The Harlequin

[font=gothic][color=crimson]OOC: You want to explain that to me? I'm in a cave, with a big rock blocking the entrance. As in, sealing it. Sure, if Alqwerik wants to glare at you through rock he's welcome to, but hey....[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]Long, loud groan. I know where you live Jack. Still, Millionare is such a damn good song...[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]OOC: It's evolution baby. IC: [I]Lacroix looked around a moment, fixing the position in his mind.[/I] Lacroix: Well then people. I think I'll disappear now. [I]Lacroix pulled out his water flask, and took a small swig.[/I] Lacroix: Good night all, and may we thank Solmnus for his blessed cup of nepenthe... [I]A wry note crept into the last few words. Lacroix raised the flask in a toast, but not to his lips. Without further words, he remounted Alqwerik, and the two took off into the night. They ended up a few hundred metres away, in a small cave. Despite the cramped conditions, the cave measured perhaps seven feet in height, and one and a half times that across, Alqwerik had little trouble coiling his body into the small crevice in the rock. He wound his way to the back of the nook, finding it adequately empty, and adequately closed off. There was a grizzly bear's last meal there, but that wasn't too much of a concern. Alqwerik returned to the front of the cave, where Lacroix had lit what amounted to a small fire. Only about seven feet across... Alqwerik coiled his body around three quarters of the blaze, Lacroix taking the other. The one closest to the cave mouth. Alqwerik relaxed in the warmth a moment.[/I] Alqwerik: Still can't sleep within 10 metres of anyone you haven't known for over a year? Lacroix: Oh come on. Would you trust that lot as far as you could throw them? Alqwerik: I don't know...I could throw that lot pretty far. [I]Lacroix sighed, and walked outside. Looking at the rock above the cave, and noting it was mostly loose boulders, he climbed up, and pushed one of the larger rocks off. Alqwerik's long tail slashed out from inside the cave and wrapped around it before it could roll away. Lacroix jumped down, and walked back inside. Alqwerik pulled sharply, and the rock came skidding towards them. The snakelike creature let go, and Lacroix pulled the rock the rest of the way in. It was somewhat larger than the cave mouth, and blocked it perfectly. The air would be a little stuffy, but it was security.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Alastuin absorbed this news in silence, before sitting back. Reaching behind her without looking, she drew up a large cup of what smelled to be strong coffee, and took a long drink. It seemed to settle her.[/I] Alastuin: The first time Lacroix was required to step in way with his great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandson. Unable to get his new bride pregnant, for some unknown reason, Lacroix impersonated him. Kind of a Julien Mayfair in his own right. Since then, there have been twenty three s'Xalerians, including yourself, fathered by your ancestor in question. Kattarin: I really, really don't need to know those details. Alastuin: I find them somewhat...morbidly fascinating. Kattarin: Perhaps. You don't have to think about how your family tree would look though. Alastuin: True. Anyway, on to the heart of the matter. Kattarin: Where his last known whereabouts were? Alastuin: Not exactly. It would be better to say where he is most likely to be. [I]Alastuin started to say more, but was interrupted by a loud hissing sound coming from one of the many strange apparatus in the shadowed areas of the room. With a sibilant curse, she rose, and walked into darkness. A few seconds later, there was silence. Then an easily audible, quite resigned, quite calm "Oh ****". At which point, as is the nature of alchemical potions, the unknown concoction had some...unintended results. Kattarin couldn't see anything, but the de reguier bubbling noises were emanating, and the nearly as neccessary flashing lights. After a long minute of such, Alastuin spoke, without returning to the light.[/I] Alastuin: You know, all I wanted to do was develop something to stop this nasty cough one of the villagers get every year. And this happens. Now what in however many planes of the Abyss you feel like believing in did I do to deserve this kind of thing [I]again[/I]? Kattarin: Care to elaborate? Alastuin: Well, I was using several herbs that affect the lungs, and one or two the slow one's circulation. And some sleeping weed, to help the body adjust. [I]Kattarin absently noticed that Alastuin's voice was steadily getting fainter, and seemed to be whistling.[/I] Kattarin: And? Alastuin: Quite simple. My lungs are asleep. Kattarin: What? You're speaking. Alastuin: Yes, I'm awake. My lungs however, are sleeping quite peacefully. And my heart seems to be starting to drop off as well. Be a good girl and me find me the blue, heart shaped flask on that shelf behind you? [I]Her voice was barely a breath now. Kattarin rushed over with the flask, pouring it down Alastuin's throat. She coughed a few times, then stood up.[/I] Alastuin: Don't ever become an alchemist. The risk pay is abyssmal...[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]Hmmm. I'll take a shot at Starlet. Failing that Cristan or Diablos.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]Alastuin: For starters, Kinrade is not your father. Kattarin: What? What do you mean? Alastuin: Lacroix is. Lacroix has been the father of several s'Xalerians over the years. You're his latest. Kattarin: But...Kinrade....that woman.... Alastuin: A feigned story. Your father is Lacroix. Genvieve is your mother. Kattarin: You mean? Alastuin: Yes. You're ultimate ancestors are actually your parents. Kattarin: Wait. You say Lacroix has been the father of several s'Xalerians? Alastuin: Yes. Kattarin: And if the s'Xalerian, the blooded one, at the time was female... Alastuin: Yes.... Kattarin: Oh god. We are so divinely inbred.... Alastuin: You just managed to mentioned celestials twice, and inbreeding once, all in the same line. Congratulations. Kattarin: Now I'm really going to hit him.... Alastuin: Go ahead. I tried many, many times. Kattarin: Alright, I suppose we'd better get on with this. Alastuin: Youre being awfully calm about this. Kattarin: Actually, I've always wondered why the bloodline ran so true. Then when I realised Lacroix was alive...it all kind of clicked. Confirmation was all I got then.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]Yeah, and I'm gonna kill him to! And you! And anyone else that may have had a hand in me not going! GOD DAMMIT! I swear, if I don't get to go to Livid next year....heads will roll.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Lacroix looked slightly startled for a moment, then intrigued, then outright amused. He looked over, and touched his fingers to his forehead, before waving them off in an ironic salute that was a perfect reflection of Lacroix's sardonicly amused manner. Alqwerik's long neck twisted around, looking at the still smiling Lythanoid.[/I] Alqwerik: Do I want to know? Lacroix: Probably not. You'd want to eat her. Alqwerik: No further questions.... Lacroix: Oh? Going soft on me? You're familiar with Lythanoid perversions, anything another race could come up with shouldn't phase you. Alqwerik: But to me, they aren't perversions remember. And they aren't to you either. Lacroix: I know, but it's a useful term. Alqwerik: I think I'll eat you instead....[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]OOC: I'll admit to being an idiot, but out of curiousity, what brought the accusation on this time around? In your sleep isn't Kattarin's style. Try "tie you down while your asleep and have a little...fun". You should know that by now. Broken? I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about the way the thing is looking at me![/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]Lacroix: Let's see...we have here comparitive beastiality, and comparative incest. Interesting. Not exactly my perversions, but I respect them nevertheless. Interesting that you refer to them as "clients" though... [I]Nepenthe didn't say anything. Ganthor didn't say anything. Everyone else was too startled to talk. Lacroix acknowledged that, and supposed he'd have to fill in the gap himself.[/I] Lacroix: Just back to an earlier comment though, I don't think you'd be up to me. [I]Nepenthe raised an eyebrow.[/I] Nepenthe: Ganthor here, and Ochkik Haddad... You think you're up to it? Lacroix: I'm a lythanoid. Ever had sex in a volcano? Nepenthe: Have you? Lacroix: I'm a lythanoid. It's our favourite place to. Besides, with an internal temperature that is basically an inferno, a Lythanoid's internal fluids, whatever they may be, are somewhat....painful, for other races. Nepenthe: Must make for an interesting time.... Lacroix: I'd give you the details, but there are young, impressionable minds here....[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]OOC:Why would it be? For one, I don't think of you have mentioned a character named Alastuin, and I know that you are no where near me geographically. Besides, joining up with everyone like that would be boring. On to more important matters, what the hell is that picture's problem? IC: [I]Kattarin reached Alastuin's small hut, and knocked. It was a courtesy she afforded few people. Most people weren't able to give you invisible gential lice as a reminder of the benefits of common courtesy. That was one of the local legends anyway. Kattarin didn't feel like trying it out.[/I] Alastuin: Come in Kattarin. [I]Kattarin opened the door. The hut was dark, even for night in this forest. A small brazier emitted a glow, but no light, in one corner. It was enough to see by though. Alastuin was, as usual, playing with one potion or another.[/I] Alastuin: What can I do for you at this hour? Kattarin: I need you to tell me everything you know about Lacroix and Genevieve. [I]Alastuin shot her a piercing look.[/I] Alastuin: So. Someone finally figured it out. I've been awaiting this a while. Kattarin: Why? Alastuin: Because I too was a contempary of Lacroix. And it's going to be most amusing having his future come crashing down on him. Kattarin: I have no intention of harming whatsoever....Well, not much. Alastuin: Of course not. But just his face when he finds out someone was clever enough to work out his secret.... [I]Kattarin pulled up a chair, and Alastuin started to relate the tale of how she had met Lacroix, and what she knew of his activities.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Nepenthe however, was to be disappointed. Lacroix absently picked one of the blossoms up, twirling it through his fingers as he examined it. Then he started speaking in his elegant, arrogant drawl that Nepenthe just knew was designed to bait her.[/I] Lacroix: You know, this flower has some very interesting properties. [I]He picked a few more of the blossoms, and crushed them in his hands. He stood up, and lightly leapt over to Ganthor. Ganthor made a few sounds of disapproval, but righted himself. Lacroix absently rubbed his hands over Nepenthe's confused face for a few moments, before leaping back to Alqwerik. Nepenthe turned to everyone else, wondering what Lacroix had done. At least, she was wondering, until someone, she didn't quite see who muttered...[/I] "I'm almost tempted to ask her how much for a good time" [I]Nepenthe looked back to Lacroix, glaring daggers. Lacroix grinned, and held up his hand. It was stained purple. Nepenthe cursed, and tried to wipe the makeshift rouge off her face. [/I] Lacroix: You'll never get any clients if you smudge it you know...[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]OOC: Unfair? It's unholy,unnatural, and unbearable. And anything else anyone else would like to add. But hell, you get that. IC: [I]Kattarin, resolved, but without direction, started her "quest" (in other words, current direction of whimsy) the way all her predecessors did. With the fervent hope that if she walked around enough, she find something out. And a certain prediliction for getting themselves into things that didn't really concern them... The trees pressed close around her, forming an almost stifling cloak, yet she felt comforted by it, rather than threatened. She'd walked, guarded and hunted this forest since she could walk, alone and in the company of her family. And occasionally even locals, those that were up to it. "Game" was abundant. By her family's standards, "game" was anything that offered chance of at least severe dismemberment. Normally big cats or dire wolves. They left the panthers alone of course. Kattarin wasn't really worried about running into the denizens of the wood. They all knew her by now. The intelligent ones, anyway. The "witch", an alchemist by the name of Alastuin, lived nearby, after being exiled from a nearby village. She was welcomed into the one at the foot of the Castle, but refused to stay there, untrusting. Most likely, she would be the first place Kattarin would stop. She knew more than she ought to. But then, she'd taught a lot to Kattarin over the years, and was more of a mother figure to her than the weak-willed, stay-at-home-and-cook minx her father had accidently married after the swordswoman he was after tricked him. It was a good slight. And after all, it wasn't like the swordswoman wasn't her mother anyway. She'd just had no use for her father's desire to "make an honest woman out of her". Actually, he'd had no problems with it, merely assumed she did. But that was history. There was a lot of that in this area. At least it was more interesting than most of the trivia her tutors had attempted to impress upon her. Hell with them. Hell with her family too. And especially hell with Lacroix. Warped, twisted man he was, by any stretch of the imagination. Kattarin sniffed at the air. Sure enough, strange odours floated along the breeze. The proverbial hut was just up ahead.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Lacroix directed a slow, lazy glance towards the area she indicated. That done, he swept his eyes up and down her body, till she shifted uncomfortably. In a slow, amused drawl, he started to speak.[/I] Lacroix: You know...you should probably get them checked. I mean, I know this great mage down in.... [I]No-one ever found out where that mage was. Nepenthe interrupted, sharply, and Lacroix couldn't speak through muffled laughter.[/I] Nepenthe: You idiotic, uncultured, uneducated imbecilic, gods-forsaken, spawn of malacophilous newts! Do you have the slightest idea of what I'm talking about? [I]Lacroix drew himself up as if affronted. With an a dandyish gesture, he spoke in a scholarly, yet effeminate voice.[/I] Lacroix: I'll have you know, young lass, I was educated by the finest of tutors.... [I]It was too much. Everyone, even those who had earlier not been paying attention, burst out in laughter. The rest of Nepenthe's tirade was buried under it. Lacroix concealed a sly smile, then remounted Alqwerik, whistling the yet to be written immortal classic "Take A Walk On The Wild Side" to himself.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]Just on the note of the BDO...you're gonna die bad Jack. For anyone who doesn't understand that... I was intending to go up with him, but then he decided he wasn't going. Then he decided he was. Not happy. I haven't really been a fan of QoTSA in the past (Asiding the immortal "Feel Good Hit Of The Summer"), but Jack's constant playing of them is starting to grow on me as well. I'll steal the album off him sometime.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]General Awards Overall Member of the Year: [B]Liam[/B] Honorable Mention: [B]Ravenstorture[/B] Male Otaku of the Year: [B]Liam[/B] Honorable Mention:[B]Mystic's Knight[/B] Female Otaku of the Year:[B]Ravenstorture[/B] (Obligations and all. Actually, that'll explain a fair bit of this post.) Honorable Mention: [B]Raiha[/B] Most improved Member of the Year: Sad to say, it does go to my sometime annoyance, ye olde [B]Cloricus[/B] Honorable Mention: Thread of the Year: [B]Otaku Role Models[/B] Honorable Mention: Silliest Thread of the Year: [B]Otaku Role Models[/B] Coincidence? I don't think so. Honorable Mention: Funniest Member: Got to be [B]Jesus Chicken.[/B] Honorable Mention:Probably [b]Etarah's Maverick[/b]. (For reasons he won't understand) Silliest Username: [b]Jesus Chicken[/b] Honorable Mention: [b]Mnemloth[/b] Member most likely to be here in two years: [b]Raiha[/B] Honorable Mention: [B]My god damn well self.[/B] Avatar of the Year: [B]Jesus Chicken[/B] Honorable Mention:[b]My old Nightmare before Christmas one[/B] Signature of the Year: [B] My goldfish one[/B] Given the proper element of surprise a goldfish really can beat the hell out of a gorilla! Honorable Mention: [B]One of the many AIM conversations running around[/B] Best Otaku Couple: Who do you think? [b]Raven and Myself[/B] Honorable Mention: [B]Either Rico/Raiha or Mike/Dani[/B] Best looking Otaku: [B]Raven[/B] Honorable Mention:[B]Myself....[/B] Otaku clique of the Year: [B]Es Clan, I'm afraid to say. The thing I was tentively associated with.[/B] Honorable Mention: Best Newbie: Ahem. I don't think so. Honorable Mention: Best Oldie: [B]Sephiroth[/B] Honorable Mention:[B]Flashy[/B] Best Otaku-Related site: There are Otaku related sites? Honorable Mention: Most likely to become a Staff Member: [B]Liam[/B] Honorable Mention: [B]Raven[/B] Otaku Writers Poet Laureate: [B]Rico[/B] Honorable Mention: [B]Raiha[/B] Writer of the Year: [B]Myself...[/B] Regardless of what anyone else thinks.... Honorable Mention: [B]Raven[/B] Role-Player of the Year: [B]Raiha[/B] Honorable Mention: [B]Flash[/B] Brawler of the Year (sparring): [B]Medra[/B] Honorable Mention: [B]Etarah's Maverick[/B] (Just so I don't seem too arrogant) Role-Playing Game of the Year: [B]Rico[/B] Honorable Mention:[B]Liam[/B] Social Otakus Otaku Social member of the year: [B]Juuthena[/B] Just from that buddy list.... Honorable Mention: Entertainment Otaku of the Year:[B]Jesus Chicken[/B] Honorable Mention: No idea about anything below. Anime Otakus Otaku of the Year: (Best Anime member overall) : Honorable Mention: DragonBall Guru: Honorable Mention: Digipeep of the Year: Honorable Mention: Gundam Member of the Year: Honorable Mention: Yu-Gi-Oh Member of the Year: Honorable Mention: Otaku Gamers Gamer of the Year: Honorable Mention: Nintendo "Mario" Award: Honorable Mention: The Sony Award: Honorable Mention: Xbox Gamer of the Year: Honorable Mention: PC Gamer of the Year: Honorable Mention: Otaku Artists Best Graphic Designer (Banners, wallpapers, etc.): Honorable Mention: Best "Traditional" Artist (Drawings, paintings, etc.): Honorable Mention: Best Spriter: Honorable Mention: Series Otaku Series Otaku Member of the Year: Honorable Mention: The Chocobo Award (Final Fantasy): Honorable Mention: Liberty City Award (Grand Theft Auto): Honorable Mention: Mushroom Kingdom Honors (Mario): Honorable Mention: PokéPlaque (Pokemon): Honorable Mention: The Triforce Award (Zelda): Honorable Mention:[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Lacroix shook his head, and let forth a strange sound. Almost like he was choking. It was a few moments before it was realised he was actually laughing. (As a curiousity, I actually laugh like I'm choking. It's bizarre) Which, of course, did nothing for Nepenthe's disposition. Behind him, Ganthor took a few prudent steps back. Nepenthe looked to Alqwerik, then to Lacroix, then back. [/I] Lacroix: Seems you do needle somewhat easily. Nepenthe: I wasn't talking to you. Alqwerik: I don't think he was either. I mean, I could be wrong, but hey. Lacroix: You normally are, but I'm fairly certain you're right this time. Much as it pains me to admit it. Alqwerik: Well then. That poses an interesting question. If you weren't talking to you, who were you talking to? Lacroix: Her I think? Alqwerik: Her? [I]Lacroix gestured towards Nepenthe.[/I] Lacroix: You know? The uptight chick who's in denial about being human? Alqwerik: Oh, her. I guess that would make sense. [I]As one, they turned, and somehow, despite their unreadable features, there was an obvious half amused, half baiting, almost defiantly bored, expression about them both. They both were quite interested. The reaction they got was bound to be good.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]OOC: Nerves of steel baby. Nerves of steel. ...My, wasn't that out of character? It did by the way. Now they don't get along very well. IC: [I]Kattarin walked along slowly, wondering what to do. The strange amalgation of bloods within her roiled with the night. She absently wondered what a close examination of it would turn up. Probably three of four types of werebeats, and Geneveive's blood was still strong. Mainly because she was still alive.... Alive. Geneveive. Lacroix's wife. Well, for a while. That was it. Kattarin suddenly increased her stride. She'd dig up the old vampyre, and find out what Lacroix was really like. And, she suspected, she'd find out where Lacroix really was. She didn't doubt for a second that the old bastard was alive somewhere. And he had a lot to answer for. All these feelings were confusing for Kattarin. She liked her life, her heritage, her family and everything about it. She just felt Lacroix was an arrogant bastard, and needed to understand him. Mainly, she needed to udnerstand herself. And her supposedly long dead ancestors were the key to it. A vampyre would live this long, and Genveive had loved Lacroix... The bastard was definately her child in darkness by now. [/I] Kattarin: Great. I'm hunting a pair of vampyres, who are most likely the two most dangerous beings on the planet, simply because I'm going through a stage of catharsis. They'll be thrilled, I'm sure. Hell, it's about time.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Lacroix looked around, a bored, tired look on his face.[/I] Lacroix: No, fire won't work either by the way. I will however, be nice enough to kick this thing's *** for you all. [I]Completely unconcerned, Lacroix walked towards the ogre like beast, swearing to himself. He spoke as he did so.[/I] Lacroix: Now, regenerating creatures such as this one, which, by the way, doesn't regenerate naturally, as the very creature is an abomination, draws energy from whatever wounded it. So you stick an arrow in it, the energy in the arrow heals it. From the kinetic, to auric inside it. Fire will heal it especially fast. Because fire is pure energy. It's the second fastest way to heal it. The fastest way to heal it would be to punch it a lot. Life energy. Now... [I]By this time, Lacroix was about three feet in front of the creature. It interrupted his dialog with a loud roar. He looked up at it. It was nearly twice his height, but he was undaunted. In fact, he still seemed bored.[/I] Lacroix: Yeah? Well **** you! [I]Lacroix puncuated this sudden outburst with a sharp strike. The claws on his upper right arm dug into the solar plexus of the beast, reached all the way in, and grabbed. It was rather strange. Lacroix's arm, long as it was, was buried almost to the shoulder. The ogrething looked down at him, chuckling for a moment. It gathered it's scattered mental resources, in order to draw energy from Lacroix to heal itself. Which of course, was a mistake. The creature shuddered once, then collapsed, rapidly decaying. Lacroix turned and walked back. There was no blood on his arm, or anywhere else on his body.[/I] Lacroix: I however, am somewhat dead. In fact, I'm very dead. But it didn't know that. So it drew energy from me. Death energy. Which, as you saw, wasn't exactly conducive to a long life. Now, shall we continue? Alqwerik: You really are an insufferable smug bastard you know? Lacroix: Yes, and I'm making sure everyone else does to.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]This could be interesting, especially for me. [B]Who I Am In My Own Mind[/B] I'll start by saying this. I am not someone who is often honest with myself. In fact, it is very rare for me to be. It is far rarer for me to be honest to another. I'm a hopelessly vain, lazy, arrogant/self doubting, overly emotional, [I]chronically shy[/I] person who is simply trying to recover. I really am. I actually do give a damn about how other's perceive me, though I would rather die than show it. I am undisciplined to the point that I never get around to doing anything I attempt to stick my mind to, no matter how little effort it takes. I fully believe that I do have good qualities, more than most people I've ever met, but in my own mind, they are always lacking. I am not good enough in any way, shape or form. Especially intelligence. I am absolutely paranoid about what I consider to be my inferior mind. Anyone that can make me feel stupid automatically earns my respect, but also my avoidance. Those kinds of feelings really kill me. The overly emotional thing is very, very interesting. In actuality, I can't honestly claim I am. I don't really feel anything anymore. I love Raven, I'm quite often depressed, and every now and again some angers me. But everything else, even those things I mentioned earlier, don't seem to be emotions anymore. They are merely a dull ache in my stomach. I think the emotions, not feel them. It's a frightening experience at times. Chronically shy- strange, but in many situations, I'd rather die than put myself in an awkward position. I'm quite serious. Anything where it might out I've made the wrong move, or accidently gone to the wrong place, or any other such inane mistake will agonise me, and doubts will start running through my mind until I'm a quivering mass of nerves. As such, I have no initiative whatsoever. (This contributes in a large way to the idea of me being lazy) Last year, I joined the school Cadet unit. This for example, was horrible. So many rules and regulations. I had no idea what to do, and it was all I [I]could[/I] do not to simply vomit through nerves for the first few weeks. I'm overly introverted, a loner by choice. I prefer being alone. There are times when I prefer it even to the company of those closest to me, Jack and Raven. I need solitude. It lets me relax, calm down, know that I'm not going to accidently offend someone, or be put in an "awkward position" (That shy thing is quite literally so bad I can't watch anything of the "drama" category without trying to leave the room at every interval. I can do whatever I want, and not be concerned with other's opinions. Above all, I need Jack and Raven's respect. If I didn't have that, it would kill me. They know me so well, and if they didn't approve of what I was, I simply couldn't take it. I'm very rarely happy. When I am, I'm normally in the corner, sitting, uninvolved, letting other people enjoy their lives, while I take a quiet satisfaction from it. That's why I get so entranced by books. They allow me character I can live through. In many ways, I'm obsessed with getting away from reality, and certainly from my life. As I'm sure you've noticed, whoever my mysterious reader should be, I'm quite disjointed. When I do start to speak, I tend to spill out information. But before that, I can't think of what to say, I sit here, hopelessly lost by the choice of topics before me. Ask Raven about our early phone conversations. We sat in silence for 10 mintues at a time, simply because I couldn't find anything to say, and she'd spoken for two hours straight. I'm also, I'm somewhat ashamed to say, a hopeless romantic. Especially in the fantasy area of my life. It appeals to me somehow. I find it annoying, but hey, it's me. I think the last relevant point would be the reason I'm like this. My mother's death, my insanity, my depression I suppose. But still, I'm recovering. I think the most frightening aspect is simply that I don't care anymore. I'm told outright denial is a viable form of dealing with a tragedy. And we've all read of peopl who simply retreat into themselves. They no longer live in most senses of the world. They're merely moving statues. I suppose I've grown like that. Not even the fact that my mother died affects me anymore. I just feel a vague emptiness. It's horrifying, even to me. Well, that hasn't really left a clear picture of me, but I'm not clear person. I think the phrase " emotionless,quivering mass of nerves" sums it all up. [B]How do others see me, or at least how I think they do[/B] I'm really not certain, though I work hard to present an image. A try to make myself seem as a cold, hard, unapproachable person. I try to make myself sem smarter than I am. I try to make myself seem dangerous. All this, merely to keep people away from me. I don't know how it all comes out. I'm sure it's ridiculous to everyone around me, that I'm a running joke, that everyone's laughing up their sleeves at me, even Jack and Raven. But that may be my doubts speaking again. Perhaps I am unapproachable. Mainly because I'm so confused as to how I appear that no one else can find a foothold that reaches me. Another interesting point is that during my life, I've found it neccessary to present myself as completely normal. This was mainly because there was some suspicion I wasn't "alright", and I was terrified of anyone finding out about me. It was only a year or so ago I got over that. You'd have to ask someone else for the real answer to this question. [B]How I would like others to see me[/B] The complete opposite of what I really am. I want to be cold, unapproachable, supremely confident, feelingless, incredibly gothic, intelligent person in perfect control of their own life. Hell, I doubt it will ever come to that though. My, that was interesting. And I never want to hear about it again, [i]especially[/I] not in person.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]OOC: Well, I'll tell you all what. I'll leave it at hello, and be done with it. Been in somewhat less than salubrious condition, and my internet decided not to exist....again. Anyway, here's my little greeting. Even after sifting through all that...ahem....literature (yes, I a dignifying it somewhat), I still don't know what's going on, so I'll fit in somewhere else for the moment. I'm feeling even crazier than normal for some reason.... Modest too. Too tried to write anything decent though. IC: [I]The man was big, drunk, and stupid. Just what she didn't need. Not that it was a problem. It was just an inconvenience. He stood there, grinning foolishly. Even from two metres away, his breath still struck her like a mallus.[/I] Stupid, large, drunk man: Sooooo, whadda ya rec(hick)-reckon wench? What say ya come back to my place with a few of me mates? [I]He was looking at her as if she couldn't possibly refuse. He actually seemed serious. She leant across the table between them, smiling slightly. [/I] Kattarin: Take a long look into my eyes my friend. Look deep. [I]Puzzled, but eager to please, the oaf looked at her eyes. A few seconds later he stumbled out of the tavern, running for his life. Inside, Kattarin straightened to her full height, looking around arrogantly. In a voice of chill silver, she announced herself.[/I] Kattarin: Kattarin s'Xalerian. Daughter of Kinrade s'Xalerian, and 171st decendant of the lineage. [I]A few of the old timers chuckled in their cups. No doubt the lass was of for the heriditary family adventure. The younger generation sat in stupified silence. Here was the daughter of their lord, and their future ruler. They eyed her not in fear, but well-warranted respect, and no little awe. Their ancestors had accepted Lacroix's protection eons ago, when he had settled and built Castle Xalerian on the mountain above them. His descendants had protected this small village ever since. Quite often, the s'Xalerian of the castle was enough to deter bandits or rampaging creatures of less civilised race and demeanour. If it came to the worst, they kept a small, but somewhat elite garrison. It was a frightening sight. Several hundred gothic people, like a vampyric migration, all giving voice to sepechural cries for blood. Actually, a lot of them had vampyric blood in them. It wasn't really well known, but the founders of htat garrison were the younger children of Lacroix. To this day, younger siblings of the heir apparent would join the garrison. And the s'Xalerian blood was a bit of everything by now. The infamous succubus who's story was still told in the tavern in which Kattarin now sat, a femal vampyre named Genevieve Dieudonné, and an inordinate number of other ceatures. The s'Xalerian family tended to be pretty....open minded, about that kind of thing.... In the tavern, silence still reigned. In a mercurial change of mood, Kattarin suddenly smiled, and spun, cloak billowing out, and left the tavern. No-one commented. Everyone in the small village knew what the castle-dwellers were like. Kattarin was, in actuality, only 20 or so metres away. She leant against a large tree a moment, before leaping up into its branches. Cradled by the large boughs, and cradled far more by the night air, she reclined like the panther in the family's crest, like the tatoo the entwined with herright leg, and let the night move about her. She sat there long hours, wondering at her course of action. Like all her ancestors, she knew it was not yet her time to settle down. She needed to see the world, and experience her darker self made real. She knew of no interesting events in the world, well.... not interesting enough to warrant a s'Xalerian's attention. They were really getting too exclusive.... Still, they'd earned that reputation over the years. Kattarin absently wondered how such a legacy didn't become burdensome. Probably because the s'Xalerian's were all the same, and only made rules they knew they were all going to obey anyway. Not for the first time, Kattarin considering finding out a way to go back in time. Just so she could slap some sense into Lacroix. Her family was simply too problematic for most of the world. She leapt down, and walked off into the night. As had every one of her predecessors.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]My excuse is not only have I been as sick as a dog, my internet fixed itself up five minutes ago. Apologies, whatnot, who cares.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]OOC: Oh yeah, I'm always the untrustworthy turncoat.... Really, I'm hurt.... Or willing to take advantage. Depends on how I'm feeling. [I]Lacroix sat, on a rocky crag far from the castle.The moon was before him, a dread lake underneath. It was cold, dark, and filled with fell creatures. That lake claimed all that entered it, one way or another. Many times, Lacroix had sat, watching the night grow, wither and die around him. Many times, he considered allowing himself respite. Release. The fall. The lake could destroy him. It would end his existence. Which would be a respite not only for him, but any he crossed paths with. He thought upon those he had earlier met. Surely, they were doing something important. Surely, they would need every advantage. They would need to be free of petty tensions, divided loyalties. They would need to act as a group. They would need to be able to trust each other. Yet he knew he couldn't stay uninvolved. The siren call of death would draw him in. That decided it. Lacroix rose, silently farewelling the moon. He smiled, and leant forward. He graceful dive was interrupted about 20 metres down. Lacroix opened his eyes, as talons closed around his arm. He jerked once, then hung there, wondering why he had done that. Before he even looked up, he knew Alqwerik had caught him. At least, judging from the familar muttering. Set down upon the crag once again, Lacroix knelt, again what had possessed him to do that. Alqwerik alighted behind him, reproachful.[/I] Alqwerik: You are chaotic, but not as evil as you fear. Lacroix: Still, my presence is a catalyst for strife. Especially among those who stay near me for an extended period. Alqwerik: You think I don't know that? I know better than anyone else. You wear people down too fast. You're too damn independant. You seem to go out of your way to make things difficult for everyone else, for reason that are incomprehensible to anyone but you. Even I don't understand most of what you do. Lacroix: Exactly. Can they afford that? Alqwerik: They'll have to. You don't have anything else you'd rather do, and you won't stay away. I know you that well. [I]Lacroix rose and mounted. Alqwerik lifted off the ground, and Lacroix revelled in the sheer brillane of the moon, the soft whisper of the night's breeze.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Alqwerik glared at Lacroix balefully.[/I] Alqwerik: Now why couldn't I be blessed with a companion like that? Lacroix: You were. But then I got to know you. Don't worry, anyone else you end up with will act just the same. It's sad really. And bad for my reputation. I don't really have an attitude, you're just annoying. [I]Alqwerik muttered something under his breath. It was somewhat strange that a creature of that size could whisper. The few bits Lacroix did pick out were, of course, profanity. And some very strange insults Lacroix felt needed to be appropriated and used at a later date... Alqwerik wandered off, sounding disgusted. Ganthor looked at him, head cocked sideways in some bizarre form of confusion. He then looked back to Nepenthe, then balefully at Lacroix. With his own disgusted sigh, Lacroix waved him off. Ganthor glared a moment longer, then bounded off after the annoyed shadow serpent.[/I] Lacroix: Oh great. Now I've got two of them against me. Nepenthe: Strange behaviour. Alqwerik really doesn't like you? Lacroix: Of course he does. It's more along the nature of a friendly rivally that occasionally gets a little heated. Besides, we like it that way. Anyway, I'll go see make sure Alqwerik doesn't get too insistent on privacy. Nepenthe: I doubt Ganthor would like that. Lacroix: That's what I mean. Damn solitary bastard. Nepenthe: I could have sworn I heard him say the same thing about you when he walked off.... [I]Lacroix responded with a soft laugh, a strange, almost choking sound. Lythanoids, particularly not ones who had lived tortured lives like Lacroix, were not used to laughing. He walked off, following the trail of ever-increasing profanity, at ever-increasing volumes.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]Lacroix: Simple enough. We walk in there and kill everybody. What's the problem? [I]There was a moment's consternation, as everyone wondered whether they'd fallen in with a crazy demon who always happened to be a homicidal maniac. Something about his posture betrayed the smile that lit his silver features however, and everyone relaxed. A metallic chuckle emanated from Alqwerik.[/I] Alqwerik: Do you really have to do that? Lacroix: You tried it outside... Alqwerik: That's different. I'm meant to. I'm meant to be a primitive. Lacroix: Oh I don't know, I'd put your intelligence up against a few people in this room... Alqwerik: Such as yourself? Lacroix: You know I'm smarter than you. Alqwerik: Yet you get into trouble more often. [I]The two walked outside, still bickering. There was a universal resigned shaking of the head in their wake.[/font][/color][/I]