Fantasy New Oasis: Four Heavenly Kings — The B-Sides

[angel doe]

celestine renee cadieux

CS Link

SCENE:

friends who slay together stay together

LOCATION:

the tucker's house, north district outskirts

TIME:

post arc 3

PARTICIPANTS:

teddie, celestine

friends who slay together stay together

Celestine gently patted Carlisle on the head when she felt the child cling to her leg, relieved she hadn't gotten too close to the man on the floor. That relief was short-lived, however, as the barely conscious man suddenly reached out and grabbed ahold of Carly. Celeste's panic was immediate and she rushed forward, scooping the child into her arms and away from the man when Eliza had forced him to let go.

"To lay even a finger on Carlisle..." Anger sparked in her eyes and she took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, "Alright, then."

Before anything else, Celestine walked a safe distance away and set Carlisle in her little playpen so she wouldn't wander off, "The big people have some work to do, but we will play more after. I promise~" She gave her a delicate boop on the nose before returning to the matter at hand.

That man.

“And he’s awake now. Let’s get started. Celeste, I’ll let you do the honours.”

Staring down at him, Celeste's eyes narrowed, "If you insist, Teddie." Placing her heel gently on the man's hand, she stared at him momentarily as part of her wondered if she should be doing this. That was quickly overshadowed by the anger and grief that clogged her mind, using just enough force to push the point of her heel through his hand.

Honestly, Celeste wasn't sure if this was what Teddie and Eliza were expecting, but she wasn't going to overthink it; not when hearing him yell gave her such a rush.

"You know I have never been very good at this sort of thing... but I love to learn," Celestine added after she had poked a couple of holes in the 'dragon's' hand with the heel of her shoe, "The two of you are quite skilled in this field, are you not?"

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

ALICE

CS Link

SCENE:

Lessons in Power

LOCATION:

Abandoned Auto Plant, Outskirts of New Oasis

PARTICIPANTS:

Alice, Ryutaro

LESSONS IN POWER

Alice glanced at him in surprise. The last thing she expected was learning the Queen shared a similar experience. If she was any apprehensive about the meeting, it no longer showed. She winced at the mention of the Phoenixes, a certain Charlie coming to mind. He wasn't like them, she reasoned... only to remember the way he bashed Nico's skull in.

Rather than face these thoughts here and now, Alice shook her head free of them.

She considered Ryutaro's guess. Alice had experimented plenty with her powers in the days following the Phoenix raid. Only a few cases let her reach the point she did in that time; all of which were unintentional. Much like her visit to the Queen's dinner party. "That's... the working theory," she admitted. "I don't fully understand it myself. But when it comes... I feel in control again."

Alice clenched her fists, remembering how she felt each time. "I remember I would feel... fed up. Fed up with the world and how things are. So much so that I would wish things were different all together." She stared off into the distance, blank. Alice imagined sprawling hills of green and fungi larger than a bus. Talking animals and objects adorned in suits and dresses, greeting Alice as they passed by. "And everyone who fell into my reality would have to embrace it. Obey the rules of the Wonderland..."

But even now, it was just that: her imagination. "Ryutaro... Do you want to destroy the Phoenixes? For what they did?"

joshuadim

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

ALICE

CS Link

SCENE:

Two Can Cross the Threshold

LOCATION:

Central District

PARTICIPANTS:

Alice, Charlie

Two Can Cross the Threshold

At the end of the dark corridor was a room lit by candle. Dull and musty concrete walls, flimsy sleeping bags, piles of takeout boxes, and a dozen people. Each dressed in the familiar White Rabbit outfit that terrorized the mall in what felt like eons ago.

But as Dormouse led Alice through, departing with the doors shutting behind her, two individuals stood out the most.

The first was another accustomed face. That of Ophelia, or as known by her underlings, Lady Cheshire. She looked at Alice with a look of indignation. For what, she could not pinpoint. But Ophelia was the least of the girl's concerns.

Alice focused straight ahead on the masked, hatted man. Everything about him was different, from the clothes to the way he composed himself. But she already knew. Holding the letter out, through choked tears, she said, "Mr. Hat...?"

The masked man rose at that. "It's been a long time, my dear Alice..."

Meanwhile, as Charlie peeked over the hole, he'd only have seen the concrete floor with the limited lighting. That, and a burning cigarette approaching from the other end. The smoke emanated from Dormouse, and she locked eyes with Charlie. And the piercing glare she gave let him know that she remembered him. If not that, then her words did. "If it isn't the guy who crippled Knave into shits. He needs a nurse for everything he does now, y'know. Can't even think straight for more than three minutes." A hand fell to her pocket, where she kept her trusty butterfly knife. "There's nothing here for you. Leave."

Roda the Red

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

Passeri Park

SCENE:

She Has Funny Cars

TIME:

Post-Arc 3, Timeskip 1 | July 2nd, 2022

LOCATION:

Cafe De Lune, East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Passeri, Alice

She Has Funny Cars

"Isn't that how everything is? Happy and sad. They're two sides of the same coin, you know?" Or at least, that was how it tended to be. Even her own shattered cage in the North had not been without its comforts, and even the stardom that so many envied brought with it a fair share of woes.

"Even all of this... lovely harmony around us had its price. It's the Dragons who're the shepherds of all..." With a teaspoon, she gestured beyond the balcony. To the tranquil rooftop gardens, and then the pedestrians on the streets below, wandering around without burden or fret. "For something good, there's always a price. And for something terrible, there's usually a silver lining, though it can be a touch hard to glean, at times. Central's no different, you know? Be it the gangs or the government, there's no part of this city that isn't built on blood."

More literally than most knew, though it wasn't like she could go about telling people that. Especially as stranger as perfect as Alicia Morel.

"...But that's just me rambling! I invited you here today because I wanted to chat!" She paused for a moment, as a spread of entrees were bought out onto the balcony. Bite sized sandwiches, sweets to pair, sliced fruits, that sort of thing. "Chat-chat. Not, like, me talking at you one-sidedly like that chat. Bad habit of mine. I'm not actually all that used to having company that chats back, these days!"

She took a sip from her tea and a nibble, somehow, out of one of those sandwiches which were supposed to be eaten in one bite.

"We were both at Hashimoto's little meet and greet the other night. I'd like to know..." This felt a bit curt, down in the shallow reaches of her instincts, but she pushed that sliver of hesitation down. There had been enough pleasantries. Anything more than this would've been nothing more than leading the poor girl on. "...What're your thoughts?"

AriAriAbabwa​

 

[joshuadim]

RYUTARO HASHIMOTO

CS Link

SCENE:

Lessons in Power

LOCATION:

Abandoned Auto Plant, Outskirts of New Oasis

PARTICIPANTS:

Ryutaro, Alice

Lessons in Power

The Tiger Queen remained quiet as Alice explained what she thought was the trigger for her powers, allowing her the time to articulate her thoughts on the matter. The feeling of control that she described was all too familiar to the likes of him. To be powerless in a world dictated by powers beyond your hands, it makes regaining that sense of direction all the more liberating. It was then that Alice asked a question that took him slightly by surprise, his brow arching slightly in response. For a moment it hung in the air as Ryu processed it, before finally speaking.

"Yes." he said directly, unwilling to couch the sentiment in lighter terms than with what it was deserving of. "But that is secondary to what gives me drive." He picked up another small pebble and twirled it in between his thumb and pointer as a bit of a stopgap as he thought about how to best articulate his own thoughts. "That feeling of powerlessness against the world, as you said, is what I fight against. We find ourselves able to do feats beyond any mortal human can, and yet we find ourselves victims at the hands of systems and people who seek to keep us within a box. We are supposed to accept what happens to us as if it's normal. As if it's the way things should be."

He tossed away the pebble nearby before continuing: "And so the Phoenixes are only part of that problem. Along with the Dragons, the Serpents, even the Tigers as it currently stands. The Board, the rules based order, the state, the global order. They all exist within the confines of a singular truth: that we are not free."

He then stood up and slowly walked over to Alice, and stood next to her. "I don't only seek to change the Tigers. I seek to change the world, so that no others like us suffer the indignity of being victims. But I can't do that by losing control of my own self. And neither can you."

The Tiger Queen paced himself slowly circled around Alice while still speaking: "My power works similarly... it is manifested from my own state of mind. My own conscience. I draw strength from my grief, from my anger. Yet, there is a thin line I must balance upon between maintaining that and losing myself to its riptide. But I force myself to ride that line anyway because it is necessary. For how can I possibly change the world if I can't master my own self?" He then stopped in front of Alice, extending a hand to her gently: "And so if you want to see change in the Tigers, you must do the same."

AriAriAbabwa

 

[WhiskeyMarten]

TEDDIE TUCKER

CS Link

SCENE:

Friends Who Slay Together Stay Together

LOCATION:

The Tucker's House, North District Outskirts

TIME:

Post Arc 3

PARTICIPANTS:

Celeste, Teddie

FRIENDS WHO SLAY TOGETHER STAY TOGETHER

---

CONTENT WARNING: This scene contains descriptions of violence, and this post contains some eye gore. I recommend not to read if you're sensitive to this
Carlisle looked up at Celeste, the tears already drying from the sudden encounter. She seemed to get over things quickly, crawling around in her playpen, content with the situation. Seeing Celeste made anything better, and she only looked up briefly whenever her parents loudly spoke.

“Aw, you’re a natural!”

Eliza held her hands together in momentarily glee as blood gushed from the man’s hand onto the floor.

“You gotta tell me where you got the shoes. Mine are good for stomping-” She crushed the man’s arm, with a snap being heard, to prove her point. “But I’d like something that can pierce like that.”

“Well, dear. Your birthday is, haha, you birthday is coming up, isn’t it?” Teddie stifled laughter, clearly also getting some enjoyment from the violence before him. He drew a knife out from his jacket. The handle of it had melted away, probably a while ago as he didn’t seem to notice, grabbing the edge of the blade. His gloves prevented any cuts into his tarry flesh. From being so close to his body this whole time, it had built up a remarkable heat, one which the man could feel as the knife came closer to his face.

“This is a trick I like.” Teddie looked to Celeste, holding the blade an inch from the man’s eyes, the man being in too much agony to do anything about it but close them. “Watch and learn, watch and learn.” Slowly, he slide the knife through, eliciting screams louder than anything the man had done before. Teddie removed the knife just as slowly, which now smoked, coated in blood.

“He’ll think twice before messing with us. But don’t!” Teddie pointed at the knife, and then to the man’s intact eye. “Don’t get rid of them both. He needs to see your pretty face still. You got all that?” He nodded in confirmation for her.

“Do you have a weapon on you? You can borrow one of mine if you want, Celeste!” Eliza lifted her jacket, revealing a row of hidden knifes, screwdrivers, and hammers- For emergencies, of course.

 

[Elenion Aura]

PINHEAD

SCENE:

The Game

TIME:

Post-Arc 3 | July 3rd

LOCATION:

West District | The Precipice

PARTICIPANTS:

Missy, Mugen, Lazlo

THE GAME

Fright. It was an emotion Pinhead was well acquainted with. Spend enough time as a cockroach in the shadow of giants, and you start to anticipate the boot's drop... When no immediate danger presented itself, Pinhead relaxed, brushing the fallen ash of his still-lit cigar from his suit jacket and adjusting his oversized tie. When the suddenly appearing concierge displayed a hint of deference—offering their 'utmost' of anything told him, perhaps erroneously, that he was the one with power in this exchange—the corpulent Pinhead began to bluster.

"I tell's ya," he began, angling his gaze across his wide shoulder to address his silent protégé. "These stugots're gonna run dis join straight t' d' ground. Mark my words."

If Pinhead were half as intelligent (or as well informed) as he believed himself to be, he'd likely have concluded that the meaning of this 'new management' might have beggared more scrutiny.

Alas, he was not, and he did not.

Seemingly satisfied, with himself—for acting the part of 'high roller' and getting away with it—as much the treatment he was receiving from this fox-smiling individual, Pinhead nodded vigorously, his jowls jiggling in time with the motion. "Yeah.. Yeah, yeah-yeah." All of that sounded good to him. Better, in fact, than spending another minute with that trailing after him. Sure, he was a good 'in', but now that Pinhead was on his way to what was surely a private VIP suite, he hardly needed the extra baggage, anyhow. Besides, he wasn't sure if the tall man even spoke Amestrian, let alone knew what he was doing here.

With Pinead happily led away, Mugen was left to his own devices. He did not spare a glance for the fat man as he went. Until that very moment, his gaze had been entirely elsewhere, taking in every detail of the premises... Until at last, his eyes found 'Eenie'.

Whatever he understood (or didn't understand), this much was certain: he would allow himself to be led to the next area, his 'room'. He would acquiesce.

For now.

 

[Ramjammer]

ALLIANCE OF APEX CONVINIENCE.


Lorette Lècuyer. CS LINK
Scene: Alliance of Apex convinience.
Location: Brother's Krimm Restaurant, West District.
Participants: Lorette. Ryutaro.


Lorette met Ryutaro's smirk with a disinterested stare. While she was no stranger to taking jabs at Markus, it was with the understanding that they had some basis in reality.

"I don't make a habit of entertaining idle gossip from my lessers, Lord Hashimoto" She said blandly.

Especially if it was gossip making the rounds in unverified channels. Lorette couldn't very well trust murmurings heard through the grapevine from a man she'd yet to determine was trying to undercut her. If Ryutaro was telling the truth at all, then the woman couldn't say the news changed much. Mental instability made people both unpredictable and dangerous. Markus had been both of those things for a long time. Whether he was getting his shitty ideas from ghosts, or coming up with them himself, it changed little.

"However, you do speak the truth." She conceded, not wanting the man sitting across from her to think she'd been insulting him. Making life difficult for any man unfortunate enough to inconvenience her, was one of Lorette's favorite activities. She considered herself a feminist after all.

However, the Queen of Tigers could do much more than inconvenience Lorette and so she played it safe.

"Between the near constant pressing of our borders from each direction, and repeated attempts to destabilize several of our operations, continued inaction will see a massive blow to both our profits and personnel."

Lorette traced a single fingertip around the rim of her drinking glass. Test of her loyalty or not, the blatant encroachment into Tiger borders by hostile parties was a pressing enough concern to warrant a serious response to the threat.

"I'll admit that my people have had their hands full recently. I can only dispatch guards where and when Markus sees fit. Casinos aren't the only organizations in danger, though they're the most susceptible to assault. I can't count the number of banks in New Oasis that are central to our interests. We can't even guarantee the safety of our offshore accounts given the constant need for new and better cybersecurity."

Lorette grimaced and her voice dipped lower, as if she were almost embarrassed to speak.

"Investors are worried. Enough that they're talking about contracting with several parties in Silicon Valley. It's a breeding ground for whistleblowers, and anyone who hasn't snitched yet, will once the Feds start breathing down their necks. This problem extends far past the city limits, Sir."


It didn't surprise Lorette that the Board wouldn't be up to helping Ryutaro's cause for free. Their interests were not always aligned with those of the Albino Tigers. She couldn't blame them for how power struggles in the upper ranks played out. It was almost impossible to determine where, when, and how they'd be seeing a dip in profits if control of the North could be gained and lost with the pulling of a trigger. Lorette didn't need to know what the board was up to. They wanted to cover their asses, and so would.

"And people often ask me why I don't just join the board." Lorette groused internally.

The needless reminder of her advancing age notwithstanding, the old Tiger wasn't keen on walking into a den of wolves she wasn't even sure she'd be able to domesticate. The Board and all within were problems that could wait for the time being.

Ryutaro seemed to be under the impression that Lorette had the kind of ego that fed on the praise and allowance of other people. It wasn't a bad assumption to make, given the way both the four Gangs and indeed the world at large worked. But it was not an assumption that rang true in her regard. The woman was somewhat anomalous in that, the praise of others was not something she allowed others to give and take back as they saw fit.

"How many whose praises have been sung are now committed to oblivion Lord Hashimoto?" Lorette asked plain as day.

"And just how many of those who sang their praises have long been departed? Praise is an ephemeral thing, Sir. I don't chase ghosts."

She shrugged not wishing to dwell long on the matter of what she did or did not deserve according to others.

"Besides that, it is the fate of all Kings to be reviled. Lord Wiess steadily digs his own grave, we can only hope to keep things afloat in the meantime."

She leaned forward to prop her chin in one hand and regarded Ryutaro with a keen look.

"What exactly am I supposed to do about it anyway?"


joshuadim

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

Passeri Park

CS Link

SCENE:

The Lion, The Witch, and The Cheque

TIME:

Post-Arc 3, June 26th

LOCATION:

Azwa Mariam, West District

PARTICIPANTS:

Passeri, Markus, Lorette

The Lion, The Witch, and The Cheque

"Really? I admit, it's not really my usual cup of tea. Or, like, ever cup of tea. I didn't even know this place existed until about a week ago. Fine dining isn't really my area of expertise, you know?" Lorette's insinuations weren't lost on Passeri, but they were unacknowledged. She was used to this much. Whether it was within the underbelly of the West that was the Albino Tigers, or the underbelly of polite society that was the entertainment industry, people playing games like this was nothing new to her.

"My cook, Lewis, he and his wife like to shop around as many foreign cuisines as they can, you see. Something about expanding his palate. So I figure, why not leave it to the experts? Whenever he finds somewhere that stands out, I have him jot it down and pass it on to me. I figure it beats going out to another five-star Liberian place that serves the same thing on a different plate, right?"

That much was the honest truth. Trying to wow the super rich with luxury was like trying to sell wood to a tree.

"They have a kids menu if it's not to your tastes though! That's the nice thing about the places he recommends me, they're always without the ego of the glitzy and glamorous. None of that 'Oh, you simply must try the caviar tartare', or whatever else it is that was popular fifty years ago in a country half the planet away." An implication for an implication. That was how these games were usually played. It would've been poor form for her to just take the ball and leave.

"But... Honestly, my bad! I didn't really think about it. Bit of a leap before you look situation, you know? I was really just taken with the idea of finger food, as opposed to, like, seven different spoons and twelve special forks." That much was the honest truth. "But here we are, no? Let's not waste any more time than we need to. Please, take a seat!"

The table she'd reserved was circular, and no wider than twice an arm's reach. Enough for anyone to reach anything. That was the point of it, if she hadn't been misinformed.

"We've a bit to talk about! And a lot to eat, if Lewis wasn't exaggerating about the portion sizes. Best we get right into it, don't you think?"

Elenion Aura Ramjammer​

 

[Elenion Aura]

MILO NAGISA

CS Link

SCENE:

Back in the Game

TIME:

Post-Arc 3, Timeskip 1 | July 5th

LOCATION:

Boustan

PARTICIPANTS:

Hitoshi, Charlie, Milo

BACK IN THE GAME

Milo waved through the rest of the civilians, directing them to run as far from the park as they could before turning back towards the heart of the blaze. The unnatural heat of it rolled over him like ocean waves, the hungry flames licking at his clothes.

Hearing the sounds of the helicopters whirring overhead, Milo turned his gaze skyward just in time to witness the twin bolts of fire, his mouth falling open in a silent scream. He could only watch, frozen, as the first chopper spiraled down, followed by the second.

Milo followed the trajectory of the blasts with his eyes. He traced their smoldering arcs to a pitch-black inkblot emerging at amidst the wavering flames.

A tremble gripped Milo's hand as it reached for his sketchpad. He took a hesitant step back as sweat beaded his brow. His pulse quickened.

A figure emerged, the inkblot taking the shape of man made of fire. In spite of the heat, Milo stood frozen as a voice like the crackle of burning embers rose above the roar of the inferno. Something about the situation did not compute. Everything had fallen apart so quickly. Was this the way it always was? The way it always would be?

The ball of flame hurtled towards him, growing larger, engulfing his field of vision. Milo felt the heat of it press against his skin, the roar of fire filling his ears. What was the point of this?

Suddenly, a flash of fur. A separate roar. They fell together, collapsing in a tangled heap, Milo's body shielded from the blaze.

Awoken from his stupor, Milo scrambled to his feet. The Kaibal Tiger bled ink. Flaming globules fell from its right flank, burned to near completion.

Placing a hand against its shoulder, Milo bit his lip, hard, tasting blood. He recalled what he had already knew to be true: the world wasn't inherently bad. It was just infested with bad people. A problem that could be fixed.

He drew his sketchpad from his waistband. It had been singed; half of its pages were ruined. Cursing under his breath, from memory Milo rifled through the sketches that would still be available to him, searching for anything that might be of use... His mind drew a blank. There was nothing... He would need to improvise.

The vision of what he sought took shape in his mind. All that was left was to translate that vision to reality.

With his pencil, Milo drew a line in one long stroke across the blank canvas of his sketchpad. He reached into it and pulled out a paintbrush, bristles slick, dripping globs of paint on the sidewalk. He discarded the burnt book, brandishing the brush like a blade.

Sensing its master's intent, the Kaibal Tiger, its lips peeled in a defiant snarl, charged the flaming figure. Milo drew the brush across his flank, painting the air in front of him with quick, fluid strokes. Through closed eyes, he envisioned them. Seabirds soaring over an ocean of blue, flapping their watery wings.

He opened his eyes. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the avian simulacra forward, twin rushing torrents peeling through the licking flames.

 

[joshuadim]

HITOSHI YAMAKAWA

CS Link

SCENE:

Two People Hungover is a Hangover But Three People Hangover Is A Crowd. The Point Is, Everything That Is Bad Is Better With More People To Suffer With You

TIME:

January 8, 2022 || Pre-Arc 3

LOCATION:

South District

PARTICIPANTS:

Hitoshi, Tak

Two People Hungover is a Hangover But Three People Hangover Is A Crowd. The Point Is, Everything That Is Bad Is Better With More People To Suffer With You

"HEY WAIT-" Hitoshi yelled out as Tak did his own thing with... lobster claws? The man just sprouted lobster claws! Hitoshi was baffled and wondered whether or not he was still on the tail end of a bad trip. But the physicality of it all, being tugged at and stumbling, reminded him that he was indeed in this strange reality unfolding right behind him. "What the shit..." Hitoshi muttered, before raising his voice again. "This isn't gonna work!" Hitoshi protested as their situation become more awkward and confused due to Tak's not-so-brilliant course of action.

Then a terrible sound filled the air. Hitoshi blinked again, before slowly coming to terms with what had just happened. And when Tak brought his hand up, torn fabric in hand, it only compounded the situation. "WHAT THE FUCK MAN!?" Hitoshi shouted angrily, pounding the bottom of his fist into Tak's backside. "I LIKE THESE PANTS! YOU OWE ME A NEW PAIR!" But their situation only grew worse when the hobo nearby offered a new pair of pants. If horrifying was an apt description, then Hitoshi would have used it. But this sight went beyond that as he wrinkled his nose and his face took on the expression seen in a 40s horror film.

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Hitoshi shouted back to Tak as he demanded he put his efforts into the crab-walk. Pressing himself to Tak as a means of support, the two began to push forward at a steady pace with relative stability. The distance grew between them and the monstrous linen, and soon the smell that emanated from it became a distant memory. "Ok, where's that damn club!?" Hitoshi then asked to his conjoined companion.

thebigfella

 

[Roda the Red]

CHARLIE HUGHES

CS Link

SCENE:

To Live in the Shadows

TIME:

Afternoon, Pre-Arc 1, June 11th 2020

LOCATION:

Nameless Warehouse, South District

PARTICIPANTS:

Charlie, Helva

To Live in the Shadows

Standing his ground, Charlie braced himself, a final bastion against the indomitable beast, a clash against the odds and fear. His fingers trembled trembled with hesitation, betraying his resolution as he awaited the inevitable.

...


...

But the clash never happened, with revenant disappearing into the darkness, an akward silence permeating the warehouse. The boy stared into the void, blinking twice in disbelief. "...Eh?"

He waited a few seconds, which then became dozens, all the way past to a whole minute. "Uh...Hello?" His stance dissolve, switching to a neutral, non-combative silhouette, arms sore from being held on such a position for a good while. He wasn't sure what to do, the relatively vague nature of his trial so far leaving him quite puzzled and disoriented more than once.

Alas, from the distant dark, Revenant emerged, not as the spectral monster she fought as, but as her normal, comparatively unintimidating self. Charlie wasn't sure how to react, his body shifting to a mid point between keeping his guard down, and having it up once more. That is, until she began to talk.

"Wait, does that mean...I did it?" He understood well that this wasn't the end of the entire trial, but, if he got it correctly, he had passed the battle. He curled up somewhat, his head coming a few inches forward and down, closer to the ground.

"I DID IT, HOORAY!" He jumped in place, hair whipping and spreading wildly in the air as he raised a fists up in triumph. The floor around him trembled slightly as he landed back down, his tempering having recovered after the short, unintended rest.

"Yes! Of course I want to! I'm so happy I was really worried that you were going to kill me or something you see when you stabbed me-" He had ran up to the woman, excitedly grabbing a hold of both of her hands and shaking them enthusiastically, however, the moment he recalled the woman's attacks, his brain finally caught up with his injuries, adrenaline no longer able to mask it.

"Ahhhh..." He dropped on the floor right where he stood, arms and legs splayed-out. "I...think I might need some treatment first, though." He laughed weekly, holding his best as to not shift his sounds into a pained whimper.

Peckinou

 

[joshuadim]

RYUTARO HASHIMOTO

CS Link

SCENE:

Alliance of Apex Convenience

LOCATION:

Brother's Krimm Restaurant, West District

PARTICIPANTS:

Ryutaro, Lorette

Alliance of Apex Convenience

The Tiger Queen leaned forward as well, his gaze remaining fixed upon Lorette as he spoke. Their conversation now became truly isolated as their focus became intently on one another. The rest of the restaurant faded into audible obscurity. "Help me take us on a better path." Ryu said, "Help me rebuild the Tigers to what it should be: organized, coherent... a united front against our enemies. With Markus out, I plan on restructuring the Tigers to better suit this. As it stands, it is ironic that while we focus on business we retain a hierarchy like a kingdom. We need more voices to be heard, to be included in the process. Of course, we will still have our King and Queen and their Jack and Ace. But it would serve better to have more opinions and ideas be heard like a board of investors. And I want you on it."

He took another quick sip of his wine to savour the taste. "Together, as a united front, we can not only rebuild the Tigers. We can build an empire worthy of our namesake. We will crush the other gangs, and bring about a new order where those with ambition and strength can truly be free to carve out their destiny." Ryu then leaned back, crossing his legs after finishing his sales pitch. Life returned to the air as the chatter of foodies and restaurantuers in the near distance sounded once more with blissful ignorance to what matter of dealings were occurring under the same roof. "So, what do you think?"

Ramjammer

 

[Elenion Aura]

RAPHAEL SHAW

CS Link

SCENE:

Dissonant Ichors

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1: December 21, 2020 -- Dusk

LOCATION:

Alleyway, East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Darius, Raph

DISSONANT ICHORS

“Oh, boo-hoo-hoo. ~"

His expression hardened with contempt. If there was one thing Raph hated (and there were many), it was a sob story. He knew the hard, bitter truth of it, the truth that the world's weak, pathetic masses always seemed to forget: that no matter how bad things were, they could always get worse.

His interest in this captured morsel was rapidly waning... Plus, there was the practical element to consider. He had done what he'd been asked to do here. Had he dawdled in enemy territory long enough? Perhaps it was time to call it a night, and to conclude this bitter business. At least—

“...—free me, you’ll have a whole district after you.”

In truth, he'd stopped listening to the man in chains, who hadn't said anything remotely interesting, or worth listening to.

Until now.

At the mention of 'gangs', Raph's eyebrow quirked upward, his demeanor shifting. Gone was the lax, lounged posture. He was standing before the chained man now, suddenly paying very close attention. Two thin rivulets of blood flowed from a pair of thin lacerations he'd made across the fingerprints of his index and middle fingers, swirling around his upheld hand in a lazy orbit. “Oh? And which District would that be?"

There was an unspoken promise behind that question, a thinly veiled threat beneath the pur of his words.

This question has a right answer. Answer incorrectly, and you die.

 

[Roda the Red]

CHARLIE HUGHES

CS Link

SCENE:

Two Can Cross the Threshold

TIME:

Post-Outbreak, Late July 2022

LOCATION:

Central District

PARTICIPANTS:

Charlie, Alice

Two Can Cross the Threshold

The Phoenix took a leap backwards as the figure rose from the hole, his body shifting to a more combative stance on its own. "Who are-" He didn't recognize the woman at first, estranged by her piercing glare. "You were there, at the mall...You were one of them." Before she could begin to speak, his mind recalled her face from the halls of his memories.

He felt a sting, a hint of guilt after hearing the state of the man he had fought back then. He was aware he might've overdone it back then, Histoshi's intervention didn't help either, but that bloodlust that had betrayed the boy more than once was awfully challenging to tame. "...He was killing innocent people, all of you were. He only got what he deserved, I do hope he recovers someday though, and that he learns some empathy in the process." He couldn't help but share some simpathy towards the man, no matter how despicable he found him to be.

"I know that Alice came here." He remarked, his tone having turned noticeably more stoic. "I just want to make sure she's okay, and if she was meeting with you, then I won't leave until I see her out of here, safe and sound." He raised his arms to his chest, knuckle meeting with palm, cracking audibly. "So please move aside, I'm not asking." Ignoring the commands and threats of the woman, he slowly walked forward, not aiming to attack her, but to walk past, all too prepared for retaliation.

His sins weighing heavily on his shoulders, Charlie had no intention to dance on the white rabbit's palm.

AriAriAbabwa

 

[Elenion Aura]

MINATO MAEDA

SCENE:

"Two" is Company

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1, July 20th 2021

LOCATION:

Camila's Apartment, West District

PARTICIPANTS:

Camila, Minato

"TWO" IS COMPANY

He got told to wait, so he waited, freezing in place like she'd put him into a standing coma, or something. The truth was he felt bad. More than that! He really felt really bad about dining and ditching... He did! Especially when she looked at him like that. It was like—i mean, come on! You'd think he'd just kicked her puppy or something!? It was just one teensy little bad date, c'mon...

When she asked him her questions, he felt his heart hurt a little more, but for perhaps the wrong reason. Don't just lay it all out like that, man. It's giving me soo much second-hand embarrassment right now..! Though, at the very least, he figured she deserved an answer.

"Look... The truth is..." The truth was he just wasn't that into her, full stop. She was nice n' all, but Minato liked his women a little more... Well, not like That™. But he did like to get a free meal every now and again, so—H-hey! Quit lookin' at him like that! Is that really so bad?! Okay, he could admit, oh reader, that it sounded pretty bad now that he was reading it back to himself during this inner monologue, but at least he'd never, ever, ever tell her that straight up! That was better, right? Keep telling little lies to prevent a harsh truth from cutting either one of them with its edges.

"Truth is I really like you, Cammie," he choked himself up a little, letting himself get just the teensiest bit misty-eyed—not too much; he didn't want to turn on the water works, or anything—just enough to really sell his (in-)sincerity. "I'm all wrecked up that I gotta leave right now, but still, I gotta. Work's work. You know how it is, don't cha?" He knew she did. It was the ultimate trump card. She'd be a hypocrite to deny it now. She could also see herself in his shoes. That helped to win her over, he thought. But just in case she still needed more convincing... "C'mere," he said, but didn't wait for her to move. He went there and wrapped her up in a hug, pressing her head against his shoulder as he spoke softly words only for her. "We'll do it again, real soon, 'kay?" He got hungry a lot, so it wouldn't be long, really!

Whether she was satisfied with that or not, Minato couldn't tell. At the very least, she hadn't impaled him for his impropriety, so that was good! And she'd let him get on with his midnight business, which led him to a familiar locale. He was the only one around, as he approached a figure standing beside the glow of a solitary street lamp. "Yo!" He raised one hand and waved cheerily at the figure whose gaze had not moved since it had seen him approaching from the West. These clandestine rendezvous were always uncanny; despite how many times he looked into the fun-house mirror, it never felt right.

Before he could crack a joke about missing a good meal "and dessert" for this, the other figure stepped out of the shadows and spoke to him in his own voice.

"What we talked about? I need you to do it. Tonight."

 

[Roda the Red]

CAMILA GASPARI

CS Link

SCENE:

Call to Arms

TIME:

Post-Outbreak, July 23 2022

LOCATION:

Ryutaro's Rooftop Garden, Imperial Gardens Condominiums, West District

PARTICIPANTS:

Camila, Ryutaro

Call to Arms

The Queen was quick to shower her with praise, praise that, for the most part, didn't feel like they came with ulterior motives. It was...unexpectedly refreshing to the woman, for a short moment, she realized how underappreciated her efforts felt to this day. Sure, the results were undeniable, she had managed to make her waves, but words of affirmation or aknowledgement? Like a needle in a haystack.

But regardless of how touching the gesture may be, she needed to keep her composure, she still wasn't a fan of this whole meeting.

"Well, how flattering. The Queen himself raving about little me's antics" She giggled, her index knuckle pressing lightly against her lower lip. "But I agree, I never cared too much about stuff like comradery or anything like that, but the way everyone just acts on their own is just so...inefficient." She switched her crossed leg, in a slow and elegant motion, emphasizing her confidence. "Took me a while to realize this, but things just flow a lot better when we're all on the same page, everyone on their own, backstabbing each other for pennies at a time, it's all so wasteful."

Lastly, Ryutaro through one final bait, a delectable lure that left the woman in a state of shock, chills running down her spine "...You mean..." She gulped, talking the gravity of it all, a little at a time. "...A leadership spot?"

A pipedream, one felt dim and extremely distant in the past, an ambition long forgotten by the years of mundanity, of a stagnated status quo. A leadership role was something that had left the veteran's mind for a while now, having believed to never be fit for such.

"I..."

How come that a dream once so sought after, was now met with a wave of hesitation? A heavy knot forming on her throat, she paused. She had seen it in the past, not only did such a seat hold power and renown, it also was subject of many envious eyes, tied to hands ready to take things by force, regardless of how badly her flesh was torn in the process.

Well, that at least would've been the main worry in Camila's mind, should you have asked her several months ago, but now? There was another feeling, one of...complacency, happiness, even. She had people that worked for her that could get the job done, people that believed in her guidance and reach, that trusted her. She was wealthy, she was respected, she wasn't nearly a lonely as she was in the past. Hell, she had even found a special someone not long ago. It took her one simple rethorical question to realize how bountiful her life had become.

"Well, that sure sounds tempting, I'd sure make good use out of that, if that were the case."

But in the end, a Tiger's habits die hard, self restraint be damned.

joshuadim

 

[Woffy]

Eliott Beaufort

CS Link

SCENE:

A Fledglings Indoctrination

LOCATION:

Umbras Nest, Central District

PARTICIPANTS:

Helva Peckinou , Eliot , Skadi, Syrup, Charlie Roda the Red

A Fledglings Indoctrination

Eliot grinned a bit at the show of affection Helva gave to Charlie somehow he could see that behind that cold exterior she showed during her trials there was a softer inside , otherwise he wouldnt have gone trough with most of the trials "Its good to meet another sponsoree , I do wonder now if Helva only goes for cute ones to sponsor" he said joining in the teasing then turned back to the big house "So what do you guys do for fun when not on jobs for the family ?".

 

[joshuadim]

???

CS Link

SCENE:

Back in the Game

TIME:

Post Arc-3; July 5

LOCATION:

Boustan [A metropolis about a four hour drive from New Oasis]

PARTICIPANTS:

Hitoshi, Charlie, Milo

BACK IN THE GAME

The man on fire roared triumphantly as his fire slammed into Milo's guardian, and let loose jets of fire that sprayed into the air from his raised arms. His euphoria went beyond the stratosphere, and his arrogance was nearing that of the greatest sinners in history. His cackles raged through the air like shrill notes, as his vocal cords were both ruined and simultaneously functioning. "BURN! BURN WITH BEAUTY!!!" he roared in fury, raging against the world with all his might. But it was in that moment that he had completely disregarded Milo's continued presence, and found himself paying for it.

The seabirds that were summoned parted the sea of flames for the Kaibal tiger to rush forward and leap onto the man. The two careened off the man's pedestal and onto the asphalt below, the latter yelling in surprise. Fangs bit into his charred flesh at the shoulder, piercing through with great bite force that only exacerbated the agony he was perpetually experiencing. But he did not waver in his resolve as he planted flaming hands onto the artistry's head and roared with a primordial scream. The flames around him turned from red and yellow to piercing white. The very ground itself began to melt around him, pooling asphalt and gravel into molten materials into a flowing material.

The tiger itself was melting away rapidly, though refused to release its vicious grip on the man as was it's duty. The summoned seabirds above frantically trailed the water stemming from them in the attempt to contain the raging firestorm but were outclassed by the primordial essence of destruction beneath them. The best they could do was put out lesser flames away from the eye of the storm, helping secure passage for additional civilians to flee. But then, another roar bellowed in the air: "DIE!!!"

The flames then turned blue, and the heat became such that it forced Milo back to avoid being completely burned. His Tiger did not have such a luxury as it completely disintegrated within the man's grasp and became carbonized dust. From what Milo could view in his relative safety was that the man did not bleed blood, but magma. And as he began to saunter over to the Phoenix, it was as though he was walking through a pool of shallow water. "I'M GOING TO TURN YOU TO DUST." the man announced, "THEN, I'LL BURN THIS ENTIRE PARK DOWN! THEN I'LL GO AFTER THE BUILDINGS NEARBY AND MELT THEM DOWN TO SCRAP!! EVERYONE WILL KNOW MY TORMENT!!!"

He then outstretched out a hand, aiming straight to where Milo was, and launched a lance of white flames straight at him with such speed that it would have been impossible to dodge. A split second passed where Milo felt as though he should have been incinerated on the spot, but suddenly he was hit with cool steam. Water, the giver of life, had just given Milo his own as a wall of water had materialized to protect Milo!

"You alright kid!?" a voice shouted from behind, belonging to a figure that seemed built like a fire hydrant in his physique. "I'm a firefighter, special task force for the city! Those birds you? Good work! We gotta put this guy's flame's out, you with me!?"

HITOSHI YAMAKAWA

CS Link

SCENE:

Back in the Game

TIME:

Post Arc-3; July 5

LOCATION:

Boustan [A metropolis about a four hour drive from New Oasis]

PARTICIPANTS:

Hitoshi, Charlie, Milo

BACK IN THE GAME

The enemy in front of Charlie said nothing, not caring for what the young man had to say as he extended his arms out and summoned new whips of energy that trailed along the floor of the tram car they shared. Then their bout began, and soon the goon felt confident as he had managed to not only deflect his offensive but also turn the tables with a brutal strike. But soon enough, the boy's resilience was not shattered as he returned the favour and had sent him flying. Charlie's own followup only just barely missed, colliding with the window itself and shattering it.

Air rushed into the cabin as the tram rumbled along its journey, an indicator that the destination of Elizabeth's kidnappers was growing ever closer. Time remained an ever looming opponent, compounding the urgency of the situation. The whip-man twirled around and stopped in a low stance for a moment, observing his opponent with a predator's gaze. He then lunged out again, this time with a feint up high that Charlie easily dodged. But this distraction made it all too apparent that he was coming in low as a second whip twirled around both his ankles and tied them together.

With a sharp yank, Charlie was toppled to the ground and before he could react the man leapt behind Charlie and twirled another around his neck. Tightening the noose, he began to squeeze as hard as he could.

---

Hitoshi in the meantime bobbed and weaved between the wrist-bone being used to stab at him, looking for a good opening as he felt the man's biological weapon seek to strike at him. A narrow miss caused a slight graze to Hitoshi's cheek, and in turn he responded by thrusting his knee into the man's belly with all his strength. The enemy let out a gasp as the air left his body from such a strike, before Hitoshi then swung out at his head. Unfortunately, the man only just barely managed to bring his guard up and it instead collided with his forearms with an audible crack. This made the assailant stumble back in pain, wincing at his now bruising arms before yelling out with a battle cry.

Hitoshi gritted his teeth as the two collided once again, leaving them tumbling onto the tram's ground. They exchanged punches, with Hitoshi socking the man in his jaw while he himself recieved a blow to temple. They rolled around one another, continuing to punch one another, until finally they came to a stop with the elder Phoenix pinning the man down with his baseball bat on the man's neck. He hoped to choke the man out and get this done, and pressed down with force. The man's eyes bulged as he felt the inability to breath come down upon him like a hammer. Furious hands gripped at Hitoshi's then tried to push at his face in desperate attempts.

The bone-man's face began to turn red as he choked, his treeth gnashing and gnawing in a breathless rage. Hitoshi kept his weight on the bat, gritting his teeth while his eyes remained fixed on the man: GotosleepGotosleepGotosleepGotosleepGotosleepGotosleepGotosleepGotosleep. Hitoshi thought as his mind raced. But then, he felt a thump into his side. Then, came a wave of agonizing pain that forced him to look down and see the man's wrist bone jutting into him. Blood oozed from the wound and began to create crimson stains on the flooring below.

Shit.

Elenion Aura Roda the Red

 

[BluEndings]

HIFUMI BAE

CS Link

SCENE:

[Whispers at Dusk]

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1, June 22nd, 2018

LOCATION:

Taiyōkō Shrine, East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Hifumi, Mirza, Ruriko, Shuwei

WHISPERS AT DUSK

The crunch underfoot did well to match the pale-haired's gaze.

When realization finally arrived at his eyes, the scrutiny did not warm. There was a growing mist surrounding those wells of blue. One that did not suit the Bae’s youngest; and with a felicitous likeness to the man of whom he was sired. Like any oft whispered woods, there came ill-credible promises of fortune in the face of the drowning unknown.

“How”—wasn’t the word he intended.

Neither face was one he expected: an Ikeda, and a Yun. They might as well have been opposing existences in his mind. Not because of some quarrel, but because both marked a definite shift in his own personal history. In attaining the acquaintanceship of one, the other had fallen to the shape of a memory. Yet, neither who stood present would he denote as ‘friend’. They were nothing but the leaves of branches once familiar.

Now of all times—why?

“The situation is”—even in his father’s absence, Hifumi dared not invite ill repute. “In the stead of my house’s head, we are humbled by your assistance.”

Beyond that, he ushered the group to the left with strident silence. Although similarly meddled with, much of the broken features had been dispersed to allow the trembling presences a place to collect. Both in their occupance, but especially in the soundness of their minds. Many rejected to meet eyes with but a couple grounded enough provided comfort where able.

“These women were present during the event.” He murmured. “Most assisted with the ceremony, but a couple caretakers were involved as well. The rest are in the room across from us.”

Taiyōkō Shrine | Outside​

Confused with the disappearance of the guests, the fox sat.

Alone.

Spoiler: Mentions

Elenion Aura @Beann WhiskeyMarten

NAVIGATE

 

[WhiskeyMarten]

HECTOR MOSES

CS Link

SCENE:

Blank Canvas

TIME:

Pre-Arc 3: September 30th, 2021 - 11pm

LOCATION:

South District

PARTICIPANTS:

Hector, Milo Elenion Aura

BLANK CANVAS

”Enough?” Hector let out a small laugh. “What’s that meant to mean, enough for what?” Enough to catch him off guard, at least. Even after the fight, it seemed easy to dismiss the man in front of him. He knew better though. ”Don’t matter. I believe you. You’re better than a lot of the babies. They all think they’re ready to take on anyone and start crying when they get a reality check. You’re a lot tougher than that. Course, I try and train every day because I have to be able to take on anyone. I’m not as disciplined as some people are,” He practised a few jabs in the air while he spoke. ”I mean, I never slack off, but I don’t plan out every second of what I do. Maybe you’re more that type”

Hector lowered his fist, crossing his arms as though it had always been a stupid idea. His body still ached, he wondered if Milo’s did as well. He wished he understood the guy a bit more. ”We’d probably benefit from fighting each other again, without trying to kill each other. Learn from each other.” Would it be wise? Only if he worked hard enough to keep one pace ahead of his protege, or steer him off his track altogether. Maybe while Hector was so vulnerable, instead of exposing his weaknesses, ”You could fight the others I’ve sponsored as well. They’d be easier to get hold of. Leadership’s got me running all over the place.”

Hector took a break from his rambling, pacing the wall. The occasional sound of a vehicle in the distance made him look up, but the sounds faded as quickly as they came. This was… Boring. ”Why don’t you do your drawings now? We’ve got a big space here, I want to see what you can do.” Hector patted him on the back. It was supposed to be encouraging, but it was hard for any enthusiasm to be conveyed on his weary face. ”Just don’t destroy anything. Wasn't cheap to make this lot habitable again.”

 

[WhiskeyMarten]

DARIUS KENNEDY

CS Link

SCENE:

Dissonant Ichors

LOCATION:

Alleyway, East District

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1: December 21, 2020 -- Dusk

PARTICIPANTS:

Darius, Shen, Raph

DISSONANT ICHORS

Eep!

Even if he wasn’t bound, Darius doubted he’d be able to will his legs to run now. Every limb felt ice-cold. He tried to maintain eye contact, but his vision couldn’t help but stray towards the ominous flow of blood. He didn’t expect to get this far, but mentioning the gangs didn’t conjure any of the fear he hoped for.

“The uh- It’s the North District. Sable Serpents?” He had to hope Raph wasn’t so intimate with the gangs to know how little of a shit the Serpents gave about their own members. “If you mess with them- with me, they’ll get you. They make civilians disappear all the time, and it never ends well for them.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, but Darius had already figured this was no ordinary civilian, not the ones that were so easy to shove into car trunks and haul into labs at least. “But if you help me, I’ll put in a good word! Yeah! They’ll look out for you, a-and you want them on your side in this city.”

 

[Peckinou]

Helva Linxal

CS Link

SCENE:

To live in the shadows

LOCATION:

Warehouse, South District

PARTICIPANTS:

Helva, Charlie Roda the Red

To live in the shadows

Helva couldn't help but chuckle a bit at Charlies excitement she honestly expected him to be worn out or recovering on the ground or something, but that didn't seem to be the case so far as he was happily bouncing up and down in celebration. He enthusiastically said he wanted to continue on, which resulted in Helva giving him a devious smirk, until he mentioned the stabbing they received, which turned her smirk into a awkward smile "Ahh, yeah, Upyr doesn't know how to contain himself quite well." Though soon after Charlie had fallen to the ground more than likely due to the adrenalin finally wearing off "Ah, thought had already fallen out and recovered a bit, guess that fight finally caught up with you." She watched as Charlie tried to laugh it off and chuckled a bit in response before saying. "Ya know our Queen would of said something like, your wounds are also apart of your trial so deal with it. But for me your trial is already going to be hell so why not give you the favor of a little medical attention, you will certainly need it, i'll have Jinn come and look at you in a minute."

As she said that last part she telepathically communicated with Zulin asking if he could switch out with Hiyma, she was a bit worried that he wouldn't do that or would cause problems but luckily he decided to listen this time and switched out. With Hiyma now being the one out, Helva telepathically asked her if she could give first aid care to their Trialee. Something she quickly agreed to do before going on to get the first aid kit and then make her way on over here, in the mean time Helva looked back towards Charlie before she spoke again "Alright I'll contact you again and notify you about the second part of your trial, should be more fun than this one, heh, so good luck." With that she turned to leave, fully intending to go back to her car and get out of here, and more than likely book her a massage therapist later on. While Hiyma meanwhile went on to gather first aid supplies and head towards the location Charlie was at, in order to render him a bit of first aid, though that was going to be a moment before she would arrive.

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

Passeri Park

SCENE:

Telephone Line

TIME:

July 20th, 2022

LOCATION:

North District

PARTICIPANTS:

Passeri, Dagger

Telephone Line

The door flew wide under the impact of Elise's boot, and a wall of dry, musty air spilled out of the mail room. Passeri was relieved. The sight of the mail room was a familiar one. Not exactly the same, the mail cubbies were a bit less worse for wear, and the carpets not yet stripped back to spare the cleaners the indignity of washing them, but it was still something she could work with. Named boxes. A small office in the back. Flimsy locks, which of course had mostly all been broken already.

"Thanks, Elise." Passeri was uncharacteristically curt as she brushed past Elise. Convenient or not, the mail room's familiarity stirred within her as much discomfort as it did relief. Stood here amongst the empty mailboxes, the only delivery being made was one of memories. Ones she'd thought long forgotten.

"You know..." Her words were slow. Hesitant. She trusted Elise more than she'd ever expected to, but there was still some deeper instinct in her that was telling her that this was a mistake. That she should have come here alone today. That what she wanted to say and what she'd already said were words that ought to be privy to none. It didn't come as a surprise. These were the instincts that'd kept her safe for so many years. The dividing wall that kept Brandy Baker from Passeri Park, that kept the Jack of the Albino Tigers from Iroi. What did surprise her was that, even with how strongly that almost primal instinct urged her to remain silent, she still wanted to speak. She still wanted to share.

"I, um... I grew up in one of these, you know?" Passeri kept herself busy as she spoke. Her gaze flicked from one mailbox to the next, a small frown forming on her brow. Half of the name tags were missing, either never replaced after the arrival of a new resident, or stolen away for some inscrutable cause. She should have expected this much. "Not this one exactly- Mine was over in Riverwood, and a lot more run down, too, but other than that... It, um, brings back memories, you know?"

One mailbox after another. Z to A. Slowly.

"Like these boxes. They were just the same back in mine, but at some point, some idiot went and busted the things, so the mailmen just started dumping everything in a big bin in the corner." She tried to laugh about it, to play it off like it was some sort of quaint little story from her childhood, but the energy just wasn't with her. "After that I'd always have to go and sort through it, since my parents could never be bothered. It had an office like this, too..."

There was nobody she recognized. Amongst the names she could read, at least. There was a lapse in her words as she stepped away from the mailboxes and popped open the office door with a gentle shove. This much, at least, was different. The desk was more modern, and a PC sat atop it rather than the long dead potted plant that the absentee handyman had kept. The make of filing cabinet, though, was as she remembered.

"This should be a bit more useful-" Passeri rifled through the filing cabinet for a moment, and then produced a thick, faded green binder. "They've gotta keep these on-site. It's part of the city regulations. It's got the basic information of all of the residents, kept up to date and all. The building manager gets fined otherwise. That's probably the only reason they're so reliable."

She set the binder down on the desk and started her search over. Back to front. Z to A again.

The first name. Zhukov, Emiliya.

"Like I was saying, though... My old building had an office just like this one. Every now and again I'd end up huddling up inside, whenever my parents locked me out or I just didn't want to be home..." She remembered those nights like they were yesterday. Her mother and father so far out of their minds that they weren't even there anymore, only just cognizant enough to shout her out of the room, so not to spoil their good time.

Wright, Silas.

"So, um... Welcome to my crib, I guess?" Passeri managed a smile this time, though only a small one. "I'd offer you a drink, but I doubt the food I used to stash behind the furniture's part of the standard blueprint. That, and the fact that somebody else usually ended up finding it before I got to make use of it."

Quintero, Lennon.

"Sorry if I'm rambling." She didn't know why she was apologizing. No, she did. It was shame. Even if she'd wanted to tell Elise all of this, paradoxically, it also ashamed her to have it be known. "This is really all quite the blast from the past, you know? I never really thought I'd be back."

Malone, Zoey.

"Much less in good company! What do you say we do something nice after this? Maybe breakfast? Clear the air a bit. This is kind of a terrible way to start the day, don't you think?"

Kerr, Johann.

"Unless you're busy. I know how packed everyone's schedules are these days."

Ingham, Fitz.

She hoped she wasn't. For once, Passeri didn't have anything else going on today. She'd been so fixated on getting this sorted that, Weiss and Hashimoto be damned, everything else had just sort of slipped away.

@simj26​

 

[thebigfella]

Areith Rozárie

CS Link

SCENE:

Thou Shalt Not Detonate

LOCATION:

Sewers beneath the Pleasure District, East District

TIME:

July 22nd, 2022|| Post-Arc 3

PARTICIPANTS:

THE POPE, Lloyd Sorvocah, Renjiro Ikeda, Yona Kowloong

Thou Shalt Not Detonate

With the speech of a name, such a holy figure appears. In numerous, many but one, watching the wonders of The Pope never ceased to amaze you, the mere fascination of such minuscule creatures compelled together to give up on you a divine package.

You held it within your hands, looking upon it softly as how one would coddle a freshly born cherub. An understanding of breathless, unspoken importance is placed within your fingertips. The dances of pelagic creatures across your flesh, as they flew past, did not do much but flutter your habit as you kept your hands clasped tight around the payload, looking back at your reflection that came through the murky diving suit glass. Years of accumulation of age, filth that had withstanded His mercy and wrath numerous times.


Your heels clicked against the metal as you began to move, the rhythmic thumping from the device paired with your steps. Its thrum reverberated through us, bounding and beating discordantly with our beating hearts.

Where were you going? Where you were destined to go. A path He wanted to lead you down, a future that He strove for. Panic would bring peace; destruction always births creation. The feeling within your ligaments was just one step in the hopes of saving everyone. Waking them up was what He wanted you to do, to be the harbinger that played the trumpet that rolled the carpet down the stairs towards heaven.

All the brick walls lining the sewers appeared the same. Markings that would only be understood by architects and technicians were the only things that differentiated them. You took turns, strolled through twists, followed, and He led. The water of waste continued to flow past you endlessly, the stray splashes beginning to soak into the ends of your robes.


And then, finally, you stopped. Something came to you, a message from above, placed right upon your feet. A divet in the ground, a crevice, a crack, infrastructure damage? No, something much more. A hole for you to plant a seed. He had used a dibber so you could begin cultivating the soil, give life to Earth, and save all you must.

And so you kneeled, and then you placed it. Your nails gripped at the cement to pry open the loose rocks, giving you the space to shove it deeper into the ground, letting it be swallowed by the darkness. Only the head of the suit stayed above the surface like one had been buried in sand at a beautiful beach. Unfortunately, there was no sunset, and instead of waves, there were rivers of refuse.

“And so,” you began, listening, feeling, as the vibrating went from the air to instead transfer through the ground, thrumming the atmosphere and rebounding off the walls. “The first seed has been placed.”

“A tree that shall grow and give the apples of sin. That we shall bite and be reborn.”