The Harlequin

[I]Valeigh looks over at The Harlequin, surprised[/I] Valeigh: Wouldn't a link between you and Spyder neccessitate her being in your mind. The Harlequin *smiles*: No, it's nothing like that. It's just that I know where she was going. Rico: Oh. Where? The Harlequin: There's a building a few streets over. She hid her oath taking blade there a while back. She went to get it. If we hurry, she'll be there. I have a feeling Athen would have gone there to, probably for the same reason. Valeigh: Well why are we still here? [I]Valeigh jumps off the roof, landing easily. Rico follows her, and they head off in the direction The Harlequin earlier indicated. The Harlequin leaps off and spins in the air, landing so that he is facing the house. Sidling up to the wall, he listens carefully. Still no sign of more Lightbearers.[/I]

The Harlequin: Not a chance. No one here is throwing themselves into unknown odds right now. Valeigh: Who made you the leader? The Harlequin: No one. But tell me, are you so eager to die? [I]Valeigh says nothing, while Rico moves to the door. The Harlequin looks over[/I] The Harlequin: Not that way, they came in from this direction. Rico: Then they have us surrounded? The Harlequin: One of them alluded to the fact, but he may have been trying to buy time. Valeigh: You're right then. We leave now, and go and find Spyder, Athen and Eps. Rico: First we'd have to have some idea where they are. Valeigh/The Harlequin *simultaneously*: I can find them.

Definately Novacaine for the Soul. By the Eels. Anyone remember the Eels? The people who did Susan's House and I Like Birds? I didn't think so...

[I]Once sure that Valeigh and Rico are out of ear shot, The Harlequin comes out of his feigned sleep, and wipes the tears that course his cheeks.[/I] The Harlequin *to himself*: Ah Valeigh, did you really think the dead sleep? Or were you trying to merely blank my mind? I hope for your sake you weren't. [I]Considering that it would be best if he stayed were he was, especially considering his emotionally vulnerable state, The Harlequin glances around and is startled by a light in the next room. He stalks over to the door, and throws a quick look in. Lightbearers! Three of them. With some kind of radio. Shaken by the knowledge he had let his guard slip that badly, The Harlequin draws his kris, and readies his twin viper with his left hand. Casting the knife into the throat of the furtherest Lightbearer, The Harlequin steps into the room and spins his weapon into the other hand, then redirects the momentum into putting one of the blades into the second Lightbearer's staff arm. The second blade arcs up and slices a line across the warrior's throat. The last cultist, having shaken off the surprise of the sudden attack, swung his staff viciously at The Harleuqin's head, cutting back suddenly to disarm him. As the twin viper flies free of The Harlequin's grip, he swings back into an open, easy stance.[/I] Lightbearer: Give up. Sellum knows you're here, and you cannot defeat me now. [I]The Harleuqin's deathly grin does not slip at the Lightbearer's staff again strikes for his head, coming in from The Harlequin's left. The Harlequin blocks with his right wrist, wrappign his hand around and pulling. The Lightbearer stumbles forward, but drives his free hand into The Harlequin's stomach. As the Lightbearer recovers his balance and stands up, The Harlequin pivots and sends his right heel into his solar plexus. The Lightbearer again punches for The Harlequin's head, only to have his arm thrown across his body, disabling his staff hand. The Harlequin's elbow smashes into the man's throat, his hand wraps around the neck, pulling the cultist's head down for a savage knee to the temple. Pivoting again so that he was facing the same way as the Lightbearer, while keeping him in a headlock, The Harlequin promptly breaks the dazed man's neck. Laughing in contempt, The Harlequin sets out to warn Rico and Valeigh that they have been discovered, and that they must find Athen and Spyder, and just maybe Eps as soon as possible.[/I]

Name: Zul Daan Age: 250 Race: Vampyre Class: Assasin Abilities: Move silently, scale walls Occupation: Assasin Weapon: Twin viper, hand crossbow Skills: Pick locks, poisons Bio: Zul Daan became vampyre when he started associating with a group of people who never came out of a large house, and always dressed in black. He never guessed they were vampyres. They then initiated him, and expected them to obey him. Instead, Zul Daan rebelled, and poisoned his would be masters. He then used his abilities to become an assasin. Description: Six ft tall, always wears black, face done up in The Crow style make up. His hair falls to his shoulders, and is inky black.

Try some Anne Rice novels. Probably the Vampire Chronicles. or perhaps Janny Wurts. The first book in the Janny Wurts series is called Curse Of The MistWraith.

I'm quite sure that if you didn't have so much time on your hands, you'd find something better to do than watch something you should have seen many, many times before.

To put things bluntly, judging by the number of years they've been showing rerun after rerun, if you haven't had your fill of the Simpsons, you have far too much time on your hands.

The Harlequin: The mind does that. My mother died of natural causes, cancer in fact, when I was 9. As such, I don't remember anything before that. It's left me with so many unanswered questions. So much I don't know about myself. Valeigh: Haven't you been able to get into the locked area's of your mind? Or been able to get someone else to? [I]The Harlequin shakes his head firmly, his face grim, as if this was a sensitive issue.[/I] The Harlequin: I tried once. Never again. I had a friend, who was a natural telepath. We didn't mention it to each other for the longest time, but we knew there would be a chance he could. Then eventually, he volunteered. Whatever he found there left him mad, for a while. The last coherent thing he said was that the blocked off areas were a direct path to my subconscious. Rico: Your subconscious is that bad? The Harlequin: It seems so. I have a theory. The part of me locked off still exists, out of phase, so to speak, with me. It was driven mad by isolation. So it latches on to whatever it can. Anyway, that was the last thing he said, before he slipped into madness. But as I said, that didn't last long. Valeigh: Did he recover, or die? The Harlequin: I suppose you could say he died. To put things bluntly, his personality must have stayed rooted inside me. His mind drained into mine, slowly. We didn't know what was happening for a while. We started sharing thoughts, and I started having memories not my own. My personality indefinably changed. Then, he started to fade, his mind ceased to exist. There were still basic functions within his brain, but who he was no longer exists, except inside me. Valeigh: So your mind absorbed him. The Harlequin: Yes. The same happens to anyone who taps into my mind. Makes things dangerous. Especially for Eps. I'm surprised he's resisted the temptation so far. Valeigh: Eps is a telepath? The Harlequin: Yes. I hope he's smart enough to stay out of my head. I don't want to have access to everything he is. Rico: So how many minds do you have knocking around in there? The Harlequin: Seven. It's sometimes useful though. It means I can alter my personality at will. Perfectly. I become the other people. Except physically. But everything else changes, even my voice. But the cost is too high. Rico: Do the minds still exist within you, or are they dormant? [I]A look of utter melancholia descends onto The Harlequin's face[/I] The Harlequin: All of them, except the friend I mentioned earlier. He talks to me nearly constantly. And... [I]The Harlequin lowers his eyes, unable to continue[/I] Valeigh:Is this hard for you? The Harlequin: Yes. Even afer all these years. I never adjusted to talking about myself, even after I met Spyder and Athen. Anyway, my friend never forgave me for what happened. I have a hostile entity in my head. It's a constant battle to keep him down. And, with my death, he too died, so there is no way he can ever be removed. Rico: That explains how you know so much. You have several minds to draw upon. The Harlequin: Yes. Michael, my friend, was the one who knew martial arts, from a rogue vampyre, I recieved the ability to regenerate from blood infusions. From a scientist who didn't know what was good for him, I recieved my knowledge of chemistry and biology. [I]The Harlequin suddenly breaks down, unashamedly weeping[/I]

The Harlequin: True. But if you think you could kill me without getting injured... Valeigh: You're currently unarmed, I would like to point out. The Harlequin: All the better. Im more agile that way. Believe me, I've taken swords from people, hell, multiple people, many times. In the Old World, I was what was considered a martial arts master. I prefer to fall back on that than weapons really. Rico: Yeah, you're the man aren't you. The Harlequin: No. To put things bluntly, I have no interest in fighting either of you. I'm assuming that you would back Valeigh up. Rico: Probably. The Harlequin: Then I would probably be defeated in short order. Valeigh: Then you'd better watch yourself. The Harlequin: Do we really want to split this group up so quickly? At least if we do, things will be even. Rico: You now think you can match both of us? The Harlequin: Probably not, but Spyder and Athen would back me up, while Eps would probably support you two. Valeigh: Due to his feud with you? What's that about anyway? The Harlequin: I don't like his eyebrows. Valeigh: What? The Harlequin: Basically, it's nothing. I'm just too dispassionate to care what he thinks, thus he resents me. Now that we all seem to have calmed down, where were we? Valeigh: I was giving what could be called a summary history of myself. The Harlequin: Well, I think it's your turn then Rico, unless you wish to keep your secrets.

[I]The Harlequin ignores Valeigh's drawn sword, will Rico looks away.[/I] The Harlequin: Interestingly enough, death does most of that as well, aside from making the Puhar's visible, and the seeing hidden things. I'd like to know the exact chemical equation of an infusion. Valeigh: It's something along the lines of a photosynthetic style equation, mixed with something that alters seratonin levels. The Harlequin: So basically it causes one to derive energy in multiple ways, with a substance that lowers seratonin so that the massive endorphin burst doesn't incapacitate the recipient? Valeigh: I think so, but that's just a theory of mine. The Harlequin: It's probably the best theory around, considering our relative situtations. Rico: Does it really matter? The Harlequin: Of course not. I'm merely curious. Although, given time, I could probably work out a way to reverse it. Which may be neccessary. [I] Valeigh brandishes the still drawn sword. The Harlequin continues to ignore it, as well as paying no attention to Rico covertly readying his weapons[/I] Valeigh: Are you implying something about me! The Harlequin: Of course not. But there are all sorts of people who would trust us more in none of us had received infusions. Rico: You're saying she's a detriment to you all. [I]Valeigh throws a grateful galnce at Rico for the support.[/I] The Harlequin: No. Try and listen to what I'm saying. Situtations may require that none of us APPEAR to be associated with the Lightbearers. Besides, Sellum has a long arm. One such as you would be easy to trace. Valeigh: What do you mean by that? The Harlequin: That people tend to remeber Lightbearers and those associated with them. They tend to live longer if they do. [I]Valeigh brings her sword to rest, while Rico relaxes as well[/I] The Harlequin: And tell me, how far would you have gone if I had said what you might have considered to be the wrong thing?

To be nice and bias, anything that isn't rock (and I mean real rocky, not that pansy crap we see around today. You artists know who you are!) or goth. With perhaps a few exceptions. But then, I'm allowed to be biased.

Name:Harlequin Age: 29 Race: elf, Class: rogue Weapon: Twin viper, hand crossbow Armor: Light leather armour Specialized skill:move silently Deity: (opt.) Obad Hai, god of nature Bio:Harlequin is an exiled elf from an ancient and unforgiving tribe, that has long hidden even from other elves. Armed with secrets unbeknownst to most, Harlequin is a dangerous assasin for hire. Descripion: Dark, shoulder length hair. 6 ft tall. Always wears black, with a hooded cloak to conceal weaponry. Face is constantly done up with The Crow style make up.

Rico: So when are you going to run off? The Harlequin: I have no intention of going anywhere, until the lot of them are back. I give them 3 hours at the most. Valeigh: Why's that? The Harlequin: Because Athen and Spyder will realise what they are trying to do is currently hopeless, and Eps is merely a hanger-on. Rico: And what are they trying to do? The Harlequin: To cut things short, Athen, Spyder and I are a part of counter-surgance cult. Valeigh: Which means? The Harlequin: We're a bunch of holwing crazies who don't like Lightbearers. We're out to get them. Spyder and Athen are going after as many as they can, preferably the source of the whole damn plague. Valeigh: There's no way they could accomplish, much less survive that! The Harlequin: I know. They'll realise in short order. Then they'll trudge home, weary, and surly as usual. Rico: That's a strange way to view a cult you're part of. The Harlequin: Death alters one's perspective. Anyway. Once they get back, Athen will start apologing, and Spyder will get upset. Rico: You're so sure? The Harlequin: Of course. Athen has too much sense, and Spyder and I have this agreement. We don't put each ourselves in danger without the other there. Valeigh: You're really that close? Rico: Such relationships are rare these days. The Harlequin: Everyone's a rare person these days, so I think we have a bit of leeway. Not that it would matter if we didn't, Anti-opposition Disorder being what it is and such... Valeigh: What are you raving about? The Harlequin: Whatever I happen to have been talking about a few seconds ago. Sometimes it gets ahead of me. Rico: Now I see why you refer to yourselves as howling crazies. The Harlequin: It makes things interesting, and I means I can bounce ideas off myself. Saves company. Valeigh: Strange sentiment, considering how devoted you are to another person. The Harlequin: Consistency is the mark of a small mind. Rico: So then. Now we've established you're crazy, there's nothing to do but wait some god damn more.

Spyder: As soon as Athen and Eps return. The Harlequin: Anyone have any idea where the hell either of them are? Spyder: Impatient? The Harlequin: When have I not been? Spyder: True. You could ask Valeigh or Rico, but I doubt they'd know. The Harlequin: Damn it. They could have at least mentioned something. I expected better, at least of Athen. Spyder: He probably didn't think it was important enough to tell us. The Harlequin: He never does. Spyder: You do the same thing, so don't complain. The Harlequin: Fine. We'll have it your way. What are Valeigh and Rico doing anyway? Rico: Just finished eating. Valeigh: I'd like to add that there's still some left. The Harlequin: Don't look at me like that. I don't need to eat. Why do you care anyway? Valeigh: You may be useful. Trigger fodder etc. The Harlequin: How droll. So, anyone have any idea when Athen and Eps will be back from whatever probably perverted entertainment they've found?

[I]Spyder walked out of the room, laughing hysterically.[/I] The Harlequin: What this time? Spyder: Nothing. The Harlequin: As per usual. Spyder: Aren't you used to it by now? The Harlequin: Of course. But there's always a chance that it coudl be something else. Anyway. So what's happening? Spyder: I'd say that once everyone decides to wake up, and eat something, we'll leave. Speaking of that, have you eaten yet? The Harlequin: When was the last time you saw me eat anything? Spyder: My house, 2:30 am, March 14, 2002. The Harlequin: Oh.... So when do we all leave?

The Harlequin: Damn it. That hurt. One of these days I've got to get that checked out. [I]Spyder sits up, astonished, before remembering that The Harlequin was dead anyway.[/I] Spyder: Oh god. I'm so sorry. The Harlequin: Don't worry about it. If I was off guard enough to let it happen, I deserved it. Spyder: Don't you dare say that! The Harlequin: Oh alright. Memories again? [I]Spyder bites her lip, hard, ashamed, even when faced with the one she loves, that she still suffers over the past[/I] Spyder: Luna. Again. [I]A sigh of understanding instanatly escapes The Harlequin's lips, as he alone fully understands the nuances involved in Spyder's pain at that memory. Central to her pain was the fact the she had suspected for a long while the he had been secretly involved with Luna, a suspicion that, once erased, left Spyder more ashamed than she had ever been in her life.[/I] The Harlequin: Don't worry about it, it's not a problem. I'll fix it in the morning. [I]Even in this situation, Spyder is forced to laugh at his offhand tone.[/I] The Harlequin: It's fine. Luna's in oblivion, I'm merely dead. Let not the spectres haunt you. Spyder: You're too good to me. The Harlequin: We've been over this before. [I]Relaxing, once again, in The Harlequin's arms, Spyder strives to forget the images her tortured past vomits back up at her, while The Harlequin wonders at what would have happened if Spyder really had killed him.[/I]

It inspires a certain amount of interest. A word of advice though, don't try and make it rhyme to the point were it ceases to make sense, or sound right.

[I]Sighing, and laying Spyder's head to one side, The Harlequin outside to be alone with the night. He wonders what this ragtag group of beings are doing together, and how he will fit in.[/I] The Harlequin: And the others? How do they fit into this puzzle? Valeigh: We don't. [I]The Harlequin turns, unsurprised to see Valeigh and Rico perched several feet above him.[/I] The Harlequin: You habitually speak in plurals? Rico: No, she is speaking for me as well. The Harlequin: Ah. Understood. One of those. How long ago did Athen and Eps leave? [I]Valeigh looks surprised at The Harlequin's observation, Rico merely confused[/I] Valeigh: How did you know they left? You've been holed up with Spyder the entire time. The Harlequin: The aura flows around me changed. Rico: Right. Whatever. [I]The Harlequin laughs, tosses the two an ironic wave, and walks back inside, wondering if there is any way to get some privacy in this particular scenario.[/I]

It's a conspiracy....

Interesting. Slash unpronouncable. Flynn Mitchell: amorous ringwraith. Ironic, isn't it Spyder? Suits though.., for you. Elvish: Luinëfenion (root was Luinëfen) Orcish: Gâbghash the Crazy (Yes!!!!) Dwarvish: Lór Coalspear And sadly, hobbit: Griffo Bolger from Binbale Wood (we all have bad days)

Snapping out of trance, The Harlequin saw who had disturbed his reverie. Spyder. A poignant ache filled him, as he realised how easily he could have lost her over the past few days, as he realised, again, how beautiful she really was. The Harlequin: How do you always manage to look so good? Spyder: You're just biased. The Harlequin: You're only coming to that conclusion now? Spyder: You think I'm that slow? The Harlequin (long suffering sigh): Still can't work out when I'm being sarcastic, can you? Spyder shrugs, and sits next to him, imitating his cross legged position of repose. The Harlequin: Was there something? Spyder: Nothing, really. The Harlequin: Just the usual. Spyder: You complaining? The Harlequin: No... In a display few have ever seen, The Harlequin bares his soul with a display of pure happiness, tinged with grief, as tears run unashamedly down his cheeks, and he and Spyder take refuge in each other's arms.

The Harlequin wondered at Eps's sudden stance of something that just may have been close to reconciliation. Still, it might be best to go along with it... for now. The Harlequin's musing was interrupted by an inquiring sound from Eps. The Harlequin: I don't heal remember. I don't have to. And no, there's no pain. Eps: I have a feeling I could still heal you. The Harlequin: You'd only kill yourself. I'm aware that your form of healing works by flooding life into the wound. The backlash would suck everything you had out. Of course, I'd grow immeasurably stronger. Lifeforce, of any entity, being what it is. So if you're ever feeling generous... Eps: I think not... The Harlequin: I thought you'd see it that way. Now, I'm going to get some sleep. I don't recomment disturbing me. in fact, I recommend you do the same, whether you need to or not. It's good for your auras. Your psyche is seriously misaligned. But then, isn't everyone's these days. Eps: Where'd you get that from? The Harlequin (mocking): ...wreck the malls with cows on Harleys... Irritated by The Harlequin's strange remarks, Eps stalks out of the room. The Harlequin (to no one in particular): Well, that's that settled. The Harlequin sits in respose, and flows into the waking trance that serves for him as sleep, when he is disturbed, it is once again the sooty darkness of what may once have been day.

1. Do you spend much time in this forum? If possible 2. Do you contribute a lot of poetry? Not really, for everyone... else's sake 3. Do you read a lot of poetry posted here? Yes 4. For the most part, do you enjoy it? When it's well written 5. How would you describe most of the poetry posted here? Depressing, but not mind-numbingly so 6. Do you write [or have you, in the past, written] much poetry that could be considered "depressing"? Everything I write would be considered so (not my opinion either) 7. Did writing it make you feel any better? Not really 8. Do you prefer reading "depressing" or "lighthearted" poetry? Depressing 9. And does the phrase "you have to suffer to write" mean anything to you? Yes

The Harlequin was getting sick of dodging who/whatever had decided to follow him. He had, and not for his own sake, that it was not Eps. The Harlequin knew that he had an excellent chance at taking Eps down, but strangely enough, he didn't want to. Whether Eps could heal or not though, if Eps went too far, The Harlequin ws more than ready to let him spend the rest of his life in pieces. The soft tapping was still behind him. It was definitely humanish. Too purposeful for any other creature of the night. Perhaps he'd attracted the notice of a rogue vampyre. That would make things fun. A metallic chuckle sounded behind him. ????: Very good. The Harlequin's interest quickened. A telepathic vampyre? This miht just be the thing he was looking for. Vampyre: Yes, I know you're already dead. It won't matter. So am I. The Harlequin: Quite obviously. Why don't you step on out, so we can end this pathetic charade you call a stalking. Vampyre: But of course. The vampyre was once a classic archetype businessman. The Harlequin judged him to be one of the oldest vampyres he'd ever seen. Without pausing for further talk, the vampyre advanced, hands held like talons, ready to encircle The Harlequin's neck, to capture his neck in a fatal embrace. But that was an old tactic. As the vampyre swung, The Harlequin ducked, spun around, and drew his kris across the vampyre throat in a rising blow on the return. Startled, the vampyre stumbled back, not really injured. As The Harlequin advanced to finish the fight, the vampyre recovered with surprising speed. His hand shot out and grasps The Harlequin's throat. Twisting, it sliced both arteries. Undaunted, The Harlequin threw a cresent kick over the vampyres arm, hitting it again to bring his leg down. The Harlequin then spun his twin viper off his back, and in a vicious series of circular cuts that flowed into one another, removed most of the anatomical neccessities in the vampyres body. As the creature sunk to the ground, blood bubbling and hissing from it's wounds, The Harlequin decided it might be a better idea to return to the house. The chances of encountering a pack were slightly too high for his tastes. He was more than willing to take on several of them, but considering packs usually consisted of at least twenty, he was cautious about engaging them. Stepping lightly over the rapidly decomposing body, The Harlequin retraced his steps back to the house.