[IC] Unraveling The World. (M)

[Lasrever]

"You know, just one time, I'd love a day where no-one threatened me." Mae sighed, looking just a little surprised by Wolf Claw's sudden appearance. With one last glance out of the window, she couldn't help but notice a building on fire a few blocks to the north. It really wasn't her problem though - she wasn't about to risk discovery for the sake of a few humans.

Turning to Wolf Claw, she seemed to take a moment to think the situation over. Hopefully it was just a lone ghoul, but from his description it seemed unlikely for them to be so lucky. Lone ghouls didn't have anyone to report to, and certainly didn't scout. Which left the most likely scenario as it being the Spades.

Which left her with a problem. If this ghoul was a Spade, he'd likely have back-up. An outright fight could, and would, end up being a problem. Running might not work either.

So that left her with one last option. Diplomacy. Which was impossible with Wolf Claw there. Listen, she liked the crazy as much as anyone, but crazy wasn't great for talking. There was another thing that she had to hide too. Grabbing her mask, she shoved it into Wolf Claw's hands, directing him to a hiding place. "I need you to hide. There's a body a couple floors down from here, cover yourself with that. It should hide your scent. And unless I call for help, you have to promise me you'll stay hidden. I don't want you to put yourself at risk."

Comedy really hoped that he would listen to her - if he didnt, he'd just put them both in danger, and she figured he was smarter than that. She really wasn't too worried about her chances, since she didn't think they'd recognize her without the mask. Grabbing her sketchbook, she sat on the window ledge, watching the city and waiting for someone to show up.

[PatrickDrummer]

Huey wasn't happy with the response he got, but he's learned to never question Spade. He just sighed and flew off to fetch Spade two humans. But did he want them alive or dead? It was this question that made Huey wonder, so he'll just bring one alive and one dead to be safe. Earlier he did technically save a human he'll use that one as the live one. Though he first needs to find a dead one, or just kill one on the way.

"Oh look at that, somebody is trapped on a roof of a burning building... That'll do." that said Huey dived down onto the roof and made quick haste with the human's execution. "Now time to fetch the other." Huey flew off carrying the dead body back to where he originally started the night off. He sniffed around hoping to find her scent but gave up as he could only smell the ghoul's blood from earlier still in the air. But he did see another human's corpse just lying in the grass. "Well at least there won't be a struggle on the way back."

Huey landed yet again beside Spade, but this time he had his food "Hope you wanted them dead." he said. Huey just gazed around seeing all the burning buildings "So can I now go check out that ghoul from earlier?" he asked hoping this time for a better reply than the last.

[IgnisMendacium]

CJ let out a deep emotional sigh. It tortured her to give bad advice to her mentor, but hearing him dictate in such a commanding tone made her feel something special. She bowed her head and hid back behind her cloak in the shadows. She went back to what she did best, observing and reacting to what she saw, she was never the idea person of the gang, that was Sage’s job.

As the graceless dove returned quickly with two corpses CJ’s eyes widened. “The fool” she whispered out. In her mind every last detail of every last thing her leader said was of the utmost importance. So when Sage had requested Huey go fetch two living humans there was no one word more important than the last. The girl scoffed, she thought to herself how quickly and properly she could complete this task for Spade. She held herself back, this was not her task even if it wasn’t completed to perfection that wasn’t her burden to bare.

She continued at a distance a few feet back and a story up. She knew she needed to remain close to hear any words that may be said to him, to keep note for later. She tried to sniff out scents that might have gone unnoticed, a strong ghoul was easy to smell, but the fresh scent of gunpowder on a human’s hand? In this day and age, that screamed police and that was worth noting. As she sniffed the air she smelled an unusual smell, this smell wasn’t ghoul, and to say it was simply human would be arrogant. In between shadows CJ would find her way to Sage and simply ask. “This city has some strange scents to it don’t you think?” Realistically this was a safe question to ask. Sage knew she wasn’t familiar with the world he wouldn’t think her wrong again, right? Being wrong twice in one night could mean a punishment worse than death exile from the gang.

[Marshal]

Rei

"Alright." Rei stood still, completely unbothered by Sage's poisoned drenched words. Such tones had never really bothered him in the first place, even when coming from a figure of authority. His face was blank as he continued to stare forwards at the flickering flames, the sounds of the world all drowning out into the distance for him. His pale eyes merely watched the flames and the smoke intently, something oddly mesmerizing about them. He knew he needed to look away from them, but he couldn't find the power in himself to do so at the moment.

Thoughts rapidly began to fill his mind as he watched, so many things he couldn't entirely keep up with himself. The ghoul- no... creature, that had entered the building was of immense interest. With a nose like Rei's, you learned a lot about scent. Certain things had a distinct kind of smell, like fire, ghouls, laundry detergent. And that stranger smelled off from the typical ghoul. He was going to completely blame the fire on this one, too. The smell of smoke, blood, and fear was too heavy in the air to really pick anything else out right now aside from the blatant smells you couldn't miss. But there was something strange about that ghoul and Rei wanted to know what it was, for better or for worse. Were they alike on the inside? Did that other ghoul have all the same parts he did? Were they missing a few screws? Maybe a few screws too many? Were all their organs in the proper places? Did they have extra organs? Did they have scars? If they had scars, where did they come from? Why? It wouldn't be too hard to figure out once he got whomever it was in his hands, all it would take would be one simple-

An image flashed in Rei's mind for a few moments, one he had seen quite frequently that left him standing up just a bit more straight with his head lowered. A large pristine white medical room, a tray set up perfectly for the next operation. Rei could distinctly smell the disinfectant and hear the silent hum of the machines in his ears. There wasn't anyone strapped to the table this time, but he could still hear the faint laughing now in his ears, a familiar voice speaking to him. Trying desperately to get him to pick up the surgical tools to do something to a body that wasn't even there.

_{"They are monsters. We need to learn all we can from them."}

Rei mumbled something completely incoherent to himself.

_{"You? A monster? Oh, no, no! You are not a monster. You are Rei! You are a person!"}

Some more soft mumbling as he took several quick steps back, away from the flames. The distant sound of long-since over screaming filling his ears as more bloody images flooded his mind.

_{"Ah, they are so ugly, aren't they? On the inside and on the outside too. No matter how much you cut them up and dice them, they are all the same either way."}

It is here after the few words that Rei can distinctly recall turning his head to look over at the four other tables in the large room, corpses all cut up and ripped into bits- some pieces in jars while others remained discarded on the tables or in bowls. It was impossible to tell if they were human or ghoul at this point, they all just looked like chopped up bits and pieces to him.

Rei suddenly jerked a bit violently, freeing himself from his thoughts. His jaw was clenched so hard he wasn't sure how he didn't break several of his teeth, a few beads of sweat rolled down from his forehead but it wasn't because of the fire or anything. Sucking in a shuttering breath and slowly exhaling, Rei gave one firm shake of his head at the cursed flashbacks that being in that human lab had left him with. He knew the real answer to that thought, though. The real, honest to god answer to it. It was only now that he allowed himself to look toward Sage and faintly frown before turning around and quickly starting to walk elsewhere, not even giving word that he was leaving. A hand was quickly brought up as he rubbed at the dark circles under his eyes. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence for him to just up and leave, it wasn't as if he had been told to stay. Plus, some walking would do him some good right now. If he was actually needed, it wouldn't be too hard to contact him, it wasn't like he was hiding his presence or scent in the slightest.

This world wasn't a hard one to figure out. Everyone was a monster, everyone was ugly on the inside. Rei wasn't afraid of monsters, he was one of them, had been raised by a human one. Everyone he knew or had ever met was one of them.

What was truly scary were the actual people.
What were actual people like?
How did they survive?

[Lurkerlurks]

Riley Spade ⌛ Time Hound

This entire scene was like a car crash- and here the Time Hound stood, simply watching like a hawk, a certain madness was in her eyes, like a hawk staring too it’s prey, wanting simply too rip it from limb too limb- too tear him apart, pull limb from it’s socket, scrape his skin from the bone, too show the true monster within, the ugliness, the pure selfishness behind the very being, his passions burned hotter than any flame. The Time Hound’s, cyan eyes would flare red and it would take all of her being too stop herself from going down, from going closer; despite her strength, how many innocent ghouls would she slaughter before death? She knew it wouldn’t be the one that mattered the most, she knew she wouldn’t get too Sage, and even in the perfect world where she did.

He would still beat her.

She wanted too turn away, not watch this gourmet in front of her, but it was like a car crash too the eyes of a human, she couldn’t pull her gaze from this scene. The hunger would kick up at the scent of both human and ghoul dance through the air. Will this hunger ever stop? One hand would rest on her stomach, as the other would move too grip the gun that had been tightly nestled against her back. Or could she simply starve her sins? As she watched, she couldn’t help but too hear his words he spoke too her, hear the last things he said to her before her betrayal, it was all still fresh no matter how long she had been from his side.

”Don’t try too fight the storm, you’ll tumble over board.. the waves will pull you under, and the tides will bring you back too me.” These were his waves, staring too his soldiers and those were his tides. He had been the storm and here she was... overboard

Now, she knew.. this was his promise, at the time; she had thought this was simply pandering that Sage did, he enjoyed his own voice for sure, just as much as she was sure his soldiers would continue too fuel his ego. Staring too his numbers, the Spade gang had only grown since she left, once simply guerrillas for hire, but now... now no doubt Sage would be able too build his empire. She wouldn’t let him have it, she wouldn’t let him have this win... she would tear down everyone in a way he didn’t know

Riley would take a step back on the building, as her nose would twitch in the air. She didn’t want too stay any longer, but yet here she was the silent observer.

♠ Sage Spade

Devoted to destruction..

A bitter scent would dance through the flames, as Sage would go silent suddenly, which would be rare and most of the time deadly for those around the man. The scent would be one that was almost like a memory, everyone has those memories. It was torturous and yet that wouldn’t stop him from inhaling deeply. Taking in the alien like memory, it was painful. Growling suddenly as the scent of death would cover the scent, closer than what he was enjoying. Sage would slowly look up too Huey, he would sigh softly. “I can’t even entrust you too fetch me two living humans, why would i entrust you with such a mission?” His voice was low, as if hurt by Huey’s action. Great, he doubted they’d have time too get a living one, he wanted too be out of there now. A soft smile would decorate his face, as he’d glance too the Shadows.

Pausing at this time as Rei would walk off. He’d speak up only when Rei was almost out of ear shot, “Rei, make sure the rest of our soldier’s get home quickly.” He would say calmly, if Sage had been human, he would probably compare Rei to a cat, you know.. that one cat that sort of comes and goes, only useful when it’s murdering, other then that.. he let it do what it’s want. As long as he kept getting his offerings of human, or any those who oppose him. Tilting his head towards Huey as his eyes fell on the cause of the rotting scent. “Once they are home, I want you to sweep for any other ghouls..” his words

“Take your food, and go too your respective homes. “ Sage’s voice would suddenly boom, if the stray would come home, then he would teach it the rules of his army, however he wasn’t about too deny a fellow ghoul a meal, he would never let his people starve- quickly holding his hand up, towards Huey. “Not you, and nor you my Shadow.” he would call softly towards Cj.

“Huey, I will give you a lesson, because you remind me of someone from long ago, but do not think lightly of me... i do not allow mistakes, i do not allow slacking.” He would continue as he looked too Huey. “You will be carrying those humans, and you will take Miss Cj and I, to the new ghoul. “ he spoke calmly as his eyes would glow off the flames. The sound of sirens had been in the distant, however it was more so the sound of fire alarms, it seemed the fire department was smart enough to allow his group their meal. Good, he wasn’t in the mood for anything else. Looking towards Huey, he didn’t want too seem too cruel, despite this fact he was holding back his true nature. That scent from earlier, it was gone all he could smell was those rotting apes on Huey’s back.

“You will continue too carry them until I tell you too drop them.”

Looking in the direction of Cj." You will also behave, as well. I do not want any of you attacking, Huey.. you would have been pulling along too humans now you have too carry our peace offering too our next hopeful volunteer.” he spoke calmly as his large wings would twitch slightly irritated, however his demeanor would not show it, still a kind smile on his face. “If, they are against our views, then Cj you may decide what will be done with the stray.” he would calmly explain glancing between the darkness where his Shadow crept and towards the flames that would brightly dance over Huey’s figure.

“Lead the way, Huey.”

✿ Emi Ayame

Soft pink eyes would stare up towards the dark sky. The sky had been careless, and she loved this sight. Something where blood couldn’t run down, somewhere screams never reached. Emi had lived just outside of Tokyo, not even ten minutes from the town. Laying on her roof top as she stared too the sky, a bracelet tightly around her wrists. This had been her weapon, something too keep the peace. Looking up too her bracelet she would give a soft sigh, closing her eyes softly. Emiru Ayame, long silver hair would cushion her head against the roof’s shingles, her legs grounded firmly on the roof. The tan woman had been curvy, but in a healthy way; after all one had too be quick on their feet when they go face too face with a flesh hungry monster. The wind would suddenly blow violently, kicking up her long silver hair and causing the woman too open her eyes towards the lovely sky.

Shades of deep red and orange would burn against the sky now, and the girl would quickly sit up staring towards the sky which now had been covered in blood no doubt, she would continue too stare at it, only for the red too reach up higher. Fuck.. she could see the flames from where she had been. Standing up suddenly, Emi.. would know right away, she didn’t hear any sirens, she didn’t hear screaming, just a silence falling over the area like an illness, no cars, even her breath seemed too get stuck in her throat. The softness in her pink eyes would harden up, like an old wound that had long scarred over. With speeds no human would have been capable of- well, no average human, she’d jump off of her roof top.

Landing gently on the ground as a blade like whip would had been dug deep into the fire place of the small home, the weapon would disappear back into it’s more, accessible form. She would run inside of her house, grabbing the keys too her small car and quickly racing towards the city. With one hand firmly gripping the wheel of her car as it sped towards the city, her free hand would fumble with the radio. Bad pop song, switching stations, Infomercial- switching stations, informercial she’d switch a few more times, just people trying too get her too buy stuff, even the damned news channel had been speaking of something along the lines of a face cream. Turning off the radio with a disgruntled sigh, she’d skid her car too a stop. She could hear screaming now, yet the area seemed ever so barren, moving too park her car at the empty streets.

This was her life, she was only in the start of the city, that was clearly in one of the poor blocks, clearly on the other side of town. Giving a soft sigh, Sage saw humanity as machines, something too be destroyed at his will, something too be used and nothing more, devoured. No! Suddenly the girl would run off, towards the flames. Human’s were hiding, where would they run when there was no where else too run? Breathing softly as she would run towards the chaos, she couldn’t hear screaming anymore, that wasn’t good. If they thought they would be machines, then she would prove him wrong, the Quinx Squad would prove him wrong, they’d be the cogs that would change this dark future, they would face the fires and stand for the future, swallowing any fear back.

She was more than a machine, her heartbeat was racing slightly. If only everyone else would stand by her, they couldn’t afford too hide, either way they’d die at this monster’s hand... taking a few steps, she’d slow down. Where had the rest of her squad been? Glancing around as she would hear the sounds of sirens racing towards the fires. The cowards.. they waited, they waited until the ghouls were long gone.

Sage and his army would hear the heart of humanity, they wouldn’t be feasted upon as cattle, no... breathing in deeply she’d continue too run towards the flames, towards their barbecue.

[Jangel13]

He growled a little in annoyance as she told him to hide and not come out unless ordered to. He didn't like the idea to leave her be but he understood what she was talking about. She would be better trying to talk her way out of this without him then with him. He put the mask she gave him in his pocket and nodded "Fine but don't hesitate to call me if things go south. I might not be good at a lot of things but fighting is what I do" he told her as he started to run down a few levels to where she said the body was.

When he got there he was glad to find it was a ghouls body and as much as he wanted to rip it into pieces and eat it he was to focused on making sure they both got out of this to eat. He went over and covered his own body with it. He cut a hole in its body so that he would be covered in blood and would be mistaken for dead. This also hid his scent so that way if someone smelled a ghoul comedy could easily say she handled a few intruders before they came. He laid down and played dead but was ready to pounce in a moments notice in case something happened. His job was to make sure they lived to fight again...

[Lasrever]

Mae sat calmly at the window, watching the city. There wasn't much to look at, since it was the middle of the night. Most of the humans didn't wander about or do so much at this time. The city belonged to her kind, at this hour. The flames to the north were still burning strong, but even that was boring to her right now.

Perhaps it was just because she was waiting for the arrival of the strange ghoul, but every minute seemed to last far too long. Staring out across the city, she wondered how long she'd need to wait. If her suspicions were correct, it wouldn't take long. The Spades - unrefined and violent though they were - were nothing if not efficient. She wouldn't be waiting for long.

If she was right, though, there was no way she'd call for help. Not because she didn't trust Wolf Claw, in fact she'd probably trust his loyalty to the Pack more than anyone's, but if they were high-ranked Spades, than she wouldn't stand a chance in a fight. At least she could out speed pretty much anyone when flying, so she could make an attempt to run away without risking his life too. With a glance behind her, she confirmed that Wolf Claw had gone to hide.

Her expression cold, she returned to her drawing, trying to put as much detail as she could into it. It was a drawing she'd gone over a lot of times. Two figures, arm in arm, wearing masks. One smiling, one crying. Other than her mask, this type of thing was the only reminder she could have of her past. She'd stopped feeling sad about it a while ago, or feeling sorry for herself. It almost worried her, how distant she felt from who she was back then. She'd been so impulsive, so hot-tempered, so uncontrolled. Now... Sometimes she wondered if the ghoul known as 'Tragedy' really had died back then.

But there would be other times for her to worry about that. For now, there was nothing else for her to do but watch and wait.

[PatrickDrummer]

Huey used a lot of will power not to lash out at Spade "If he wanted them alive then why didn't he say so? All he said was fetch two humans! Why do I have to pay for something that wasn't my fault!?" he thought deep inside not even wanting to mumble because Spade would just make things worst if he heard it. After getting that out of his system Huey slung both humans over each of his shoulders and used his arms to keep them there. He turned and said "The ghoul is just down this way..." before starting to walk off.

While leading the way Huey would be mentally talking to himself. On the outside he would just look calm and focused on finding that new ghoul, but deep in his mind the two were having an argument about the most recent events. His Kakuja wanted to disobey Spade and when they find that new ghoul and hunt it, kill it, and eat it. But Huey knew going against Spade basically means death, and thought that maybe his 'shadow' might let them do the killing if things go bad.

The two stayed at a disagreement that will have to be covered another time because they were now at their destination. "The ghoul was on the top floor, so I'm assuming you want to take the lead from this point on. I'll be right behind you carrying... these... humans..."

[Marshal]

Rei

“Rei, make sure the rest of our soldier’s get home quickly.”

Blatant disobedience was unforgivable. Blatant disobedience was unforgivable. Blatant disobedience was unforgivable.

The four words repeated themselves in Rei's mind repeatedly as he came to a complete stop, rapidly turning himself around only to continue to walk directly back towards the fire and the several ghouls that were still straggling around. What they were doing exactly, Rei didn't really care. Even though he had nearly been out of earshot he still heard what Sage said, they had no reason to still be standing around twiddling their damned thumbs like infants. It didn't take Rei long at all to approach the few stragglers, his gaze narrowed intently upon them, hands stuffed into his pockets. The small group of four turned to look at him, the faintest of smile sliding onto Rei's face before he spoke in a rather monotonous tone, highly unimpressed and slightly irritated sounding.

"Get moving. You were given orders. Go home." But the five just looked at him and then at each other, then back to him. They were a few younger ghouls, ones that still had some rebellion in their blood, that were willing to disobey when the 'boss' wasn't looking. It only furthered proved this 'rebellious' bit when one of them looked him dead in the eye and snorted.

"We are still hungry-"

"Then you should have eaten faster. There will always be more, though. Now leave." Rei's voice left little room for any real argument, especially as the faint smile faded from his face and a look of irritation appeared. He didn't like dealing with teenagers. The four mumbled among themselves for a few moments, but just as Rei was opening his mouth to give them a final warning one of them moved forward a bit too quickly towards him and Rei just wasn't going to deal with this today.

Without a second thought he kicked out his left foot, catching the smaller male directly in the chest as he tried to continue forward. There was a satisfying cracking sound he could practically feel in the air as the teenager went flying backwards, leaving the other three to stare at them with wide eyes. The kicked teen smacked right against the sidewalk with a discerning gurgling noise escaping his mouth, skidding a small distance as Rei simply dropped his foot back down, his look of irritation replaced with boredom. He narrowed his stare at the three that quickly stood up, looking at Rei and then back to the unmoving teenager for just a split second. They looked back to Rei, nodded rapidly, then promptly took off as fast as they could all manage. It was almost comical how they stumbled over each other while slipping into one of the alleyways. Almost. They had abandoned their companion though and he honestly wasn't sure if it was because they were afraid they would be next or if they really didn't care that much about him. Not like it really mattered anyway.

Whatever they had been thinking was clearly misguided and wrong, but Rei wasn't concerned with that now as he looked around once again and gave the air one good sniff. All gone, whomever else had been straggling around had already taken their leave, just leaving Rei and the soon-to-be dinner a couple of feet away from him. Shrugging, knowing it was time for him to leave, he turned and walked over to the teenager and gazed down upon him with a blank face. He had kicked him a bit too hard, just maybe. There was a clear indent in his chest where Rei's shoe had dug in with more force than necessary for someone this scrawny and malnourished.

Shrugging it off though, Rei merely turned as four slender dark red tails escaped from just under the end of his jacket. The barbed ends swished back and forth in a tail-like fashion before jolting outwards, burying themselves into the teenagers body in various spots. One in a leg, an arm, the chest, the last one stuck right into the neck. This bit of the sidewalk was quickly finding itself covered in more blood than soot from the flames as the tails worked together, easily lifting the body from the ground as Rei steadily began to wander off back down the way he had been walking before. Blood dripped from the corpse onto the ground occasionally as he moved.

By the time the sounds of the sirens reach his ears, Rei was well out of dodge, having ducked into an alleyway to avoid the commotion as his stomach rumbled loudly. Maybe he had lied a bit earlier, he was still hungry.