RPG The Ripper Program

[natchan]

That name, the same name she had sworn some one had called her the night of the gala. Was that who she was supposed to be. She starred down at her hands, they trembled ever so slightly. The experience had deffinately shaken her up.

[I]"Are you alright Milday?" [/I]She heard Nathans voice in her mind.

[I]"Just a bit tired all of a sudden, nothing more." [/I] She thought back.

"Now that we have that, any suggestions on what our current actions should be other than staying in pairs?" Rufus asked. Eclair was trying to listen but all she could think about was the name that Nathan had spoken. Then her thoughts jumped back from earlier that evening, back when he had told Lady Ariana that all he could ask for was her friendship. She knew the subject wasn't important to the discussion at hand, but it was bothering her, and she couldn't help be think about it.

[I]' All he would have to do is ask...'[/I] She thought to herself, forgeting that there were three telepaths sitting within 5ft of her.

Lady Ariana hadn't said much during this discussion, but she noticed that by the way they had split into couples, each couple had a telepath in it. [I]'That might become useful.'[/I]

"Excuse me, but I just realized somthing quite pecular. Look at the way we've paired off, what is it that each set has in common?" Ariana spoke up.

"Well we're each one man and one attractive woman." Rufus replied lightly. Ariana elbowed him soflty.

"Thats not what I mean at all." She stated.

"What is it then?" Dante asked.

"Each pair has a Telepath in it." She replied matter-o-factly.

[missrelena]

"That is very true." Rufus agreed, rubbing his ribs where his wife has elbowed him. "I wonder if in your original time, telepaths were common?"

"Actually, I think you would find talents like any of ours uncommon in any time." Dante answered.

[I]Uncommon talents? Why does that sound familiar to me?[/I] Geni mused to herself. Then another memory slammed into her consious mind. She reeled forward and Dante's jacket slipped from her shoulders, but she did not loose her seat. Her head dropped into her left hand while she gripped Dante's hand with her right.

* * * *

"She's a projecting and recieving telepath, rated 8 on each." A man in a longish white coat told someone in a gray coverall. The room smelled of antiseptic and musty air. Geni was wild-eyed, but for the first time in her seven-year-old life, the voices in her mind had dulled to a quiet background murmur. "That makes the fifth P n' R we've found. We have her shielded, and her parents have signed over custody to the Psytech corps."

"P n' R huh?" The man in the coverall repeated. "Don't find both very often. 'Bout as likely as a teleporter, as far as we've seen. Well, let's get this little 'un packed up and off to the dormitory. They'll assess her education and skills so she can get placed with the proper learning group as soon as possible."

Then the scene shifted . . .

The slap to her face stung like her cheek was burning. Her eyes were wide and confused. "What was that for?" she asked the man that had struck her, a man Geni didn't recognise.

"I got a look at your file today." He spat. "A GOOD look."

"So?" What was Bobby getting at?

"So?! You're a damn P n' R! You're a mind invader and you never told me, you bitch!" The curses hurt more than the slap had.

"I told you I was a Psy-tech." She protested. Hot tears began to spill down her face.

"I thought you were a shifter or a porter. You knew I hated P n' R's and you kept the crucial fact of your 'talent' from me! You're nothing but mind parasite bitch!" Bobby screamed.

"You never asked me what I could do, so I didn't think it mattered to you." Geni was trying not to blubber. She would not give him that satisfaction.

"NOT MATTER!" He roared. He grabbed Geni's left hand and wrenched the engagement ring off her finger, breaking her ring finger and slashing her pinky with the diamond in the process. She cried out her pain, but it landed on deaf ears. "Now get out of here and never contaminate my air again!"

Cradling her hand against her chest and tears blurring her vision, she turned and ran out of the apartment she had thought would soon be hers, too.

Another shift . . .

It was the same small room that had been in Eclair's memory earlier. Eclair was in her chair looking unimpressed as a puffed up elderly gentleman ranted and raved at her. Geni stood to one side of her and someone that Geni couldn't quite see in her peripheral vision stood on the other side of Eclair.

"How dare you presume to assign my rarest talents to this suicide mission!" The man bellowed. "It's not like there's a ready supply of you just lying around! Can't you take a few of the recievers? There's bunches of them!"

"You know the mission requirements." Eclair said cooly. "You're one of the board members that approved them. We need teleporters, telekinetics and P n' R's if we're to succeed. Besides, the team is made up completely of volunteers. I have no right to deny them this mission if they are so inclined to go. The system here will run just fine with those that will remain here, and you know it. You might have to walk to your car from your office instead of requiring a teleporter to do it, but it will be a sacrifice in the name of civilization's continuation." With that, Eclair pressed a button and the door behind the man slid open. Eclair went back to the paperwork on her desk in a obvious sign of dismissial. The man puffed out his chest and stormed from the tiny room.

"Tonight." Geni declaired to the other two. "We go Victorian tonight, before they can find any other loopholes to stop us."

"Yes," Eclair agreed. "It must be tonight. Those board buffoons simply don't grasp the seriousness of this whole mess. Spread the word to the others, we go tonight."

* * * *

Geni came back to herself slowly, fighting off the haze of the memories as she did. She found herself with her head leaning on Dante's shoulder and Ariana and Eclair standing before her, lightly tapping her cheeks to help her come around. Sitting up straight and blushing slightly, she tried to take in how long she had been 'away'. It didn't look to be long at all.

"I - I'm terribly sorry. I - had a . . ."

"Yes, we know." Ariana said in a soothing voice. "Dante, Nathan and I picked up the whole thing from you. We shared it with Rufus and Eclair. It just took you a few minutes to wake up after it was over." A teasing smile graced the lady's lips. "Don't shield much, do you?"

"Acutally, I do." Geni defended herself. "I just have problems when large crowds are around. They tend to amplify me. I'm sorry if I caused anyone any undue stress."

"That would explain your reputation as being shy at social gatherings." Eclair concluded. "I didn't understand it till now."

Ariana took Geni's available left hand. "I didn't mean to doubt your abilities. I'm just confused as to why Dante can see your memories. Since he isn't a telepath, it does not logically follow for me that he can receive you as well as he seems to."

Dante replaced his jacket carefully onto Geni's shoulders. "We do not fully understand it, either." He said to the group. "But now is not the time to question what Geni's abilities can or cannot do. It seems we have more to discuss now than we did just a few minutes ago."

Geni nodded her agreement, but she couldn't help but visualize the thin white scar on the smallest finger of her left hand that her glove currently concealed.

[natchan]

OOC: Since no one else is posting, I guess I'll post again!

The fact that they had more to discuss had been pointed out, and was completely obvious, but at that the same time it seemed that no one wished to continue the discussion.

"Welll I do believe that I speek for at least all the woman when I do say, that its bit chilly and that I would like to re-locate back inside. Everyone seemed to agree, all accept for Dante that is. He gave her his look of disaproval, but that wasn't anything new, infact Eclair had become quite used to the look.

"Lady Elcair I don't---" Dante was cut off by Eclair.

"If you wish to remain my friend Milord you'll decide that finishing that sentence is not wise." Eclair replied softly as the group stood to head back to the warmth of the dance hall.



OOC: Sorry its soooo short but I really had no time!

[0ber0n the Neko]

OOC: Oop! Natchan posted a short one before i could finish! ^_^ Sorry to ruin anyone's plans, but...

IC:

Nathan reluctantly stood forward.

"Lord Dante!" he said, "We should try not to aggravate Miss Geni any more than we already have. She appears to need rest. Since you two are partners, you should take her home. Make sure she makes it safely.

Dante appeared ready to retort, resentful of the watchman who was now giving him orders, but he nodded instead, helping Geni up, and walking her off in the direction of a carriage.

"He's a good man, really," said Nathan. "Good heart, and noble mind." The statement caught the others off guard.

"Who?" asked Ariana. "Do you mean Dante?"

Nathan nodded, smiling. "He's powerful, but so conservative with his power... He is a very useful ally."

The three nobles exchanged looks. The look was the same. "You mean... [i]our[/i] Dante? The lord? About this tall?"

"How many times must I say it?" Nathan said, chuckling. "Good man, there."

There was a long silence. "Well, I'm getting a bit of a chill..." Ariana said. "Take me home, Rufus."

"But Ariana-OOF!" Rufus' ribs took another blow, "Why didn't we think of it sooner?" he said, trying to sound cheerful. He was dragged away almost bodily by Ariana.

Nathan and Eclair were alone. Nathan paused in embarassment. "We shall away to my flat?"

"Sounds lovely," said Eclair.

OOC: Disregard this post if you want to stay and garden some more...

[missrelena]

"Milord, I'm sorry." Geni apologized to Dante as he escorted her up the stairs to the second story and the private rooms of her home. "It seems that I have become more of a hinderance than a help. My constitution has become paper thin. You would never believe that I would race my father's jumping horses at breakneck speeds back on our estates the way I've been fainting and swooning lately." She sighed and looked miserable.

Geni was having a tough time dealing with some of the memories that had surfaced outside in the gardens, though she would never admit it aloud. The idea that someone she had cared deeply for would brutilize her physically and verbally pruely because of her talents had shaken her. Her confidence had certainly taken a blow, not that she had much of it to begin with. The more she brooded over the revelations, the more hurt and insecure she felt. She only hoped that Dante wasn't picking up on it.



OCC: Sorry so short guys, my lunch break is nearly over. Aaaaarrrgh!

[natchan]

Éclair thought for a moment on what leaving early might say to her
hosts then turned back to Nathan.

" I believe that leaving early is fine but I I?m afraid of offending
our dear hosts. So I have constructed a plan.? Éclair replied
lifting a finger. Nathan raised an eyebrow.

?A plan?? His voice rang with curiosity.

?Let us make our way through the ball room, then make a stop at
the card table for a short while then we may make our leave.? She
stated in a rather matter-o-fact way.

?You have a plan for everything don?t you Milady.? Nathan replied,
a grin appearing upon his face.

They entered the large building and made they?re way through the
ball room by dancing a song or two. When they finally managed to
sneak out of the crowd they made they?re way toward the card
tables. They sat down and took a hand.

Geni?s father sat at the same table across from them.

?Lady Éclair, I haven?t spoken with you for a while, how are you
these days?? He was a kind man, Éclair liked speaking with him very
much. She shuffled the cards in her hand and looked down at what
she had to work with... nothing. She looked back up to continue her
conversation, when she noticed Dante and Geni walk past toward the
stairs.

"I thought she went home." Nathan replied puzzeled.

"You forget she is home, Sir Nathan." She stated
smiling. Genis father noticed Dante, and glanced back down at a
Eclair again.

"The young Lord has been spending an awful lot of
time with my daughter. Tell Lady Eclair, what do you know of Lord
Dante?" He asked lifting his brows.

"Young Lord Dante? Oh hes quite a fine gentleman,
treats your daughter with the most respect one could give." Eclair
informed hiim happily.

"So those rumors about him, you don't believe them?" >He questioned.

"You mean the rumors about him and his father? No
Milord I do not, I only believe rumors that I spread. You needn't >worry Milord, your daughter is in good hands." She replied laying
her cards on the table. "I fold."

After almost an hour of cards Nathan was finally able to pull Eclair away from the table and they said their goodbyes to their host. They made it outside to a carriage and Nathan helped her into it and follwed in after her.

"I had a pleasant time playing cards with Geni's father, I haven't played since---" Her voice faltered and she glanced out the window. Nathan knew what she was about to say, and decided to change the subject.

"You said somthing nice about Dante." He stated, it had been pulling at him since she said it.

"Well I don't think hes a bad person, and I was telling the truth when I said that he treats Geni with the utmost respect." Eclari replied smiling.

"Its just me and Ariana that he doesn't."

[Lord Dante]

OOC: sorry to be out of the loop for so long guys, long story, but here goes nothing.

as dante guided geni up to the private rooms of her house, he spoke into her mind.

[/I]"geni, I saw the memory flash of your 'alternate self'. I must apologise, apologise for seeing something you justly want to keep hidden."[/I]

[I]You should not trouble yourself with it Dante, Only telepaths can block out mind invasions, and only certain telepaths at that."[/I]

they continued up the stairs in apparent silence, toward Geni's room. Dante saw a flash of light in his mind.

================================================

a solitary figure stood in the centre of the hazy, gray complex. a monotonic, slightly metallic voice could be heard over the opressive silence

[I]"harmonics nominal, perimiter fence nominal. psychoconditioning barriers set. preparations complete. begin when ready."[/I]

"keitaro." came a voice from an observation window set high up in the shadowy wall.

"you know what to do. we are expecting good results. you will not fail us."

"I do not fail." keitaro whispered to himself.

A klaxon sounded in the background, and huge blocks of a metallic substance fell from the ceiling. before one landed on him, he was gone. reappaering above it, he drew a small metal cylinder from his pocket, and brought it slashing down against the block, for a fleeting second, a white line shot down the lenngth of the block, which was cleanly sliced in two. The man was a blur. dissapearing and reappearing almost constantly, slicing the boxes in two.

"keitaro. finish. we have collected enough data, standby untill we analyse the input components."

The man called keitaro stood, silent, in the center of the room.

"Keitaro, results are in. wvepattern: 3480, synchograph 450%, viral surgebreakers at 51 over negative 7.8. you did well. you may leave."

keitaro walked silently from the room.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

dante fell back, clutching his head.


\OOC: sorry, not finished here, but I gotta go!

[Otori_Girl]

Ariana made sure that her and Rufus took their time leaving after all she didn't want to seem rude. They danceed for another 30 some odd minutes and talked with another couple whos biggest worry was normally what to wear, nothing that was life threatening. They made a pass by the card tables, waving kindly to Geni's father as they did so. They made their way outside to their carriage and Rufus helped her inside and closed the door behind them. Rufus heaved a deep sigh as he sat next to his wife. She gave him a questioning look.

"What was that?" She asked.

"What you mean this?" He replied then repeated the sigh.

"Yes that, what was that?" She asked again.

"That was the 'what a night' sigh of relief. Thats all that was, nothing more." He stated smiling.

"True, it was quite the eveing, much has been revealed in such a short time. Poor Geni seems to be taking it harder and harder each time the memory becomes more vivid. I wonder why that is, it hasn't affected me that greatly." Ariana wondered outloud.

"Perhaps it simply because she is still so young." Rufus stated.

"Shes not even 2 years younger than myself it shouldn't really be a problem. Its very curious." Ariana repied her voice quieting as she thought.

"Well this is a little off the subject, but did you look at the way Sir Nathan was treating Lady Eclair this eveing?" Rufus asked a slight hint of mischeviousness in his voice.

"Its hard not to. Especially when shes thinking so openly." Ariana stated.

"What do you mean by that?" Rufus asked raising an eyebrow and allowing a grin to stretch across his lips. "Did you hear somthing that you weren't supposed to?"

"Well it was completely on accident, but she did think somthing along the lines of..." She stopped her statement.

"Along the lines of what?" Rufus' voice became eager.

"Its none of our buisness, I sholdn't be telling you this, in fact I won't." Ariana declared staring straight ahead. She didn't want to be a victim of Rufus' puppy dog eyes plea.


OOC: Sorry its short, I had technical difficulties and I didn't want to have to re-type everything.

[missrelena]

Geni stepped away from Dante, toward the widow she had gazed out at the gathering throng earlier. She didn't notice his distress, not at first, anyway. She watched as late guests arrived and hustled in through the cold night air and other guests scurrying out of the front door and into their conveyances, taking their leave - probably to make appearances at other social functions in town.

The greenish gas lights that lined her drive were so pretty at night, flickering their illumination as moths danced around them. They gave everything an etherial, ghostlike appearance, even casting eerie shadows through the curtains of unlit rooms upstairs.

Geni realized that a melancholy had settled on her, spurned on by her feelings of self-doubt. She had become such a feather-head maiden of late - fainting, blushing, and struggling for breath at a drop of a hat. Even her guests had to endure the rudeness of her abandonment this evening because of her weaknesses. What was wrong with her?

Then she heard Dante's sharp intake of a breath. She whirled to face him, then was struck with disorientation as her mind filled with memories that were not her own.


OCC: Sorry this post is short, too. I didn't want to step on anyone's ideas. Hope this is okay!

[Lord Dante]

OOC: thanks for such a great jumping off point! now i can finish my flashback!!


================================

A figure of a man strode across the dull, grey floor, towards a door set into the wall of the hazy complex. the door had no percievable handle, but slid open of its own accord.

"good work today keitaro." a woman in a grey jumpsuit said as He walked through the door. The comment fell on deaf ears, as Keitaro marched resolutely past, saying nothing.

"wavepattern: 3480, synchograph 450%, viral surgebreakers at 51 over negative 7.8. I am still to weak. I'm a failiure. It happened because I was too weak. " keitaro mumbled to himself as he walked forward. towards another of the big doors.

"psytech 0010 keitaro. passcode *****. run phasesaber program alpha-echo 9981. difficulty level 20." he said to a glowing red sphere set into the door.

"passcode aknowledged. running program." the same monotonous, metallic voice as before said as the door slid open. Keitaro withdrew the metallic tube from his pocket, and stepped inside the door.

"mother, I'll be strong for you...."

======================================================

"no..." Dante whispered to himself.

"NO!!" dante yelled as he fell back, again clutching his head.

geni wavered for a fraction of a second, before collapsing. she had seen everything he had.

[natchan]

"It can't possibly be that he dosn't enjoy your company Miss Eclair." Nathan replied smiling. Ecliar raised an eyebrow in the manner of 'you've got to be kidding me'.

"Enjoy my company? He can barely stand to look at me let alone have me as company." Elcair stated flatly. It was first truely negative thing she had said all night. "Truth be told Nathan, I am very tired of tring so hard to be trusted. Its mentally exhausting." Eclair replied, her tone suddenly serious. "All I have done is everything I can, and aparently it isn't enough."

"Maybe if you just stopped trying, you know just be yourself. Be the Eclair that--" He stopped short.

"The Ecalir?" She asked.

"The Eclair that your husband fell in love with, everyone no matter what has to love and trust her." Nathan replied.

OOC: Sorry its soooooo short, I just wanted post and I had no time!

[missrelena]

Geni found herself on her hands and knees, staring at the patterned persian carpet runner that streached the length of the hall. Her knees had missed the rug and smacked the hardwood floor when she collapsed, bringing her to her senses.

[I]I will not faint! I will not faint![/I] She chanted to herself in her mind. [I]I am not going to turn into a wreched damsel in distress again![/I] She took as deep a breath as her stays would allow, twisted, and sat unceremoniously down with a thump in order to return to something that resembled an upright posture.

Dante was still on his feet, but was leaning heavily on the wall behind him. He looked to have a headache of monumental purportions. His hands were covering his eyes, his hair tumbling forward in the most disheveled manner Geni had ever seen it. It was odd to see him so discomforted. She could sense his confusion and wanted to ease his pain, somehow. Since she couldn't reach him physically, she reached out with her mind.

[I]:Milord? Are you well?:[/I] It was a silly question, but it was all she could think of to say.

[I]: Did you see?:[/I] He thought back to her.

[I]:Yes. It seems you drove yourself to achieving perfection just as roughly as you do now.:[/I] She tried to convey a light tone, tried to let him know that everything would be all right.

He harumphed a response, but she got the smile she was striving for.

"Aren't we pair?" He said aloud.

"Yes, weak as kittens and just a silly. If you can manage the equilibrium, and help me to rise, my room is the next door on the right."

[0ber0n the Neko]

OOC: Oooop.... Haven't posted in awhile... I'm at work so this is gonna be VERY SHORT... Sorry.

IC:

Nathan instantly regretted it as he said it. This was another reason he avoided confessing to Eclair. She could get somewhat touchy about the subject of Vincent.

If only he could tell her that...

He hadn't really died...

But no, not now. Even he couldn't know if it were true or not. But still...

"What's wrong, Nathan?" Eclair asked sweetly.

"Oh- Nothing, milady. Just... Something on my mind."

OOC: Alrighty. I told you it was gonna be short.

[natchan]

Nathan was a horrible liar, infact he always had been. It wasn't just somthing on his mind... Eclair could see that much, but she couldn't get him to say what it was. She simply smiled and allowed him to keep whatever was on his mind, in his mind. There was a long pause between themas she gazed out the carriage window.

"Nathan." Eclair broke the silence.

"Yes Milady?" He was quick to reply.

"Thank You for joing me tonight." She stated then turned back to Nathan. She gave a genuine sweet smile. "I really enjoyed my self, I hope that you did as well. I was going to tell you earlier ---"She stopped in mid sentence, a look of pain crossed her face as she shut her eyes and gasped from the sudden feeling. Nathan sprang forward just int time to catch as she slumped forward unconcious.

"Eclair... Eclair!" His voice revealed hestaria but he gained control before the panic could settle in. He held her slender body in his arms and re-adjusted for her comfort, he was very gentle with her, feeling as if he simply moved wrong she would break. But what brought this on, he wondered to himself.


OOC: Not much longer than yours! :animeswea

[0ber0n the Neko]

OOC: I think I'll try to get this started! (It seems like something Eclair should have done, but I'll try to buy her some time, eh?)

IC:

Nathan held the frail body in his arms as gently as he could. Then he felt a sharp pain in his forehead.

[i]I must... protect her...[/i]

He felt his head become heavy, and he slumped over.

-----

"Ugh..." Nathan breathed. He felt unusual. He was lighter than before, not wearing his armor, but something much tighter. He felt his chest, and the name came to him.

[i]Ironguard Armor Model HMKVII. Impervious to bullets, and highly resistant to most weaponry.[/i]

The blade at his hip was different, as well. It seemed like a rapier, but different. He drew it, feeling the blade's weight. It was nearly weightless, but was strangely balanced to Nathan's liking.

[i]Firebird APW. A sword that heats up to cut through almost any solid object.[/i]

"I like this..." he grinned. Then he remembered. "Right! Eclair! Where are you!?"

OOC: Not God-Modding or nothin', just setting up my equipment. I'll try not to pull anything out of nowhere... Your turn, Eclair.

[natchan]

Nathan rushed from the room in search of Eclair's office. Though he
wasn't quite sure how he knew where to go. He found the small office
and was about to enter when he heard raised voices on the other
side. He listened in closely, he could tell which was Eclair, but he
wasn't quite sure who the other voice was, but it was male.

"What do you mean 'No'?" The males voice was distraught.

"I can't accept, I've been chosen for the Victorian mission."
Eclairs voice was calm and collected as usual.

"You mean you actually volunteered, even though you knew how I
felt?" He asked quickly.

"I am the highest ranking, and most suitable Telekinetic for this
mission. Besides no one else volunteered." Eclair stated matter of
factly.

"I'll take you off the list then, I can do that Helena." His voice
increased in volume.

"You take me off that list, and you compromise the survival of the
human race. Is that really somthing that you would like to be guilty
for?" Eclair was amazingly in control of the situation.

"The point is that you VOLUNTEERED! How could you do that to me? Our
relationship came this far and you go and volunteer to never COME
BACK!?" He was completely shouting by now, and Nathan felt a little
nervous about listening in.

"Allen" Elcair spoke soflty. "Its nothing that you have done or
haven't done. Its just that I feel that if my skills can assist in
saving mankind then I want to be able to give them." Nathan jumped
back from the door just in time for it to open. Standing before
Nathan was a tall man wearing wire framed glasses, tears were in his
eyes but they he did not allow them to fall. He walked passed Nathan
without a word.

Nathan entered the room slowly, lightly tapping on the door as he
did.

"May I come in?" He asked quielty. He could see her putting a small
box inside the top drawer of her desk.

"What can I do for you?" She asked evenly as she sat down at her
desk, and began to type up some paperwork. Nathan had somthing in
specific that he wanted to say, but when he spoke somthing
completely different came out.

"Jeni says that we're going Victorian tonight and I was just
checking in on that." He was present in a memory and had no way to
change what he could say, only what he once said.

"You don't believe Jeni?" Eclair asked flatly, not even galncing at
her screen as she typed and spoke.

"No its not that, I just wanted to..." His sentence fell short.

"You just wanted to what?" She glanced over her frames at him.

"Its nothing sorry to bother you." He apologized as he left the
room. 'She probably thinks I'm such an Idiot.' He thought as he
walked away.

The memory ended and Nathan awoke to find Eclair waking as well, she
didn't look well.

"Milady?" Nathan spoke quietly, and helped her back onto her seat.

"I apologize Nathan but I believe I would like to be taken home. I
am afraid that I'm not feeling as well as I would have hoped. I am
sorry Nathan." Her voice was as weak as her appearence. His heart
sank for only a moment as he replied.

"Very well, I understand Milady."

When they arrived at Eclair's home they were greeted at the door by Edward.

"Her ladyship is not well do take care of her Edward. I shall return in the morning to check up on her." Nathan replied bowing and leaving Eclair in Edwards care.

"You are dreadfuly pale Milady, have you felt this way all evening?" Edward asked in a quiet concerned tone.

"No dear Edward this is a recent deveolpment." She stated weakly.

After Clohe had helped Eclair get ready for bed and she had fallen asleep, Edward set a chair right outside her door and sat quietly incase she needed him. He did not like seeing his lady ill, after all Lord Vincent had died of illness and Edward did not want to see Miss Eclair suffer the same fate.

[0ber0n the Neko]

OOC: I'm going to do something a bit strange here, so bear with me. I'm not adding anything to the original plot, because all of this is introspection. I'm just de-stuffying my character for a bit.

IC:

Nathan cautiously stepped down the marble steps of Eclair's residence.

"That... I wonder... Did she see that too?" he said quietly.

[i]If she did... God only knows what she'll think...[/i] He felt himself think. [i]I don't even know if or when she's reading my mind... maybe she's a telepath, and isn't telling me...[/i]

He felt a chill. "I hope not..."

The thoughts seemed to invade his mind, like Dante's suggestions they carried an almost forced urgency, but he knew the thoughts were his own. He didn't like how they made him feel. Eclair had seemed so clear before, but now she seemed more complicated than ever.

"Women, heh..." he tried to reassure himself. He felt stupid. He needed a drink.

He let his feet guide him to his flat, which was a relief. He hated large houses, and the ornate and pointless decorations that riddled them. He preferred his flat, which was a slightly remodeled armory.

He liked being surrounded by power, not just the superficial aristocratic nonsense. That's why all the weapons were still on the walls.

He stepped inside, and sat down on a cushioned chair.

And then the communication came through his head.

It said-

OOC: What DID it say? I'm leaving this up to anyone who wants to go for it.

[missrelena]

Dante sat, lightly dozing, in a plush chair. Not usually one to sleep under strange circumstances, his head still ached from earlier and the muffeled quiet of the second story was soothing in a way that complete silence never was. Fortunately, even in his partially asleep state, he still heard the approaching footsteps. He jerked to his feet and raked his hair out of his face with his fingers. The person approaching was Geni's father.

"Good evening, young lord." The tall gentleman greeted Dante. "I am happy that you find our furniture so accomadating, but I am certain there are more comfortable spaces than our upstairs hallway to rest your eyes." The slight smile on the older man's face took the sting out of the words, but the impled request for an explaination remained.

"Sir, your daughter took ill earlier and I brought her up to her chambers. Her maid saw to her comfort, and I assume, put her to bed. The servant, however had to leave to attend to this evenings guests and I did not feel right leaving your daughter alone with no one to call on if she became distressed." Dante could feel his cheeks warming a touch, and the greatly amused expression spreading across her father's face wasn't helping his discomfort.

"So you had the maid bring a chair out of Genieve's sitting room and you have been sitting the guard's post ever since." The older man chuckled softly. "Why did you not simply inform my wife or I of Genieve's condition? We could have relieved a servant from the festivities to sit with her."

"I - I did not want to cause a commotion or create an upset in the way the services were arranged if it were not nessisary." He explained.

"You didn't think of it." her father challenged.

"I didn't mind." Dante tossed back.

The older lord luaghed out loud. "I just bet you didn't. No, I don't question your propriety. The maid, I am sure, will validate your story. And just by looking at your state, I can tell how long you have been sitting out here. Please, Lord Dante, the party is over and Geni's maid is once again free to attend her. But, the hour is late. Why don't you make use of one of our guest quarters? I will send a message to your house and have a set of fresh clothing sent over for the morning."

"There is no need . . ." Dante bagan to refuse, but was cut off.

"Of course there is need. Look at you, man. Your dead to the world. It's frigid outside and you would catch your death if I let you leave in your condition. No arguments, I will show you to your room myself." Her father spun around on his heel and started down the hallway in a way that would brook no further argument. Sighing heavily, Dante forced his feet forward and followed the gentleman.

[I]:He likes you.:[/I] Was the muzzy thought Geni sent him. She was warm, comfortable, and well pleased with the state of the world at that moment. That, more than anything else, helped to put Dante more at ease as he entered the guest bedroom and he readied himself for bed.

[I]:Goodnight, milord: [/I] Geni whispered in his mind as she drifted back off to sleep.

[Lord Dante]

dante said nothing as he was led off to one of the guest quarters by Geni's father. The crippling headache from the seeming flashback was still with him, through the pain, he could make out geni's muffled words to him.

"I hope this room will be to your satisfaction, my lord." Geni's father said as he turned to face the lord, opening the door.

"yes thank you. MAy i apologise for inconviniencing you on this night" dante said, somewhat distractedly.

"not at all. not at all. Make yourself at home." Geni's father turned, and left.

Opening the door, dante collapsed into the room. It was a utilitarian guest room, but opulent nonetheless. Dante walked over to the goose-dfown bed, and fell upon it, waves of crippling pain racking every nerve in his body.

"what's going on...?" dante whispered to himself as brning, pulsing pain built up in ever-increasing intensity. through the blinding agony, dante thought that he could hear a voice.

"[COLOR=Red]Hello Dante.[/COLOR]"
"who are you?"
"[COLOR=Red]You need not concern yourself with that.[/COLOR]"
"leave me be"
"[COLOR=Red]I come with a warning[/COLOR]"
"a waring?"
[COLOR=Red]Yes Dante, a warning.[/COLOR]"
"..."
"[COLOR=Red]The others conspire against Geni. They are jealous of her power.[/COLOR]"
"jealous of her power?"
"[COLOR=Red]Yes.[/COLOR]"
"but she's no different to the rest of us. to any of the other telepaths. to That watchdog nathaniel, or that Ariana woman."
"[COLOR=Red]Alas, you are blind to it.[/COLOR]"
"blind to what?"
"[COLOR=Red]I expected more from you dante, I am dissapointed[/COLOR]"
"what do you mean? blind to what? Answer me!!"
"[COLOR=Red]The countess Genivive has more memory flashes than the others, does she not?[/COLOR]"
"that's true..."
"[COLOR=Red]And why do you think this is? She has power far greater than the others. They conspire to do away with her.[/COLOR]"
"No!"
"[COLOR=Red]You must stop them[/COLOR]"
"I must stop them"
"[COLOR=Red]You must stop them[/COLOR]"
"I must stop them"
"[COLOR=Red]You must stop them[/COLOR]"
"I will stop them!"

The voice faded into the darkness of the room, but dante could have sworn that he could percieve a faint, manical laugh. one tingling with absolute evil.

And then the world went white with searing agony.

OOC: Sorry i've been out of the loop for so long [I]again[/I].

[missrelena]

The cheerfully chirping birds in the Sycamore tree outside her window awoke Geni to a warm and bright spring morning. She felt as if the warmth of the day had soaked into her body and rejuvenated her completely. She hadn?t felt this well in ages. Reaching for the pullcord beside her headboard, she rang for her maid. Anna was not long in coming, and she brought a crisply folded sheet of Geni?s family stationary with her.

?A message for you, miss.? Anna said, keeping her eyes primly lowered, but Geni did not miss the smile the maid was struggling to keep off her face. There was no doubt that Anna had already read the note, but at least she was being discrete about the contents. Thanking the girl, who couldn?t have been more than a year her junior, Geni took the paper and gingerly unfolded it.

[I]My Lady,

I await your earliest convenience in your front parlor. There is much I would speak to you about.

Dante [/I]

No wonder Anna was squelching a grin. If one did not know Dante, a person might read any number of meanings into the short message. Geni opted to ignore the one that Anna had obviously chosen to believe, but did not argue as the girl dressed her in her prettiest day dress of blue muslin and french lace. The maid even took special care to style Geni?s hair as stylishly as possible for a day look. Geni was amused, but again, did not argue. She had no idea if Anna?s hard work would even be noted by Dante. Still, a lady likes to look her best, even if she?s the only one to notice it.

She descended the stairs as quickly as decorum would allow, and entered the parlor with only a light tap on the door to announce herself. Dante sprang to his feet as he saw her. He looked tired, like his headache had kept him up most of the night. He ushered her to a couch, made sure Anna was there - close enough to keep a watchful chaperone eye on them, but not close enough to ease drop on their conversation - then seated himself near enough to speak with her out loud.

?Good morning, Milord.? Geni began a touch loudly, for Anna?s sake. [I]:What troubles you, Milord? The minute I came down the stairs, I could sense your unease.: [/I]

?Yes, your father was kind enough to extend his hospitality and offered me a room for the night.? Dante replied, also loud enough for Anna?s benefit.[I] :Will you listen to me? Or will you just shrug me off as being paranoid again?:[/I]

[I]: Dante, you wound me. I have never discounted your words. I may not always understand your feelings, but I would never take them lightly.:[/I] Geni was not being coy. His flippant words had stung. Dante meant a lot to her, and the idea that he believed she wouldn?t or hadn?t listened to him hurt her inside. She saw at once that he picked up her emotions and regretted his harshness.

[I]:Geni, I?m sorry. But I want you to believe me. I?m worried about you.: [/I] Dante did his best to show that he was in earnest.

[I]:I can feel that. What have I done to make you worry so?:[/I]

[I]:You give your trust so freely. Not everyone deserves it.:[/I]

Geni was about to tease him as she had done the night before, but as she picked up his complete seriousness, she thought better of it. [I]:What would you have me do?[/I]:

[I]:Just ? just don?t . . .:[/I] Dante had trouble articulating his answer.

[I]: Don?t worry. I?ll be guided by you as each day arrives.:[/I] She squeezed his hand, then rose to her feet. ?Breakfast should be served soon. Will you join me for the meal??

?Yes, thank you for the invitation.? Dante took her arm and escorted her to the dining room.

Anna stood and began to follow when she was waylaid by the butler, James. ?So, how did they do?? He asked her.

?I?m not sure.? She answered conspiratorially. ?They said good morning, sat together, stared at each other?s eyes for a short while, then she invited him to breakfast.?

?Sounds like everything went well, then.? James smiled. Geni looked happy with this young lord, and that was all he cared about.

* * *

The spring and summer flew past for Geni in a whirlwind of evening parties and afternoon rides in the park with Dante. She knew the biddies of the ton whispered over the amount of time she spent with the young lord. There were even bets being taken at the gentleman?s club, Whites, over whether or not their engagement would be announced this season. But as long as her father never said anything about it, she intended to be with him as much as she could within the strictures of polite society. Not only did it make her happy, but Dante seemed more at ease whenever he could keep a watchful eye on her.

Geni did not see a lot of Eclair and Nathan or Ariana and Rufus. Their ranks in the social pyramid were so varied that they crossed paths but rarely. When they did, they always updated one another on the small memory flashes that occurred, but nothing monumental in discovery came to any of them. The letter had said that ?Jack? would return in the late summer, and the time till then was not idle for the group, but they also did their best to keep up in their normal lives of the London ton. That was, after all, why most of them originally came to the city.

Then, in August, they were all six invited to attend the opening of the Queen?s Ballet at the London Opera house. The queen sponsored a ballet performance each season, and to be invited was an honor. One was expected to donate to the queen?s favorite charity, of course, but it was all worth it for the notice and notoriety it brought one inside the ton. The dancing was always beautiful, too. Geni waited to meet up with Eclair, Ariana and the others with great anticipation. Dante was again her escort, and there was twittering over that fact. Geni didn?t mind. She was happy, and at the risk sounding flighty and school-girlish, until ?Jack? reared his ugly head, that was what mattered.

[natchan]

The late spring and early summer months were alittle out of Eclair's normal range. Nathan was a frequented house guest for the pure fact that no one should go alone for too long, and it was her first summer without Vincent. Aside from the abnormalities, Eclair enjoyed the summer months. She never really got the chance to see the others, save for 2 or 3 parties that they all were envited to, and each time none of them had any new or important information.

She did however manage to visit her parents in france for most of July, they were very happy to see her. She was accompanied by Edward and Nathan was able to visit her for a brief time while she was away. However though durring the summer she began to experience more and more of the same fainting spells as she did that night in Nathans carriange, theses made Edward nervous and uneasy.

She was very excited to be attending the Queen's Ballet, not only did she love the ballet, but she knew that she would get to see the others. And she had heard all about the fact that Geni and Lord Dante had speant almost every waking moment together, she was ery happy to hear this. She ofcourse was accompanied by Nathan, who seemed almost boarde with idea of the ballet.

"You should just be happy that you were envited to such an event." Eclair told him. She quickly found Rufus and Ariana and rushed over to them.

"How have you two been this summer, good I asume. You two always seem to be perfectly happy." She replied happily, she loved talking to the two of them, they were absolutely adorable.

"We are well Milady Eclair, and yourselves?" Rufus raised an eyebrow as if her were hinting at somthing.

"Just as fine as the last time you saw us." Eclair stated smiling.

[Otori_Girl]

The late spring and summer was full of social event after social
event for the newly wed couple. they spent every other night making
appearances at some ones dinner party, a couple of them bring them
in contact with Dante and Geni, snd sometimes Eclair and Nathan.
When they saw the others there wasn't much to report on, just the
local gossip that Eclair would ask for.

Ariana had a couple more minor memory flashes, nothing worht noting
of importance, this bothered her. Rufus however did not alllow his
darling Ariana stay unhappy for very long, the other half of their
summer was spent taking trips to other cities and having romantic
pinics and what not. He even hired a local artist to paint their
portrait in the park one day as a gift for his beautiful wife.

The day of the Queen's ballet had arrived and Ariana was more than extatic,
she loved going to the ballet, especially when she knew her friends were
going to be there aswell. They entered the large theater, and were
automatically bombarded by Eclair who was accompanied by Nathan.

"How have you two been this summer, good I asume. You two always
seem to be perfectly happy." She replied happily, she loved talking to the two of them,
they were absolutely adorable.

"We are well Milady Eclair, and yourselves?" Rufus raised an eyebrow as if he
were hinting at somthing.

"Just as fine as the last time you saw us." Eclair stated smiling. Ariana nugged Rufus gently. "Now Ariana you must tell me all the latest gossip, dear Nathan hear is horrible at reporting such imformation." She replied giving Nathan a teasing grin.

"Well I asume that you have heard all about how Geni and Dante have harly gone a day with out eachother?" Ariana asked smiling.

"Of course, but even if it was part of the plan I think thats how it would be any way." Eclair stated happily. "Speaking of the young couple." She pointed across the way to find the two of them speaking with Geni's father. "We should go see them, I haven't teased young Dante all summer."

[0ber0n the Neko]

OOC: Sorry. I was... out.

IC:

Nathan still suspected the Ballet. It seemed a likely place for pickpockets, thieves, and worst of all, assassins. But, Eclair wanted to go...

[i]She wants to see the others. A dangerous place to put oneself in, especially if only for the sake of seeing a few comrades...[i] He felt himself tensen. [i]You're getting obsessed, Hobbs. She'll be fine. A Ballet couldn't hurt...[/i] He smiled nervously. [i]I just don't want to lose her... not now.[/i]

"Something on your mind, Nathan?" Eclair asked innocently.

"Nothing, miss. Nothing at all," he said, his voice hollow.

"You think too much, Nathan! Maybe you should lighten up a little!" Eclair laughed quietly. "You should enjoy the ballet. It's such a high honor..."

"I would, milady... but you're not [i]really[/i] safe while you're here..." Nathan muttered.

"What was that?" Eclair asked absently.

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

The Usher pointed them to their door. "This way to your party, milady... and Commander." The man's bow seemed furtively comforting.

"I trust you'll make sure we are not... disturbed?" Nathan said. It held the slight air of a command.

"Of course, Commander. Your party is waiting." The Usher tipped is hat, and stood guard at the door.

Once inside, Eclair looked at Nathan. "Who was that?"

Nathan smiled easily. "David O'Shaughnessy. Best Irishman in the watch. Damn good shot, and a damn good copper."

[i]Ah... This makes things much easier.[/i] Nathan thought.

OOC: Can't think of a good ending..... so TRA-LA!

[Lord Dante]

Summer was pretty univentful mainiac psycho-killer wise in Dante's oppnion. There had been no appearances from "jack", or anything out-of-the-ordinary. Dante had spent most of the summer keeping a watchfull eye over Geni. Dante didn't know why, but he had a strange feeling that the others intentions might not be wat they appear, Or it could be that he enjoyed her company, he wasn't sure.

"Dante, are you alright? you seem.. uhhh... puzzled" Came a voice from seemingly miles away.

"uh? wha?" dante uttered dazedly, looking around.

"dazed as a dodo." came the voice again, from the side of him.

"It seems the lord's mind is elsewhere" a man said.

[COLOR=RED]Dante....[/COLOR=RED]
"you again?"
[COLOR=RED]Dante... I'm waiting.....[/COLOR=RED]
"waiting for what?"
[COLOR=RED]waiting.... for.... you....[/COLOR=RED]
[COLOR=RED]Ripper.[/COLOR=RED]


DAnte's mind snapped back into reality, GEni and her father were beside him.

"My apologies, i must have tuned out for a minute."

"not at all, not at all." both geni and her father said. geni looked him in the eye.

[I]"Dante, are you alright? did you see anything?[/I] came geni's thoughts into his head.

[I]"No, I saw nothing, it's nothing, I'm alright. let us proceed."[/I]

The three of them continued towards the oipera house.

[missrelena]

Checking their invitations as they entered the auditorium, each of the attendees of the ballet found their assigned seats. The greater your influence and reputation within the ton, the closer to the center front or the grand boxes you were seated. None of the six friends rated box seats, but they were all placed in the prestigious center section. Arianna and Rufus had the convenience of isle seats, while Dante and Geni were a few rows further back and several seats into the row with Geni?s father seated directly behind them. Because of Eclair?s notoriety within society as a lady of quality, she and Nathan were seated in the very center of the coveted seventh row. Only the boxes had a better view of the stage than row seven, and no other row was as visible to the rest of the theater.

During the first two acts, Geni was captivated by the grace and elegance of the dancer?s performance. They seemed to be figures out of a fairy-land dream enchanting nearly all who beheld them. At the first intermission, she was amused to note that Nathan looked a touch bored, and her father was trying to hide a yawn or two. Dante looked as stoic as usual, but at least he wasn?t covering yawns with the back of his gloved hand. She caught a glimpse of Arianna, and she looked as starry-eyed as Geni felt, but since Rufus never turned her direction, she couldn?t draw an opinion about his level of enthusiasm and enjoyment.

The third act began just as gloriously as the first two. The dancers began to weave their tale through movement without a step out of place. Suddenly, the curtain that was drawn to the edge of the proscenium arch began to move unusually, like someone had grabbed it and was pulling it up into the stage left box. Then, a figure leapt from the box, and using the curtain, swung down onto the stage. The performers tumbled to a halt with the trespass of this strange person into their fantasy land.

Dramatically, the unknown man took a page from a recent American tragedy and bellowed, ?Sic Semper Tyrannus!? He drew a large dagger from a belt sheath and brandished it, shining in the stage lights. With a great show of athleticism, he raced to the edge of the stage and jumped over the orchestra pit. Some in the audience, misunderstanding the man?s intent, applauded as if he was all part of the show.

[I]Dante! That man has no thoughts![/I] Geni cried out into his mind.

?What?? He asked her increadulously.

[I]There is no thought in his mind! Just numbers . . . all I can hear is a stream of numbers.[/I] Geni was more than confused, she was terribly frightened. Never had she ever encountered any living person that had a complete absence of thought.

Dante shot to his feet at the same moment that Nathan did. Nathan must have sensed the same anomaly in the man?s mind that Geni had. Unfortunately, both men had seated people ? some with voluminous skirts ? between them and the armed man racing up the isle.

Skidding to a halt, the intruder looked down at Rufus. ?Sorry mate, me boss don?t seem ta like yer grandkids.?


Arianna screamed as he raised the long knife and slashed it down at her husband?s seated form. Unbelievably, Rufus managed to deflect the attacker?s blade to the side with his bare hand. Instead of piercing his heart, the dagger cut across the left side of his face, over his eye and then punctured the triceps of his left arm. Shreiks of panic erupted throughout the theater. The dancers raced off to the relative protection of the wings while the spectators leapt from their seats and began to crush into the isle opposite the attacker.

The man again brought down his knife, and again Rufus did his best to deflect the attack. This time the blade slashed into his right thigh rending fabric, skin and muscle from hip to knee. Arianna screamed once more and threw herself over her bleeding husband.

Frustrated with his inability to push past the crowds driven insane with fright, Nathan stepped up onto the armrests of each seat and took the high road as quickly as he could manage. Taking his cues from the officer, Dante also went across the armrests in an attempt to reach the newlyweds. Drawing a sword that Geni had assumed to be merely ornamental, the young lord jumped the last few seats and raced down the isle. Sliding like a college cricket player across the plush carpet, Dante blocked the descending dagger with his own blade only a hair?s breath from the Arianna?s spine.

?Drop it!? Nathan shouted. The man glanced casually over his shoulder to see the officer with a small pistol pointed at the criminal?s head. The attacker glanced up the isle toward the exits, but that way was blocked as well.

?I would?na try to run if I were you.? The Irish officer dressed as an usher lilted, He was also armed with a pistol aimed at the perpetrator. Geni?s father reached the group, but wisely stayed out of the sights of the guns.

Shaking his head, the man opened his left hand and a small envelope with a red ?J? written on it fluttered to the floor next to Dante. ?I guess I shouldn?t ?ave took a knife to a gun fight. Just another innocent life on your ?eads.? He muttered. He took a step away from Arianna and Rufus, gave a cocky grin, and vanished.

Arianna raised her head to make sure the immediate threat had gone. Then she looked down and saw the large amount of blood staining her evening gown. Going even more pale in pallor her eyes went wide with shock. ?Rufus??

?Are you all right?? he whispered.

?Yes, my love. I?m not hurt.? she answered, desperation evident in her voice.

?I am so glad to hear it.? With that, Rufus?s eyes closed and he went limp in his chair.

?Rufus!? Arianna called in a panic.

?I believe he had passed out from the immense pain, ma?am.? Geni?s father spoke up. ?He needs medical attention right now. His eye seems to be intact, but we need to stop the bleeding. My club, Whites, has a crack surgeon. He lives at the club as a resident to attend the gentlemen who are foolish enough to duel. He?s a gentleman?s surgeon ? every thing is always neat and clean. I?d stake my life on his talents.?

?Whites is just down the block, I believe.? Nathan looked to Geni?s father for confirmation of his memory. He received a nod of agreement from the older gentleman.

Geni and Eclair finally managed to make their way to the group. Fortunately, none of the ladies were squeamish at the sight of blood. Without a second thought Geni began tearing strips off her silk petticoats and handed them to Dante and Nathan, who were trying their best to stem the flow of Rufus?s blood.

?We don?t have time for all that.? Geni?s father announced. Grabbing a long strip of cloth from his daughter, he tied a tight tourniquet high on Rufus?s right leg, just above the top of the gruesome cut. ?We have to get this man to Whites as fast as possible.? Following suit, Nathan tied another above the puncture in the left arm.

?Sir, the street be flooded with carriages from all tha folks leavin?.? The other officer told Nathan. ?They?d get there faster on foot.?

?If Lord Dante will assist me, we will carry him to the club.? Geni?s father instructed. The two men gingerly lifted Rufus into their arms, being extremely careful to not make his injury any worse. ?Geni, stay here with the lady and help her to answer the officer?s questions.?

?Yes, father.? She agreed.

?But . . .? Arianna began to protest as the two gentlemen started up the isle toward the auditorium?s exit.

?Arianna,? Eclair placed a restraining hand on the young wife?s shoulder. ?You cannot go with them. They do not allow ladies into gentlemen?s clubs.?

Looking at Eclair, then to the door her bleeding husband had disappeared through, and back to Eclair, Arianna burst into tears and sank down to the carpet sobbing. Wishing she could comfort her distraught friend, but not wanting to offer false hope, Geni did not know what to say. Instead, she simply sat down next to Arianna and held her close, letting her cry herself out.

Eclair watched as Nathan picked up the dropped letter and carefully placed it into his coat pocket. ?Excuse me, ladies. I must make sure the queen made it to her carriage without incident. I shall return momentarily.? Then he turned to his junior officer. ?Make certain that no one comes anywhere near these ladies.?

?Yes, sir.? The officer saluted Nathan, then took a watchful position next to the three stunned women.

?Why did he choose Rufus?? Arianna cried softly. ?Why??

?I don?t know.? Geni whispered in her ear. ?I wish I did.?

__________________________________________

OCC: I Promised more blood and chaos... There you go. Now, what does everyone do?