Fallenreaper

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Lyn, and Alaira Shimmerstone

---

Lyn ducked and wove through the crowds. Her bloodied arm cradled to her torso protectively. They were nothing but superficial cuts, but they still hurt nevertheless. Just like her heart right now. The thing rapidly thumped in her chest, pounding against her lungs and chest. She continued to put as much distance between her and her anxiety’s source, Henri’s threat. Silently she prayed it would make all her pain go away. Deep down, her logic reminded her otherwise. Hot tears began to collect at her vision’s corner before she ducked around an alley’s corner leading to an isolated and abandoned courtyard.

There was a small, elegant fountain in its center surrounded by wildly grown flowers. Ivy trailed the stone walls along their gaps to the sun above. All of it appeared untouched by mankind on purpose to add a little wild beauty to the city. A fact lost on Lyn as she slammed her back against the wall, her face streamed with tears across the cheeks. She didn’t even care she was bleeding. Slowly her figure lowered into the ground where she wept freely for several moments. Gradually the sobs softened when the peak of her emotions faded, leaving her calm but feeling empty.

Something better than before, she supposed.

Lyn casually laid her head side against the time-worn stone, letting the chill seep into her and give her a cold comfort. At this point, she blamed herself for failing to pay better attention or step in between her father and Henri. If she had, maybe things wouldn’t have gotten so terrible. Gently she pulled her arm away from her body to examine it. Several vines worked their way along her skin, from fingertip to the middle of her forearm, leaving shallow scratches along the surface. While they weren’t dangerous, they bled pretty well. Realizing this, Lyn’s eyes glanced downward at her tunic finding a few lines of red staining.

Frustration threatened to replace the numbness as she began to reach forward then pull the vines off her limb. They refused to yield to her desires. They held fast and merely turned the small budding flowers upon each one into a dark black. She paused, sighing at her lacking strength.

“I’m so stupid…” Lyn whispered out loud.
------

Alaira watched her run through the streets, the poor girl definitely seemed upset... She was fast of course, but Alaira was faster, and the buildings gave her quite the view. Keeping up with her wasn't especially hard. She watched her duck into an old courtyard... it wasn't likely anyone on the ground would have been able to chase her this far, but nobody had pursued as far as she could tell anyway. She watched her for a while, just sitting against the wall. She seemed... hurt, and anger flared in her for the shortest moment before she saw the vines. The energy she hadn't even realized had been collecting on her arm dissipated with a sigh. Oh... she'd done it to herself... still.

She jumped down, aeromancy slowing her fall as she gently touched down. She approached and simply sat beside her without a word, gently patting her shoulder. "It's alright." She said, nearly a whisper as she looked at her wounds. She sighed in relief, they weren't so bad. "Here, I got it." She said, drawing her small utility knife and cutting at the vines. She was very, very careful, she hadn't even cut poor Lyn once. Once the vines were dealt with, she reached into a purse of hers for a roll of gauze. She used to carry it in case the coverings on her scars came loose, but now... well, it was a force of habit. It looked like it had paid off too. Carefully, she wrapped her small injuries up... she had nothing to clean them with, unfortunately, but she only needed to stop the bleeding. "There. Mar can fix those later no problem." She said, looking to her.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" She asked. Her tone was... well, calm. She wasn't screaming at her to tell her 'who did this to her' or anything like that. Though Alaira was always rather gentle with her.
------

Lyn jerked, startled by Alaira’s abrupt arrival and her lacking awareness. Her head whipped about to give a loud warning hiss when it caught in her throat. The fear fell away from her intense expression as she sighed. She appeared to be slightly disappointed in herself at her reaction. She didn’t fight when Alaira began to wrap up her wounds.

“Myself, isn’t it obvious?” Lyn explained, her head twisted about to face Alaira. Though it was with only a half-hearted desire to do so.

When Alaira finished, she pulled her arm back to see the white gauze wrapped around it. She flexed her hand, then her arm to ensure nothing aside skin was wounded. After studying the wrappings, she set her arm down and pulled it into her lap. She didn’t appear ready to say anything else on the topic right now.

------

Alaira's expression remained thoughtful. Lyn's non-answer wasn't particularly reassuring; it was obvious what had happened to her, it was the why she was concerned with. Nonetheless, she couldn't exactly make her tell her. She smiled softly, crossing her arms as she watched her look at herself. "I've dressed a lot of wounds in my time, those are nothing to be worried about." She said, looking over her hand as little sparks arced between her fingertips.

"I used to burn myself a lot, you know. It's nothing to be ashamed of." it was highly unlikely that that was what Lyn was worried about, but there wasn't much Alaira could do to press the issue without making it worse. "You know I'm here to help you, you can tell me anything." She told her. She was more careful than usual with her words, that statement held no demands of any kind if she still didn't feel like talking about it.
------

“Well, I use to put thorns in my parents’ bed,” Lyn commented, then she looked at Alaira.

The expression said it all. No, she couldn’t or didn’t trust Alaira enough not to go do something rash. She sighed then pressed her back deeper into the ancient stonework. A calmness swept over her but she was flaring confusion and anxiety.

“I think things have escalated enough for today. Henri wants dad to stay away from him, which I have to tell him. Maybe if I had gotten involved sooner then it wouldn’t be this way,” Lyn concluded.
------

Alaira chuckled softly, tousling her hair some at the revelation. "That's not quite the same." she said, leaning back against the fountain. She listened to her finally give her an idea of what might have gone on. From what she could tell, Henri probably said something stupid, Lyn got upset and lost control of her magic, now here they were. The boy definitely hadn't done anything to warrant retribution, far as she could tell. "Some people... just don't like each other." She said finally, looking off to the blue sky, only a cloud or two drifting along. "Sometimes they'll butt heads, but don't ever think it's your fault, alright?" She gave her a little boop on the nose, a little tingly bit of energy harmlessly arcing and making her hair stand up a little... She used to do that a lot when she was a kid.
------

Lyn didn’t react when Alaira booped her on the nose. Her expression was unchanged for the moment before it cracked into a weak, budding smile. The features softened in gratitude.

“I know, but it’s starting to feel like everyone I love is butting heads with him. He’s not really that bad of a guy. Yes, he comes off as reckless, overconfident, and even defensive when you lecture him. Considering he didn’t grow up with parents like me, I would hesitate to make friends too. I just…”

Lyn sighed, her smile drained from her then leaned her head against Alaira’s shoulder. Her eyes stared off into space.

“The way he spoke, it sounded like he threatened my dad. I didn’t realize he was pushed that far. Then again, thinking back on the conversation… I can see how he could feel threatened. Dad’s humor isn’t exactly lacking when it comes to being morbid,” she let a bitter sigh, but continued, “However, my dad isn’t like that. I know he doesn’t like Henri, but he isn’t the type to kill anyone. Henri’s replies also didn’t help anything.”

She groaned in her head as her legs curled up in front of her, her head shifted from Alaira’s shoulder to press against her knees.

“I hate this.”
------
Alaira didn't really agree too much. She thought he was awfully full of himself, with a condescending insistence that he knew better than everyone around him. She'd only tried saying something because she thought his reckless, childish insistence on getting his own way could lead to disaster. But she'd keep that to herself, especially now. She put her hand on her shoulder, sighing. "He just... I just want him to know he's not alone anymore. Things he could afford to do before he just... can't anymore." She said, thinking on it. "I used to pick fights with everyone." She said, running her hand through her hair.

That was certainly not news to most people, and while Lyn had heard other people talk, she'd never really... seen Alaira's violent side much. She'd never seen her just attack someone. "Back then, it didn't matter. Either I didn't care what happened to me, or I could fight my way out. But now... things I do matter. If I just lash out at everything it won't just hurt me, they'll hurt you, and Athalus, even people like Leith or Ssarak. And they'll keep hurting us for a long, long time. And I have suffered for it." She said, sighing.

"I had to learn that lesson the hard way. I'm not that good with... words, but I just don't want someone else to go through what I did when it can all be avoided. You... you know?" She said... she thought he was a jerk, she wanted to punch him at least a few times... but she knew what horrors could be wrought with just a misstep in this world, and she didn't think Henri, for all his faults, deserved anything close to what she got.

She looked over when she put her face in her knees, gently patting her back. "I... Nobody's going to hurt Henri, okay? If anyone tries, I'll stop them. And I won't hurt them either. Okay?" She promised.
-----

“To be honest, I don’t think you put your best foot forward in letting him know that. Most of his reaction was self-taught and habit before he arrived at the college. The bad part, he encountered my god-father during his first visit and he was his charming, overprotective self,” She took a breath before continuing, “I just wish it didn’t get this way because I don’t want to tell my dad what Henri said or stay away from Henri. Usually, he’s more friendly then this and he reminds me of a younger version of my dad, not including the morbid humor.”

She hadn’t considered the fact he might stay away from her, though it lingered at the back of her heart.
------

Alaira winced. Tyrael was... uh... "That's, uh. Oof." She said, looking off to the side and rubbing her neck some. "Tough break." She said with a shrug, taking a coin from her pocket. Well, it wasn't a real coin, it was just a bit of iron in the shape of one. She flipped it, using her magics to make it hover in place in the air, spinning for a moment. "Heads or tails, you reckon? she said with a smile. She used to play this game with Lyn when she was younger. With her magic, she could make it land on whatever side she wanted anyway, and the girl was so mad when Mar told her. Of course, Alaira knew she knew and all. She didn't really know what to say... or rather, there was nothing to be added with just repeating something. She just wanted to cheer her up, if only a little.
------

Lyn lifted her head from her knees, her head turned to Alaira. She wasn't smiling, though her mood had lightened up with the burden lifted and secrets eating her up exposed. It didn't solve anything though, she knew.

“I love my godfather, but sometimes… he goes a little overboard. Like he believes the world is out to kill me whenever he 'screens' everyone,” Lyn said as she pointed to the tails symbol. She knew that one would be what it hit upon since Alaira could control it.

“Tails. You know I’m too old for this game, right?”

She propped her hand on her knee while she rested her chin on it.
------

"Hrm, I don't know..." she said, pointing off towards... something. The coin dropped, landing perfectly balanced on its side, right on her fingertip. She chuckled a bit. "Now, what do we call that?... Cheating, probably." She said, pocketing the object.

She sighed quietly, looking off to the sky again. "Well, a lot of it is, ain't it?" She said, in regards to her statement about Tyrael. "That's why I'm around. 'Course, I don't threaten everyone that so much as looks at you with actual death." She said with a little laugh, stretching her arms. "Still... we should probably go 'fore someone shouts at us for trespassin'. You wanna head back and see if everything's okay, or do you want to see some of the festival first?"
------

Lyn thought a moment over what she wanted to do. On one hand, she didn’t want to return and find everyone bickering or shouting. It didn’t help the thought of interacting with Henri right now just confused her. The other was she wanted to spend time with everyone, from her friends to her parents. It was a tug of war between the two options causing her arms to clench her middle tightly.

She curled upright, then stepped onto her feet.

“Honestly, I’m worried about them. I’m pretty sure someone lost their temper over my little incident and pinned it on Henri, putting him into an even more sour mood. Or worse, provoked him into a fight with them,” her mouth curled up into a frown at the thought, “I’ll be surprised if he wants to interact with me after this event…”

She scratched her head back before making an official answer, “I want to spend time with everyone, but I’m scared of what I’ll come back to. Know what I mean?”
------

Alaira stroked her chin... Yes, wanting the truth, but also fearing it was something she was familiar with. She considered their options for a moment... It took a little longer than it might for someone else. She'd been going with her gut for so long that stopping to think was something she was simply not used to. But it had been working out lately, nonetheless. "I understand. I think, personally, that we should head back first, if only so that everyone knows you're okay. You know how your father'll be when he hears that nobody knows where you went." She said, stretching.

"Once we're there, and everyone's all on the same page, you can decide what you want to do next." She said, holding her hand out. "...Remember? You don't have to be scared of anything, as long as I'm here."
------

"I guess. No point in putting it off as I will never address it if I don't face it," Lyn said grudgingly as she gestured for Alaira to lead the way back to the group.

Essence of the World: Flesh Reborn [Adv. Roleplay]

Mistakes were Made

Location: Holly’s Apartment--> JP's Apartment
Time: 3 AM

---

Holly and JP

"Mon dieu..."

The young man and the...other thing grappled with an intensity he'd never seen before. But the safety of his neighbor concerned him more than the things he was or was not seeing. As soon as he saw the scuffle move out of the way, he ran to Holly's side, his keen eye quickly glossing over the injuries she had and how best to treat them. The deep bite wound to the shoulder had him the most worried, so he did the most logical thing he could do: he pulled off his shirt, displaying his rather pasty white and totally unfit chest, balled it up between his hands and jammed it against her shoulder to stop the bleeding. As the fighting between the two...whatevers continued, JP continued with the logical things he could do: he dropped his pajama pants and used the long legs as a makeshift tourniquet, tying them very tightly around the balled up shirt against her shoulder. Now dressed only in a pair of plain grey boxer shorts, he hooked his arms underneath her and pulled her bodily out of harm's way, down the hallway of her apartment and out, before he dragged her sorry butt into his where it was safe.

Once there, he laid her out in his living room and promptly left for his bedroom, returning in a fresh set of clothes (a rather plain looking t-shirt and pants) to assess the damage. Other than the bite wound, he'd heard her yelp before crashing into something, presumably her upended sofa, and that's what he assumed was the cause of a rather big bruise on the back of her neck. JP shook his head and gently ran his hands very, very gently against the back of her neck, pushing in a little with his fingertips to assess her spine, which thankfully had no damage. His hands then patted her body in a summary fashion, checking down her shoulders, arms, torso, hips, and legs for more damage, of which there was none. He breathed a slight sigh of relief, but the shirt soaked with blood tied to her shoulder concerned him even more. With no first aid kit in his home, all JP could do was apply pressure with one hand while fumbling for his cell phone with the other.

Holly felt the feeling slip from her skin when she hit the floor, her legs crumbled underneath her and left her like a limp ragdoll. She began to grow cold and numb to the loss of blood. It began to slowly leak out of the torn muscles from her trapezoid while she shivered, instinctively feeling the life evade from her body. The wendigo released her from its grip when Matthew began to fight it. The only thing keeping her upright vanished causing her to slump across the floor.

Adrenaline still raced through her veins but fell victim to the shock pouring into its place. She barely acknowledged JP’s arms wrap around her and carry her toward his apartment. Already most the color of her skin began to drain from her.

She tried to speak, her figure jerked when JP touched her and hand snapped out to grip his wrist. The grip was pitifully weak while she sputtered.

“W-what happened?” She coughed.
“Shh, it’s okay mon ami. Do not move, whatever that was that attacked you in your apartment is gone. I think. Stay still, do not move, you’re bleeding. Merde, where is that ambulance…”

JP dialed the emergency number and waited on the line, his other hand pressed firmly against her shoulder. He could only stare at her paling physique in mute panic as he tried his very best not to let her die in his apartment. If Holly could read his face, she’d only tell he was panicked by him biting his lower lip.

“911, what’s your emergency?” came a feminine voice over the phone. Sounds of shuffling individuals were heard in the background while she waited for JP’s answer.

Holly, grudgingly, forced herself to relax. Her mind trying to piece together the events in the apartment through the haze. Slowly her arm fell back to her side while she rotated her eyes around, noticing she wasn’t in her own apartment.

“JP, where are we? This isn’t my apartment...is it?” She asked weakly, trying to find something to focus on.

“No, it’s mine. You were attacked in yours, I had to drag you away. That...what was that thing?!”

JP was interrupted by the 911 operator and he spoke rapidly in French, then stopped himself as he remembered that the operators in the city all spoke English first.

“I- I have an officer down here, nasty bite wound from a wild animal lose in the apartments, she’s bleeding badly, I need an ambulance here right now.”

“Ambulance and animal control are on their way. Can you quickly describe the animal, sir? Any notable coloring?”

“I...uh...it was really pale, hairless? I didn’t see much of it because a young man from outside rushed in and fought it off. They’re still fighting, from what I can hear. Please hurry, my friend is bleeding out.”

JP kept the pressure on Holly’s bleeding shoulder, getting more panicked as the call took longer than he’d expected.

There was silence on the phone. It stayed there for an uncomfortable length of time, the woman seeming to debate on her answer and finally broke it.

“Sir, help is on the way but I have to keep you on the line. Do you or your friend know any of the individuals involved? Can you describe the other one involved?”

“Unsure, a young man, maybe early twenties? Short, black hair, lanky frame. And no, we don’t know any of the individuals involved. Please tell your driver to hurry.”

“The ambulance is on its way and is hurrying, I assure you,” the woman said, though her tone indicated she withheld something in her wording, “Is your friend responding at all? Is she conscious?”

“Yes, but barely. She’s going to lose consciousness at any moment.”

“I’ve informed the ambulance. Have you applied pressure to the wound?”

“I still am.”

“Any other symptoms associated with the wound?”

“She’s in the initial stages of shock; barely conscious, very pale, very weak. Confusion.”

Holly’s eyes shifted from one side to the other. Her pulse weakening as her vision blurred around the edges, her awareness trying to grasp what was happening.

“JP… I think I lost… too much… blood,” her head slumped back onto the sofa as she became unresponsive.

“Wait wait wait, Holly! Mon dieu...”

JP dropped his phone and attended to his friend, the panic growing to a maximum in his system. He pushed both hands to the wound on her shoulder and desperately tried to shake her awake, feeling his emotions overriding the cold exterior he’d worked so hard to build up.

“No no no Holly, wake up! Stay with me!”

As he squeezed his eyes shut, he silently prayed to whatever gods that existed to stop his friend from dying, hands clenched firmly on Holly’s shoulder.

“Please don’t- please don’t die, Holly-...”

In his panic and worry, JP never did notice the influx of energy that filled his body, making a tingly, pins-and-needles sensation travel through his entire body. From his hands, this energy poured forth and into Holly’s body. Within seconds, her wounds would knit themselves together. The bleeding would stop and the bite wounds would disappear into small, inconspicuous scars.

Holly felt warmth in the darkness. It started at her neck then spread, using her veins to guide it along her body. Stronger and further it traveled until even the tips of her digits glowed with the warmth, the blood hummed in her core where heat began to burn. Her skin pulled together then melted into scars leaving little evidence of what had happened. The woman’s heartbeat with the renewed desire to live while causing her pulse to echo it to the touch. Holly’s breath rose then fell in a normal pattern, signs she slumbered into a peaceful sleep.

All that remained was her blood-soaked shirt collar that revealed the dire state she had nearly fallen into. A feminine voice continued to speak, “Sir? Sir, please answer. The ambulance is almost there. I’m tracing the call to find you…”

Unknown to operator, JP had passed out afterwards. His figure slumped over Holly's sleeping one in a half upright posture.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Lyn, Shimmerstone

---

Lyn had missed most the conversation with Henri and Althalus. She was driven to try to separate the pair before things escalated into a physical confrontation, especially here. As friendly as Eania appeared, her father wasn’t wrong that one wrong step could cause the College to cut all ties and leave them all to fend for themselves. She had hoped some time apart might help lower the tense situation. As her steps slowed, she recalled her mood flowers stashed in her pouch. Promptly she reached a hand into it then began to rummage around to show Henri and Helena. Her fingers had just grasped them when his serious expression caught her attention.

She rarely had seen him looking so... different.

Lyn frowned. She wondered if he was upset, now feeling the need to apologize. Her father could be difficult to handle, something she knew from birth, causing the young hybrid to decide upon talking with him later over this. Before she could apologize for his behavior, Henri’s words stopped her thoughts cold in their tracks. Her stomach bottomed out in her middle where it coiled in on itself. Breath seemed to flee from her very core seeing a rare venom seeping into the charming face.

For an endless moment, conflict wiggled itself into her chest. The threat knocked the wind out of her in one swift punch as it
caught her off guard. She knew he was likely upset, but she didn’t think he would threaten her family or ask her to deliver it. It wasn’t a secret among the college she was Marya’s and Athalus’ daughter. The impact of request seeped through Lyn causing her to step on reflex. Quickly, his dark expression vanished like smoke in the air.

Like nothing ever happened. Part of her feverishly wished she didn’t see it. She didn’t want to think that Henri and her father would kill each other one day, each laying in a pool of his own blood. Especially since she couldn’t just tell her own flesh and blood to stay away from her.

Lyn didn’t move as Henri addressed Helena, his suggestive wink missed by her numb mind. It was likely easily confused with fluster, but it was far from it in reality. Her mind was silently screaming.

Arcanite bursted through her fingers into the seeds. The vines, without control or focus, blossomed quickly along her arm. Their stems crisscrossed across her skin as they dug into the skin. All the thorns buried past the soft scales into the veins beneath causing superficial cuts. Lyn’s mind barely registered what she had done or Helena’s words until the liquid stained the pale rosy surface.

She hissed, then ripped her arm from her pouch to examine it. Her eyes widened in shock for the moment before she quickly excused herself.

“It’s alright, I’ll just… I need to take care of this. I’ll catch up with you two in the marketplace later. In a few hours?” Without letting either of them answer, Lyn then slowly pushed into the crowd. When she gotten far enough, she bolted off.

⊰Manifest Anima: Planes Divided⊱

Plans Come Crashing Down: Final Part

Location: One Night in Hell→ Exiting
Time: Evening- Opening

---

Mercy

“It shouldn't take two fully grown men to deal with a child,” Masha said as she approached, her expression showing her displeasure at the scene. “Get her off the floor. You're making a scene.”

She then looked at Killian and added, “and find out what she was up to.”

Mercy’s angry eyes snapped toward Masha’s words. Red hot rage filled her soul then spread through her veins, threatening to burn away her resolve to escape. More than anything, the girl wanted to lash out at the woman before her. Iron filled her taste buds from the amount of pressure she applied to her tongue causing it to bleed.

Meanwhile, Killian shifted quietly at Masha's words. Mercy noticed his figure was filled with guilt and nerves, adding in concern for what she could guessed was because of the Licenti’s change in behavior. The whole situation appeared to put him on the edge and only increased her own frustration. Mercy fell into silence while Damian talked back to his boss with strained patience. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of enjoyment until he turned his temper upon the woman.

Her body tensed when he lifted her closer to him, her blood’s temper dropped down to ice cold. The fear wrapped around her throat where it tried to slice off her air supply. Damian could feel the trembling start in her skin as she braced for an attack, honestly believing he was going to eat her here and now.

“There’s a bomb in the bathroom…,” Her words rushed out of her before she could catch them.

With no warning, her body’s solidness suddenly vanished when she jerked out of Damian’s grasp. A bright glow could be seen from her hand where she held her foci tightly in a fist. The spell would only last a few moments for her escape, her figure bolted for the nearest wall then phased right through it.

Killian

Killian’s eyes widened at the words. His expression twisted into something between horror and shock, disappearing the moment Mercy moved. He rushed to the restrooms as the words pushed him onward, his long legs ate up the distance. His head turned back long enough to shout at Masha and Damian.

“Damian, get everyone out of here. Now!” He hoped they wouldn’t argue with him while he retraced Mercy’s steps. His figure pushed into the crowd, his position betrayed only by the numerous patrons being shoved aside in his haste.

He got about five feet from the restroom when all hell broke loose.

A loud, ear deafening boom erupted. The dance floor music was suddenly lost in the vibrations causing the DJ to abruptly stop, his eyes turned to the restroom’s direction. Suddenly iron, wood, and plaster flew out into the crowd’s nearest edges. Anyone nearest the restrooms found themselves targeted by the debris path. This included Killian, Masha, and Damian. Several others, including Killian, went down. They had the wind knocked out of them.

He managed to let out one short-lived yell before he was abruptly clipped by a huge rebar into his chest. He fell backward, his back hitting the floor and blood seeped out through the bar’s exit on the other side. Screaming filled the club as the strobe lights died. Sprinklers went off and dowsed the still stunned clubgoers followed by the alarm. The need to survive consumed their common sense sending them into a panic.

Men and women alike began to claw their way toward the only untouched exit: the entrance. Others, victims of the debris, stumbled about the aftermath. Some helping others that had rebar or wood embedded into their bodies. In short… the scene was total and utter chaos for those caught up in it.

Mass Effect Andromeda: Frontier

Alrighty gang, we're wrapping up this fight and going to move things along, so if you have final posts to get up before we time skip, this will be the last round of posting before the team heads up for some R&R.

@Dervish

Thanks, just sort of need a few posts before my wrap up one. XD Thankfully, Ryria got to avoid any heavy combat this time.

~Chrono Asylum: Devil's Plague

Xx---------------------------xX
Experimental Team
Xx---------------------------xX

Time: A month after the Incident at Ouroboros
Location: Innocence, the floating Airship Academy for ARMO’s Chosen

"Keep up the good work buddy, I'm sure that if you keep hating your partner and lifeline in this world for simply existing, it'll fix all your problems you have. Cause that's how it worked last time, right?"

Cade had just finished pulling up his pants when his ears caught Maeve’s words toward Samad. Instinctively his eyes turned toward the Iranian who paused midway to the door. His partner’s knuckles tightened about the Persian lion handle, silence falling into place for several uncomfortable seconds. A spark of hatred snaked its way into Cade’s mind, fangs bared and sinking deep into his unprotected thoughts.

It was sudden and strong enough, Cade felt his balance disrupted. Impulsively his hand jerked against the tank side, bracing himself from falling. Usually, the link’s emotions were weakened or none existent, but this one hit Cade like a brick wall. For a moment, Cade thought Samad would attack Maeve for her words. He was surprised when the Iranian spoke instead.

“Your concerns are noted, but unnecessary. As long as things get done, that’s all ARMO cares about and that’s all we are suppose care about,” Came Samad’s icy reply to Maeve, reminding her of the reality of things. His complete disregard of Cade’s wellbeing was made very clear before he continued to walk away. Completely ignoring Maeve’s attempt to pick a fight with Angel now.

Cade inhaled a moment, clearing his head. The emotions quickly faded from his attention while he stood upright. He would have to report that to the experimental branch shortly for their data. Shrugging off Samad’s emotions, he began to move toward Kiara while listening to the conversation between Angel and Maeve.

“I’m getting the feeling that Maeve is always this vocal, isn’t she?” He asked quiet enough not to draw attention to himself, he didn’t want to face the red head’s hot temper.

At the mention of the link disturbances, Cade’s eyebrows furrowed in concern. He wondered if that related to the sudden clarity in their link earlier, but didn’t dwell on it much. His attention shifted to the stranger that entered into the medical ward and informed them about their next task. Cade’s expression soured when he heard the bell, silently cursing the short frame then actual class subject.

“They could’ve chosen subjects in our abilities, rather than something lacking for a few of us,” Cade grumbled softly.

His head leaned forward while his hand scratched the back of his neck, unsure how to proceed. His own ‘education’ had been nearly four years ago and he barely recalled how the instructors even handled the classes or how long large they were. Even worse, it was his worst subject. He barely scraped by on it during his exams.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Samson, Shimmerstone

Samson munched the apple. His soft lips brushed her fingertips then shoved the fruity morsal between his teeth, chunks being taken out of it each time it moved. It was obvious he was enjoying it fully until it disappeared. He then reached out his nose to press against Annabeth’s check, stroking it briefly before she left. It was his way of getting her to give him a good scratch on his neck where itched. He didn’t like being away from her, but he trusted her assurance that she would be back.

“Alright, but I never liked it here,” Samson begrudgingly agreed then began to trot off. His large form fell into pace with the carriage horses, following alongside them. Spotting the large horse, the carriage driver promptly leaned over then reached for Samson’s reins. The horse immediately step away and snorted a warning. His rein tip darted just out of reach. Noticing this, the elderly man returned to ushering the horses into the stables while Samson returned to his position.

The small group quickly vanished out of sight.

Lyn

---

Lyn sighed quietly under her breath. She was beginning to become irritated with the trio’s exchange. She didn’t understand why they couldn’t get along when she was around, like her presence specifically sparked issues. Already the atmosphere around Athalus, Alaira and Henri had escalated into a tense one. It picked at her anxiety budded by her mother’s strange behavior causing her heart to sink a bit. It bottomed out when she spotted Helena’s hand reach out then tug Henri’s figure closer, whispering for him to come exploring with her.

Confusion swept over Lyn’s expression briefly when her heart flared with pain. It disappear as suddenly as it began, fading from her chest when she looked away. She was confused by what caused or why it happened. Even more, she was disturbed by the fact it hurt far worse than she expected. Pushing the shock under her heel, Lyn had caught her father’s explanation on things.

While she could easily see his point of view, she felt he could’ve put it less like a lecture. However, asking him to do that was like asking the sea not to be salty. It was impossible. She supposed it was because he had been a father for far too long.

When he mentioned about his beauty entrancing her mother, Lyn smiled when Mar turned then frowned at him. It was signs that whatever bothered mother had passed and things were normal once more. Feeling some of her anxiety fade, Lyn’s eyes lit up when she heard him ask her to keep an eye on Henri. Her lips curled into a smile. She placed her right arm underneath her waist and made a small bow before she shot back upright.

[color=pink] “No problem, but I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. We’ll try to steer clear of any nobles,”[color] She promised.

She promptly stepped toward Henri and Helena, her figure slipped in between the two. Her arms reached out to pull the two alongside to the opposite direction of her parents. She wanted as much distance as she could get before someone opened their mouth to retort and ignite the fight all over again.

Mar

---

“She does have a way to influence others,” Mar agreed, pausing long enough to absorb what Ssarak was asking.

She had crossed her arms over her torso, though they visibly relaxed now, while she considered what to say. Of course the truth came to mind as she shifted from one leg to the next. No longer did she struggle for balance thanks to the months of practice. Marya sighed then admitted the truth.

“I’m still rattled from Yarosmere. It’s been difficult to adjust and I can’t help but feel tense in a crowd like this, especially when Yarosmere was nearly as crowded. My mind is still crawling after that… mage tried to invade it,” she swallowed a bit then added, “It will pass at some point. I just need a distraction.”

Mass Effect Andromeda: Frontier

~|Ryria T’Vessi|~

Ryria’s movements were crisp and with purpose. Her knuckles tightened upon her medical bag while she cut through the front half of the labs, seizing up the situation in her brief glimpse. Decades of training kicked into gear as she approached the first wounded. The interior held evidence of both desperation and haste in their erected barrier. Making this their last stand against the Kett threat lurking outside their door until they arrived. Ryria ignored the loud gunfire outside, her team picking off individuals getting too nosy, before lowering herself down on one knee. Her bag was placed in reach when she brought up her omnitool.

The hard expressed Asari flickered her finger across the monitor seeking the program needed. From it, she pulled two see through objects then placed them on the victim’s chest nearest the heart and the other on the temple. These observed heart rate and brain function, indicating the interior damage by feeding various information back to her omintool.

Ryria frowned at the information poured out to her. She began to gently prod the human woman’s leg, feeling the hard swelling of the muscle and tenderness. It appeared broken causing her to bring up a scanning program. Retrieving scissors from her bag, Ryria began to cut along the pant seam then pulled the fabric away from the damaged area. Then she ran her omnitool across the leg’s surface for an x-ray. The shin bone was broken in three places and all thankfully appeared to be clean. This meant they would heal correctly when properly set back at Prodomos.

Without wasting much more time on a proper examination, Ryria glanced around at the disaster called the labs. Her eyes narrowed on two long, sturdy pipes that would do for splints. She quickly barked out orders, “Bring me those pipes, now.”

Most individuals in shock rarely thought when terror gripped them. Ryria counted on this when she made her orders, ensuring the human woman heard and reacted. On cue, the survivor jerked herself from her trance then moved to collect the pipes. As she passed them back to Ryria, the doctor began to place them on opposite sides of the leg. Finally, she wrapped the makeshift tape over them to pin each in place. This prevented any harmful movement, sparing the bones from farther breaking into smaller pieces. In a sharp, effective movement Ryria finally injected a compatible painkiller and antibiotics into the patient's body to fight off the budding infection.

When satisfied, she moved to the next one.

A turian male held his hand against his shoulder. The rag used to stifle the bleeding had become soaked, staining the white cloth with fresh waves of blue. Without concern for bedside manner, she pulled his resisting hand from his wound to better look at it. On the surface, there appeared to be several pieces of metal embedded in the tissue. They had nicked the subscapular artery and created serious blood loss. Already her patient’s vitals were dropping by the moment causing Ryria to think quickly. Her hand reached for an omi-gel packet in her kit then positioned it into her right palm. With her left hand, she eyed the metal fragment. Her left hand glowed in the familiar blue light associated with her biotics. The Turian’s eyes widened in fear before the shards were ripped back the way they entered.

He screamed in pain startling several scientists, their head snapped into their direction and paled with fear. Ignoring them, Ryria’s left hand busted the omni-gel packet then smeared it across the wound. The material thickened to cot the wound. It would require stitching and repair later.

Letting the numbness settle in her patient, Ryria heard Noratus enter when the asari began to wrap the wound.

007236“Okay we have to get these guys on the move-”[/color]

Ryria didn’t have to say a word for the Turian to realize the condition the scientists were in. Wiping the blood away, she let Dex absorb the situation while she collected her things. It didn’t surprise her when Dex tried to snap the scientist into action and instead found them slightly aggressive toward her. They had just lost one of their own to retrieve data that would give answers to several questions about survival. It was a painful topic that appeared shallowly pushed aside by Noratus’ callous remark, causing more resistance.

There were several points when Ryria considered entering the conversation, but Noratus appeared more than willing to handle it. She didn’t need to waste her breath. By the time the turian looked at her, she was finished pointing out to the individuals how to move the woman with the injured leg.

“T’Vessi, can you help Prana with whatever she needs?”

“Fine,” Ryria said in an even tone as she moved toward Prana, her hands collecting what the scientist gestured at.

Ryria didn’t reply, instead focusing on her task and completing it quickly. There was little time to be sociable when the Kett would be shortly pouring to kill them all. However, the turian’s comment didn’t go unnoticed. Ryria actually wondered if Noratus actually realized what such data and samples might actually provide for the possibility to colonize this planet. Even the most trivial data such as how the planet’s very water system worked could provide colonists the ability to prepare for the future. From collecting to the conservation of water and even how to modify crops to survive in drier or wetter climates was important data, often gained through something trivial like water treatment.

The last of her samples were quickly packed when Ryria turned to the two. Prana was already finishing up second when the medic addressed Noratus.

“Done. Noratus where are you with the data collection?”

⊰Manifest Anima: Planes Divided⊱

A ʀ ᴄ ʜ ᴇ ɴ ᴇ ᴏ ғ ᴛ ʜ ᴇ T ᴇ ɴ T ʜ ᴏ ᴜ s ᴀ ɴ ᴅ T ʜ ᴏ ʀ ɴ s

&

ℭharles Λeon

<sub>Collab with: @Fallenreaper, @Luna

Time: Arc 2, Day 1- Afternoon

Location: Leaving and returning to Charles Aeon Residence</sub>

---

After locking the door, Charles pocketed the key. A few cracked windows had been repaired through he had to remind himself later to contact a contractor and ensure there was no serious structural damage. He could simply repair it with magic, but he often found it more complicated than letting others earn a living. A second opinion was also wiser. His carpentry skills were centuries old after all.

His arms wrapped his coat tightly around his form, shielding himself from the surrounding cold and continued down the porch step. Fresh snow crunched underfoot causing the immortal to pause, his head tilted up to glimpse the skies overhead. Snow continued to gently fall from rain burdened clouds circling Ominar. The icy storm reflected the bleak future. Idly, Charles wondered if the weather was connected to recent events. Anxiety settled into his core, mingling with depression that still lingered before the wind abruptly picked up. It roughly pawed at his coat, forcing Charles to clench it tightly and resisted its will by digging his heels in.

A few moments later it died down. Adjusting his coat once more, Charles cautiously continued walking along the upturned sidewalk toward the street. His feet snapped out with precision and purpose until he halted beside Archene. Every attempt made to avoid any still scattered debris now gradually being hidden by snow.

“It seems a storm is coming…” Charles commented in a quiet tone, noting the residential district’s dismay.

Archene seemed to be quite comfortable in his usual Haori despite the icy wind blowing and the snow on the ground.

He sighed as he looked a Charles, "In some ways, it is already here. Things could be far worse, however."

Whether he was talking about the recent events or the snowy weather was unknown. With all honesty, the recent events were unsettling to the point that it would be reasonable to relocate to another city, but given that chances were this could paint a target on him, he had to refrain from making such plans. Not that he expected the Prae to lose this chance to demonize and blame Licentia.

Letting out another sigh, he asked Charles, "Where will we be going?"

“In life? I’ve debated on that one myself. My first instinct is to move on. I’ve seen this happen a few times in America and it rarely ends well, especially in occupied areas. Back then, moving from place to place was never a hard thing for me.”

Charles lowered his eyes back to Earth. The heavens far out of his reach for now. His sight brushed over the atmosphere among the population and easily spotted the most seriously affected areas. Prae of all ages reflected a side of themselves that was rarely seen in public. Their usual pristine appearances were blemished by the recent news and possibly lacking answers, fear rolling off their distraught images.

“I fear about how Lilith is handling this...” Charles spoke out loud, concern in his voice as he continued to lead the way to Pick up Azulia. The walk would take some time as Erin lived on the boundaries of the business district and residential areas.

"Honestly, it could be far worse. It is almost as if people don't notice that the next time something like that happens, it will be in this very city and its Exeo." Archene sighs, "Not that I know how this incident came to happen."

The Licenti briefly nods at Charles, "Then we should go," as he followed along.

“Archene, please don’t rile up my paranoia with observations like that. Any opposing factions and organizations will be blamed for this,” Charles replied, leading the way.

"I am only being honest, and sadly, I'm very aware of where the blame has been and will be falling," he speaks a bit sourly, "Nothing that will just with mere words being exchanged right now, so I'll avoid riling up your paranoia."

“I appreciate it. It’s not uncommon for minorities to be blamed when it comes to a situation like this, but it does speak ill of the individuals in control. The unfortunate part is that I have little right to judge. I’ve literally wiped out resistances before in past years.”

Charles continued to crunch along the gradually collecting snow, his feet found paths around the upheaved pavement and ground to ease his progression. They continued to talk about various topics to pass the time. Finally, they arrived at Erin’s home causing Charles to pause. He politely gestured for Archene to wait as he made his way up the small porch steps.

His knuckles rapped upon the white door, the wood gave a hollow sound, before it creaked open. Charles’ foot stepped back to avoid being hit by it.

“I’m here to pick up Azulia. Is she ready?”

A woman in her late twenties stared at him for several moments. Her head turned back inside then she spoke, indicating Azulia was nearly ready to leave. He could hear loud arguments happening in the background. His eyes tightened in concern, unable to see past Erin’s Aunt to see the conflict.

“Just a moment, I’ll check,” Ms. McGrath stated then retreated back into the house.

After a bit of harsh conversation, Azulia was sent out.

Azulia sighed as she walked out. On her back was the backpack that held her clothes and homework. She smiled meekly at Charles.

“Hey, Charles. There is a lot going on inside. Emmett and Erin are going at each other because Erin said she was moving.” She said shifting. “How are you?”

Charles’s eyes scrunched up at the news. His lips frowned as he glanced at the weather, progressively getting worse, before choosing his next words.

“The weather is getting pretty bad so I’m afraid I decided it was best you spend the night at home rather than at Erin’s. From the sounds of it, I’ve might’ve judged right,” Charles extended his hand for her to follow him down.

“Azulia, this is Archene. A friend. Archene, this is my adopted daughter.”

Azulia nodded in understanding. She could tell from the sky that bad weather was coming their way. She looked up at his motion to follow him and she nodded, silently following him down. She looked at the new person in front of her.

“Hello, I’m Azulia,” She said.

Polite introductions were made as they began to walk away. Part way down the street, Emmett rushed out of Erin’s front door followed by a concerned Olivia. His feet took two steps at a time without even pausing. Charles knew that mood all too well causing him to stop in his tracks then walk over to the boy’s rushing figure. Careless in his pace, Emmett’s foot skidded across some collected ice causing Charles’ arm to snap out and catch him mid-fall. Surprised he hadn’t fallen, the boy’s head turned to acknowledge his savior: his teacher.

An apology was said, but Charles brushed it off. Before the adopted Kiseo children could object, the immortal insisted on escorting them both home before heading back. Azulia seemed ecstatic by this suggestion. After a few hours walk, Emmett and Olivia were dropped off and the group arrived back at Charles’ home.

Azulia promptly headed to her room to change her clothes then finish up her homework. It seemed things at Erin’s house had hindered her progression causing Charles to frown slightly. Dusting off the collecting snow off his coat onto the now salted porch, he hung it up. Quietly he moved toward the fireplace where he snapped a finger to create a spark of fire then tossed it into the dry kindling. Immediately the wood nourished the flame creating warmth to fight against the growing chill.

“Is there anything I can get you, Archene? It was colder than I expected it to become. Also, do you have a place or stay for the night? I can set up a bed cott for the night.”

"A pleasure to meet you," Archene replies to Azulia with a warm smile, "It is a pleasure to finally be able to meet his daughter in person." He chuckles briefly before following the group along.

“Given the recent events, I think it is better if I were to stay around you. Plus, there is no heating at my place currently." He chuckles, "If it gets any worse, it won't feel too good to stay there. But yes, some warm tea or water would be great."

Charles nodded then retreated into the kitchen to fix both Azulia some hot cocoa and Archene some warm tea.

Mass Effect Andromeda: Frontier

~|Ryria T’Vessi|~

Ryria was silent. Her eyes continued to peer about, ignoring Del’s presence, while she kept her weapon cocked and ready. There was no reason to expect things would go smoothly. Things always went wrong when they went according to plan. This time was no different. Her finger tightened on her trigger before it abruptly loosened. A reminder to rein in her anxiety and desire to be done with this task. When they finally reached the civilian scientists then fall back, she could leave to get back to what she needed most: treating those who needed it.

She had considered suggesting a better method when Tazen already started to bark orders. Her lips pressed tightly to silence her desires while Matthew moved to wield open the door. Without a word to any of the others, Ryria flipped from her sniper rifle to her pistol. It would provide better cover when the Kett heard the door fall.

Ryria’s ears caught the screams and gunfire, her barrier immediately rushed up to protect herself from the bullet ricochet. She hissed quietly in disapproval as Tazen immediately shouted over the chaos. Her head turned to those inside, waiting for things to die down.

Sounds of footsteps caught her attention, her eyes spotted the approaching Kett coming toward them. Like expected, things were falling off track from the plan. Ryria quickly holstered her gun before she began to check each individual over, looking for anything beyond superficial wounds.