RPG The Altered - Viewer Discretion Advised -

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]*scratches head* REally??


Oh........kaaaay......*groan* I'm tired. Leave me alone.[/COLOR]

[Chaos]

Fine, whatever, I'll be a good boy and follow your post.
-- -- -- --
[i]Medra, steaming with rage, went into the bedroom, and slammed the door. He sat on the bed, looking at the wall. It was as if he was just...waiting...waiting. Nothing was happening. Silence crept back into the suite, giving it an errie air to it all. The only sound was the faint murmering of the TV in the front room, an awkward ticking of the alarm clock in the bedroom, and the sounds of cars going past outside.

Inside his head, however, it was not so quiet.[/i]

[i]"You should go kill him...he could have hurt the girl when he was in here. And he knows where you're at. He should be dealt with."

[b]"Quiet. If she wishes his death, I will grant it. If she wants him to live, I shall not act."[/b]

"Look at you; you're turning to mush. You're going soft."

[b]"At least I have pride, and I don't have to sulk around in a mind of my own undoing."[/b]

"You're so foolish. She's clouding your mind. You can't stop thinking of her soft touch, or her red lips, or any of her, you freak."

[b]"You're the one paying attention to detail."[/b]

"Never mind that. I am saying what you feel. If you continue on this path, you will die for another person, one like you whom of which was tortured into this life. Do you really want to help someone with those horrible scars and memories?"

[b]"Shut up, shut up, SHUT THE **** UP!! I have SWORN to protect her, and I WILL! NOTHING YOU SAY CAN PREVENT ME FROM THAT!!"[/b]

"You're really just going to throw away your life so that she will just end up on the street and raped and killed by a group of nothings?"

[b]"No, I will make sure that never happens. I will live until the day she is safe."[/b]

"And the young Rena. What of her?"

[b]"The same to her. I will never cease to help them. I owe them that much."[/b]

"Why, because you feel sorry for them? Or is it...that you perhaps love them? Hmm? 'Love at first sight', eh, you ****ing BLEEDING HEART!"[/i]

[i]Medra jumped forward, eyes closed, not even in control of his own body. His hands shot upward, tugging at his short hair, as he screamed in rage. His body twisted and turned, quite literally 'spazing', as his screams turned to curses, as he fell back onto the bed, face red. His fists came down, making an 'L' at his elbow. He sat on the edge of the bed, breathing heavily, trying to calm his heartbeat.

Why had he gotten so offended with that statement? Were the voices in his head right? Did he more than just care for them, and quite possibly, truly love them? ...No, it couldn't be. He was designed to be completely anti-social. But then again...he was also designed to be a brainless wad of muscle.

He looked up, seeing out of the corner of his eye, at Shalistrae, who's face was curious, as she leaned to the side of the doorframe, arms crossed. Their eyes locked for a moment, before Medra turned away, and laid on his back to peer straight up.

His blushing face told him that his inner demons...just might be right.[/i]
-- -- -- --
That is just so suckage.

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She sighed and sat down quietly.....hands folded in her lap. He looked at her slim fingers, pale and delicate....but still. She seemed to be holding back her thoughts.

Without a word, she touched his face with the back of her hand and brought her lips to his ear.[/i]

Shalistrae: Ignore them.

Medra: What?

Shalistrae: There is no shame in loving.

[i]She stood and left the room as silently as she had entered. Leaving him with his own thoughts, to race through his head and chase themselves endlessly until later.[/i][/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Rali looked around, wary as a fox. There were only em, but two of them were holding knives, and a third had a dangerous glint in his eye. The last was merely big.

It had started innocently enough. The nightclub had been his kind of place, and he'd enjoyed it. Thin lashes now traced over his skin, put there by a thornbush. The sensation was...exhilarating. Unfortunately, other people didn't think so.

The dangerous looking man had asked him if he was a queer. Rali had turned, and coldly said he had no idea what he was talking about. There were countless people enjoying various forms of pain and pleasure around him, why should he be any difference. The man laughed, just as coldly, and his friends had joined him. Rali had turned around fully, and folded his arms, baring teeth. The man had made some smart comment about animals. Rali had simply licked his teeth, almost seductively. The four had looked at each other, grinned, and spread out.

Now they looked at him, waiting for a sign to move. Rali didn't give them one. He took a bound forward, slightly to the left. As his foot hit the ground, he pushed off right, a leaping sidekick slashing out to strike one of the knife wielders. The move in the opposite direction had completely thrown him off. As Rali landed, he spun, faster than the second knifeman could match, the ball of his foot knocking him out. He hooked his heel back, striking the big man in the shoulder, numbing his arm. He dropped his leg in the same motion, and punched him in the throat, before midsection punching him in the solar plexus. His hands, pistoning back and forth, lined up, and the left struck his sternum, the right striking his throat again. The man gurgled and fell away.

Which left the last of them. Rali dropped into a fighting stance, left arm forward. He jabbed with the left arm, stepping forward. His right arm came across in a hook, which, as it completed, snapped back into a backhand. He followed the motion with a left hook, spun with it, coming around with a right backhand. Stepping forward with his left foot, he punched him in the stomach, stepped forward into horse-riding stance, his right foot striking the man in the nose. The nosebone ended up somewhere in the middle of his brain.

Another man stepped up, looking at Rali angrily. Rali, facing him in a wide stance, couldn't move back, so he leapt up, kicking him in under the chin. As his right leg came down, he grabbed the man's hair, bringing his head down sharply onto his left knee. The man groaned, staying doubled over. Rali stepped back, and levelled a field kick to his head. The man stumbled away, nose splattering across his face, but stayed upright. He stepped forward with a right hook.

Rali blocked with his left, and slammed his right arm over, into the man's elbow. His arm suddenly bent, the man had no chance to react as Rali snapped his arm upwards into a backhand. As it came back to his shoulder, he slammed it forward. The ridge of his palm struck the man's solar plexus. As he stumbled back, gasping, Rali spun. His heel took the man's head, snapping his neck. Rali fell into stance. The man just fell down.

He looked around. A crowd had gathered silent.[/I]

Rali: Well? Anyone else want to try and kill me?

[I]There was another moment's silence, before a spontaneous round of applause. Rali looked around, shocked, before smiling widely, and bowing like a courtier.[/font][/color][/I]

[Chaos]

[b]Medra:[/b] [size=1][i]"Great, she's psychic. Wonderful. Then she knows every thought in my head. Splinded. Well, no sense in it all now."[/size]

Medra pounded his head against the backboard once, before he closed his eyes, and spiraled down into a dreamless sleep.[/i]
-- -- -- --
*eats WB*

By the way, Rai, get on AIM right quick if you can.

[liamc2]

Jack though hard.

'I dunno...I'd say about half a year...three quarters of a year..or a year. Time really flies in there. All I saw was the same stupid wall and the same stupid people. As far as I was concerned the building was empty.'

He chuckled and glanced at Celestine.

'I guess today that theory was blown out of the water. So what exactly was really going on in there? Do you have any family outside?'

Celestine shrugged, 'I don't know about family...I just don't know..'

'Mebbe they put you on some form of memory suppressant or something...'

'Whatever..they might've...I wouldn't put it past that sadistic b****** that called himself a doctor..'

Jack raised an eyebrow.

'Got any description besides sadistic?'

'Weird haircut..'

'Ah Doctor Vormir?'

Clestine resisted the urge to spit.

'He's no doctor...but yes...that's him...'

Jack leant back on his seat, thinking.

'I wouldn't have thought he'd do such a thing...he always seemed nice when he came past in the mornings creepy...but nice I guess...that security superintendant was a real loser though...'

Celestine raised an eyebrow and tried not to punch Jack in the face. But she didn't, he was being sincere...totally ignorant...

[Juu]

[color=ff00cc] [size=1]Celestine: Do you have any idea what he's done?

Jack: Most of it.

Celestine scoffed and stood up from her seat.

Celestine: What time is it?

Jack: Midnight. I'm usually not home this early.

He finished his soup, sighing contently.

Jack: You can go ahead and sleep if you like.

Celestine: What about you?

Jack: I'll sleep out here, I guess.

Once he finished picking up the plates, Jack stacked half of the plates on the kitchen sink. The kitchen was rather clean, and neatly organized. The rest of the room had been rather small and stuffy, with only two windows. It was dark in there as well, with sepia-colored walls and little lighting indoors. He spead out a futon on the cold floor, and began placing pillows. Celestine hesitated, and walked in the bedroom. [/color] [/size]

[liamc2]

Jack flopped back on the futon and glanced up at the ceiling. He had about a week before rent was due, and without a job, he was only going to be able to pay it for a a couple of weeks off his savings. He sighed and rolled over, trying to get comfortable.

The tap behind him dripped out a steady beat in the sink. The muffled sounds of a busy city drummed in the background while Celestine's steady breathing came from the bedroom.

Jack rolled over again and stared at the ceiling, raising his watch to check the time. The glowing hands told him it was a little past midnight.

After a nice long sleep in he'd make a breakfast fry-up and go out and do some food shopping, get the paper and find out if there were any options for a reasonably experienced Security guard.

Jack yawned and stretched out the kinks in his back before closing his eyes and letting himself drift to sleep.

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Gurg.......damned parents. Taking away my access. Forcing me to methods of subterfuge and deceit. Wake up and smell the Shalistrae when you feel like it Medra....and take heed of this plot exposition here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[i]Kryas the Dorobo witch was up to her usual meditations.

She was an older woman, with long white hair and pale silver eyes, watched the movements of her brother. He was about the same age as she, with a firmly muscled body and graceful movements. She sighed and tucked her hands into the long sleeves of her dress. She could see the three as clearly as anything, and she was focusing on the one that was the key to everything. As he continued his shadow boxing, she spoke her thoughts outloud.[/i]

Kryas: Do you think we can stop the burning Lehre?

Lehre: ...perhaps. We must not interfere yet. Paradoxes are best avoided.

Kryas: What about the inteference caused by the death adder? She was a twist in the string.

Lehre: She is part of the plan. You saw how quickly she drew out the child's true power.

Kryas: It was strange...but could it have just been another illusion?

Lehre: No. The one with them is soothed with her presence. That is no illusion. We've both seen it.

Kryas: The child's only living relative might have something to say if he found out we were also watching.

Lehre: He won't be finding out. What with your powers and mine combined....he would stand a chance.

Kryas: ......let us not become over confident Lehre.

[i]She smiled thinly at her brother and tapped the light scar on her forehead. He grinned and continued with his tai chi. His twin sister was usually right....even if she had that all knowing tone when she said anything worthwhile.[/i][/COLOR]

[Chaos]

[center][spoiler][color=silver][i]What was that? Did the channel get scattered?

[b]No. Just strong brain-wave broadcasts. It's nothing to worry about. They can't breach the station.[/b]

You sure?

[u]Positive. In fact, they just want to help the subjects. Not interrupt our plot. I doubt they know we're here.[/u]

Mmm... I hope you're right.

[b]It wouldn't be the first time the channel was clouded. Certainly not the first.[/b]

...Why wasn't I briefed on this?

[u]The less you know, they better.[/u]

...[/i][/color][/spoiler][/center]

-- -- -- -- --

[i]Medra awoke with a slight hum as his arms stretched out. A silent yawn, and his eyes squinted in the crack of light that shined through the curtains. His arms came back down slowly to his sides, and for the first time, he noticed Shalistrae. She was on her left side, right leg bent up, resting against his thigh. Her right arm, along with her slightly smiling face, rested on his chest.

And then he noticed he could see down her shirt.

He blushed, but not as strongly as before. He had come to terms with his inner self, and looked away, lest he be caught staring. So, instead, he looked at the ceiling, not moving at all. He didn't want to disturb her sleep. She looked happy.

Soon, she stirred, moaning, though muffled, as she rolled to the left. Right on top of Medra. He, you guessed it, blushed, but barely, and looked down, right into Shalistrae's eyes. She was fully on top of him, just laying there. It was a few more moments until they spoke.[/i]

[b]Medra:[/b] "Good morning."

[b]Shalistrae:[/b] "Sleep well?"

[b]Medra:[/b] "Did you?"

[b]Shalistrae:[/b] "More or less, yeah."

[b]Medra:[/b] "Then, I did, too."

[i]Shalistrae smiled, and leaned forward, kissing the huge man mattress she was rested on, and then, somewhat reluctantly, got up and walked to the door. She stopped halfway walking out, looking at him briefly, and walked down the hall of the suite. Soon, the shower was heard, and Medra got up shortly after. He walked into the front room, to see the telemonitor on, some infomercial on, and a sleeping Rena. Medra turned the volume down [as it was booming loud], before walking to the kitchen.

As quietly as he could, he took out a skillet and began making bacon, sausage, and eggs.[/i]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Shalistrae was just toweling herself off when Rena slipped in and handed her the required clothes for the day. She winked.[/i]

Rena: Had a good nights sleep?

Shalistrae: Yes.

Rena: Have any dreams?

Shalistrae: ....about...?

Rena: Sausage?

[i]The older female started wondering just how twisted Rena was...when she figured out the meaning, and colored furiously.[/i]

Shalistrae: That is NONE of your buisness!

Rena: ...hehehe...

Shalistrae: OUT!

[i]The younger of the two made a swift exit and smoothered her giggles until she was in the kitchen with Medra. He gave her a look, but didn't even ask. Shalistrae got over herself and dressed quickly. She walked out, highly composed. Medra greeted her courteously, and Rena ducked under the tabletop.[/i][/COLOR]

[Chaos]

[b]Medra:[/b] "Breakfast is...almost done. I was expecting you to be a little longer. You know, spend time trying to fix hair, oogling reflection, inspecting your form."

[b]Shalistrae:[/b] "Oh, really?"

[i]She twirled around in her dress, a strapless one, maroon in color, the skirt portion spinning out at the motion, coming just high enough, should any number of parents have been there, that she would have gotten lashed.

Then, she fell right into Medra, wrapping her arms around his waist and smiled smugly as he went bug-eyed.[/i]

[b]Shalistrae:[/b] "Do you think this form needs inspecting? Or, would you like to inspect it?"

[i]Medra stammered helplessly, Shalistrae giggling as she slowly walked to the table, and he was right at her heels, pulling her chair so she could sit, and then attended to his cooking. Rena halfway stifled a giddy laugh, and Shalistrae simply snorted in slight humiliation, before composing herself above it.

Rena got up into a chair, and after a minute, breakfast was served, complete with orange juice, milk, French toast, scrambled and sunny-side-up eggs, and a mound of bacon and sausage. Rena gathered a small amount of each, specifically placing the sausage on her plate closest to Shalistrae, whom directly ignored just that. Medra got about half a pound of bacon and scrambled eggs each, and a few pieces of toast, with a tall glass of milk.

Breakfast was relatively quiet, the only talk was about yesterday's misadventures at the store and chit-chat of what was on TV.

After cleaning the dishes, at about nine-thirty, Medra walked out to find Shalistrae and Rena in bathing suits. His questioning look was met with the answer.[/i]

[b]Shalistrae:[/b] "We're going down the pool. And you're coming."

[b]Medra:[/b] "...Sure, I'd love to. Just...give me a few."

[b]Shalistrae:[/b] "Don't take too long, now, hear?"

[i]She just laughed gently as he passed by, shaking his head in mock disbelief. He went into the bedroom, taking off his black shirt and his pants, leaving only his red-and-black striped boxers. Then, out of one of the many bags he pulled out...

...A large t-shirt?

He looked blank for a moment, before checking in the rest. And it was all of the girls' stuff. He groaned, and walked out. Halfway into the living room, he realized he should have put his pants back on, for as soon as he began searching his swim trunks, he was in clear view.

And what a view it was.[/i]

[b]Shalistrae:[/b] "Didn't realize we were in store for breakfast [b]and[/b] a show."

[b]Rena:[/b] "And here I thought he was modest."

[b]Medra:[/b] "...[size=1]So much for staying out of view.[/size]"

[i]Finding his black swim trunks on, he turned back, behind the small bar between the den area and kitchen, quickly putting on his shorts, and stepping out to finish tying the string that held them up. That would be the worst. Having them fall.

He looked in detail for the first time at their swimwear; Shalistrae was in a form-fitting tank top with a bikini bottom, with blue and silver colors, in radical and random designs. Very..."nice", to say the least.

Rena, on the more modest hand, was in a one-piece with sunflowers printed on the cloth, and her smile of child-like glee matched the bright flowers.

So, after grabbing extra towels, shades, sunscreen and tanning lotion, they set off. Down the hall, over the red and gold carpet, along the marble walls, into the glass elevator, out of the lift, out the back, and to the large, outdoor pool area. Sun umbrellas shaded tables and cushioned chairs, while the large beach chairs wait in the sun, white and inviting. There were a few others already at the pool.

Shalistrae sat on one of the beach chairs, shades on, towel on the little glass table, along with the various creams and such, just relaxing. Rena laughed as she plowed into the shallow area, tossing the water in the air, completing the look of a daughter to the young 'parents.' Medra stood on the in-pool steps, watching them both. He quickly looked up. Cloudless, hot, but not humid.

Perfect.

Rena started talking with another girl there, one who looked about six or seven, while Medra sat on a nearby chair to Shalistrae. They watched the youngest one with protective eyes, still on the act of playing parents.

But as they all settled in, the adults began to talk with each other.[/i]

[b]Medra:[/b] "Nice out here today, eh?"

[b]Shalistrae:[/b] "Yes, it is. While you were cleaning the dishes, we checked up on the weather, and decided to come for a little relaxation."

[b]Medra:[/b] "Well, it's a good thing you two did. It's great out here."

[b]Shalistrae:[/b] "Makes me want to never leave."

[b]Medra:[/b] "Never? Not even for a little drink or something?"

[i]She just smiled.[/i]

[b]Shalistrae:[/b] "Maybe not never then."

[i]She raised up her shades, quickly winked, and brought them back down again.[/i]
-- -- -- -- --
[strike]Notice I mentioned the lotion. =X[/strike]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Medra groaned and feinged interest in the pool. Sure she was divinely beautiful, that that didn't mean he should succumb to the charm. Oh well. Too late.

Shalistrae preened, slathering on the sunblock, not that she wasn't tanned enough, just wanted to make a scene. Rena was playing happily. No. Frolicking. Playing wasn't quite good enough. Not only was she leaping in the air and doing underwater cartwheels, she was also shouting and laughing and doing the other things little girls normally did. Although Shalistrae was quite sure the 16 year old self was quietly checking out the adolescent guys in the deep end. Shalistrae shot her a deadly look.

"Do it and die."

She grinned and pretended not to notice. Medra nudged Shalistrae, who instnatly returned to normal. Her eyes hazed back from ice green and she blinked several times.[/i]

Medra: Nu-uh.

Shalistrae: Sorry.

Medra: ....let her drown herself.

Shalistrae: She can swim anyways. ......and so can I.

Medra: Are you sure?

Shalistrae: Don't make me prove it.[/COLOR]

[Chaos]

[i]Medra raised his arms in protest, a mocking jesture, in all honesty.[/i]

[b]Medra:[/b] "Hey, no need to get rough."

[b]Shalistrae:[/b] "I thought you liked that."

[i]Medra had some witty reply ready. He had a plan.

The idea of Shalistrae getting 'rough' with him stopped that all in it's tracks.

He sat, staring blankly, thinking of just that. Memories of the night before, arguing with the voices in his mind. The feeling in his gut when he thought of Shalistrae. The idea of losing her, or Rena.

When he snapped to, he found he was staring right in her eyes, her shades lifted up. They carried a little hint of a wink, but were mostly compassionate. She sat up, resting her hand on his knee, and smiled gently. She got up, and then walked to the pool. Glancing back, with a wink and a purse of the lips, she then walked down the little underwater steps and waded over to Rena, who was enjoying the water and the view.

Medra slowly walked over, and sat on the lip of the pool, his legs hanging in the water, and he watched over the two as they tossed a little foam ball around over a miniature volleyball net.[/i]

[b]Medra:[/b] "And here I thought I'd seen everything."

[b]Shalistrae:[/b] "Not yet."

[b]Medra:[/b] "..." :all:

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Rena tossed the ball high, and it smacked down, into Medra's lap. Between his legs. The muffled groans were more than enough to send the two of them into uncontrollable giggles. Shalistrae ducked underneath the water, and dived to avoid Medra's rush towards them. Rena took the other route. Over.

She leapt, using Shalistrae's back as a springboard, and landed in the deep end. Shalistrae surfaced beneath her, the two making tracks for the corner. Where the ladder was, also. Medra sighed and gave up. She was right. They could swim like fish. Shalistrae blew him a kiss and pretended to scold Rena, who was still giggling.[/i]

Rena: I couldn't resist.

Shalistrae: You're twisted.

Rena: No, I'm misunderstood!

Shalistrae: And I'm a flowery princess.

Medra: ......why me?

[i]He dove and came up behind them, tapped Shalistrae on the shoulder, thus resulting in Rena getting dropped. Which wasn't a problem really, she simply began treading water.[/i]

Medra: ...Ouch.

Shalistrae: What are you looking at me for? I didn't do it!

Rena: I'm innocent. Idon't know any better.

Medra: ...[/COLOR]

[Chaos]

[b]Medra:[/b] "You two are going to be the death of me."

[b]Shalistrae:[/b] "I warned you, though. You had to come and find out."

[b]Medra:[/b] "Apparently, sitting and watching over you two is asking for trouble, then?"

[b]Rena:[/b] "Yes."

[i]Medra simply bowed his head, sighed, and allowed himself to slip underwater. They were at the seven foot mark, so he didn't go down much. After a moment, the laughter was still going. Shalistrae ran her hand through his hair, quickly, teasing.

And then quite suddenly, he came back up, hoisting her out of the water by the waist, and she echoed a laugh from before after a quick yelp. The movement put them to the point where Medra, still holding Shalistrae high, could stand above the waterline coming to his neck. He turned, smiling, and walked slowly, due to the restrictions of liquid mechanics, to shallower areas.[/i]

[b]Medra:[/b] "Haha, I hope you enjoy this, it'll be one of the only times you'll be taller than me."

[i]They both laughed again, and he loosened his grip. Shalistrae slid down, coming face to face with him.

And suddenly, like a car engine turning off, they both fell silent. Faces mere centimeters from each others', eyes deadlocked, the could not help it; a very brief kiss was shared, and then he fully let go of Shalistrae. But even then, their eyes traced, still focused on the one before them.

Medra looked to the sides, all around him, then, as if he was caught in class for talking. Blushing now, he waded over to the side of the pool and pulled himself out with one arm. He proceeded to the small bar, quietly ordering a small margarita.

Rena and Shalistrae looked at each other, the younger shruging, then, swimming over to retrieve the ball.

And in the meantime, Shalistrae reached up silently and touched her lips gingerly with her left hand.[/i]
-- -- -- -- --
Shoot me, we need action.

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Shalistrae turned and pushed herself out, then made it back to the deck chairs, and leaned back. Instant bliss. She closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and thought happy thoughts. Rena contented herself with more happy frolicking, and Medra came back eventually, with a drink. Shalistrae opened one eye casually.[/i]

Shalistrae: And where's mine?

Medra: Did you want one?

Shalistrae: Strawberry margarita. No salt.

Medra: I'll take that as a "Yes Medra, would you please get me one?"

Shalistrae: Thank you.

[i]She gave him a movie star smile, complete with dazzling eyes and girlish blushing.[/i][/COLOR]

[Circ]

He knew it. Today was the day. He had dreamed it, seen it, experienced it. Alarms and yells clouded his ears as he looked at the door.

/Clock! Beeeeeeep!/

A light turned green and he swiftly opened the door, stuck his arm out and grabbed a kid, just about his former age, holding him at arm's lenght. The youngling reflexively spat at him. Kevin swiftly dodged and swirled him around.

"Hold it!" The kid squirmed, and a tear swelled at the corner of Kevin's eye at memories. An exploding copter flashed in his mind. He shrugged it.

"What... do... you want. You old runt!" The kid yelled.

"Now, calm dow. How strong is your acid?" He released the boy, who turned back at him. He blinked.

"It can melt Teflon and gold." he said.

"Perfect. Now we can go, just watch out for the axe." he ordered, walking for the ajar door.

As the kid followed him, the head of a fire axe somehow shot through the opening, barely missing his left ear by a few millimeters.

"Don't worry. As long as you listen to me, you're safe." The old man said, walking out in the labyrinth.

[Kwai]

[i] The dark, grey corridor echoed the sound very, very well. Soon enough, the guards came running, quick to find and silence the cause of the commotion. The wailing was heard from within a heavily barred-door, one that led to the chamber of one of the "Altered" specimen. The guards shook their heads as they approached the door.

"Why the **** not just shoot him?" he asked his partner.

"Beats me. The kid's cracked up, both mind and body. I don't know why the head wants to keep him here." replied his partner.

The guard walked up to the door, and slid a card across the reader. The other guard walked up to the scanner, and held out the palm of his hands. A beep was sound, and the light above the door turned green. A moment later, the door slid open, leading into a chamber lit with a single light bulb high up in the ceiling. A terrible stench stung the air. In the farthest corner of the room, a figure sat hunched over, trembling. The figure was whispering in a quick, quiet fashion, occasionally punctured by a sudden wailing. The guards looked around, and found the origin of a stench. Diarhhea. Disgusting. The kid had crapped himself in here. Damn freak.

The guard walked over to the figure, grabbed him roughly by the scruff, and banged him against the wall. He took out his gun, and held it at the throat.

"Now, listen here kid. I hate coming down here every few hours just because you crapped, or you're lonely, or whatever. Christ, I thought you'd turn normal, but you seem to be slipping again. Now, I know you understand me so don't try mumbling some random ****. Next time I have to bust my *** down here, I will be pist. And when I'm pist..." the guard cocked his gun, and forced his gun into the boy's mouth. "I will shoot." the guard let go, and the figure crumbled down on the floor. The figure fell silent for a moment, and began mumbling.

"Almost, almost..."
"Now?"
"No. Soon."

"Freak...." the guard muttered, and turned to his partner.

"Call up the janitor or something and have him clean up this sorry heap of human scum."

"Now."

The figure suddenly pounced at the guard while his back was turned, and bit deeply into his neck. The guard screamed, but it was quickly drowned out as his neck bones began to crack. Blood began to ooze out from the wounds, and a loud, grotesque crack was heard. The remaining guard cried out, and pulled out his gun. He fired in panic, but the boy used the corpse as a shield, and charged him down. A piercing shriek echoed through the corridors.... the "Altered" had awakened. [/i]

[Corey]

Colors danced in front of his eyes. A large glob of blue being overtaken by yellow, then red. Then green. An amazingly simple, but highly entertaining, exercise. Some of the simplest things in the world were the best.

[b]Ryan-[/b] "Come in..." He whispered under his breath. The door to his 'room' opened and a gaurd wearing a blue riot suit deposited a tray of food on his desk.

[b]Gaurd-[/b] "Morning Mr. Schezar. How ya doin?" He closed his eyes, the colors dissapearing. The gaurd was the same one that had been bringing him his food for the last three years. They had actually had a few good conversations in that time. Though it was severly against regulations to befriend the test subjects. Ryan looked to the clear plastic visor and into the mans eyes.

[b]Ryan-[/b] "Terry... You know you can call me Ryan. I've known you for a long time. I would think we're on a first name basis." Terry chuckled and lifted the lid on the food. A puff of steam issued from it and was imedately sucked up by the ventilation system. "What's on the menu?"

[b]Terry-[/b] "Some kind of pasta, cheap beef, brocoli stems, and as always, that half pint of milk. Enjoy, Mr. Schezar." He winked at the captive as he closed the door.

[b]Ryan-[/b] "Same old ****..." He walked over to the plate and scraped it into the garbage, taking only the milk back over to his cot. He sipped at it thoughtfully as he felt a mind enter the level he was being held on. It was a dense mind. One that was accustomed to taking orders without question and carrying them out indefinately. It was Kaleb. One of Vormirs top advisors. But something was different this time. He downed the rest of the milk and tossed it into the garbage, nudging it slightly to make sure it went in. The door opened right before Kaleb got in front of it. "Please, come in Mr. Bormor. I trust it was me you were comming to see." He grimaced and walked in.

[b]Kaleb-[/b] "I have an assignment for you." Ryan smiled.

[b]Ryan-[/b] "I figured. I was wondering one thing though. Why is it that I have been moved to a different facility? And why have I not senced anyone but you and my food gaurd for almost a week? The scent of that air also seems rather stale."

[b]Kaleb-[/b] "You do not ask questions. This is your assignment. You are to search and destroy a group of Altered individuals. Last report I had there we're three. However there could be more. Vormir has been compromised. You have exactly seventy hours to complete this assignment. Failure to do so will activate your implant and kill you. Last reports also show that the group is about 500 miles west of here. Understood?" Ryan nodded. Kaleb left, leaving the door ajar.

[b]Ryan-[/b] "Well, it's a chance for some fresh air."

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Kryas's eyes opened, and her twin brother, Lhere, was swift to notice. The Dorobo witch and warlock were ready to depart. Both had changed into utterly ordinary attire, and had concealed long hair in head wraps. For all the world, they looked like religious relics clad in the clothes of their cult. And, sadly, they were.

The old couple, siblings as well as lovers, took their repose while riding to parts unknown. Their goal, the Altered in question. Namely: K'Renakayoshi. And the objective? Neutralize her and bring her to the safehouse. The other two were survivors. Nothing more was necessary. And the shadow of the dog's head in the corner grew ever taller. Kyras bared her teeth and cursed the dogheaded beast of death under her breath. Lhere stroked her hand gently and send calming colors into her mind.

"Pax Kryas."

"They must not keep her nearby. The death adder is a walking time bomb."

"Perhaps she's more of a black mamba than anything else."

"All the more reason to separate them."

"You would break the mother-daughter connection?"

"It's the only way."

"Yes....it will be difficult. But it must be done. Without delay."

The car sped on smoothly.[/i][/COLOR]