Riven Wight

MONSTORY

Izzy’s back stiffened slightly when Holden mentioned her brothers. Though not a threat, he had apparently done his research on her. She nodded, sparing only a partial glance behind her to him.
Inside, she led him through the halls, glancing into the rooms as she passed, the action almost habitual. When Holden broke the relative silence of the abandoned school, she gave a frustrated sighed.
“No, I’m not sure,” she answered, looking into another room Riley tended to favor before moving on. “And I would have if I had a means of long-distance contact. But I don’t.”
Thankfully, the trip to the school proved it would not be a waste. When at last she found Riley, she stepped inside and took a short moment to take in the structure he had made out of the desks.
“Hey, Riley,” she responded to his greeting. “Get bored, or should I start calling you the King of Decaying Crayons?” She gestured toward the pile of desks around him, amusement on her face as Holden entered behind her.
She sighed and rolled her eyes good-naturedly at Riley’s statement about bringing Holden, and stood aside so the boy could get a clear view of Riley.
“Riley, this is—” Before she could introduce him, Holden went up to Riley and introduced himself. Or, you know, that works.
When Riley addressed her instead of Holden’s formalities, she glared at him. “Do, and I swear I’ll shave it off while you’re sleeping.” She slipped a thumb beneath her backpack’s strap, her glare fading. “Besides, it’s more like the supernatural has a thing for me. Holden has a bit of a weight problem. Thanks to a crab.” She glanced to him, unsure if he would care that she brought it up first. “I figured who better to go to for help with that than the all-knowing Mohe Riley?”

A Land of Wonder and Nightmare

Heh, thanks. I really just wanted to make sure I gave you enough wiggle room to your liking!

You remember correctly, as far as I can remember. Ha! Maybe a bit of both, in the end? xD Remember, there’s only one portal in Wonderland. They’re all in the same spot. Like a magical train station. That all sounds great to me! Glad you like that about the Knights!

Man, I meant to answer this sooner, but forgot I only thought it and didn’t actually post it… Yep! It’s open enough. I look forward to reading what you have planned for that!

Let me know when you do! :-)

Well enough, I suppose, thanks! I hope things are good in your corner of the world, as well! And, one more time for this reply, thank you!

Of Science and Magic

Fifteen-year-olds I personally can usually tolerate, but I feel for you with the ten-year-old! Do you have them with you often?

Yeah, of course that's okay! With the last bit there, do you mean your previous post? You don't have to change anything if you don't want to, I'd say, but you're welcome to if you feel so inclined. Just let me know if you do, and I'll go read the chances! I don't think there was really an opportunity to add that somewhere, though, was there? I'd have to go back and re-read it. It's been a while. Anyway, you could just add it in your next post instead of editing, but whatever you would prefer!

Mmm. Fall. ^.^ My favorite season, hands down.

MONSTORY

Holden’s hesitance made Izzy suspect that he did, in fact, have another knife on him. She returned his stare firmly, waiting. When he looked away, a mix of confusion and curiosity flashed over her face at his reaction. When he spoke, as quiet as the words were, she stood a bit straighter and uncrossing her arms, watching him carefully as he reached for whatever hidden weapon he had.
But she was far from prepared for the sheer number of them he began pulling from his various hiding places. Her mouth opened slightly, and her brows rose upward, impossibly rising further when he handed them over. She only just managed to keep from dropping them.
“Uh…” she responded to his question, glancing between her armful of weapons, and Holden. “Didn’t forget any, did you?” she asked sarcastically as she bent down to place them on the ground and shrug out of her backpack once more. She looked to him when his gaze shifted to her, but did not pause as she placed the arsenal safely in her pack.
Izzy shrugged at his statement about his wealth. “I don’t care about your money.” She zipped up her backpack. “And the only crime I plan on committing today is trespassing on government property. Which, I might add,” she stood and glanced toward the nearest ‘Keep Out’ sign, “you’re also doing.” She slung a single strap over a shoulder. “All I care about is getting you back to normal. I get this whole thing's probably a bit, well..." She glanced behind her to the decrepit school with a tight-lipped smile, trying to look at the situation from Holden's perspective. "Shady, to say the least. But I'm not going to kidnap or kill you or something. So c’mon, worry wort.” She jerked her head toward the school and started heading toward the doors. “Unless you want to pass up the opportunity to possibly get your weight back.”

MONSTORY

Izzy hissed at the sting of the knife slicing a thin line across her palm, instead of her grabbing him. She pulled back instinctively, and took a step away as Holden realized what had happened.
Mission accomplished, she held out her uninjured hand toward Holden to interrupt him, the injured one held with the wound toward him for him to see as the sting of the wound faded as quickly as it had come. “Shut up and watch!”
She observed his expression intently as the small wound healed in the fashion she had grown used to seeing. Her gaze shifted only when he dropped his knife, her eyes following it before quickly looking back to Holden.
She offered a small, almost smug smile. “Told you I know what it's like.”
Izzy’s eyes widened for a second in surprise and she staggered back a step when he unexpectedly fell to the floor.
Once he managed to get most of his unfinished question out, she shrugged her backpack from her shoulders and sat on the floor in front of him, placing the bag beside her.
“Did you hear the rumor that circulated just before summer break about a vampire lurking about?” She crossed her legs beneath her, and did not wait for him to answer before continuing. “Well, it wasn’t a rumor.” She paused, thinking for a short moment on how much she wanted to tell him, and how she should say it. “And I ended up smack-dab in the middle of a mess it created. Someone helped me out of it,” Multiple someones, really, she added silently, “but it still left a couple side effects behind.” She flexed her hand, rubbing her fingers over the healed flesh of her palm. “It’s that someone I think could help you. If you’ll just trust me for a couple hours or so.”

Though with no small amount of persuasion, Izzy was glad when she managed to talk Holden into coming with her to see Riley. Even though it meant he would have to ride on the back of her bike. At least he did not weigh much, so it took little extra effort to get them both to the abandoned school. At first, she worried he might not be capable of staying on, but his unrelenting complaining soon made her have to use every ounce of her willpower to keep from pushing him off the bike.
When they finally neared the abandoned school, she did not think she had ever been more relieved to see it. Its presence even put a pause in Holden’s complaints.
She sniggered at the idea of ‘cute’ describing Riley. “I wouldn’t say cute, but he seems to think so," she began lightheartedly. “Kitschy sounds about right, though.”
She brought the bike to a halt near the chained front doors of the school and waited for Holden to hop off before dismounting. She kicked out the kickstand of the bike and leaned it against it before turning to Holden, blocking his direct path to the school. She looked him over contemplatively.
“Do me a favor and turn out your pockets.” She crossed her arms. “The last thing I need is you threatening Riley with another pocket knife or something. I doubt that’d end well for any of us.”

Of Science and Magic

Pfft, please. Far from it. I disappeared on you just as much as you vanished on me! I totally get it. Sounds like we have both had an insanity-inducing summer. Take your time. I understand having to take a while to recover, especially after spending a while with hyper people! Even worse if they are grade school hyper people, depending on your cousins' age. xD

MONSTORY

Izzy let the collar of her jacket fall back into place. She glanced between Holden's face and the knife once more, chewing on the inside of her cheek. She looked to the shelves lining a wall at his need for proof, searching it for the span of a quick glance, but everything rested in labeled tubs, preventing her from quickly grabbing anything she could use to utilize her quick healing to prove she, too, had a supernatural connection. Trying would risk him stopping her, or running out. Instead, her gaze settled back on his knife.
If he wanted hard proof, then he would get it. Either by her hand, or his.
Doubting he would give her the knife freely, even if she asked nicely, she sighed, then took a deep breath as she looked him in the eye. “Then how about you give me the stupid knife before you hurt yourself with it?” She closed the space between them in a quick leap, watching Holden and the blade carefully as she reached for his wrist to try wrenching the small weapon from him, without potentially hurting him in the process.

Of Science and Magic

Oy vey. The last month got crazy for me. Like, "pull your hair out while screaming at the ceiling" crazy, at some points, there. xD

So, hello! I hope you've had a better, less insane month than I have!

A Land of Wonder and Nightmare

*Gasp!* Is that… actually a post? From me? By Merlin, better brace yourself for the apocalypse! It's a bit on the long side this time around. Let me know if I need to edit anything.

Some quick information for you with Miles: The shadowmire were not known to Wonderland—or any of the worlds, really—until the Red Sorceress came along, so depending on how he heard of the Red Sorceress, there's a chance he won't know what they are. I'm having a moment and can't remember if you said whether or not he was in Wonderland when she started to rise to power. As a second bit of info so Elayra’s warning makes sense... White (and Black) Knights were born of magic and magic alone with the main purpose of being defenders, which was common knowledge. Created in Heart Palace, they were greatly respected in Wonderland, but were ruthless fighters against wrongdoers, and served the White Queen as palace guards, as well as took the place of police officers in the royal city. The only sure way of killing a Knight was to use magic or some kind of enchanted weapon. I can’t remember if I’ve given any info on the Knights, so if I have and any of that contradicts what I’ve already said, let me know. I tend to tweak things as I go. I’ll get around to that “Other Info” section sooner or later...

Woo! Watched the half of Voltron they actually put up, as planned. Darn them for separating it!

At the time you asked that, yes. Yes I was. Thanks! Phew, I hope you’ve had a good couple weeks… Yeash. Life hates me.

Muhahaha. No theater like the home theater!

Thanks for asking about the alias. Got that changed! I do love me my online aliases.

A Land of Wonder and Nightmare

Relieved that Ghent seemed to have come at least somewhat to his senses—and miraculously managed to keep his balance—she hurried after him. A quick glance over her shoulder at the sedan, which had paused at the alley’s opening, cured her of that small bit of relief, and she pushed herself onward, glad for Ghent’s fear-induced speed. A ghost of recognition flashed in her mind, and she tried to remember where, if at all, she had seen the car.
She let out a breathless growl when she remembered; the car Ghent had delivered the cat to at the park. Though it had been dark, she was sure it was that car that had likely seen them run into the alleyway.
Her heart increased a beat, the uncertainty of if this car’s driver also possessed a weapon other than the cat making her constantly look back, even once it was out of sight. When they finally emerged from the alley, she scanned the streets as they groggily came to life. Watching for any sign the sedan had predicted where they would end up, she followed Ghent closely.
The clouds made it difficult, at best, to gauge the time, even when Elayra dared glance upward into the heart of the downpour. More cars made their way down the streets, each rush of them passing by making her grind her teeth. Her hand remained stretched across her to rest at her left hip, her fingers longing for the comforting feel of the worn leather of her saber’s hilt. She jogged a couple steps behind Ghent, avoiding the puddles he carelessly splashed in, habitually minimizing the noise she made while avoiding getting her feet any wetter. Though as soaked as Ghent, her boots fared better against the rain than her garments; at least, her feet were not squelching inside her shoes with every step.
“About time!” she snapped when Ghent declared their approach. Though it had only been a few blocks, it felt more like it had stretched on for a couple miles.
When a hand reached out from behind the dumpster, Elayra snarled. Before she could register the voice accompanying it, she easily ducked beneath the arm extended to stop her and simultaneously drew the dagger from her boot. She spun around, dagger at the ready, and took a step to leap toward whoever had dared stop them. When her gaze found only the haggard, drenched form of Miles, she quickly caught herself, the dagger falling inches from the hand that had gripped Ghent’s pack.
Her face twisted in an annoyed frown, and she straightened. As Ghent bent in exhaustion, her gaze swept over Miles, searching for any sign of where he kept the gun. Though not as worn out as Ghent, her breaths came heavier than normal. Her legs ached in protest against running after the excessive amount of it she did the previous day, but she ignored the soreness as well as she could. Her head turned slightly toward Ghent when he voiced his question.
Her gaze flicked to the pocket Miles tapped, and the corner of her lips twitched upward in contentment that flashed in her eyes before her brows raised at Miles’ reasoning for choosing the boutique. Ghent’s reaction made her tilt her head in a mix of confusion and curiosity as she watched him pace between her and Miles. Though she had no idea what getting a ticket meant in this world to warrant it, revenge she understood.
“Alright, girl… your turn to lead.”
Elayra nodded, but stopped, hesitant to look away from him in case he decided to draw his weapon the moment he knew where to find the portal.
“Fine.” She cocked her head, her gaze hardening dangerously. “But I should warn you. One of the White Knights of Heart Palace is waiting on the other side of the portal. If you show up without us,” she nodded toward Ghent, “he won’t be very happy. And I trust I don’t have to tell you that an unhappy White Knight isn’t someone you want to encounter. Especially an unstable one.”
She turned from him, her eyes the last thing to leave him, then headed toward the main road, hoping the threat of facing one of the Knights would keep Miles in line.
“Keep an eye on him,” she whispered to Ghent, pausing by him long enough to return the sinuous dagger to her boot. “And stay close to me.”
Without looking to make sure the two followed, she poked her head out into the familiar street. She glanced around once, quickly taking in the few people opening shop, then stepped onto the sidewalk, keeping her pace as casual as she could. Her gaze locked onto the large sign above the door of a building an alley opening away, reading, “Frank’s Book Barn.” Emboldened by the prospective of home being so close, she quickened her pace.
Careful to not let her guard down with their destination so near, she glanced down the alleyway where the shadowmire had attacked. Yellow police tape blocked off most of the alley, and one of the storage room doors hung ajar, its top hinge busted.
She shuddered at the thought of the Red Queen’s minions. With a silent plea for it to be no one else but Drust they would find waiting for them on the other side of the portal, she took a deep breath and hurried past. On the opposite side of the building, she turned down the alleyway, her pace slowing.
To the untrained eye, the alley ended in nothing more than a dead end. Graffiti covered the brick wall, creating words and tags in a chaotic artistry, many signatures and artworks overlapping as if at war with each other. To a normal passerby, the shimmery crack snaking its way over the bricks was nothing more than an ordinary crack. But to Elayra, that crack was their way home.
A couple steps into the alleyway, the pulsating feel of the portal’s magic swelled around her, unmissable even by the most novice mage. But there was something off about it. An air of struggle mingled in it, making the pulse feel more like a dying heartbeat. Her steps faltered, and her breath caught in her throat.
The magic of the portal was fading.
Elayra glanced behind her to Ghent, sparing Miles only half a glance, panic in her eyes.
“Hurry!” She reached behind her to grip Ghent’s wrist to make sure he did not fall behind, then sprinted toward the hidden portal, puddles splashing carelessly beneath her feet.
As if sensing their approach, the crack spread down the wall and yawned open before them, creating a swirling vortex of blue and white. Unlike its opening on the Wonderland side, here, flashes of sickly red lightning burst deep in its center, a virus trapped at the portal's heart.
When they neared the half-way point, a movement to their right caught Elayra’s eye. An inexplicable shadow flitted across the bricks beside them, darting ahead faster than the trio could run.
“Oh, come on!” Elayra groaned as the shadow pooled just ahead and slightly above them. She moved to shove Ghent ahead of her as hard as she could as the shadow darkened. “Get to the portal! Now!”