jagajac

X-men Noir: Let The Good Times Roll

Oooh, Cyclops! :)

X-men Noir: Let The Good Times Roll

Ali watched the scenes unfolding rapidly before her eyes. As the newcomer, Kurt, stumbled inside she couldn't help but let out a small shriek. The tiny blue creatures advancing towards Erik and Estella at the bar were beyond peculiar. She placed a hand over her mouth to stifle the sound and accidentally bumped shoulders with Talon in an effort to distance herself from the aqua minions. Her cheeks flushed slightly at the obvious signs of fright radiating from her body. Ali was not usually the type to be startled so easily and found it quite embarrassing to be displaying that quality as a first impression to all these new acquaintances. She stepped away from Talon, brushing her hands down her navy coat, and mumbled an apology.

Estella's temper and rage had not only been heard during her previous comments, but was now surrounding her levitating body. Ali marveled at the girl's abilities and began to realize the magnitude of Xavier's plan for each and every one of them. She couldn't help but bite her bottom lip in a sort of stifled excitement as her brain began imagining the other powers present in the room.

Ali's thoughts were interrupted by the gruff voice of Wolverine who had burst back into the room soon after Kurt's arrival. His control and intimidation were apparent to all, but strangely attractive to Ali. Her pupils expanded as the light radiating from Estella's body slowly dissipated and followed Logan eagerly as he made his way towards the flustered boy, Kurt. The two men exchanged a few casual expressions, and Wolverine even addressed Kurt directly. Does he just attract misguided youths? Ali looked to the Japanese girl still perched in the corner of the bar just as Logan began spouting off instructions and demands. Her eyes shot up to the top floor where he had motioned and then back again to the descending staircase. She couldn't help but smirk at his blunt tone and simplicity. What's beneath that cold steel shell?

The room grew strangely silent as the sounds of Wolverine's footsteps, followed obediently by Yukiko's, disappeared into the bunker. Ali had never been one for silence and turned to Talon beside her.

"Alison Blaire, my friends call me Ali."

She winked sweetly and flashed her signature smile as she continued.

"Care to accompany me to the bunker? The wolf's peaked my interest."

She leaned up on her tiptoes excitedly and motioned her head towards the staircase anxiously awaiting a response.

The Uisilons

Cool family, Yuga!

Do you ever question...

what you're doing with your life? I spent 4 years in college to earn my BSEd. Now that I've got it and am currently teaching, I'm starting to seriously question my choices. I feel like I chose to pursue teaching because I was convinced it was the only practical career skill I possessed. I spend all day secluded in a classroom winging my way through math and English lessons. All of my students are significantly below grade level, most have terrible home lives, and many could care less about school or a relationship with me. Although my faculty and staff are wonderful, they haven't had much time to swing by and see how I'm doing. Most don't even know who I am or what I do at the school. I go home on the weekends and do everything I can to avoid work. In doing so, work is constantly on my mind. I procrastinate and don't spend much of my time socializing or getting familiar with my new home. I am the type of person who thrives in the presence of people. I feel loved when I am appreciated and in the spotlight (in a sense). Right now, I wake up dreading my day. I come home and cry because I feel miserable and unhappy with my career. Teaching is something I may be good at, but it is not fulfilling me.

I always dreamed of going to college in Alaska and studying marine biology. I had this whole fantasy to monitor orca whale sound waves and mating patterns and could recite my wishes on cue. My parents are very practical and money conscience people, God bless them, so when I got a full-ride scholarship to my home university that dream got swept under the rug. I gave up too easily and didn't fight for what I wanted because I was afraid of failure and disappointing my family. Now I harbor this regret in my heart that I feel is holding me back from a happy life. I know now that I chose the easy way out by pleasing other people, and I'm paying the price. I'm not meant to be a teacher, but now I don't know what to do. I've looked into summer internships working at aquariums and such, but reality clouds my vision. How am I going to afford my current lifestyle working in a minimum wage job? Will I even get to do the things I want to with the animals given my educational background and experience? What will my family think if I pursue this?

*sigh*

Needless to say, I am severely struggling and confused. I'm going to spend more time in God's word and truly praying for Him to take my hand and lead me. A piece of me is missing, and I want to do everything I possibly can to let go of my doubts and find it. If anyone has any advice, connections, or encouragement for me I would so greatly appreciate it.

<3&fluff
jagajac

The Uisilons

n a m e
Dahlia Maven

a g e
23 years

a p p e a r a n c e
Dahlia is petite and stands at about 5’3” when her posture is pristine. Her hair is the color of deep mahogany and glistens with tints of auburn in the sunlight. It reaches to the tops of her collar bone and is filled with long, thick layers. Her face is full and rounded, but her chin squares off slightly. It gives her an overall sturdy and powerful appearance. Her eyes, like the other four Golden Uisilons, burn with a striking mixture of yellow and orange. They are narrow, elongated, and topped off with thin, dark eyebrows. Her curvy lips are almost always coated with a light cherry colored smear that set off her fair, elegant skin. She prefers to wear darker colored clothing that flows and envelops her body like the waters she is so familiar with manipulating. She constantly wears an ornate opal necklace that was passed down to her from her late grandmother.

p e r s o n a l i t y
Dahlia, who prefers to be called by her last name, is a quietly fierce young woman. She is a deep-thinker with a thirst for solving complicated problems of any form. She prefers solitude and enjoys long sessions of silent contemplation in the more deserted regions of Undaro. Dahlia does not necessarily shy away from socialization, but she is very particular about who she actively speaks with. She has a passion for helping others, but despises any taste of recognition for her kind deeds. Her grandmother was a very strict disciplinarian, and Dahlia grew up with an attitude of absolute humility. Her heart, much like her eyes, is truly golden in her words and actions. Whether or not that fact is openly displayed is an entirely different matter.

h i s t o r y
Dahlia’s parents were very intellectual, much like their daughter, and continued to study the Mundane civilization in secret after the banishment. Their work kept them away from Undaro for weeks at a time, leaving Dahlia in the care of her paternal grandmother. Mother Maven, as the Uisilons called her, was beloved by all. She was a wise woman with an instinctual understanding for the thoughts and actions of others. This wisdom was what ultimately led to her selection by the Uisilon council to collaborate with the Mundane political leaders. Mother Maven left Dahlia with the cryptic words, “Your quiet ferocity is what frightens them the most. Be loud, my dear. Be loud.”

After her grandmother’s death, Dahlia’s parents put a hiatus on their study of the Mundanes. Their only child, gifted to become a Golden Uisilon, became their total focus and prodigy. They had Dahlia studying, practicing, and utilizing her skills for weeks at a time with no rest. The young girl took her grandmother’s words seriously and stayed diligent throughout the years. As Dahlia grew older, she began extending her skills to the Uisilon community. These charitable acts became her passion and gave her a serenity that her laborious studying could never grant.

r a n k
Golden Uisilon

p o w e r
Dahlia has the ability of aquakinesis. She can create, shape, and manipulate it as an inorganic compound in any state. This power includes changing water back and forth from its various states.

s t a n c e
The Maven family has been opposed to the idea of “hiding” underground for generations. They are a proud blood-line with a strong sense of unity and democracy. Dahlia’s grandmother was willing to negotiate with the Mundanes over the issue of societal integration, but was murdered before she could openly voice her ideas. Dahlia, being raised primarily by Mother Maven, assimilated her grandmother’s values with her own. She has a deep-rooted desire for integration because she is intrigued with the Mundane civilization. On the other hand, there is a pang of bitterness stemming from her grandmother’s untimely end that conflicts Dahlia’s inherently peaceful nature. A darker side of her wishes to seek out the select political Mundane leaders and serve them a plate of demise forged from their own sinful actions.

King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable

Guinevere twirled the ends of her long blonde hair around her palm absentmindedly. Her father eyed her grumpily from his reserved seat resting high above the dusty, trodden jousting floor. After much yelling and protest, Guinevere had been bullied into attending the Easter tournament. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy jousting, it was the lusty knights that annoyed the young princess. Her father had her dressed in a cornflower blue evening dress with a leather corset wrapped tightly around her small waist. It definitely did its job of showing off her shapely figure, but Gwen just rolled her eyes at the onslaught of caterwauls. A small breeze blew through the air, and the colorful banners whined in protest as they held tightly to their wooden poles. The flowers braided into her thick mane stayed secure, and she yawned slightly as the first two knights took their stances. Guinevere sighed and straightened her shoulders obediently, as if reading her flustered father's mind, while the steeds' hooves galloped forward at full speed. The lances met awkwardly at a diagonal angle, but still crashed loudly throughout the enclosed arena. The crowd cheered or booed depending on their prior bets with the meandering vultures lurking behind at the fence lines.

Gwen was unimpressed by the victor as he strode into his tent smugly. He can't even hold his lance straight. She kept her thoughts to herself, but the furrow in her brow made it obvious she was scrutinizing something or someone. A handmaiden cautiously approached the girl and offered a small glass of wine accompanied by a soft piece of bread. Guinevere motioned her away, but smiled appreciatively as she stood to her feet. She climbed the few rows to her father's chair and bowed slightly before addressing him. He kept his gaze locked firmly on the arena floor, although the only thing of interest was the stable boys rushing to retrieve the broken lance shards. He was clearly still upset at her attitude. Both father and daughter were quite the stubborn royals.

"Father, I wish to watch from the lower levels."

This statement caught King Leodegrance's attention and he turned his stern face towards his only daughter. His hair was blonde like hers but was streaked with long white strands to show his age. His face was tan and wrinkled from years of laughter and worry. His golden eyes looked curiously into his daughter's, and his lips narrowed into a frown.

"Guinevere, you are to stay here where the people can admire you."

With that short statement, he turned his head back towards the jousting tournament. The muscles in Gwen's face tensed with fury and her fists balled at her sides. Her father's guards stepped forward, ready to reprimand the girl, but she held up her hand to halt their advances. She took a deep breath and blew it through her nose before speaking once more.

"Admiration is not what I desire. I agreed to come here, but I will not agree to your foolish demands. If you send someone for me, I will only shame you further."

She hissed the words through clenched teeth as she turned on her heels and stomped away furiously. The King brought his hands to his face and shook his head wearily. A guard placed his hand gently on the King's shoulder and voiced what the others were thinking aloud.

"She doesn't mean it, sire."

King Leodegrance wiped his palms down his cheeks and smiled faintly.

"She means every word. She is most assuredly her mother's child."

---

Gwen slid her hand along the railing that separated her from the action taking place on the jousting floor. She tried her best to ignore the whispers and shock from the peasants as she passed by. They bowed, but she shook her head disapprovingly. Gwen had never quite embraced her life as a princess and still felt uncomfortable with the thought of being valued above everyone else. She hurried along the lower levels until she made her way into an open area that lingered with the smells of delicious foods and drinks. Gwen gathered her dress in one hand and slipped off her pointy shoes. She wriggled her bare feet in the dust and smiled sweetly before trudging along towards the welcoming smell of a feast.

X-men Noir: Let The Good Times Roll

Yeah, I just wrote his name in my post so you'd know who I was talking about. The only people who have introduced themselves are Kimberly, Talon, and now Samuel. I think?

X-men Noir: Let The Good Times Roll

Ali bit the inside of her cheek lightly as she realized the insinuations formed from her earlier statement. She placed her fingers inside her other open hand and held them together firmly at her waistline. Alison was an only child and had grown up in a fortunate family, despite her mother’s disappearance when she was an infant. Her father, Carter, had taken many precautions to ensure her happiness and protection throughout her lifetime. Although Ali was his only daughter, Carter did not dote or spoil her as other children in similar situations. She was taught to take care of herself and to work to earn respect and the subsequent luxuries of life. Alison looked around at the people in the room once more, her eyes now adjusting to the dim light, and carefully took note of their body language.

Talon
She now knew his name, or what he seemed to prefer as a name for the time being. He was slightly bent forward as he spoke to Erik from across the bar. His shoulders seemed to lower in a sort of defensive way, as if he was constantly prepped for an oppositional attack. She listened as he spoke of his previous life and lowered her gaze shamefully. Alison was not arrogant, but she was young and still learning the depth behind her sarcastic statements. His eyes were narrowed, but forgiving, as he looked back at her. She dipped her head politely and placed a hand on his shoulder gently.

“I think our differences classify us as the ‘social elite’.”

It wasn’t exactly a forthright apology, but Alison felt it was something he could appreciate. She was also a proud girl and realized that taking pity on this man would not help in strengthening a potential friendship between the two. Her blue eyes locked with his momentarily, hoping he would understand her gesture of kindness.

Kimberly
Alison couldn’t tell much about this girl, but recognized an enthusiasm and energy about her from her ever present voice. She wondered if the girl was simply eager to discover more about her abilities, or if she had a daunting past like the other two boys who had spoken.

Yukiko
The small Japanese girl intrigued Alison. She stood silently on the wall where Wolverine had left her earlier. It was when she finally spoke up that Ali realized she could not speak fluent English. The girl seemed shy by nature, regardless of the fact that she was foreign, and Alison noted that in the back of her mind. She was unsure of what the girl was capable of, but thought it best not to ever take her by surprise. Ali wondered how she was able to understand all of what Erik had said. She had brokenly approved of this ‘help’ he offered, but seemed embarrassed by her inability to form the right words. Ali smiled at the girl. She would be alright here, especially with a bodyguard like Wolverine at her side.

Snark
Ali felt the worst about potentially offending him. He had obviously seen some of the darker areas of the world and seemed to be uncomfortable surrounded by so many people. Alison had always liked being in front of a crowd, but knew this was not everyone’s personal preference. This boy seemed to like blending in with the shadows, and he was quite good at it. His size was particularly peculiar. He was small for a man, but he was certainly a man and not a boy. Alison wondered if this had been an advantage to him throughout his life. She herself felt a pang of guilt for what she had said in response to his words earlier.

Not your best start, Ali.

She winced slightly and hoped he would not be taken aback by her previous statement.

Samuel
He had entered the room quite confidently, as if he was familiar with this place, and settled in as Erik began addressing them all. Ali scanned over his figure. He was lean but rippling with muscles underneath his clothes. He was an overall pleasing appearance, but didn’t seem to be particularly interested with what Erik was saying or doing. She thought maybe he was more used to this unusual atmosphere than the others in the room. Nevertheless, he might be a valuable asset in the learning process.

Estella
Now this girl was the definition of rough around the edges. Her dark hair and dark eyes complimented the dark tones in her words very well. Alison wondered what she had muttered in Japanese, but dismissed that thought quickly as she lit up a cigarette. Ali detested the smell of smoke and tried to mask her dislike by stepping slightly behind Talon to try and avoid the fumes. Ali took particular notice of the brashness of her words. It was bold of her to speak that way to Erik, but Ali liked boldness. Perhaps the two could have enlightening conversations, if she was willing to put out the cigarette first.

Leech
Ali opened her mouth to protest as he spoke to her, but thought it better to just hear him out instead. He was a charmer for sure, but didn’t seem above reproach from others. She raised her eyebrows as he winked in her direction and tucked a loose strand of strawberry blonde hair behind her ear. He was quite talkative, this dashing gentleman, and Ali waited patiently for him to finish before stepping out from behind Talon once more.

“Don’t worry sweet cheeks, I’m used to being let down. I think we all have the same questions, and golden boy here has a point. No one has made a run for the door yet, so you have our attention, Erik.”

Ali smirked and kept her eyes focused on Leech as she anticipated some flirtatious gesture or remark. Erik still stood mysteriously still and silent by the bar, and Ali was eager to hear what exactly he and his comrades had in store for all of them.

X-men Noir: Let The Good Times Roll

Ali kept her posture steady as the burly man sheathed his metallic claws and crossed his own arms against his powerful chest. She tilted her head slightly to one side at the mention of his name. Wolverine was not something one would typically associate as a human name. She mulled over the thought for a few moments in her head and took note as he met her curious gaze. She winked playfully after seeing a smirk appear across his face. The gesture definitely smoothed out his rougher features and gave him an overall more welcoming and handsome appearance. Just as Ali was about to step forward and introduce herself, another man strode confidently into the room. He greeted the group with a charming smile and light-hearted words. Ali suddenly became aware of the sheer amount of people beginning to inhabit the recently vacant space. She straightened up and refocused her gaze as the sound of voices trailed up from the basement.

One she recognized as Charles Xavier, but the other was unfamiliar to her. The Professor introduced the other man as Erik and excused himself abruptly from the rapidly increasing group of individuals. The burly man, Wolverine, followed in tow behind the seemingly fragile Charles. Ali smiled weakly at the limping man, her admiration for him growing with each encounter, and waited for the silence of the room to disperse. The room grew darker with a swish of Erik's hand and Ali tightened her muscles defensively. In the dimly lit room the faces of her guests faded into the background. Ali watched in amazement as the coins lifted from the table and swirled through the air as Erik spoke. She herself had not even began to experience the true potential of her own "powers", and was quite excited to see Erik displaying his skills openly. Her body surged with excitement as she listened intently to his words.

Although the Professor had briefly spoken to Ali once before about his Institute and intentions, the mysterious man had been rather vague, which had led her to investigate the matter further on her own. Now she was standing here with a handful of others, her mind racing with the thoughts of what each in the room had to offer, and more than willing to truly discover her potential. As Erik ended his motivational speech the coins floated back to their place on the bar. Ali took a small step backwards to stand at man's side who had startled her earlier. She looked at him out of the corner of her eyes and raised her eyebrows questioningly. She wondered if he could read the questions on her mind clearly from the expression apparent on her delicate face.

A rather short man stepped forward and spoke timidly with Erik. Ali could register a shakiness in his tone, but he approached the man with a mask of confidence. She was surprised that he was asking for the group, rather than simply himself. Ali realized this spoke more to his character than his unsteady series of questions. She smiled and blew out quietly through her nose as her face looked towards the cold floor. She looked back as his questions ended and decided to throw her own voice into the unstable mixture. Standing tall, she spoke up proudly from her place at the other stranger's side.

"Honey, I think we're all past the point of 'basic needs'."

Ali looked at Erik and tilted her head innocently to one side as her eyebrows raised. The tension in the room was thick, but Ali was used to being in front of a crowd. Her blue eyes twinkled in the faint light of the room as she patiently awaited further responses from her new "comrades".

Pokemon: In The Shadow of a Rainbow

Jorie smiled brightly at the Professor and made a whistling sound directed at Maren as the group pushed forward through the double doors. The small Mareep closed its large eyes happily and darted after his doting trainer. The heavy doors swung open effortlessly as if Michael had passed in and out of them hundreds of times. Jorie tilted her head curiously to one side as the bundles of multi-colored wires came into her vision. The gentle humming of the machines tingled in her ears and Maren bounced about playfully beneath her feet. The electricity surging throughout this enclosed space was causing his own electric fur to prickle with excitement.

As the others fell into place at her sides, Professor Michael began to address them once more. She focused on his facial features and body language as he spoke. When he spoke of the late Professor Krane, his demeanor seemed comforting and calm, but when his speech turned to the topic of Shadow Pokemon something about his posture changed. Jorie was a very perceptive girl and could see the distinct differences overtaking his features. Maren was struggling to contain his energy and sent a small shock through Jorie's body as he rubbed against her leg. She jumped instinctively and gave her partner a stern, but gentle, look. The Pokemon tucked into himself and sat anxiously between her feet.

Jorie's bright eyes glazed over momentarily as a memory seeped into her mind.

---

Officer Beckett crossed her hands in her lap and inhaled deeply. The interrogation room was eerily quiet as she prepared to speak with the victim's child. She ran a gloved hand through her spiky brown hair and closed her eyes in thought. She envisioned the crime scene under investigation. Just on the outskirts of Agata Forest, seemingly abandoned path, no reports of disturbance in the past... Beckett tensed her body as the metallic door swiped open. A young girl with wide, frightened eyes stepped shyly inside. Beckett directed her to the seat in front of her own, but the girl kept looking behind her at the other officer. Beckett's eyebrows furrowed at the man and he shrugged his burly shoulders. A tiny ball of fluff cautiously crept into the room behind the girl. It stayed obediently at her feet as she made her way to the chair.

The officer outside looked at Beckett for approval and she nodded her head curtly as he closed the door to the room. Beckett examined the little girl thoroughly. Small, fair-skinned, green eyes, long blonde hair... She stopped and sat up straighter in her own chair. She's not an object Beckett, she's a child. The Mareep put two hooves into the girl's lap and she gathered him into her lap clumsily.

"My name is Officer Beckett, and I'm here to help you. There's no need to be afraid. You're safe here."

The girl's eyes misted over with tears, and Beckett bit the inside of her cheek hard. Dammit. Don't get emotional. Just do your job and the rest will work itself out. Beckett's inner conscience attempted to sever any attachments with the girl, but this one was different. She stared at Beckett with a fragile strength as her Mareep nuzzled into her stomach anxiously, sensing the girl's sadness.

"I'm Jorie and this is Maren. I'm not afraid of you. I'm afraid of what you won't say."

---

Jorie blinked hard, the beginnings of tears erased by the gesture, and came back to her senses. She couldn't imagine her life without Maren, and the thought of a Pokemon being devoid of any emotions brought on painful memories of her past. She looked towards the others in her group, unable to come up with any clever words. She knew this wasn't the time to joke and instead looked up at Professor Michael and nodded in understanding at his words.