went for the candy aisle. My car, and I, fully refueled, both by gasoline and a heightened sense of danger, took off. Right now I'm parked off of yet another obscure road, but I think I passed a sign an hour ago that said Utah. Either way I'm going to keep shunning the cities and keep to the back roads. I can make 600 miles with what I have right now. If anyone wants to know, I stored this paper, this pencil, and my will, under the seat I'm in now. ...I don't know if I'm ready to face another... ...zombie. I don't want to. I can't do it. It made me so sick. ...I feel so awful. I don't feel bad that I killed someone, but bad that I was a coward even as I did it. I could've run, but I needed to get into the store. So I killed him. And now I'm pulled over and not shaking, just heartsick. ....should I feel bad? I'm going to die alone.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="Black"][FONT="Garamond"][RIGHT]September 23rd, 2007 5:12 p.m. PST[/RIGHT][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]So here I am, drunk, howling at the moon, well not that drunk...I can kind write straight, and I can kinda think in a coherent train of...stuff. ...and I'm leaning against the wheel of my tire, with my one girl tent set up next to me. So don't worry. I'm not going anywhere. I'm in the high desert of Nevada, in a small copse of boxwoods, far away from civilization. At least 45 miles from the nearest state highway, and 35 from the nearest store. I bought wine coolers, I've gone through a couple now. I ate some packaged noodles, after of course cooking them... ...I think? It's hard to think right now. My friend stopped sending me updates every other day. It's been four days since he last contacted me, and I can only say that judging from his last transmission, I'm happier out here with car battery, propane cook stove, and nothing else. I haven't seen a single soul, and just a few rodents here and there. Car's locked up, I think. Keys in my pocket, knife in the other. I'm wearing these boots I swore I wouldn't need. It's also cold as fuck, so I'm hunched over in this jacket, and I've got my scarf around my head. Shit I look Arab. Whatever. Don't...give...a fuck... .......damn. I'm more of a mess than I thought I was. I'm thinking about how others will see me. Like the coyotes care. Anyway. It's the solitude and the sound of the wind that are getting to me. I hear the wind, I hear the sound of rolling thunder, sometimes planes that fly overhead. But nothing much. As the crow flies, I'm 150 miles from the nearest city where there could be rioting. I just hope I don't run into anyone else. I have enough problems on my own. I can't shake the sight of my landlady, stark raving mad. Howling and screeching and biting like a monster. She got her boyfriend on the arm pretty good. I remember that. I remember the look on her mother's face. And the wails of her baby boy screaming in fear. .......maybe I should go back. ....Fuck no. I'm not that drunk. Am I?[/FONT][/COLOR]

[RIGHT][COLOR="Black"][FONT="Garamond"]September 5th, 2007 9:15 p.m. P.S.T.[/FONT][/COLOR][/RIGHT] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]That landlady I had, Anne, she's been found. Although it would've been better if she'd stayed lost. She lost her baby, she lost her mind, she's lost her humanity. I took one look at her, and subsequently flipped out. I've just pulled over at a rest stop on the 5 North. Don't ask me why I've decided to go camping up beyond the Tejon pass, but I don't think I want to know anything more about what I've left behind. Actually, a few days with just me, my car, and this beef jerky I've got here may very well be the break I need to help me get a handle on things. I think that'll help really. Just me, the sand, the sun, and at night? Coyotes and bats. Lots of those. Right now I'm listening to that old Christian death metal that people called 'devil music' back in the day. Don't judge, it's good driving music, and when it's just me and the 5, I can listen to whatever the hell I want. I've loaded up my trunk with what I need, and I'll manage as best I can. I've been keeping my ear to the ground on the rest, keeping in contact with a friend who would know about how the riots are spreading, and he's getting more than worried too. I offered to take him with me, but the pussy won't leave. His loss. I'm going to the high desert, probably Nevada. Nobody there to riot. If I can make it to Wyoming I'll park my ass there for awhile. I can put my set back, lock the doors, and crash for a few hours once I find an obscure road in another few hours. Maybe I'll even make myself a camp fire, and roast something. Assuming I can catch it. I'm afraid, and I'm not sure why. I haven't felt fear this irrational since I went diving in Hawaii and nearly got taken out by that moray eel. Maybe I'm just overreacting, which is most likely the case. But my first impulse is flight, and so far it's served me well. Let's just hope that she's the only one showing up acting like an animal. I don't think I could hack it if I lost anyone else.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Name: Thyatira, the First Sister Age: 90000 Physical appearance: See attachment. Always barefoot, wears long white dresses that she hitches up when going to work, a mane of long brown hair, tall, but not so tall she can't easily blend in among Northern Europeans. Personality: As most Nephil hybrids go, Thyatira is as calm and collected as you could imagine, but only on the outside. She is turbulent and barely contained on the inside, with currents of wildness coursing through every part of her body. Vibrant and at times ecstatic, very much connected to nature and ground. Capabilities: Regeneration; the capacity to go down into the deep of the earth and call up springs of water to purify land, to regrow that which was lost. She's most notable for her connection to the Tree of Life, circumventing the two cherubim that were set to guard it. From any point on land, she can touch and find any other thing in contact with it. Growth, or the power to spark plants and trees to sprout from her hands, which can choke the life from men, destroy their cities, and poison their fields. Biography: One of those daughters of the land that always had known where to go, where to find, who to speak with... Thyatira, or Thya for short, has always resented the humans. Their desecration of the land, mindless pursuit of power in exchange for suffering had always offended her noble sensibilities. In her wandering, she both discovered the Garden of Eden and destroyed one of the cherubim that guarded it, weakening the power to hide the Tree of Life beyond man's finding. On the other hand, she's thrown up her own defenses, to keep man from the immortality he does not deserve. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Character Name: D'Ann Graie Age: 21 .......just leave me alone.... Gender: Fem. Physical Description: Refer to attachment Location: Muscoy, CA Living Style: Mixed race townhouse neighborhood, on the very cliff edge of respectability. Lives completely alone, one car, one computer, one bed, three bedrooms in the townhouse though. Kind neighbors, if distant, and a friendly landlady nearby that aids. Very little income, depends on parent's aid from Northern California while still in the middle of finding a job to supplement lifestyle of current poverty. Notable Possessions: Ample supply of dry goods, canned, bottled, sealed. Steak knives, balisong, swiss army knife. Mace; tear gas, UV dye. Honda Civic, 1997, manual transmission; sorry to you untalented people, you can't drive my baby. Multiple lighters; zippo, mightmatch, matches. Army jacket, hiking boots and combat as well, heavy jeans. Special Skills: Extremely capable hiker, backpacker, capable of heavy cross country. Talented cook, even with little to use. General grappling and self defense capabilities, too slight to be good at hand to hand. Entertainment; can sing and dance for hours on end. Excellent group communication skills. [i]Diary Entry: Thursday, July 12, 2007 8:12 p.m. I've had the most exciting day, what with this enlisted marine I was making out with and then everything else. I was buying groceries and this guy outside panhandling for his charity yelled at me. He said I should've donated some cash but I was already halfway to my car so I raised one hand in a sort of "No thanks, sorry, I'm already poor enough." And he shouted in response: "You ain't that hot girl!" Of course he should've known that I don't do well when someone starts their conversation with: "Hey! You in the white dress!" Earlier was better though. I was walking to the store from the Chinese fast food place "Little Bejing" and these two old black guys were sitting outside the cleaners... And I was drinking my sprite when one leaned forward and said: "Hey pretty lady, how're you? You're real cute." I blushed and waved like an embarrassed asian schoolgirl. I had my straw in my mouth you see and couldn't respond verbally. I was embarrassed though. Anyway, I think I need a room mate to go shopping with me. And that'll be soon enough but in the meantime I just feel like a hunk of meat. I hear I'm supposed to ignore all the come ons and propositions. I think I will. I'll confess freely, this is a tiny bit of a culture shock, but I probably should've seen it coming. I don't mind too much, but it's only a matter of time before someone realizes that I'm a little female that lives all alone. On the other hand, I do have a neighbor that'll probably hear me screaming, which I'd do if given half a chance. I think I need a gun.[/i][/FONT][/COLOR]

[i][COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]So all things considered, I suppose we allowed ourselves to heal better than most humans would’ve. We found the remnants of Warlock’s ashes and gave them to his parents, who were a lot more forgiving of us than we were of ourselves. As for the remaining bones of Sella? My father took them and as for what he did with them, I can’t say. Mom told me not to ask, so I didn’t. Vicky and Andrew’s families were over the moon about their “ascension” and none of us did anything to disabuse them. Will’s mother cried and said that she was so proud that he’d proven himself as a warrior. Neil and Gavin’s families were to be honest, just grateful they weren’t dead. And Connor’s mom helped us find a couple new places. The dryad always had it going on, and this was no exception. Gavin and I moved into a small cottage with two bedrooms. The others, including Vicky, got a place similar to the one Sella fired, only this one was made of stone not wood. I understand Vicky is getting serious with Andrew, which shouldn’t surprise anyone, although Will has a friendly rivalry going on with him for her affection. Who knows? I tend to not think about it too much. Besides, I got my degree, Gavin got his, while everyone else sort of did the college thing at their own speeds. Besides, we had to finish up quickly. I was pregnant after all. Didn’t I tell you? It’s been two years since Sella died, and while I still train every morning, dance in the afternoons, and sleep with my husband at night, I still think about it. I wonder what we’d been thinking, starting a family, but then again, what better time?[/i] “You do realize how insane that sounds, right?” “Quiet Vicky, you’ll upset the baby.” [i]I spent a lot of time thinking, just as Gavin spent hours mediating, reading, and working. On what, I didn’t ask. Of course when things got too quiet, Neil or Andrew would come bursting up with some sort of problem on their hands and we’d have to help. The most serious one was when Vicky severed four of Andrew’s fingers in a friendly game of ‘Knife’ and I had to reattach them with the new magic I’d been perfecting with Will’s help. Regardless of what Gavin had to say about it, Will was the most able to help me focus my thoughts and my energy. Why even ask? Besides, I was the one just through my first trimester and not showing at all. So I set my hair on fire less often, and I expended a lot less energy during training, but oh well. Seriously? I didn’t mind the pregnancy. My dad cried, my mom ranted that I’d better not kill it on accident, and Gavin’s dad gave him the manly shoulder grab. It might’ve put a crimp in my plans to become even more powerful as a feral, but whatever. Sometimes we visit the gang’s house, just to see what’s going on and to hear their feedback on names for the kid. So far Neil’s suggested ‘Arano’ and Andrew suggested ‘Locky.’ I’m not sure what they’re going to do when it’s a girl, but I’m sure I don’t know either. Vicky’s suggested that if it’s a girl I pay tribute to Connor’s mom and name her Leila, but we’ll see what we see. Gavin’s got this crazy male Saiya-jin father-son Freudian nonsense going on that I’m generally ignoring, and I’m starting to wonder if there are ways I can tell that don’t involve me visiting a real human doctor. All it’s going to take is one twitch from the baby, or one little power jolt and six thousand dollars worth of equipment will be ruined. I can only wonder if it’ll have a tail, and if it’ll have real eyes. Gavin leaned over my shoulder.[/i] “It’s going to have a tail. It’ll have pupils. Trust me.” [i]At that point, I shook myself out of mental reverie and paid attention to Gavin instead. He leaned over and kissed my cheek, damp from the mist. We were both standing in the garden behind the house, which was serviceable for a family of three, but somehow always managed to contain the cacophony of sound and the insanity of Saiya-jins and assorted aliens running through it whenever there was a get together. I warned Gavin we shouldn’t have bought that stupid propane BBQ, but did he listen? Of course not. Every time someone was over, my plants were upset, the vines shrank back nearly into the house, and I had to spend hours coaxing roses back from where they’d burrowed into the fence. I turned to Gavin and nearly stamped a foot at him.[/i] “This time, I say we don’t let them back here.” “Oh have a heart sweetie, you’re nearly to the fourth month. We have to celebrate!” “The only celebration I want involves you, me, some cider, and light jazz.” [i]Gavin raised an eyebrow at me and I smiled back at him prettily, seductively. I put an arm up, around his shoulder and leaned in for a small kiss that rapidly became a longer, deeper one. Our lips parted and he gave me a look, breathing a little faster than normal.[/i] “...I guess I could get into that.” “You bet your ass you’ll be getting into that.” [i]I smirked at him with all the charm and arrogance my mother had imbued me with. We leaned against each other and walked back inside, where I’d get breakfast, and he’d start making the beds. Hardly what you’d expect for a family of aliens, but we’re working on that. Later on Will or Andrew plan on showing up. And god knows I’ll have to mentally prepare myself for that. Maybe Vicky will drop by and we can discuss the nursery. Connor’s sworn that he’s going to forge the baby a sword but I warned him that if he does, I’ll show him exactly which end to hold. Who knows anyway what the future will hold?[/i][/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Be a straightedge all you want when it comes to alcohol until you're 21, or in some places 18. Then overindulge yourself, discover that you didn't like the feeling of puking your liver out of your mouth, and thereafter drink in moderation. Besides, if you have the wrong sort of friends, you might wake up with sharpie drawings all over your face. Oh yes, and you won't be able to find your wallet either. As far as pot goes, I'm from southern California so I believe I'm required to tell you all that pot is fine if you want to waste your money. I don't smoke it myself, but I don't object strenuously when my friends use it every now and then. Everyday smokers that can't control themselves I tend to shun because their attitudes heavily reflect their habit. Cocaine, Ecstasy, Crystal Meth? Heck no. But since this really was supposed to be about my anti drug, I attached the following image to leave the right impression of me on everyone who has ever seen or read a doujinshi.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='Umbra II'][FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"] Rammstein: I don't know how much people here know about them, but they're a German band (and [STRIKE]a little[[/STRIKE] neo-Nazi, but that's beside the point). They usually are pretty original, and it's fun trying to figure out what they are saying. (I am learning German) Their words and puns are very intelligent, just, um not very nice. Of course, after I've looked up the lyrics, I usually wish I could forget them. [/quote][/font] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]There is nothing remotely Neo Nazi about Rammstein. Their most famous songs and their music videos could be anything but. Moskau is about the city itself, with references to how it's a prostitute in its ways. Mein Teil documents the true story of a man who posted a want ad online for a younger boy for him to eat. Furthermore, the numerous philosophical and biblical references in their music do not translate well. I'd suggest one actually learn German before attempting to understand lyrics that go over the heads of everyone who listens. Go listen to Nebel, and then ask me if a heartbreaking song about a woman who perishes in the cold and fog of winter is a reflection of Nazi principles.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[i][COLOR="darkorchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]I felt hands on my back as I unlocked my front door, but I didn?t think it warranted panic. I smelled his cologne at his approach, and while most people weren?t able to pick out the differences in his brand of scent and other?s, I?d always known who he was. He?d placed them on my shoulders, the pads of his fingers brushing against the thin straps of my dress, his thumbs pressed lightly into the space between my two scapulae. I would?ve blushed, but that wouldn?t have been seen in the darkness. Instead, I took my time with the deadbolt, feeling him get even closer, the stubble of his cheek against my neck and face. Not two seconds later, he?d lost patience and pushed me against the halfway unlocked door, one hand shoving it all the way open. He?d hooked his foot around my ankle and we crashed to the floor, my arms around his neck, his keeping his full weight off my body. My hands found the lapels of his suit, and the sound of tearing cloth joined the sound of my breath coming out in gasps.[/i] ?Your timing is next to perfect. But you should?ve waited until I was unlocking my bedroom door instead.? [i]From his vantage point, the Irishman peered down at me with one of those wicked smiles, his eyes noticing the wardrobe malfunction that was my gown already sliding off my body. With huge hands, he picked me up, kicking the door shut behind him with one leg, and clasped me to his chest. I automatically tucked my legs in, my arms halfway around his chest, head nestled against his throat. The bedroom door was already unlocked, I had lied, but it didn?t really matter. He set me down on the bed as I kicked off both heels, flicking hair out of my eyes. The toss across the main hallway had knocked my hair out of its bun, scattering hairpins, and I would?ve been annoyed, but his insistent lips against mine were a very potent distraction. I?d already found his belt and summarily removed it, while his fingers hooked themselves through my straps and tugged lightly. Despite his best efforts, there was the sound of tearing cloth and then a female?s palm against a cheek. He didn?t even flinch, but instead smiled down at my mock rage. ?That was a two thousand dollar dress.? He somehow managed to speak in that slow, beautiful accent even as my teeth dragged against his collarbone, his chin, his lower lip.[/i] ?You complain too much darling.? [i]He redeemed himself by unhooking my bra with two fingers, a trick that I was beginning to wish he hadn?t picked up in the hazy time between when we were together and apart. Hands enveloped both my shoulders, and he pushed me down onto my bed, pillows flying. I felt weightless, trapped between silk sheets, and his huge frame. And when he pressed his face against my breasts and cried out my name, I held him in my arms, feeling him shuddering with pleasure.[/i] ?Gavin...I love you.? [center] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/center] [i]That was me. Three years ago, in a townhouse, in a quiet part of the city, with the man I?d loved for as long as I could remember. He was still a fighter and a killer, and I was his to cherish. We?d both loved each other in our own ways and we had always sworn to love one another. I kept up with the rent as a technical assistant in at the firm?s lab and taken other jobs when the opportunity arose. I?d never really considered what it would?ve been like to work in any other field. I love to fight, to feel pain and the pain of others. The expression of shock on people?s faces when the sting of poison filled blades sank into them. The look of agony as venom coursed through their veins. I cherished these times more than was reasonable. Perhaps it was unseemly, but not as unseemly as the lab?s collection of hot snakes. And by hot I mean deadly venomous hot. I used the black mamba, the Hagen?s tree viper, the puff adder, desert taipan and every other in between. Neurotoxins, cytotoxins, you name them, I used them. I milked them for the venom, fed them rodents, chickens, and rabbits. Gavin didn?t know that I also killed, he only knew me as a lab worker, in a spotless white coat over a jumpsuit and boots. And I never told him that I was a murderer. A contractor. It was better for him to think of me as blameless, not stained with the blood of hundreds of surprised victims. On the other hand, I?d never loved any man but him, never let myself stray towards some other purpose. My work and my love I kept separate, but perhaps if I had not been so divided, I would?ve not ended up where I had.[/i] "Forget about him Raiha, it'll only make it worse." [i]Erica's voice was a distraction in its own right. Her hair trailing across the bed we shared, and her fingers at my elbow. I had been staring into space for what felt like hours, and I shook my head to clear it. Pushing Gavin to the very back of my thoughts, where he'd been hiding for the so long, I could concentrate on Erica's lips on my nipples, and her hands pulling the sheets from around my legs.[/i][/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Do not panic, there will be a sequel of course thanks to Gavin. And an epilogue is required as you might imagine. But not for a day, I'm quite drained you know.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"][i]To be honest, he really should've seen it coming. A flash of burning pain across his neck, and then he only knew he was falling forward into Raiha's open arms. A slap of silver handcuffs and Janus went down. Will was standing behind him, giggling and holding up something long and thin and sparking. Raiha frowned slightly, but shrugged and dragged Janus by the lapels towards his new happy home. A small and very tiny cell in which sitting was the only available option. She pushed him down and handcuffed both hands to opposite ends of the cell. When he woke up, he'd discover both hands had fallen asleep. She straightened and looked over at the hungry dogs and beast in the next cells.[/i] "Soon my pretties you will feast on manflesh." [i]The Beast pondered her request, licking his chops like a recently satisfied lion. She smiled at him, rubbing her fingers against the cross at her neck, leaning against the bars of the cage.[/i] "I'd be awful nice if you helped me torture the traitor...wouldn't it?"[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]?I?ll fight with you.? [i]Will walked forward with me, his body repelling the flames even as the other had to rise above the burning. I was dimly aware that while I couldn?t speak, I was seeing, smelling, and hearing far more than I?d ever before. I could sense Sella?s pheremones drifting across my olfactory nerves like a manure pile. Vicky?s gave me the sensation of a runner?s high, and then men all were easier just to shut off entirely. I was getting closer, smelling the sweat of a fighter nearing the limits of his strength, when Connor joined myself and Will silently, his blade drifting along bethind him. He was coming along with his own version of teleporting, which he slowed down and sped up as we moved, avoiding the scorch as well as I expected. Neil and Gavin waited, both knowing better than to try and mix their own ki with anything I could dish out.[/i] ?I vote we make this all short and to the point." [i]I felt my claws grind into the loose ground, my fingers twisting rocks into gravel. Connor stopped a safe distance from Sella, even as Vicky fell back with Andrew close behind, to not get caught in the crossfire. I rose up on my hind legs, feeling more and more like an animal or an Ifrit and less and less like a sentient being. Wings of fire still twisted over my back, illuminated now that it was night, blazing brighter than any aura. Smoke trailed upwards to disappear into the stars, but it was all lost on me. I only know these things because of Gavin after all. Will cast an eye over my body, which was apparently rippling and contracting with energy and he quickly stepped around so that Connor was between both me and him.[/i] ?Hurry up! Before she can?t change back!? [i]I cupped both hands and accessed the fire blazing around my body, sucking it into my fingertips. Whipping my limbs up, and then down towards the ground, I felt Will preparing his own attack, with Connor doing the same. Both were pulling energy from within, although Connor?s strength felt magnified beyond his normal strength. I pricked both of their minds with mine, and they winced equally, saying nothing, but instead sealing off their attacks. At the signal Connor plunged his sword down into the ground, Will grabbing the hilt as well, as I slammed both hands down on the ground, my thumbs nearly touching the blade at each side. Magic and ki twisted around one another, and then exploded upwards beneath Sella, who for some reason had remained earthbound since she had transformed. I felt my lungs contracting and then realized that I was howling with glee. Chuckling even as my throat contorted and nearly threatened to choke the sounds off. The earth beneath Sella had warped, the fire of my magic converting the rock beneath the field to magma, solidified by Will?s attack, turning into raw diamond. Impaled and covered in fire, burning from within, Sella writhed and twisted, her Godzilla like shrieking drowned out by the sound of Saiya-jin laughter and a feral?s howling. Seeing my enemy fall, I charged, my limbs covering themselves in flame without my command, even as I went for her neck and sunk five claws from both hands into her throat. My hind feet dug into the diamond as best they could, and I scrabbled against her flesh, severing as many strands of sinew and muscle I could find. Hanging on to both her body and whipping around to avoid flailing, I ducked just as the sound of a whistling ki beam approaching. Neil and Gavin had fired the same attack at the exact same moment, further weakening her body.[/i] ?Boom headshot!? [i]I hear that?s what Neil shouted anyway, but I was too busy shredding whatever my claws would reach. And eventually it worked out. Her head burst from her mangled neck and fell, only to be consumed with fire. I leapt off her body and landed in the field that was slowly burning itself out. Shaking all over, I felt my chin touch the black earth and saw Vicky and Andrew both flat on their backs, returned to normal, looking up at the crescent moon, now visible. Nearby I could see the white ashes that had been Warlock drifting away in the light breeze. Connor was resting, leaning against his sword, stuck vertically in the ground from before. Gavin and Neil both were sitting, knees crossed, arms folded. I could sense Will?s approach and feel his hand on my shoulder, which by now had completely gone out.[/i] ?It?s time to come back to your original form.? [i]With a blink, I lifted my head up to see him standing over me, then turned and saw Gavin rise to lean over me as well. He put a hand on my cheek and I blushed, or at least would?ve if my skin had shown it. I caught his scent, and purred once, before hunching over, my spine snapping under the strain of reverting. With a sickening crunch, my bones reshaped themselves into humanoid ones. My claws retracted as I stood, totally devoid of clothing, but my skin returning to its normal tattooed self. Gavin held up my chin for me and I stared into his eyes, mine becoming the same white, empty pupils I?d always had. He laughed aloud, then pulled me against him, one last wrench of my hip straightening me out completely. Vicky rolled tired eyes and looked away.[/i] ?That?s gross you know. Absolutely disgusting.? ?Oh go away, you?re just jealous because you can?t reform your entire anatomy.? [i]I turned and stuck my tongue out at her, shaking hair out of my eyes and clinging to Gavin?s shoulders. Connor tilted his head back until his head was resting on the hilt and looked up at the sky, his eyes glancing over Sella?s skeletal remains.[/i] ?I have no idea about you guys, but my mom?s going to massacre me for this one.? ?That and we completely forfeited our security deposit.? [i]Neil looked up from his crossed arms, an odd expression on his face. Andrew looked despondent. Then he turned and sifted his hand through the charred earth.[/i] ?Warlock should be happy now. If we?d lost, he would?ve tormented us all.? ?No ****. We?d be better off joining him then that.? [i]Vicky spread her arms out, laughing to herself. I almost did the same, but then paused. I crossed my arms over Gavin?s and closed my eyes.[/i] ?I think he?d rather we lived to lay the hurting on anyone else as ****** up as Sella.? [i]Will smirked, his a mirror image of Neil?s. They spoke at the same time, even as I snorted at them.[/i] ?Word.?[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"][i]Under a veritable shower of saliva from Gavin's charming tongue, Raiha turned just in time to see Kuja dismount (so to speak), from his demonic horse. He stepped towards Japan, chuckling, while Charles backed off at 600 miles an hour, typically impossible, but then again, not for him.[/i] "Muahahaha, little girl, I'll make you my pet." [i]And after the ravishing, trampling, (The horse was jealous that his master wasn't paying more attention to him after all...), and so on and so forth, Japan looked quite bedraggled. Almost de-limbed really, but if it was a choice between being mangled, and being covered in shrimp guts, it's always best to aim for the shrimp...[/i] "Poor thing, she looks quite messy." [i]Gavin leaned over to whisper in my ear, while simultaneously checking for more shrimp chips in my purse.[/i][/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"][i]Raiha chuckled at the sudden bending of rules and reality, and shook herself, steeling for the horrors of facing the nightmares also known as 'teh haczors' traversing across the land.[/i] "I'm doubting they'll want fish." [i]Gavin had joined her, brave and handsome husband that he was, and seemed spoiling for a good fight. She smirked and stepped back slightly.[/i] "Back off, I smell like a shrimp boat." "It's making me hungry..."[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Just when you all started worrying about what Clare would do without her arm... Irene comes to save the day and the world from a very frightening Awakened. Episde 14 was the **** as you might have imagined, although I think Ophelia's personality was almost completely responsible for the outcome.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"][i]Llyra fell back a few paces, Ellemere doing so as well. A stray Youma homed in on the both of them, and Llyra threw up her wand just as Elle straightened her grip on the staff she'd been gripping. Huge fingers flew towards them and were instantly repelled by Elle's air shield. Llyra placed a hand on Elle's shoulder and transmitted her thoughts in a voice and sensation so subtle, only she could hear it. "He'll attack from the left to right, aiming for our shoulders. I'll try to deflect for now." Sure enough, that's exactly what happened, only as soon as the fingers came remotely close to brushing the shield that had been erected around both Llyra and Elle, Melanctha came swinging through and removed the attacking arm of the Youma, swiftly dispatching the other. She leapt back in a light flurry of both steel and fabric and Llyra stepped forward, her blindfold still firmly placed over her eyes. She raised her wand with one hand and placed it flat across the palm of the other. A rush of yoki washed over her body and her dress flared out under the gathering power. She concentrated it at the tip of her wand and whispered three soft words. White light completely engulfed the Youma's head, exploding it in a rain of blood and flesh that would've completely enveloped the three girls if it weren't for Ellemere's conveniently placed cover.[/i] "I will never get over how gross and messy these things get." "Stop whining, there's still three more to get, including the Eaters." [i]They straightened up, and Melanctha rushed towards her fellow warriors, leaving the two mages behind. Llyra dropped her head slightly and placed a finger to her temple, her eyes working behind her cover.[/i] "And Joseph will need our help. If he's wounded by the Eater's he'll have to push his limits..."[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]I take back what I said about my sign, this one is better. Ah yes, and here's a lame screenshot of a Youma that just saw a Claymore bearing down on it. Note the dumb expression, the lack of supreme confidence. ...or it could just decide that it's too cool to load for me. RATS.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]One can easily find them on veoh.com or crunchyroll, or parts of it on youtube. They're the ogre-like beings with huge mouths full of fangs. Physically huge, gigantic golden cat eyes, and huge protruding spines on the back. They vary from basic two legged beast to flying type and so on and so forth. However these are just regularly powered ones. Voracious Eaters are much older and stronger Youma that can extend fingers or parts of their body to impale and throw around Hunters and humans alike, as well as regenerate limbs. As with all Youma, their vital spot is their head.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]"I believe the proper thing to do is offer it fish at this point." [i]Raiha stepped forward, holding a big bucket of mackerel and sardines and placed it before the speaking penguin. She bowed and stepped back.[/i] "So tell us more about this prophecy." [i]But it was too late. The penguins were eating. A lot. All the time. And for some reason Charles's left hand was beginning to look like a mace. Oh yes and Sephiroth was beginning to resemble a yarn voodoo doll.[/i][/FONT][/COLOR]

[FONT="Times New Roman"][COLOR="DarkOrchid"]?You.? [i]I turned my head and pointed a finger that had become a talon at Sella, my hair throwing off a shower of sparks and smoke. I think I was screaming, I couldn?t tell, and I threw myself at her in a suicide attempt, my claws open wide, and she threw up her weapons. One was instantly shattered, minced with my claws, and the other I caught in my mouth. I know she was shocked, and if I had a mirror, I suppose I would?ve been too, but then I would?ve lost what I?d just gained. Sella jerked back, trying to free her supposedly good weapon, and I locked up my jaw like a pit bull. Normally I don?t notice things like a mouth full of fangs, or a tongue like a snake?s, but I guess I should?ve. Either way as soon as I felt the sinews in my mandibles tighten, her last blade exploded under my bite. Full of burning resentment and rage, I threw both hands toward her, only to have them caught and squeezed at the wrists. I reversed my movement and flipped back, far enough to where I landed against the cliff?s sheer side, gripping with all my claws to stay put. Sella was chuckling at me, and I looked down to see Vicky holding Warlock?s still warm hand in hers. Andrew had knelt down and closed both of his friend?s eyes, even though he knew that they?d only open again later. I let go of my grip and tumbled down to land on all fours by Connor, Gavin, and Neil, abruptly devoid of energy again. Despite our grief, we all turned when we heard the sound of gathering energy, and I saw both Andrew and Vicky gasping for air. I almost rushed over, but remembered that I couldn?t speak anyway. The best I could manage was a harsh hissing sound. I did know what I wanted to say, but it didn?t matter. Connor held his sword point down and looked away, his eyes empty of feeling. Neil let out a laugh that sounded more like a bark. And I whipped my head around at his words.[/i] ?That raving ***** is as good as dead.? [i]He saw my eyebrows flicker upwards in question and he pointed towards Vicky and Andrew both. I moaned once and flinched away. Surpassing their limits, changing their forms, and going beyond everything that had held them back and prevented them from this. Andrew was the first to go. I saw his eyes roll up in the back of his head, then snap back down a deep blue color, his hair bursting from normal brown to blindingly bright golden. Long and sharp, it cascaded down his shoulders to his impossibly huge biceps. His tail had changed too, and his body was surrounded by a flare of yellow and white. I felt his power change substantially, but then Vicky turned as well. Instead of bulking up the way Andrew had, her body became longer and lithe, like an Olympic swimmer. Her muscles became even more defined, but not as huge. Her hair poured down her back in a river of iridescent light, and her eyes flickered between bright green and orange. I could hear Andrew moan through gritted teeth, as his muscles reshaped themselves.[/i] ?It hurts...? ?I?d imagine having your entire body?s physical size radically altered would hurt...? [i]I shook my mane at Will, my eyes showing a slight displeasure and we both turned back to see completed forms of both Vicky and Andrew. Their aura?s had nearly overlapped, and both stepped out across the field towards Sella. The first thing that happened was the smug expression on Sella?s face disappearing. The second was the sound of Vicky laughing in a voice hoarser and deeper than I recalled. Her hair tossed itself in the backlash from her own power and the smile on her face was going to make me laugh.[/i] ?How do you like them apples? Stupid woman.? [i]The third was Sella changing her form. She shed her flesh mask and burst from the shell she?d been wearing over her true shape. I could see why she?d decided to wear the body of an attractive blonde. Worse than the alien queen from all those movies Neil and Gavin had geeked out on all those years, and definitely more sickening than the mutated lamia Connor had shown me in a swamp once... It was huge. Gross. It was like Sella couldn?t decide if she wanted to be serpentine or mammalian, but the overall effect was quite overwhelming. I kept my body in its feral state, at least that was what I had decided to call it. Neil and Gavin both seemed to be waiting for what she would do. It didn?t take long. A huge tail slammed down, nearly crushing the place where Andrew and Vicky both had been standing seconds before. Both had disappeared and were nearly impossible to see, but not impossible to sense. They were both so strong that I could see them clearly without even trying to feel their strength. I knew that both were still outclassed by Sella, but neither had explored the upper limits of their new forms, and I didn?t bother probing them to find out. One of the other things I was noticing was that they were both moving so fast around her, striking with both hands and feet, that they were leaving after-images of their bodies that lingered just long enough for us to see. Gavin had crossed both his arms, and I could feel power contracting tightly around him, not expanding like it was around Neil.[/i] ?They?re impressive like this, to be sure. But I don?t know how long they can keep it up.? [i]Turns out that didn?t matter. Sella?s true form was powerful, more powerful than them combined in their current state, but she wasn?t fast. Not nearly as fast as Andrew and she was massively outclassed by Vicky?s improved agility. The crazy girl had concentrated the elevated ki in her body to surround her hands and fists, and she was laying on the blows so heavily that she made both Andrew and Sella look like they were standing still. Sella?s mouth opened and she fired off a burst of ki attacks that both Andrew and Vicky easily avoided. In fact, Vicky did it so fast that she whipped her body around and reflected the attacks back on Sella, who dodged, but was still caught by them. Andrew burst upwards and spiraled both his hands downwards, releasing a huge flare of ki that engulfed Sella completely. Laughter ripped its way through my throat, and Connor tapped my side with the flat of his blade. I couldn?t stop laughing, it was too funny. We were all ready to die anyway. Might as well see the humor in it all. I felt my aura flare around me in a circle, expanding outwards, upwards, and exploding so hot that it began to burn the field we were standing in. I knew Warlock would burn, but I couldn?t stop and I didn?t want to. ?I?ll burn your mangled soul right out of that body of yours.? I felt Will?s mind brush against mine, even as I stalked on stiff legs towards the beleaguered Sella.[/i][/COLOR][/FONT]

[i][FONT="Times New Roman"][COLOR="DarkOrchid"]Turns out, the monsters were horrifyingly easy to throw us off guard. Or so I thought. But it turns out that nothing could?ve prepared us for Sella. Not training against Neil?s mother, not against mine, nor against Vicky?s or anyone else for that matter. Of course we?d come to appreciate things in the end but at that point, we all hated ourselves nearly as much as we hated Sella. Perhaps it was the fact that we weren?t prepared, or the fact that to beat her, we?d have to sacrifice ourselves. But big deal, who cares? We came up swinging. [center]~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/center] Will and I backed up from the field to the steep hills that formed a near plateau. We both kept our backs to the stone and dust, while the others walked forward to form a loose chain of bodies over us. While we were useless when it came to attacking against her specifically, we weren?t so useless in defending our own bodies. Connor slowly drew his sword, and I let a loose wreath of flames cover my forehead. Sella appeared like a hailstorm, a burst of yellow hair, a flash of her dark escrima sticks, a flash of her blue suit. Vicky, Andrew, and Warlock surged forward first, in a huge burst of Saiya-jin power, tails out, fists clenched, a wall of purebloods ready to defend. Gavin and Neil followed close behind while Will, Connor, and I assumed our own stances. Will and I had very similar positions, while Connor held his blade across his body, a slow surge of cold power flickering around his body. Sella clashed both her sticks together and slammed forward, a huge monstrous aura bursting over everyone, Vicky and the others taking the brunt of the blow.[/i] ?****, she?s ****ing insane!? [i]Vicky fell back with the others, her body wracked all over with pain and new lacerations all over. Her aura had faded behind her and was nearly gone altogether. Her clothes had nearly frayed off in important places, revealing the strips of cloth both she and I had taken the liberty of wrapping ourselves in every morning. Warlock?s face had nearly split open on one side, and blood was pouring from his cheek. Andrew looked like he?d slammed into a concrete wall, face first. Sella had shoved through the protective wall she?d tried to throw up and gripped her around the neck.[/i] ?So I?m insane am I? You don?t know the half of it.? [i]Vicky?s head tilted back, flopping like a rag doll?s, and her eyes tilted in the back of her head. Too late to save herself, Warlock leapt past her, his fist slamming into Sella?s ear, knocking her back against the cliffs we?d been shoved into. Will and I split up, spiraling back, keeping up shields only strong enough to repel debris. My skin hardened over with my tattoos and I leapt back, trying to get a safer distance between myself and Sella. I saw Will doing the same, his aura covering his body like a sheet. She recovered and set her sights on Warlock, attempting to grab him the way she?d done to Vicky, only to nearly smash against him, propelled by a heavy blast of Neil and Gavin?s energy combined. He threw her over his head, whipping around to fire off six smaller bursts of ki, one after the other. Will sent a long range attack spiraling from his fingers to her. No dice. Sella landed a good distance from us, totally unharmed. I cursed and slammed a fiery fist against the rock and stepped out of the way of the rocks that cascaded down. Will jumped back, closer to me and the others slumped back, all winded, all useless. Connor dropped to one knee. ?He?d been defending and attempting to slow down her movements so we?d have half a chance, but it appeared that his efforts weren?t working.[/i] ?She?s immune to everything we throw at her...this is ****ing pointless.? ?But she?s not even fully powered up, she?s only coming at us with a portion of her real power.? ?Don?t even talk like that.? [i]Will was looking down at Warlock?s mutilated face, putting his hand on it to seal the damage as much as possible. I passed two fingers over the worst of Vicky?s cuts, stopping the bleeding and blocking out the agony of her bruised ribs. Neil, Gavin, and Andrew looked mostly unharmed, if totally out of breath. I could hear Sella?s laughter drifting down from above us, and I realized that while we had all though she was far enough away for us to relax a tiny bit, she wasn?t. She could teleport, and now she was throwing down a huge burst of energy, crackling, white, furious, burning as hot as my own fire. Will, Connor, and I reacted almost instantly. He thrust his sword upwards, point first to form a focus point while Will and I both flung energy and fire around it, creating an umbrella shield that nearly buckled under the strain of her power. I felt a hand grip my shoulder and turned to feel a burst of energy from Gavin. I would?ve blushed, but I was too busy keeping the flow of fire and magic coming. Connor struggled to keep his grip firm and gritted both his teeth under the strain.[/i] ?Where does she get it from?? ?Less talk, more shield!? [i]I didn?t think he could hear me, but I yelled anyway, hoping it?d get through. Sella?s attack abruptly stopped, either because she?d decided to stop pouring energy on us like a mudslide or because our defensive abilities were not what she had planned on. She instead decided to do worse. Warlock turned his head up from where he was just in time to see Sella burst on top of him, her hands plunging through his body. A huge burst of blood, a widening of his eyes, and he was gone. Her hands soaked through to the shoulders, Sella laughed hysterically at us all, Vicky crying out a sharp sound of pain and anguish that quickly stifled itself. A harsh sob wrenched itself from my vocal chords as well and I felt the fire around me crackle and stop burning, as if I?d been doused in ice water. She staggered back, covered in arterial blood, her hair wild and her eyes worse still. Neil, Gavin, and Andrew all looked like they?d had their souls murdered within them. Will?s expression had shut itself off, and Vicky?s look of agony was a mirror image of my own. I felt my heart pause, and then a burst of fire pour down from the sky to wash over me. My eyes snapped and pinpricks of black appeared in the centers, spreading out over the whites, engulfing them completely.[/i][/COLOR][/FONT]

[quote name='Charles']Well, since the Baron never posts in these anymore, I cannot continue my tradition of skipping over everyone else's posts just to flame him for not mentioning me, so instead I'll focus on you. Because you did not mention me you have cooties and Put on Your Red Shoes and Dance 2 is off! Anyway, I want to meet Sandy because he's dreamy and he's my hero.[/QUOTE] [font=times][color=darkorchid]Bah, you were implied. And if I added you into my post now as an afterthought, you'd be even more mad. So I suppose the only cure would be for me to ask my room mate for help. *circle circle dot dot now I have a cootie shot* There. All fixed. ANYWAY. You know that you and I are destined to meet, have a lot of drinks, and then pass out. It's totally inevitable. Besides, we already discussed this. Added to the list: Ikillion: Cause I'm more black than him, or so he says and we have to be absolutely sure.[/color][/font]

[font=times][color=darkorchid][i]Llyra stopped right where she was and the others all formed a vague semi-circle behind her. Joseph paused and put a hand on her shoulder. She kept her eyes closed, even though they were kept behind her blindfold anyway. Adjusting it minutely, she slowly undid the pins holding her sleeves up. With a delicate sound, her long sleeves fell down around her sides, and her arms were held up, bare skin showing. She slowly turned her body until she felt she was facing the right direction and then she opened her mind's eye. To the casual observer, nothing had changed, but both Joseph and the others could sense a subtle weakening of her own yoki power. The Yuma were still far enough away for her to do a quick sensing, and so she did. A third eye, invisible to all but Hunters and Yuma opened on her forehead, a burst of white and silver light.[/i] "Two appear to be Voracious Eaters, and the other five are relatively weak. ...... ....we should split into teams to minimize the damage." "Are the two big ones too much?" "Not if we plan it out and take out the weaker first." [i]Instantly, the pressure of reading so much yoki became almost painful and Llyra half opened one eye. She shut off the connection right after and turned, withdrawing her sleeves back to their normal position. She reached up to one of the nearby trees and wrenched down two twigs that had grown together, brushy with leaves and stem. She turned, her blindfold covering her eyes once more, and slipped back behind the others, standing with Ellemere.[/i][/font][/color]

[color=darkorchid][font=times]Why is it that everyone, or almost everyone, has put something in their blurb about wanting to meet me that includes words like "rape" sex" "orgy" or- Why am I even asking this question? Psh, whatever. I hear it's easier to get orgies with me now that I'm single IRL though... ANYWAY. Gavin: Cause he's my OB husband, do I need better reasons? BKstyles: Cause booze is funny. Malkav/Boss: Cause rape is funny too. Jokopoko: Cause booze is funny even overseas. Perhaps even moreso. James: Cause he's got the purtiest eyes. Alan: Cause if I don't say I want to have another orgy with him, he'll cry lots. Adam: Oh wait, I already met him...HAH! I win.[/font][/color]

[color=darkorchid][font=times]Well, technically you could've if you'd haunted the clearance section of both Anchorblue and Hot Topic like I did while I worked in a mall.... ...... And just so you ALL know. That's a skirt, not pants. It unzips into a mini skirt. Iki was wrong! Explanations: - That field with the billions of people is a field with billions of Narutards all screaming and posing and taking pictures. Fat Naruto, Fat Sexy Ninjitsu, and Fat everyone else was present as well. As in the women you can't look at but once you see, won't ever get out of your mind. Me and my girl Dia both decided that pointing and laughing was the only appropriate course of action. [that was legal]. - At a dance, never underestimate the ability of great hip movements, to attract other equally capable *** shakers, especially single female ones. -Cid Highwind was the man whose spear I squired around all convention, as well as the one responsible for getting me a free Industry pass. Which was essentially a carte blanche to cut in lines, get discounts, and be evil. -After limping around all day, sitting down in an air conditioned meeting hall is super.[/font][/color]