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Shoot. You're right. Back to the drawing board.
There have been a few more applications and I'm not sure what's left.
There have been a few more applications and I'm not sure what's left.
- Last Seen: 19 hrs ago
- Joined: 11 yrs ago
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- Mistress Dizzy 11 yrs ago
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I never use this box. Don't know why.
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Most Recent Posts
Submitted for your approval.
Understood. Are any of the Arcana reserved?
I'm willing to throw my hat into the ring here.
Amazing how much a life could change in just one day.
Kassy lay asleep, her mind locked in the same nightmare memory it had shown her every night since the Atlantis incident.
She watched Zach get shot by Bingley. Watched Ja desperately try to calm her down. Watched Viktor drop, screaming in pain that she caused him. Watched the other team members fall one by one. Something deep inside her just wanted all of the pain to stop. While the rest of her wanted to wrap their hands around that so - called doctor’s throat and squeeze until she really was the monster he thought she was.
But that part did not win. Not today. Her strength dissipated, the illusions dropped away. Her eyes returned to normal, only to stare on in horror at the state of things. She slumped to the ocean floor, desperate for the relief of unconsciousness. No relief came. She was hauled up and cuffed by the guards, and gave no resistance. She wasn’t sure of what else happened in the conference room once she was ‘escorted’ out.
But she was brought before the king and queen, and questioned thoroughly. About the true nature of her magic. She told them everything she could do. Besides the illusions, she could speak as the voice inside someone’s head. Influence their thoughts. Make them do things at her whim. Could she simply coerce a person into their own death? Perhaps, though she would dare not try it.
What had set her off? Bingley, Bingley, Bingley. That line of questioning had made her angry all over again, though nothing so spectacular happened about it. The Doctor was in trouble of his own, for having picked up and fired a weapon into a crowd full of panicking civilians. Oddly enough, he told nothing but the truth, as if he was so proud of himself.
She spent one night in a holding cell, while the rest of the team rode the sub home.
The next day, she took the Zeta tube back home. Though she was convinced it wasn’t her home much longer. Zach, Viktor and Aleen’a were in the infirmary. She answered no questions, said not a word. She couldn’t look them in the eyes; her friends – no, former friends. She simply returned to her room and started to pack away her things.
She did not know her fate until the following morning. Only she and Red Tornado were called into the room, though she knew the others likely attempted to eavesdrop on the conversation.
It seemed, after much debate, that she was going to be allowed to stay. There were caveats, of course. She wasn’t going to be leading anyone anytime soon, for the time being. She was to wear a magical limiter at all times, a precautionary measure that was deemed to be best ‘for everyone’. According to Queen Mera, her staff had the same treatment put to it. And then there were the mandatory therapy sessions with Black Canary. Twice a week until otherwise ordered.
Through it all, Kass said barely a word, except to acquiesce at each new instruction. “Yes.” “Of course.” “At your command, my King.” There was a marked dullness to her. If they had ordered her jailed and powerless, it would have been the same. Whatever happened now, she deserved it.
As the days stretched on, she spent the majority of it in her room. She only left to eat, and even that was sparing. Every day, she passed by Ja who had seemed to take up point near her room. Every day, she said nothing. Not even Casper’s sudden return seemed to rouse her interest. She simply accepted it, without a word, and returned ot her room.
By the time the new mission was called, she could barely bring herself to join. But join she did, barely in time to see Daphne in her strange frozen state.
Her orange eyes held no light, and she did not speak. She simply waited in the briefing room, for the next command.
Kassy lay asleep, her mind locked in the same nightmare memory it had shown her every night since the Atlantis incident.
She watched Zach get shot by Bingley. Watched Ja desperately try to calm her down. Watched Viktor drop, screaming in pain that she caused him. Watched the other team members fall one by one. Something deep inside her just wanted all of the pain to stop. While the rest of her wanted to wrap their hands around that so - called doctor’s throat and squeeze until she really was the monster he thought she was.
But that part did not win. Not today. Her strength dissipated, the illusions dropped away. Her eyes returned to normal, only to stare on in horror at the state of things. She slumped to the ocean floor, desperate for the relief of unconsciousness. No relief came. She was hauled up and cuffed by the guards, and gave no resistance. She wasn’t sure of what else happened in the conference room once she was ‘escorted’ out.
But she was brought before the king and queen, and questioned thoroughly. About the true nature of her magic. She told them everything she could do. Besides the illusions, she could speak as the voice inside someone’s head. Influence their thoughts. Make them do things at her whim. Could she simply coerce a person into their own death? Perhaps, though she would dare not try it.
What had set her off? Bingley, Bingley, Bingley. That line of questioning had made her angry all over again, though nothing so spectacular happened about it. The Doctor was in trouble of his own, for having picked up and fired a weapon into a crowd full of panicking civilians. Oddly enough, he told nothing but the truth, as if he was so proud of himself.
She spent one night in a holding cell, while the rest of the team rode the sub home.
The next day, she took the Zeta tube back home. Though she was convinced it wasn’t her home much longer. Zach, Viktor and Aleen’a were in the infirmary. She answered no questions, said not a word. She couldn’t look them in the eyes; her friends – no, former friends. She simply returned to her room and started to pack away her things.
She did not know her fate until the following morning. Only she and Red Tornado were called into the room, though she knew the others likely attempted to eavesdrop on the conversation.
It seemed, after much debate, that she was going to be allowed to stay. There were caveats, of course. She wasn’t going to be leading anyone anytime soon, for the time being. She was to wear a magical limiter at all times, a precautionary measure that was deemed to be best ‘for everyone’. According to Queen Mera, her staff had the same treatment put to it. And then there were the mandatory therapy sessions with Black Canary. Twice a week until otherwise ordered.
Through it all, Kass said barely a word, except to acquiesce at each new instruction. “Yes.” “Of course.” “At your command, my King.” There was a marked dullness to her. If they had ordered her jailed and powerless, it would have been the same. Whatever happened now, she deserved it.
As the days stretched on, she spent the majority of it in her room. She only left to eat, and even that was sparing. Every day, she passed by Ja who had seemed to take up point near her room. Every day, she said nothing. Not even Casper’s sudden return seemed to rouse her interest. She simply accepted it, without a word, and returned ot her room.
By the time the new mission was called, she could barely bring herself to join. But join she did, barely in time to see Daphne in her strange frozen state.
Her orange eyes held no light, and she did not speak. She simply waited in the briefing room, for the next command.
Jinny, completely unaware that she had shut down her newly minted father’s brain for about 12 seconds, continued to talk with her lunch buddies.
She too, peered over at the very large student. “Mammoth. Interesting. I hope he doesn’t, like… accidentally sit on you or something.” Honestly, he looked like he could pick her up and throw her like a football if he had the inclination. Which was just the slightest bit scary to her, actually. Human sized foes? No problem. This guy? Maybe a problem.
Jinny peered at the dorm layout, then snagged one of the paper napkins and a pen from her bag. She sketched a very rough copy of the floor plan, marking where she figured things were going to go. “Kitchens, huh? I can’t cook much. I mean, I can start, but it’s the end product that’s always a problem.” How many times had she left a pot on the stove to go to something else ‘for 5 minutes’ and come back in 50 to a smoking mess? Slade had quickly banned her from the stove without direct supervision, lest she burn down the house.
“Maybe this place will have a secret midnight fridge full of snacks that I can eat whenever I want.” While she was full now, she still wanted to snag something for later. If she was going to be moving in, she might need some fuel.
“I don’t care where they put me, really. I’m more wondering who I’ll end up with. Hopefully someone who won’t go through my stuff or is super messy.” Jin was actually oddly organized, considering how her brain worked. Her own spaces, especially where she built her projects, were neat and clean at all times. Blueprints and instructions were in labeled binders. It helped to keep her mind from running off the rails.
Lunch was over sooner than Jinny wanted to. She would have gladly stayed and talked for hours. “Guess I’ve gotta move into my room now. But I’ll see you guys in class!” Heading off with a broad grin, she could have skipped back to the office. But she wouldn’t. Even if she really wanted to.
She entered the office and looked around,her mid-text still floating in the back of her mind. He had not acknowledged anything significant in her reply, and she was somewhat worried about it. Maybe he’d ignore the whole thing.
“Is the paperwork all done?”
She too, peered over at the very large student. “Mammoth. Interesting. I hope he doesn’t, like… accidentally sit on you or something.” Honestly, he looked like he could pick her up and throw her like a football if he had the inclination. Which was just the slightest bit scary to her, actually. Human sized foes? No problem. This guy? Maybe a problem.
Jinny peered at the dorm layout, then snagged one of the paper napkins and a pen from her bag. She sketched a very rough copy of the floor plan, marking where she figured things were going to go. “Kitchens, huh? I can’t cook much. I mean, I can start, but it’s the end product that’s always a problem.” How many times had she left a pot on the stove to go to something else ‘for 5 minutes’ and come back in 50 to a smoking mess? Slade had quickly banned her from the stove without direct supervision, lest she burn down the house.
“Maybe this place will have a secret midnight fridge full of snacks that I can eat whenever I want.” While she was full now, she still wanted to snag something for later. If she was going to be moving in, she might need some fuel.
“I don’t care where they put me, really. I’m more wondering who I’ll end up with. Hopefully someone who won’t go through my stuff or is super messy.” Jin was actually oddly organized, considering how her brain worked. Her own spaces, especially where she built her projects, were neat and clean at all times. Blueprints and instructions were in labeled binders. It helped to keep her mind from running off the rails.
Lunch was over sooner than Jinny wanted to. She would have gladly stayed and talked for hours. “Guess I’ve gotta move into my room now. But I’ll see you guys in class!” Heading off with a broad grin, she could have skipped back to the office. But she wouldn’t. Even if she really wanted to.
She entered the office and looked around,her mid-text still floating in the back of her mind. He had not acknowledged anything significant in her reply, and she was somewhat worried about it. Maybe he’d ignore the whole thing.
“Is the paperwork all done?”
“Well, I appreciate the apology.” Kijani said, very nearly flustered by Adam’s gaze. Only years of etiquette and poise training kept her confused feelings from her face. “As for Eskel and I… we have the potential to be friends. Great friends.” A smile slipped onto her face, but it was about as detached from reality as the royal ‘we’.
“Speaking of him, let me go tell him the plan. I’ll be back soon.” With that, she let herself detach. It ached. She just wanted to be in his presence longer. For the rest of the trip, at least. For the rest of time, maybe.
It didn’t take her long to find the cockpit. There, she quickly explained the barebones plan that she and Adam had concocted. She also tried to calm Eskel down, as she could sense the anger rolling off of him.
“You’re going to need to be calm by the time we arrive, Prince Eskel. Otherwise, this won’t work at all.”
“I know. And I will be, when the time comes.” He turned and flashed her a smile. His eyes showed no hint of it. “Also, it’s just Eskel now. We’re about to start a rebellion, after all. I think titles may be a bit unnecessary.”
Kijani chuckled softly. “Fair point, Eskel. Adam and I will both be in your corner, no matter what happens.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it. I will need you both.” He exhaled, and Kijani felt some of the anger leave him. That was a relief.
“Good. I am going to borrow your shower.”
“Very well.”
“And your clothes.”
“You... what?”
-
Kijani basked under the hot water in the ship’s grand quarters. The steam and soap were such a deep relief after months and months of swamp. She scrubbed from head to toe, washed her hair twice, and found a perfumed soap that didn’t smell too masculine.
Then she simply soaked. Admittedly, she had missed this the most. The fine clothes and food were one thing, sure, but nothing beat a steaming hot shower. While she was in there, she thought. About what was going to happen next. About what she needed to do. She managed to get out before the water started to get cold.
Wrapped in a thick towel, she perused Eskel’s closet for something that would suit. Most of the clothes were too large, but she managed to put something together with a cream colored shirt that, along with a thick belt, fit her like a dress.
Then she went back to where she had left Adam.
“Does this pass for what a future Queen would look like?”
“Speaking of him, let me go tell him the plan. I’ll be back soon.” With that, she let herself detach. It ached. She just wanted to be in his presence longer. For the rest of the trip, at least. For the rest of time, maybe.
It didn’t take her long to find the cockpit. There, she quickly explained the barebones plan that she and Adam had concocted. She also tried to calm Eskel down, as she could sense the anger rolling off of him.
“You’re going to need to be calm by the time we arrive, Prince Eskel. Otherwise, this won’t work at all.”
“I know. And I will be, when the time comes.” He turned and flashed her a smile. His eyes showed no hint of it. “Also, it’s just Eskel now. We’re about to start a rebellion, after all. I think titles may be a bit unnecessary.”
Kijani chuckled softly. “Fair point, Eskel. Adam and I will both be in your corner, no matter what happens.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it. I will need you both.” He exhaled, and Kijani felt some of the anger leave him. That was a relief.
“Good. I am going to borrow your shower.”
“Very well.”
“And your clothes.”
“You... what?”
-
Kijani basked under the hot water in the ship’s grand quarters. The steam and soap were such a deep relief after months and months of swamp. She scrubbed from head to toe, washed her hair twice, and found a perfumed soap that didn’t smell too masculine.
Then she simply soaked. Admittedly, she had missed this the most. The fine clothes and food were one thing, sure, but nothing beat a steaming hot shower. While she was in there, she thought. About what was going to happen next. About what she needed to do. She managed to get out before the water started to get cold.
Wrapped in a thick towel, she perused Eskel’s closet for something that would suit. Most of the clothes were too large, but she managed to put something together with a cream colored shirt that, along with a thick belt, fit her like a dress.
Then she went back to where she had left Adam.
“Does this pass for what a future Queen would look like?”
Jin was quiet as the group walked through the trenches. They had seen places like this before. Just… half empty buildings with even emptier people. Usually drugs were involved, but not always. Sometimes, people just gave up. Jin had worked their whole life trying to avoid that fate. Walking through this place was a means to an end, and they tried not to let the fear prickling at the back of their neck overwhelm them.
As they moved through slowly, Jin grabbed a dirty plank of wood and gave it an experimental swing as they walked through the bizarre house. Trying to parse the angles of the architecture made their head hurt. Other people had gained weapons from their Personas. From the sound of things, that… thing… that had chased them in the jail cell earlier was probably Jin’s ticket to this newfound power. However, they just hadn’t been strong enough. All they could do was run, run, run. Just like every other time that things went down. But it was so easy, wasn’t it? They had no friends, no family, no connections. It was simple to just bail and start anew somewhere else. That was why they had no intention of getting involved past getting these people’s names.
As those strange, not quite children turned into more Shadows, Jin readied their makeshift weapon. Sure, they didn’t want to be stuck in this situation. At the same time, they couldn’t just do nothing. Waiting on someone else to help was just suicidal. As the Persona users got into gear, they took a hard swing at one of the monsters. It didn’t seem to do more than distract it and piss it off. However, that would leave a very nice opening for whomever decided to attack it next.
As they moved through slowly, Jin grabbed a dirty plank of wood and gave it an experimental swing as they walked through the bizarre house. Trying to parse the angles of the architecture made their head hurt. Other people had gained weapons from their Personas. From the sound of things, that… thing… that had chased them in the jail cell earlier was probably Jin’s ticket to this newfound power. However, they just hadn’t been strong enough. All they could do was run, run, run. Just like every other time that things went down. But it was so easy, wasn’t it? They had no friends, no family, no connections. It was simple to just bail and start anew somewhere else. That was why they had no intention of getting involved past getting these people’s names.
As those strange, not quite children turned into more Shadows, Jin readied their makeshift weapon. Sure, they didn’t want to be stuck in this situation. At the same time, they couldn’t just do nothing. Waiting on someone else to help was just suicidal. As the Persona users got into gear, they took a hard swing at one of the monsters. It didn’t seem to do more than distract it and piss it off. However, that would leave a very nice opening for whomever decided to attack it next.
Pandemonium.
It was as if everything was happening in slow motion for Kassandra. Screaming, swimming, panic. She looked at it, what she’d caused, and still felt that raw, open wound inside her screaming for attention. Everyone always expected her to be a monster. So who was she to say differently?
Distantly, she saw a figure approaching. She turned, and Victor’s fist went past her face easily, bubbles flying. It was clear he couldn’t see or hear right.
Unfortunately for him, she could.
She grabbed his wrist, hard. Then she shoved him in the chest, and as she did, she let her out-of-control illusions wash over him. The distortion around her lessened. But not for Victor.
With a blank stare, she simply activated his sense of touch.
All of it.
It would be mild at first, but soon would become overwhelming. Crippling.
Pain.
If he wanted to treat her as a threat (and why wouldn’t he) then she would respond in kind.
That’s what monsters did, didn’t they?
Why had she even bothered to pretend to be a hero in the first place?
This was all she'd ever be seen as.
It was as if everything was happening in slow motion for Kassandra. Screaming, swimming, panic. She looked at it, what she’d caused, and still felt that raw, open wound inside her screaming for attention. Everyone always expected her to be a monster. So who was she to say differently?
Distantly, she saw a figure approaching. She turned, and Victor’s fist went past her face easily, bubbles flying. It was clear he couldn’t see or hear right.
Unfortunately for him, she could.
She grabbed his wrist, hard. Then she shoved him in the chest, and as she did, she let her out-of-control illusions wash over him. The distortion around her lessened. But not for Victor.
With a blank stare, she simply activated his sense of touch.
All of it.
It would be mild at first, but soon would become overwhelming. Crippling.
Pain.
If he wanted to treat her as a threat (and why wouldn’t he) then she would respond in kind.
That’s what monsters did, didn’t they?
Why had she even bothered to pretend to be a hero in the first place?
This was all she'd ever be seen as.
Devika's parents exchanged a very brief, unreadable look. "Well, alright then. We hit the heavy stuff first, and then work our way to the food and games!" Tim lead the way through the already decent sized crowds, heading toward the rollercoaster that had been visible since they had arrived.
The Rockin Roller was a massive display of woodwork. The paint looked a little worn, but the main attraction was very much safe and intact. Screams of terror and delight came whooshing around the corner as they joined the line. Luckily not many people had made it that far back. They were getting strapped in within about ten minutes. Tim and Devika tucked their glasses away lest they be lost to the wind. Then the coaster started up. It whooshed. It swerved. It rose and dove. It was pretty damn good for a small-town carnival ride.
Mara was staggering slightly by the time they got off. "I just... need a second. The inner ear... very delicate." She leaned on Tim's shoulder, face a little wan. "The things I do for love. Devika. Never marry a coaster enthusiast. I swear that thing gets faster every year."
"Pretty sure it doesn't, Mom." Devika said with a chuckle.
The Rockin Roller was a massive display of woodwork. The paint looked a little worn, but the main attraction was very much safe and intact. Screams of terror and delight came whooshing around the corner as they joined the line. Luckily not many people had made it that far back. They were getting strapped in within about ten minutes. Tim and Devika tucked their glasses away lest they be lost to the wind. Then the coaster started up. It whooshed. It swerved. It rose and dove. It was pretty damn good for a small-town carnival ride.
Mara was staggering slightly by the time they got off. "I just... need a second. The inner ear... very delicate." She leaned on Tim's shoulder, face a little wan. "The things I do for love. Devika. Never marry a coaster enthusiast. I swear that thing gets faster every year."
"Pretty sure it doesn't, Mom." Devika said with a chuckle.
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