[System]
Age:
Seventeen

Gender:
Female

Race:
Human

Weapon:
Shotgun/Polearm
Sapphire is skilled in using two sawed off shotguns each about two and a half feet in length. From there the second form is as a sickle, it's like a scythe but more hand held. From the shot guns a bladed folds out on the side of the gun's muzzle. Part of the gun retracts so it can be easily wielded with one hand as melee weapon. In this form it is still capable of firing. For the third form the buts of the guns interlock and two pols extend from both of them creating a grip. The triggers from the shotguns realign themselves so both are easily accessible from the staff's grip. In this form Sapphire's weapon is about six feet long. The blades in this form have three positions, there standard position for cutting from unusual angles, straight out for stabbing and inverted so the blade is parallel to the shaft for side slashes. In all three forms the shotguns are still operable. However Sapphire prefers wielding her Anelaces, Morpheus and Phobetor.

Nightmare Blades
Sapphire's two daggers, Morpheus and Phobator, there names meaning Sleep and Nightmare respectively. Each disassembles itself into a two inch by two inch black metal boxes that clipped into leather bands that Sapphire is always wearing. The daggers are impact activated meaning they will transforming out of storage mode when any amount of serious impact force is applied to them. The assembled form will pop out with just enough force to get the handles into Sapphire's hands. Her favored method of drawing them is clapping her wrists together and having them shoot up into her hands.

Morpheus and Phobetor are specially designed. Apart from there special method of deployment both knives have a dust powered rocket mechanism in the pommel allowing Sapphire to increase the speed of her strikes or alter her momentum. There is also a dust cartridge slot right bellow the cross guard that will have a variety of effects based on the type of dust used. Fire cartridges will super heat the blades making it easier to pierce or sometime outright melt armor. Electricity rounds will electrify the blade making contact deadly. The blades on both knives retract, in this form Sapphire can clip the hilts onto her combat boots. In this manner she can use the rockets as a propulsion system.

Semblance:
Selective Sight
Sapphire has the ability to vanish into the background. It is not invisibility exactly; a better way to describe it would be that she is able to slip from the notice of others. Not invisible just unnoticed. It is most effective in darker settings and will not work if someone is expecting to see her. For instance if she is having a conversation with someone she can't simply disappear but if she is being chased and she gets out of eyesight of her pursuers she could slip from their perception leaving them rather confused. It is not always a conscious effort on her part and sometimes may simply happen when she is nervous or stressed out. The illusion only works as long as she stays inconspicuous. So if she starts to speak or does something that draws attention the illusion would be shattered. Because of this, it often gives people the impression that she appears from nowhere when she joins in a conversation. With concentration and effort Sapphire is able to use a burst of aura to apply this ability to others close by. When this ability is in use Sapphire's perception of the world becomes slightly unfocused as if she is viewing the world through a lens. It is not so bad that she can't run but important details may slip past her notice.

Personality:
Sapphire is the daughter of a famous hunter named Janus Rode who has trained her since she was very young. People often question her about her family but it is not something she likes to talk about much. She had an older brother who ran away from home some ten years previously. Her mother died in childbirth. She also has two sisters, one older, one younger but neither of them received the training necessary to enter Beacon. Sapphire is very closed off, she doesn't talk about herself and if asked will deflect the questions without giving any real answers. Sapphire often feels very isolated and alone but she is scared to relate to people, to make friends, to let someone into her heart. She is scared that if she does they may not like what they see. This fear she covers with snide remarks and sarcastic comments giving the impression that she doesn't care what people think about her. Despite her cold demeanor she does truly want to help people, she's loyal to those who are loyal to her and she is compassionate though she doesn't often let people see it.

Color:
Somber Midnight Blue

Emblem:

Appearance:
Has electric blue hair which is not quite apparent in the photo. She's average height at about 5'10". She is built light and agile and is very flexible which is a boon to her fighting style. She has a number of long white scars running over her hands which she uses white silk gloves to cover. She has similar though less noticeable scars on her back.

Theme:

[User]
Sangue Naga - BASL Dorm

The day went on as the time for excitement faded temporarily.

Sangue sat still on her bed, reading through a letter she received not too long ago. The Grimm Studies class eventually ended well enough for her to leave without injuries. Although she did help someone out, she came to a realization that she needed to think a bit more wisely before jumping straight into a risky situation. Perhaps listening to her comrades would get her on a very smooth road to improvement.

"..."

The red-haired woman carefully put the letter away as she lay on her bed, her eyes slightly shut. She ended up wearing a new sarashi because the one she had used earlier became very worn-out.

[Assistant]
Benjamin Lloyd (BASL Dorm)

Sangue read her letter, Lauren flipped her coin, and Amy was fighting her way through the daze of painkillers. The fourth bed in the room, unlike any of the others, was covered with a chaotic mass of blankets. The mass hadn't been there that morning. It had somehow grown up over the course of the day, coming into existence almost completely unnoticed when no one else had been in the room. A bottle of acetaminophen and a half-empty glass of water stood on the nightstand next to it, but otherwise, the region was completely still. BASL's captain had not been seen for an hour or two, either, but any connection that might have had to the aberrant blanket growth was unexplored.

Until, of course, after Lauren's most recent coin flip effort the mass shifted. The entire mound seemed to scoot across the mattress towards the nightstand, slowly and painstakingly. A single appendage slipped its way out of the mound, reached into the nightstand drawer, and rummaged around. As soon as it had laid hand on what it wanted, apparently a small energy drink, it retreated back into the mound. All was, once again, still.

Until a few minutes later when Benjamin Lloyd finally poked his head out from the cocoon and blinked slowly, surveying the room. Another blink, and the captain idly brushed a few stray groups of hair back into place. Another, and he set the empty can on his nightstand. He stared at each teammate in turn, then sat up, slowly casting off the remnants of his lair.

"S'been a long day." The team captain yawned and stretched. "Whatever we do, and wherever we go, we should make sure there's food. Skipped dinner. Pharmacy might not be bad. Think Amy and I used half the painkillers in the room."

"Anyone got any big ideas for the night?"

[User]
Luke Schwarz -- VGNB Dorms

"So am I free to go, or--" he cautiously began, before cutting off as the door opened behind him. This place was certainly getting crowded...

Tilting his head back to look at the stranger, both eyes now uncovered by hair, he examined the arrival. It was yet another girl walking into the room, with brown hair, piercing green eyes, glasses (altogether gave off a pretty cute bookish vibe), and...

Er, well...

He squinted, hoping it to just be the odd angle his head was at messing with his perception, or something similar. No additional effect. Half-turning in the seat and righting his head once more, he found that the transition from position-to-position was ultimately unhelpful in making sense of what exactly he saw.

Green.

She's wearing... something green.

All that aside, though, he still raised a hand in polite greeting, and favoring the woman with a small, friendly smile.

Interrogate me

"Uh, Hi there. I'm Luke, from JCML. Miss Mindaro's got me over to ask me a few questions. I take it you're the only member of Vignobility I haven't met yet?"

Or was she also the subject of study, this time in regards to fashion statements as opposed to hairstyle? Instead of saying this or even allowing it to show upon his features, though, he kept quiet and respectful for the time being. No matter how weird things may have been upon first glance, he didn't even have a fraction of the story behind it.

She could have lost a bet, or something, after all.

That experiment theory couldn't be right, anyways, based solely upon the new arrival's demeanor. She wouldn't be acting quite so casual if that were the case. Right? He wasn't the only one who would be perturbed by the thought of the arctic young woman of VGNB conducting experiments in regards to things such as clothes or hair.

He couldn't be.

[Assistant]
Gren Orchid

Another new arrival in the form of Ebon showed up at the gathering. Was he here for the party or other reasons? Gren wasn't certain. When asked for what was going on Gren gave him the short. "Shiro and some others are going to dive into the lake to find some daggers. Want to help?" Gren wasn't certain if Ebon was the type to care about such things. He seemed to be fairly aloof, almost like Sapphire. He just imagined a funny situation were the two were introduced, simply stating their name, glaring at one another, and then leaving. They'd later be found hanging out in aggressive silence.

His fantasies aside Gren was debating to himself if he should help as well. Without his rebreather Gren had to admit he wouldn't be able to swim for long, and there was also the matter of the fact that he swims with the grace and speed of a scuttled ship. The best he could do really was perhaps help Shiro back up the cliff if he found the daggers, but who knows how long that would take. Gren still needed to host this party. Turning to Ebon Gren clapped his hands together and bowed his head towards the other hunter. "I'd hate to have to ask you this, but could you please help my friends out? I'm afraid that I can't swim, but I want to make sure they're okay! I'll understand if you don't want to take the risk yourselves, but I'll accept your help in whatever form you can provide it." Though not quite begging yet, Gren felt like the only way he could compensate Shiro for not actively helping himself is sending as many people as he can.

[User] "You moron." Scornfully Ebon walked away with his scroll out. A few seconds later a rocket locker came crashing in and Ebon nonchalantly strapped the Kingdom to his arm. "You idiots and your stupid pride. I don't even need to read your minds to know that your egos are the only problems here." The Kingdom opened up and one Midnight Eye and one Claw R-Type flew out. Together they went over the cliff and down into the water. Ebon just stood on the edge focusing his concentration on his two little ships. If he was closer he could send out even more, but if he had to search the entire lake then two was all he could manage. The Midnight Eye would help him spot the daggers or other dangers while it was the Claw's job to actually get the daggers if he finds them. Ebon quickly noted the other swimmers but ignored them. He wasn't close enough to use his telepathy on them as he was having a hard enough time trying to maintain the link between his R-types. "Aren't you suppose to be at a party? Or is everyone a no show?"

[Assistant]
Sapphire Rode - Dorms ===> Airdocks
Sapphire gave a knowing smile to Abel. "Yeah... my power..." She rather liked the effect it had on other people. She normally didn't explain the intricacies of it's workings to anyone but the knowledge that she could be anywhere and they might not be able to notice her usually unnerved most people. It wasn't exactly the ability to shoot lighting out of the sky but for a girl like Sapphire who preferred keeping to the shadows it was the perfect disguise. It was also rather interesting to see the pretenses that people dropped within themselves when they thought they were alone. Sometimes that was the only time you got a glimpse of the real person.

Though what Abel said about Shiro struck a cord with Sapphire. There was one thing that Sapphire could think of that Shiro had lost over the edges of the Beacon cliffs that he could possibly be going through the effort to retrieve. However after her outburst on the airship and her generally rough treatment of him Sapphire didn't see how Shiro could care about her mother's prized work. Besides, the chances of retrieving them in a lake that size which was also no doubt infested with Grimm was ludicrously small.

Discounting the possibility that Shiro would be that foolish Sapphire decided that it was time to go. Gren had voiced intentions to throw some sort of night on the town for his friends and anyone else that wished to join. While he hadn't exactly specifically referred to her Sapphire thought she could assume that she was invited. Otherwise she'd simply return to Beacon. Besides a night out on the town might be fun. There was usually something to beat up in the dark nights of Vale.

Deciding to done something more casual Sapphire dressed in ripped black jeans with a studded belt, a black tank top that hugged her figure, and black converse hightops. She tied the scabbards of the school daggers onto her forearms and hitched the holsters for her disassembled polearm to her lower back as always not really caring that Abel was in the same room. She went into the bathroom and applied a bit of eyeliner. Just enough to give her that "don't mess with me look" before she left the dorms.

Sapphire didn't know exactly where Gren would be but since the party was to take place in Vale she could assume that he would appear at the airdocks sooner or later. She wasn't disappointed either. Gren was waiting a little off the airdocks along with someone who Sapphire thought was named Ebon. She'd never been formally introduced.

Sapphire strode up to Gren. "How many people did you expect to show up to this?" she asked wondering how long they might be waiting.


[System]
Age: 19

Gender: Female

Appearance: Onyx has black hair and green cat eyes. The skin of her entire body is covered in short, soft cheetah-patterned fur, except her wings and face. She is missing her left ear and has a scar on her left cheek from a fight she was in a while back. Her wings are like the wings of a brown hawk, and her wingspan is twice her arm span. She usually wears a shawl so that her wings are hidden unless she is flying.

Equipment: 3 or 4 small knives (and other tools), a pair of restored Twin Pistols, and a basic med-pack.

Physical Abilities: Flight, 6th sence(hunting/tracking), Speed & Agility, Stealth.

Background: Onyx's species, the Elissics, live in the mountains and old cities found there. They could be categorized as a frightening predator and enemy to all creatures, as they have barely any ability to distinguish one race of creature from another from the air, and there's barely any escape once they swoop down on their prey. They are not a particularly smart race, they can't understand old human language and can just barely manage to put back together the few relics they find from humans. They can only make crude weaponry, and are fairly simple with the other things they make as well. Their society is broken up into many nomadic tribes across the region, each having their own unique color of wings, and they have no unified head of power, so they will often fight with each other when the different tribes meet.

Onyx herself is a bit different from the others in her tribe… she likes to be alone, rather than hunting in a group, and will keep trying towards her goal until she figures out how to get there. Instead of trying to fly over the tallest mountain and tiring herself out, possibly even getting sick, she'll look for the shortest path around. She's better with strategy and quick moves than drawn-out fights and trying to compensate for a group. Because of this, she is sort of left out of everything, and she doesn't care because she doesn't want to have to feel like she can't say what's on her mind. She is often given solo missions that really don't make much difference around the tribe, and whenever she's not on a mission will fly in random patterns around the mountains, usually ending up at a large lake (or small sea) where she likes to fish using an old net she had found nearby the first time she had gone there. Onyx, just like the rest of the Elissics, doesn't worry much about the state of the world or how it got that way. They all live completely in the moment.

[User]
Onyx grabbed her med-kit on the way out of her den. Well, den may not be the right word for it. The place she had been living for the past few years was one of the massive ruins in her tribe's mountain camp. The cavernous inside was always lit with either sunshine or moonlight that filtered itself through the large, square holes in the walls, and the mostly-missing roof. All the relics that her tribe ever found seemed to always be gray, an unnatural gray that -Onyx believed- meant something IMPORTANT about why the race that created the relics died out.

As she left the camp, she went to get her day's 'missions' from her father, the self proclaimed leader of the tribe after the previous one died. The 'missions' she got were more like 'chores'. Things one would assign a child to do. She grumbled to herself as she completed the simple tasks before the sun had even reached past the second mountain-peak in the sky. Finally done with her 'chores', Onyx takes off for the lake/sea for some relaxation, thinking and fishing.

She was just getting to the lake when a strange difference in the sand near the waterline caught her eye. It could have been driftwood, had there been any type of tree in the area, and had she not clearly seen it fall to the ground after what seemed like a failed attempt to drink the dark water. Landed lightly on the sand not even a meter from the creature. It had scales the color of the sand, and was wearing a simple-looking cloak. she was about tot try and wake it up when she noticed the relic that had fallen to the creature's side when it had collapsed. It was one of the larger versions of the two she used, one that could fire really fast. Carefully, she searched around the creature ad took anything that it could have used to hurt her with away, hiding it all behind a nearby rock. She purposely put one of her sharp tools on the ground near the creature, so it could feel some form of safety and power when it woke. It would, probably, try to use it against her.

Then, she pulled out her small water-skin, and gently turned the creature onto its back, propping its head up on her knee, and poured a small amount of water into its mouth. Its eyes opened almost immediately, and she quickly backed away, being careful not to spill the water from the pouch. She watched as the creature sat up and stared at her, seeming to start panicking as it could not find its weapons, until its eyes locked on the small knife she had left in the sand. She slowly went over to where the knife was, and put the pouch of water down right beside it, sitting down on the sand behind the two objects. Could this thing even understand me if i spoke to it? Might as well try. Onyx thought to herself as the creature eyed her warily, and she noticed, desperately.

"Now, you choose. The weapon, or life."

[Assistant]
It took a few moments for Tarentek to come to his senses after he experienced the familiar taste of water flowing past his tongue. At first, he thought it was another trick of his mind, something to give him another shard of hope before fate stabbed it through his heart. However, as he opened his eyes and looked around, he started to realize that it was no trick.

Tarentek's gaze darted around himself, more out of confusion than anything. He looked at everything around him, not really taking in much of anything at first. There was a person who he believed to be female, if his knowledge of non-reptilian races was accurate. She was covered in short, spotted fur, and was staring him down. She said something, and though he understood the words, he was not paying close enough attention to register what she actually said. Instead, his attention was wholly on the pouch beside him. It looked like a waterskin, and after he quickly snatched it up, he found that was indeed the case.

Without hesitation, Tarentek drank down the contents of the waterskin's contents, giving him his much-needed hydration. Slowly, he felt a sense of normality come to back to him, after which he was able to think more rationally.

"You gave me water? Thank you. By Koisk, Jhala, and Vikrii, thank you. It's been days…maybe weeks. The attack…" Tarentek began, his expression quickly becoming more serious as he thought back to the reason he was in this situation to begin with. "I need to get to a city, or a town, or a village; it doesn't matter where. I just need to get somewhere."

[User]
Needless to say, Onyx was surprised when the creature spoke. The water seemed to have energized it, and it was now babbling about an attack and needing to get to a city. She slowly picked up her knife and returned it to its sheath, taking the now-empty water-skin back from the creature. She gathered up the creatures things from behind the rock and placed them next to it as it sat, watching her. It looked thankful, and scared, and some mixture of emotions that she couldn't decipher.

A city... the nearest city was her own, but she couldn't bring it there. Her people would kill it on sight, not to mention that he could probably do much worse to her tribe with that relic of his. The next closest nest was across the desert, and even with her wings on her own it would take three days to get there from here...

She decided to cut off her involvement with it right then. "Not my problem." She said, trying to emulate the power of her father's voice when he gives a command. "I saved you, i owe you nothing." As she said that she stepped up onto the rock, about to take flight, when she decided to wait and see how the creature would respond. She pretended to be watching for something on the horizon while she waited.

[Assistant]
Though Tarentek was still fatigued, the water had been reinvigorating enough that he was slowly able to drag himself back to his feet. He felt shaky, but at least he stood a chance of improving. He had not even noticed that the woman had taken his weapons until she returned them to him. There was a moment of surprise, but he could not say he blamed her. He would have done the same to a stranger, even one he intended to help.

Now that he was actually in good enough condition to listen to what the woman was saying, he found he could indeed understand her, though he had to focus on paying attention. Their language was the same, but there were definite differences in their dialects. Her accent and the way she pronounced some words was entirely different from the inhabitants of Amman, or even most of the traders passing through it. Nevertheless, his expression became much more serious once she started to act dismissive towards him. She was certainly a curious individual; at one moment, she was saving his life, and at the next, she was abandoning him entirely.

Tarentek did his best to make his voice sound strong, despite his weakness. "You misunderstand. It's not because you owe me, it is because I owe you. What I have seen...I guarantee it will become your problem when they raze your city or village to the ground. They are ruthless, uncompromising, and above all, powerful. I am from Amman, one of the largest and most well-defended cities known to us. We have learned the workings of many of the mechanisms left behind by the people who made the ruins that cover this world: the Humans. Our soldiers had working firearms, like my rifle, our city was fortified with the unnaturally strong metals they left behind, but it did not matter. We fought, but they were destined to conquer, and they will not stop with us. They are spreading west like a plague, and they will conquer all in their way. No one, not Amman, not you, not any city I know of, will stop them alone. That is the word I need to spread."

[User] The creature didn't take long to reply, its voice was hard to listen to though. It had a slight hissing quality to it, and Onyx couldn't understand some of the words the creature used. Although, what she did understand sounded a lot like a threat, causing Onyx to explode. She started crouching into a defensive stance as she spoke, her voice thick with anger. "I do not care for your histories or beliefs. You say that your nest has fallen, I'll have you know the Elissics will never fall. No creature can match our speed, or our strength. This group you speak of will not even be able to reach us."

[Assistant]
Tarentek started shaking his head lightly. He did not know if her stubbornness was usual for her race, or if she was something unique, but she was dead wrong. He just hoped he could get her to see. "You speak without knowledge; you have not seen what I have seen. This army is legion in number, by all accounts. I heard the rumors from the east before it happened, but I did not believe it either. Not until it was too late. Our walls were too strong, we were too well armed; those were the lies we told ourselves. I do not know where this force comes from, or who leads it, but their army has mastered the humans' machines in ways we never thought possible. Like us, they use the humans' weapons, but...they have more than that. They have armor like strange, thick clothing that can stop a bullet from our weapons, something the best metal armor we have cannot do. More frighteningly is the other machines they've mastered. You know the long stretches of roads in and between the Human cities? You know the old metal machines you can often find decaying on the roads? My people have tried to learn about them, but they are magnitudes more complicated than the weapons you and I carry. Somehow, they have learned to repair them. They can move around at speeds far faster than you can fly. They put metal on them for armor, and put large firearms on them that can shoot through anything and everything. That is just the beginning of what I saw them do, and who knows what they can do beyond that? Believe me when I say that to face them unprepared is suicide. Your flight will not save you, unless you are running away."

Tarentek did his best to reach into his memory to convey the gravity of the situation. This enemy was capable almost beyond belief and had mastered technology he thought would be forever lost. It was impressive and frightening in equal measure. He knew little of the woman's race, the Elissics. He had heard the name once or twice in passing, mostly from traders from the west, but all he had heard about them were that they were reclusive. From his impression of this woman, that description was accurate.


[System]
Age: 14

Appearance:

Power:"In fearful day, in raging night,
With strong hearts full, our souls ignite,
When all seems lost in the War of Light,
Look to the stars-- For hope burns bright!"

Hope Materialization - Mikhail can sense and transform Hope, either his hope or that of others', into energy, which in turn can be made into constructs, force-fields, anti-gravity, and heal people. Basically, a Blue Lantern Ring* without the need for a Green Lantern one.

However, this power has a big drawback. Mikhail's powers are dependent on how much hope is in the area, and his own ability to be hopeful is failing. That means that he has to depend on other people to have hope, which does not always work. Thus, psychological warfare, as well as taking out any companions or bodyguards he has, is an effective tactic against him.

*greenlantern.wikia.com/wiki/Blue_Lante..

Personality: Mikhail tries to be hopeful, he really does. But getting kindapped, deliberately traumatized until he had powers, then being sold to various private interests as a living weapon, and after that, escaping, sometimes it wears down on a person, and sometimes, it's just too much. And there is the fact that he is literally a freak, someone thrown out of the continuum that is Humanity. At the same time, the kid still has an iron-clad conviction that peace is still possible, that the bonds of sapience, aka the fact that both Human and Powered can feel love, hope, trust, and plan for the future, can still overcome even the glaring differences that now exist. Yes, it's insane, yes, it goes against cold logic. But he will still believe it, because he will not forsake a thinking being, regardless of whether they have powers or not.

"My beliefs are the last reminder I have of my parents. Everything else from them but memory has been taken away from me."

Bio: Mikhail was the son of second-generation Russian Immigrants, fans of JRR Tolkien, whose own parents had fled to America to evade debts from the Russian Mafiya (yes, that's the spelling). Thus, Mikhail was raised by both his parents and members of the local Tolkien Society, and had a childhood immersed in works of High Fantasy, as well as normal schooling, which he excelled in.

Then, one day, the Mafiya's enforcers found the little home the family were staying in, and killed Mikhail's family; just because they were a generation removed from the original debtors didn't mean that they were shielded from the wrath of Organized Crime, and Mikhail himself was taken as 'collateral' for the remaining debt, and sold to DemeterBioTech, a Corporation that was secretly experimenting on people to induce powers in them.

Knowing that trauma can induce powers, the Corporation in their secret laboratories slowly began torturing Mikhail, upping the ante every half-day. Mikhail felt miserable, hurt, but at the same time, hopeful that he would be rescued, that some hero or heroine would come to save him. And, just when the torturers were about to cap the torment by subjecting him to the 'ultimate defilement'...a group of police officers burst in and 'arrested' the torturers. This caused Mikhail to manifest his ability: Hope Materilization.

He was glad! He was safe! Wait, why were the 'police' drawing a cattle prod on him -

When he woke up, he was still in the laboratories, but in a more secure facility, one with reinforced concrete walls and kevlar padding, and he had a shock-explosive collar on his neck. And he knew this, that he hadn't actually escaped. After he was given time to weep, he was forcibly brought out, along with several other children who had manifested powers through trauma, and told that they were now property of DemeterBioTech, living weapons to be trained, bought, and sold to the highest bidder. And that was what happened, with the handlers using every psychological trick they had to keep the kids cowed and under control as they were trained to be, and used as, assassins.

Mikhail spent one year in that life, and he hated it. Not merely that, but he was only able to access his powers in the presence of other people who had hope, as he had none himself in that time. He can barely function, he can barely do anything, and he wanted to die so badly. But he didn't, because just before he decided to do that, the uprising started.

It turned out, several of the kids had managed to hack the shock collars, or just destroy them, then rebel against their captors. Mikhail, feeling hope for the first time since his rescue, joined the rebels, managing to carve a hole through the holding area they were in, and escape to the streets.

Many of them would be hunted down, or starve, or die in other ways, but Mikhail and a few of the remaining kids would find refuge in the estate of one Augusta E. Feather, a rich old woman who had the power of manipulating probability. In said estate, Mikhail and his companions would recover, and the boy would find hope again...especially as DemeterBioTech would find itself shut down by the Government.

Now, Mikhail, as the adopted son of Augusta Feather, would look at the recent news...and know that his days of fear would be returning again.

Only this time...he was ready.

Equipment: Backpack containing Pepper Spray, Food, Water, a copy of Lord of the Rings, an iPod with hopeful music, binoculars, and a swiss army knife.

[User]
Breaker glanced at the other two to make sure they all hearing exactly the same thing. His first instinct was to question the boss, but the look on his boss's face said loud and clear that he was serious. Breaker spoke anyways.

"Hang on, so we three where brought here in order to find a birthday present for the CEO? With all due respect sir, I think I can speak for all of us here that we don't even know what she looks like. What makes you think we are suited for doing something like this? Am I expected to infiltrate her house to dig up information about what she likes?"

Breaker leaned forward as he spoke, his annoyance clear in his tone. This felt like some strange prank. Surely there has to be some explanation for this nonsense.

[Assistant]
Mikhail rubbed the back of his head, before saying:

"Heh heh...yeah, I forgot there was a reception desk," he chuckled just as his bodyguards facepalmed. "Okay, then, can I see Mr. Ganze? And I have to apologize for various words I said, then." So much for being able to outsmart Alto.

Yeah, he should have noticed that most people in GanzeCorp were happy and content, providing little hope that he can use.

CIA Operations Room, Seattle

The CIA Officer from before facepalmed as well, as did Augusta E. Feather.

Back in Seattle

If Mikhail's request got accepted, he and his bodyguards would, again, expect to be escorted to where Alto was, where Mikhail can make his pitch. After saying his piece about how he was ready to offe new ideas for Alto, he would then continue with:

"Basically, the idea I have is this: A machine that taps into the 'emotional energy' of the world, which I think has been given physical form by the Meteor. I'm thinking a...ring that allows someone with the power of Emotion Materialization, aka me or someone else, to tap into the world's store of a certain emotion."

"To be upfront, I want a ring that allows me to tap into the hope of the world."


[System]
"When you think about it, it's never really anyone's fault that they do bad things."

Age: 15

Year: First Year

Nationality: Oirish Dublin Irish

Appearance: Leagsaidh is pale and slim, with big blue eyes and and long ginger hair, typically adorned with a red bow. Facially, she is extremely pretty, looking soft but playful, almost childish, which gives her a kind of cute-pretty appearance as opposed to regular pretty. Her body is lissom and sylph-like, built through years of dancing and fencing. She is slightly smaller than average, both in stature and in bust. Vocally, her voice is gentle and youthful, but tinged heavily with an Irish accent.

Personality: Despite her prestigious background, Leagsaidh couldn't be further from the 'rich bitch' stereotype if she tried. Instead, she is humble, quiet and modest to a worrying degree. She addresses everyone with an honorary title, such as 'Sir' or 'Miss', regardless of their actual position.
Oddly for someone of her position, she has a vested interest in theological and religious matters. She is still very firmly a Christian, though lately she has been questioning whether Catholicism is the best way to go. Despite her formality, she can't get away from a few verbal tics, such as calling a girl a 'Lass' or the police the 'Gardai'.
Leagsaidh is also very idealistic and rather naive. She sees the best in everyone and is quick to forgive slights against her - perhaps too quick. She does not believe in violence, even in self defense. A friend of hers has once said that she would make the whole world out to be a victim if she could. This also means she is prone to taking the blame for things, even when she isn't at fault.
This doesn't stop her being playful, almost seductive at times. Usually, she is just playing around when she does this, but sometimes it is used as punishment - if she knows someone particularly promiscuous, she will attempt to seduce them in order to play with their head. However, she never actually does anything about it, playing an extended game of cat-and-mouse.
Overall, she is sweet and polite, but far too trusting for her own good. She constantly looks out for the worst of people to befriend, with the idea that with a little kindness and compassion, everyone is good at heart. A nice idea, perhaps, but not the brightest...

Bio: Irish by birth, Leagsaidh was raised in an upper-class, rich, Catholic household. Her parents were strict and cold, raising her to 'follow God's commands' and look to the Bible for guidance. She was taught perhaps rather contradictory lessons - being modest and prudent whilst living in a grandiose mansion, to be charitable while she received small fortunes as pocket money, to be merciful and kind whilst her parents sneered at the 'tramps and chavs' living in the nearby council estate.
Fortunately, with a family as wealthy as hers, they could afford hiring staff to look after the girl. These servants often came from all walks of life and, unorthodox though it was, Leagsaidh spent many hours talking to them, finding out their backgrounds and interests as well as their opinions on certain matters, as well as learning different languages. Currently, she is only fluent in English, Irish and Japanese. Being exposed to such diversity from a young age helped to make her into a tolerant and thoughtful young lady.
Her parents attempted to raise her in a traditional, conservative manner, teaching her little girls should be seen and not heard and that a woman had three places - kitchen, church and bedroom. They fully expected her to grow up, find some other rich toff to marry and bear children to. So, she was never taught business sense or how to do practical things - it was seen as unseemly for her to try and do 'man' things. This never really negatively affected her, considering she had servants to do all the work for her, but when no-one was looking, she would sneak out and learn a thing or two from the servants and maids she had. From right under her parents noses, she learned how to cook, how to build and how to clean - I never thought I'd write that sentence, but there you go. The weirdest part was, she liked to do practical work. There was something distinctly therapeutic about cleaning up the house, a vague sense of accomplishment from cooking a fine meal.
Speaking of business, that pretty much sums up the whole reason she moved from Ireland to Japan. Her father, a renowned businessman with his fingers in many pies, has been offered the chance to develop further into the East and conquer some foreign markets. Though unhappy with taking his daughter out of a good Catholic country, he would trust her more if she was nearby than at home. Thusly, she has been moved from the Emerald Isle to the Far East and signed into Nakkashiro Gakuen.

[User]
As Dana began her commentary of the whole event the Security chief heard the entire thing and gotten annoyed by it, another security guard bigger than Dana came in after the chief ordered her too, and grabbed the small second year under her arm and took her without explaining why she was taking the shark toothed girl away to the office to meet with the principle and the security chief.

When the shark toothed girl was taken to the office, her nose would have been hit with the smell of fresh cut roses, there was a long row of seats next to the window outside to the atrium and just out of reach there was the door to the outside, Dana she was among Seika and Alice, Seika being restrained to a chair in a straightJacket and the latter being only restrained by a set of handcuffs and a security guard that was holding her shoulders as she stood up, the security guard put Dana into one of the chairs in the office.

The security Chief looked at all of the girls she cracked one of her knuckles." First day and already causing problems, I'm surprised by all of you, but also I'm excited, because now I get to punish each and everyone one of you my way." She glared at each and everyone one of them with a sparkle in her eye that would spark intimidation among the three girls." And You blondie." The chief pointed at Dana." Don't think I'm not watching you, I noticed your little grope fest after the opening ceremony, if you keep up your antics I'll see to it that today will be the last day you'll enjoy groping."

Suddenly the principle arrived." Now now, is threatening the students on the first day really the thing to do ? " She asked in a calm tone as she undone the binds on Seika's straight jacket, but didn't free Alice from her cuffs. The security chief was surprised by the principle's actions." Run along Seika, here take a piece of candy." The principle handed Seika a piece of candy then just pushed the blue haired girl out of the office without giving her no punishment.

She then looked at Alice and Dana." Now what did these two do ?" The principle asked, The security Chief crossed her arms and looked at the two sighing." The small one is here for harrasment, the big one is here for assault against another student and harrasment." She explained. The principle put a hand on her chin and wondered wondering what to do." Let'em go." The security chief looked flummoxed." W-what ?!" She managed to get out before the principle took Alice out of her handcuffs and brushed Dana's clothes off." Go ahead you two, it's your first day stay out of trouble." She told the two.

" Sweet I'm out." Alice said before leaving feeling a bit surprised by what happened. The security Chief was still shocked by what happened." Uh what, ma'am you know you just let free two students that should be suspended for their actions, they should be punished for their actions, not giving them a slap on the wrist." The chief said sounding livid. The principle didn't get angry back she kept a lazy smile on her face and asked." Did you eat lunch ?"

The chief looked away from the old lady for a second." No." she answered. The principle took out a candy bar." Here eat a Snickers, your not you when your hungry." The chief reluctantly took the candy bar and took a bite out of it." Better ? " The principle asked. The chief was quiet for a moment and looked away." Shut up." The chief told her before leaving. The principle then looked to Dana." Go have some fun before you get all old and can't have any more." she told Dana giving her a thumbs up.

[Assistant]
Well, weren't things progressing quite smoothly? With no reason whatsoever, Dana found herself being literally plucked away from her seat and hoisted away like a flying magic carpet. She merely blinked, still chewing her lunch in her mouth as she waved a farewell to Kirika. Maybe she was getting punished for her totally awesome commentary of the lunch fight? Nah, that couldn't be it.

Her theory began to falter though as she was brought into a room that reeked of roses, only to see both Seika and Alice; one restrained in a straight jacket and the other in handcuffs. Her eyes widened in glee and she grinned impishly. This really was a BDSM school! She knew Alice got her spunk somewhere and now it was all coming clear to her! Though she had to wonder why the School President had a straightjacket. Wasn't that a little bit excessive?

As she was being placed in her chair, Dana couldn't help but sigh in dejected sadness. Where was her BDSM gear? How come she didn't get tied up like the other two? So potent was her disappointment that she flat out ignored what the Satsuki rip off was belting out to her, only perking up when the School Principle herself came in, being the sweet old lady that she always was.

In no time, Seika was let free along with both her and Alice. Well, what was the point of all that then? There were no whips or anything! Bouncing out of her chair, she gave the principle two thumbs up before walking out casually and following Alice back to the lunch room.

"See ya Sensei," she said happily to the principle before eventually reaching the cafeteria once again. No more than five minutes had passed and Dana found her seat back at Kirika and Mami's table. Sitting down as if nothing had happened, the sharp-toothed girl glanced at her henchmen.

"Hey Tuna-chan? Did I ever tell you that the security here is laughable?"


[System]
Um... I'm nothing special, not really.
Theme Song: I Wanna Live in a World full of Heroes | Font Color: a0410d | Experiment No. 098
Gender: Female
Age: 16
Date of Birth: April 26
Physical Appearance:
Despite being short, Avril is a rather curvy young woman, much to her anxiety. She favours baggy, plain clothes, concealing as much of herself as she can. She wears blue jeans, a blue sweater twice her size (it covers her hands too), and has a surprisingly wide selection of beanies. She wears beanies whatever the weather, even under a hoodie.
She needs the glasses after an experiment done on her, though she can't remember what the experiment was or when it was done. They're the other thing she likes about her appearance. Her glasses remind her of one of the few happy memories of her life, when the whitecoats felt sorry enough for her that they treated her like a child for a grand total of three days; just long enough for her to get used to it. The withdrawal of that affection and care left her convinced that she didn't ever deserve it. She's been haunted by dark thoughts ever since.
Personality:
Avril has little self-confidence, and quickly quails under the slightest bit of bullying, or even a stern request. Her long quiet spells and lack of energy might mean she has depression, though the whitecoats are unconcerned as long as she keeps doing what she's told. Her dearest wish is to be left alone in her fantasies, and she flinches at the sound of her name and will hide from people looking for her, no matter their intentions.
On the other hand, she is wildly imaginative, her most prized possession being a book full of fantasy races and monsters she sometimes pretends are her friends or enemies. In her rare moments of defiance, she's called the whitecoats 'liches' or 'kytons'. She can make up stories off the top of her head, but needs a lot of encouragement to think that anyone is actually enjoying what she comes up with.
Strengths:
Her imagination makes her a skilled strategist.
Weaknesses:
As stated above, has no self-confidence. Any sort of attention scares her.
Mutant Powers:
Avril has a chemical in her bodily fluids that is a mild narcotic. Though she's unaffected by it, other people are flooded with good feelings upon touching or being touched by her. This makes the whitecoats harsher towards her, and as a result feeds her self-hatred.
Wing Appearance:
Plain, drab brown.
Background Story:
If Avril ever had parents, she's never heard from or seen them. Her earliest memories are of sitting in a small white room on a bed with a screen showing cartoons in front of her and a single stuffed toy. She can't remember what the toy was, or what happened to it, except as something she used to love. Her memories are full of experiments, with whitecoats of various temperments passing in and out of her life until they're all one blur of shouting and orders. She can't remember when she got her wings or her power, just another part of the experiments that she was subjected to.
Each symptom of growing up was met with the same resigned fear that every experiment result caused her, from burns to not being able to see properly. The incident that made her need glasses only sticks out for the brief period of care she was given; a new room, no tests, and a friendly whitecoat whose face became what Avril pictures when the word 'mother' is mentioned. When she disappeared too, leaving only the book and Avril's thick-rimmed glasses, Avril retreated further into her depression, where she stays to this day.

[User]
For a little over hundred years scientists and doctors alike have been trying to find ways to improve the human health. By either changing the formulas in medicines. Changing medical procedures. And the equipment that are for minor everyday uses or for the means of saving someone's life. A handful of people become to realize the never ending cycle of trial and error. Yes, things have defiantly improved greatly overtime. But the humans themselves aren't evolving like the materials around them. After much debate it was decided by a selected few to start a secret program to help humans evolve.

This group started out small. During the first years of World War 1. No more than thirty individuals working on the same goal. The war was a good excuse to improve the human performance. Such as strength, reflexes, stamina and healing factors. In other words super soldiers. Though the foundation of the idea worked. But it was short lived soon the method for achieving a super soldier was discovered.

The government kept these facts hidden from public ears and eyes. Though rumors about the super soldiers floated about. No real evidence could be found on the matter. The thirty individuals working on the project were disbanded. Those who spilled secrets or even attempted continuing their work were severally dealt with. Eventually a handful of the thirty managed to hide themselves from the government within different parts of the world.

They quietly continued their obsessed work, recruiting whoever they can, but carefully. Eventually funds were high in demand so they needed a way to gain the money needed. Causing an uprising of popular businesses. The scientists and doctors behind this use one to a few of their buildings as a front to what is really going on. Namely hospitals, clinics, along with something smaller scale. Like Wal-mart. The reason for these locations has to do with the public. People aren't always willing to be experimented on. And when human tests subjects are need of demand a person missing or two from hospitals and such are easy to come by. Especially when it is someone who would go unmissed.

This is how it all started out. The results weren't over the top. Like they had hoped. Until the day someone figured out why not use infants or unborn children as experiments rather than teens or adults. For they are either nearly developed or fully developed. And the results of using infants went through the roof. Especially when animal and human DNA are mixed with one another.

The School was created for this purpose. To house and experiment of children. Soon after a few more facilities like the school were built. The hospitals and clinics still provide much needed resources. But aren't the locations anymore for experiment housing and treatment. A few government officials were slowly introduced to the projects at hand. It was a carefully planned out introduction with paperwork and positive results involved. This way if their plan was ever exposed the government may or may not back them up. It was risky move. And yet it proved effective.

In the end, we have to be careful to who we trust. Friend or foe? Number one rule: Assume everyone is an enemy before you can learn to trust them. Even if they lived through the same situations as you did.... In the end just beware of possible betrayal. Or an everlasting friendship.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where►Facility #7, just outside of Aspen Colorado.
►Located deep inside a mountain face, so well hidden a skii resort sits right along side of it.
When►October 12th, 2017.
►Sometime around 8:00 am.
And so it begins...The long awaited day has come. Very few felt the excitement about what this day will bring. While others felt doubt and uncertainty. For a large order such as this one rarely ever happens for good reasons. Even with negative possibilities floating about no one questioned the director's decision. Especially someone with her personality.

Marian. Dr. Marian Janssen is her name. She is quite beautiful on the outside. And yet her unpredictable dark personality will scare a rabid dog back into a sane state of mind. Only her attendant, Morgan, knows how to deal with her calmly. Majority of the staff see him a saint sent by the heavens to help deal with the devil woman. Though no one dares tell her that to her face.

The began like any other in the past few days with Marian giving out orders. Watching with stern eyes to be sure everyone followed protocol. When she wasn't barking commands she focused a portion of her day going through five years worth of paperwork. It was safer for important documents were kept on paper. For computers nowadays can be hacked with a press of a button.

The preparations for the transfer were well on their way. Finding the right subjects to move wasn't going as smoothly as much as she had hoped. Marian had expected this. Compared to her own facility, facility #7 was low grade. Not of value. A waste of her time. And yet here she was. She had a goal. And in order to accomplish that goal she needs to pull resources from The School, this dump and among a few others. The selection process is a delicate one. She can't herself to trust of these inferior monkeys who consider themselves scientists. Chances are they'll end up giving her defects. Wasting precious time and money.

The sound of everyone scurrying about satisfied Marian. This told her that no one was slacking off. After spending nearly an hour forcing those tired souls to work Marian decided to look over a few more charts. Nothing promising has shown up. Despite the wave of files trailing in every hour.

She has read every note, every failed and successful experiments on all living subjects up to this point. She didn't want to leave anything out. Though having to deal with disappoint again and again. After five minutes Marian calm face turned sour within five seconds flat. "Unbelievable!!!" She fumed, tossing a stack of folders across the room. Papers scattered about as if a gust of wind suddenly blew on through. "These lousy scum! They have no talent what's so ever! All they can create are defects!"

Morgan let out a quiet sigh removing a paper from his head. Letting it drop to the floor. He knows all too well when she is like this her logical thinking tends vanish. "Madam." He called out firmly while holding himself in a butler like stance.

"What!?" Marian snapped. Giving him a cold stare. The two others who were in the room with them flinched. Up to this point they remained quiet. Working at a slow pace hoping not to be noticed.

"Why not personally go see the experiments?" He began to say. Giving this question a few seconds for it sink in. "For the written word may have some truth, they don't always give you the full picture. After all seeing is believing."

Marian relaxed. Her face now beaming almost as if her little fit never happened. "Your right. Thank you Morgan. This is why I like having you around. Though I would appreciate it if don't always keep my temper in check. Sometimes a girl needs to let out a little steam once in a while." She said while adjusting her hair. Even though there was enough project in it to keep it in place. When she finished with that she then grabbed a pile of folders of possible candidates, tapped them twice on the desk before tucking them under an arm. "Now then let's going shopping."

[Assistant]
Phoenix glowered at the whitecoats who came to his cage. One of them was obviously new, for he stared in awe at the tall male with flaming, feathery hair that reached to below his shoulder blades, blue green eyes and golden skin. Phoenix's long limbs were graceful even as he scooted further back into his cage. He narrowed his eyes at the restraints they had in their hands and knew it was that time of day where they would try to get him to use his pyrokinesis so they could poke him with needles again. Fuck that. He couldn't command fire on purpose yet, but he could heat his hands up to a burning hot temperature.

He'd given more than two whitecoats burn scars. A smirk touched his lips at the memory, curving his full lips into a cruel smile. He concentrated on raising his body temp. The whitecoat who'd dealt with Nix before motioned to Nix's now steaming hand and issued a warning to the newbie.

"Careful with The Phoenix," he said. "He'll burn you, and it will leave scars. He's also very strong. He works out despite how small we make his containment unit." The newbie gulped visibly, looking at the thick plastic restraints in his hands with mistrust, then back at the avian hybrid in the cage. He was rewarded with a mockery of a smile.

"Try it, boyo."

---

With burns on both the newbie and the experienced whitecoat who lay on the ground next to the melted restraints, cupping themselves, Nix had his brilliant, flaming wings half unfurled, the tips of his feathers flickering with tongues of flame. He tilted his head in satisfied thought, hair falling to cover half of his beautifully sculpted face. Nix gives a satisfied hum and climbs up onto the top of cage, too tall for any of the whitecoats to reach him.

He sits and waits. He knows he can't find his way out of where he is being kept, so he makes it a game to see how long it takes for other whitecoats to come find out why he's not being poked and prodded yet.


[System]
Age: 24
Physical Appearance: Valerie's appearance seems very well put-together, almost embodying her background of nobility with a soft delicateness offset by steadiness, confidence, and inner strength. She has fair, unblemished skin, pale blue eyes, and long, dark brown hair most often secured in a low bun with a moderate amount of loose strands flitting about her face. Her height is a few inches on the tall side, and her physical build is slim and lithe, with subtle muscling visible where her clothing hugs her body. Obviously not a powerhouse of strength, but capable and in excellent condition.

Armor/Clothing: Her light-weight gear functions well enough with her style of combat and of fashion, and indeed, she finds the blend of noble elegance with mercenary ruggedness somewhat appealing, and some part of her even desires to stand out clearly from common sellswords. The high quality tailoring and craftsmanship speaks volumes about her history, or at least gives away that she wears clothes and gear more expensive than a common mercenary and adventurer just starting out should be able to afford.

Starting with her upper body, Valerie wears a long-sleeved and thin undershirt close fit to the point of a second skin. Over this she wears some actual protection, in the form of a light but sturdy leather breastplate to protect her heart and lungs. It was custom tailored for her and fits extremely well, secured around her neck and lower back. It cuts off just below her ribs, sacrificing some protection for the sake of full flexibility and range of motion.

Her leggings are closely fitted and comfortable linen, with some extra layering of leather around her thighs, hips, and waist to better protect her upper legs. Buckled loosely around her waist is her sword belt, as well as a decorative sash of dark blue silk with golden floral patterns. The sash flutters down from her right hip, partially concealing the hilt of the long, thin dagger sheathed there. Her boots are made of soft leather, designed more to be comfortable than tough, and are buckled below the knee, and again at the ankles.

Under her clothing she wears a pendant with the snowflake emblem of her family, secured on a very thin golden chain.

Weapons: Valerie's primary weapon is a thin, extremely sharp sword, most suited for dueling engagements but functional enough in other styles. It packs a surprising bite, given how quickly Valerie can strike with it, either thrusting or slashing, and can pierce many armor types. It's not a fragile weapon, either, and can block or parry incoming strikes if she needs to. Valerie can wield it with either hand (technically right handed, but she's very ambidextrous) or with both for added strength.

Her sidearm is a long, thin knife at her right hip, which she can wield in either direction front or back, but will only do so in the event that she is somehow disarmed of her sword.

Combat Overview: Speed, decisiveness, grace, and fluidity define Valerie's style. She's very well trained in the use of her weapon, and knows well how to make the most of situations with skillful deflections that turn blows aside rather than stopping them cold, and open up holes in her opponent's defenses for her to exploit. Her offense is swift and precise, and rarely forces her to overextend on the attack and expose vulnerabilities. On the defensive, Valerie is light-footed and agile, able to dodge most attacks lacking swiftness, while parrying attacks strong in speed but lesser in strength. And while she prefers single combat, she's both swift and aware enough to handle multiple enemies of lesser skill simultaneously. At full strength, Valerie is a deadly enemy to fight, with the speed and precision to turn small mistakes from her opponents into lethal ones.

She still has significant weaknesses to overcome, most stemming from her overall lack of actual experience in battle as opposed to rigorous training. Underhanded tactics can catch her off guard, and fighting hand to hand or grappling are both particular weaknesses of hers. Her physical endurance has not often been tested, and her choice of extremely light armor doesn't help much when she ends up getting hit. Despite her determination, she can only endure a limited number of wounds.

Personality: On the outside Valerie is quiet, calm, composed, an excellent picture of nobility. Inwardly she feels very passionately about causes she puts herself behind, something that can sometimes show in the heat of a conflict. She's quite sociable and kind with the majority of those she encounters, and tends to be both understanding and forgiving of others. She does, however, retain some aspects of her upbringing, and is just a touch vain.

Her morals are quite strong, and indeed drive her to do things that have little benefit for her to offset the risk. She believes the position of power she was born into gave her a responsibility to help those beneath her, rather than a right to rule over them.

History: Valerie is the third child of four of the wealthy and powerful Winter family of the kingdom of Ardennia, and the only daughter. While not in line to rule the kingdom, her family watched over a large swath of diverse land with farms, towns, forests, rivers, and small mountains. Her kingdom, however, had an expansionist king with dreams of conquering their northern neighbor and expanding his domain. After years of military swelling and building of tension, war was declared following a loosely conceived insult against them, likely fabricated for an excuse to attack.

The Winter family was called, and answered. Valerie and her brothers had been trained among other things in the art of war, and were to serve as commanders of varying levels in the army. Valerie, however, refused the call, bringing some shame upon her family and soon forcing her to leave her home. She traveled far from her kingdom's borders, using her honed skills with the sword to pay her way in adventuring, which she took to naturally. Her experience thus far is limited, but it has served to build up her confidence, and reassure her that she made the correct choice in leaving her home behind.

[User]
They stocked up on their food rations until they had more than enough for the time they expected to be on their own, and Valerie made sure to purchase a modest length of rope as well. If they were going to be delving into tombs or ruins, it seemed likely to come in handy. She wasn't sure how she felt about the offer of coin for artifacts and trinkets from the ruins. The contract wasn't for treasure hunting, after all, and if the ruins were indeed haunted by something, taking artifacts along would probably just invite more danger. And everyone seemed so certain they wouldn't be coming back alive already. In any case, it was something to keep in mind, but Valerie was intent on putting their survival first. Coin was useless to them if they were killed, after all.

Once they were stocked there was little to do but get underway, as the daylight was going to waste. They made their way towards the gate side by side, where they found a woman flanked by a few personal guards waiting for them. As it turned out, the mayor of the little town herself had heard of their intent to take the contract, and came to wish them good fortune before they departed. Valerie found it comforting that at least someone was hopeful of their success other than themselves.

When they'd put the walls of the town behind them and had nothing but the wilds ahead, Valerie exhaled a deep breath. She was nervous, and not hiding it especially well, but she also felt a strange sort of excitement. She could only truly show her bravery when she felt fear, and she didn't have to do this alone. She glanced sideways at Markus.

"Ready for this?"

[Assistant]
It all seems to be going smoothly so far he told himself sarcastically. He almost chuckled as they left the gates, remembering what one of his old companions would say back after Markus' first big battle. 'Yeah, I was doing great before the fighting started.' That did bring a smile to his face. He missed traveling with Kenneth. But, he was fortunate to travel with Valerie, he knew. He trusted her, the Swordmage realized. Markus' own purchase from Edgar had been a torch, some rations, and a few throwing knives that caught his eye. He was okay with them, but he'd practice whenever they would stop, he told himself.

"Ready for this?" she asked him with a sideways glance. They had just set off on the road, which would soon be a road no longer. He knew she needed encouragement, and he needed a bit himself. But by the end of his response, he found he believed his own courage. He gave a boyish grin. "Hell yeah." His sword at his hip, his shield at his back, and his pack opposite the hip of his sword, he rested his hands on his hilt and his belt as they began.

From up at Hillglen, they had a great view of the frontier before them. A forest of sparse birch and elm trees were laid before them in a flowing blanket of leaves near as far as the eye could see. It very much looked like a sea, for the lowlands seemed to intermingle with the highlands, causing it to look akin to vast waves roiling up and down. Rocky crags were seen ubiquitously placed near the eastern edge of the huge valley, before they flowed into the foothills of a mountain range that blocked any view past them. To the north, a mountain range even further away loomed like the teeth of an ancient dragon. Between them, a (relatively) small pass led further east past the first mountains before them. North past that, before the mountains, the forest seemed to grow ominously thicker.

Now however, they had to make it down hill. The two adventurers went upon the road for an hour or two, simply enjoying the sounds of nature as the sun began to truly warm the day. Markus hummed an elvish tune, still content they were close enough to Hillglen's walls for him to feel content and safe enough to be a tad merry. Once, small birds fluttered past the two, and Markus allowed his hum to form into the flowing words of that particular part, to cause the birds to circle back around. One even fluttered and landed on Valerie's shoulder, which caused Markus' elvish song to falter as he chuckled, and just as suddenly the bird fluttered off in a furious flap of wings, no longer soothed by the melody.

It was just then, a few hours before noon, they had made it to the fork in the road. Left to the wilderness, right to Highmast. They started off, the gnarled trees with a few familiar birds, but other than that nothing seemed to stir. Then again, this was near the stop the Orcs had attacked them a day ago. Perhaps the violence still permeated the air. Thankfully no Orcs had lingered and there was no a danger yet, for soon they reached the slope that led downward into the wilderness proper. They'd need to help one another and grab ahold of a few trees that had clung to the slope. It was full of fallen leaves and upturned earth, when not bare with hard ground and rock.


[System]
Sheets
(Pic here. Please no anime.)
Gen:
Allegiance:
Nature/demeanor: (optional)

Strength:
Dexterity:
Stamina:

Charisma:
Manipulation:
Appearance:

Perception:
Wits:
Intelligence:

Abilities: (I'm not listing them, just fill in what you have at what)

Backgrounds: (don't bother with Gen, I get it)

Disciplines:

Humanity:

History:

Plans for the Apocalypse:

(Pics here human and apocalyptic. Please no anime.)

Name:
House:
Faction:
Visage:
Nature/demeanor: (optional)

Strength:
Dexterity:
Stamina:

Charisma:
Manipulation:
Appearance:

Perception:
Wits:
Intelligence:

Abilities: (I'm not listing them, just fill in what you have at what)

Backgrounds: (don't bother with Gen, I get it)

Lore:

Torment:

History(human and demon):

Plans for the Apocalypse:
(Pic here. Please no anime.)
Name:
Allegiance:
Nature/demeanor: (optional)

Strength:
Dexterity:
Stamina:

Charisma:
Manipulation:
Appearance:

Perception:
Wits:
Intelligence:

Abilities: (I'm not listing them, just fill in what you have at what)

Backgrounds:

Humanity:

History:

Plans for the Apocalypse:

[User]
James redirected himself on the road, heading for a place called Stover. James hadn't operated in the back country much, especially not that of the Midwest, and he was still a bit on-edge from the Giovanni case, and the news spectacle from L.A. He was also worried about Lauren, and desperate to talk to him, especially given the recent...memories transpiring in James' head. Akiel... This name reverberated through the whole of James' being, causing a nagging feeling that something else was with him. Something...ancient. There was also a spiritual feeling, one of an entity that felt both new and familiar to James, the presence of something powerful and Holy. These thoughts wrapped themselves around James' mind as he drove, and would not cease for another hour.

Pulling into the town of Stover, James located the center of town, looking over the various businesses and houses in the small town. Locating a bar, James pulled into the parking lot, stepped out of his car, and walked in. The bar was rather full given the time of day, but James supposed it was natural given the events that had recently transpired. Ignoring the looks parted on him by the townsfolk, he stepped up to the bar and took a seat at a stool, waiting quietly for the bartender to approach him. "Whiskey, on the rocks, with a water back." He said to the bartender, who walked of to prepare his drink. Gently tapping his fingers against the bar, James would simply watch the muted news broadcast on TV waiting for his drink to arrive.

When the bartender returned, James thanked him, but spoke to him before he could walk off. "James Odeman, private investigator. I'm in town as part of a case, and in need of some information. Recent events have brought me here, and I was wondering if you could help me. See, I'm looking for a carnival supposed to be in this area. Would you happen to know anything about that, or know anyone who might?" As he waited for the bartender's reply, James sipped at his drink, watching the person carefully.

[Assistant]
The bartender gave a soft grin, but the answer did not come from him. Instead, it came from the man sitting next to James at the bar. He looked like he maybe 21, his blonde hair spiked straight up. He wore a long red leather trench coat, and through it seemed to be shredded and covered in holes in some places, it was hard to tell if the wet places on it were blood or some other liquid due to the red of the coat.

"Bud, you're lookin at it." His voice came, amused but somehow tired. The man shifted to face James, the coat moving in telling ways the investigator would likely be used to looking for. There were long solid places along the back of the coat suggesting swords. The coat also made exaggerated shifts near his hips suggesting guns, but if they were, they were damn big ones.

Even inside the bar, the man wore rose colored shades, but as she moved towards James, he slid them down his nose slightly to look at the investigator with bright yellow eyes. "Question is, does the Carnival want to know you?"

Looking around the room, James would be able to notice many of the patrons were concealing weapons, and some weren't bothering to conceal them. Likely ones with jobs or permits to allow them to open carry. Something inside James seemed to roll over in recognition when he looked at a couple of them. Not something visible, as they looked human enough, but something inside him knew they were not what they seemed.

[User]
James noted the clear display of force given off by the various bar patrons, and knew not to test their patience. brushing his hand along his suit coat to make it clear he himself was armed, and would not go down easy. Taking another sip of his whiskey, and staring the young man directly in the eye, James spoke. "Quite the eye color you've got there. Myths and legends say that yellow eyes are the most notable traits of a shapeshifter. But what would a shapeshifter need with armed backup, and his own concealed weapons, I wonder. No, I think there's something different about you. Something similar to recent events." As James spoke, his own eyes did something without his knowledge, flashing a glint of the being hidden deep inside him, of the one known as Akiel.

"Now, I'm sure you're aware of the events transpiring in Los Angeles. My job is to investigate such events, generally without the consent of more...mundane authorities. I'm aware of such entities like those seen in Los Angeles, and that's why I'm here. Your 'carnival' is said to be home to some of these less-known denizens of Earth, and I need to know what you're up to, if anything. I'm here as a concerned third party. A..representative of the more overlooked citizens of this world. I have no intentions of causing trouble, I and my more paranormal allies simply need to be assured that things are under control, and that there are no upcoming troubles for those of us that are more mundane in our endeavors."

[Assistant]
The man chuckled softly, though let James finish. He was satisfies that the man knew enough to be open, and though lacking in some areas, was generally exposed enough not to generally freak out. "You're close, bud. But the eyes are fae, not shifter. As for what we are up to..."

"We are up to nothing at the moment." This voice was a stark contrast to the youthful energetic one of the Fae in front of him. It came from a man that was slowly walking down the stairs from the top office. He was dressed in black slacks and a black button up shirt that looked a size too big as it hung unbuttoned from his shoulders. He had long unkempt blonde hair, though red streaks stained several places. He was not buff, or all that intimidating at all, and the sad expression on his face didn't seem to be one he wore often. He looked middle age, though he carried himself like the weight of centuries rested on his back. "I appreciate you not wanting any trouble, and I assure you, you will not have any as long as you remain Civil."

The young man next to James turned, taking his own drink and leaving to free a seat for the newcomer. The older man sat next to James, extending his hand. "Anthous. I own this bar, and lead the Carnival you seek."


[System]
Female
Age 24
Appearance
5'6"
Lean flexible athletic build
Light skin (Japanese)
Appears to have shoulder length jet black slightly spikey hair from the front. However her hair splits into parts, taking the longer half and tying it together at the neck into a downwards facing ponytail that reaches her middle back.
Medium sized ahoge, more of angular/rigid spike shape, changes based on their mood/emotions. And electrical charge in battle.
Dark drab blueish-gray/steel left eye.
Yellow right eye with a slit shaped pupil.
Eyebrow over her left eye has a slit break in it towards the outer middle.
Irezumi tattoos:
Right arm- Nagasode style sleeve tattoo extending down to her wrist. Nara black wind bars for a background, with a green snake with a red belly coiling down her arm with it's head ending at her outer wrist.
Left arm- Shichibu style sleeve tattoo extending down to her middle forearm. Nara black wind bars for a background, with a blue snake with a yellow belly coiling up her arm with it's head resting on the front of her upper shoulder. Kanji for Mamushi 蝮 (pit viper) tattooed in black on the inner blank space of her forearm.
Back- Her entire back is covered in large nara black ink clouds for a background. And a large tattoo of the giant 8 headed and tailed snake Yamata no Orochi, various flowers, and lightning bolts in the foreground.
Slightly elongated fang canine teeth on the top and bottom as compared to normal people. Teeth are overall sharper.
Ear piercings- Left: Two slim steel rings on their lobe. Helix cuff.
Right: Circular silver stud on their lobe. Smaller steel cuff at the middle of the outer ear/lower helix.
Black painted nails.

Customized slightly oversized black leather asymmetrical moto jacket. Worn unzipped with belt hanging loose.
Steel curb chain necklace that extends down to her chest. Medium sized silver upside down cross pendant.
Zip-up black hoodie. Worn under her jacket with the hood laid over the jackets collar. Worn unzipped often with the sleeves pulled up to her elbows.
Vintage oversized heavy metal band T-shirts, some with the sleeves cut off. Worn over fishnet shirt. (Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Megadeth)
Long sleeve black fishnet shirt. Sleeve extends into a fishnet fingerless gloves on the left but is cut off at the wrist on the right.
Silver signet ring on right middle finger with an upside down cross engraved in it.
Mokume-gane Ouroboros shaped ring with pink jeweled eyes on left index finger.
Steel cuban link chain bracelet on right wrist.
Steel studded black leather belt.
Steel chain hanging down at her right side. One end attached to a belt loop, the other to a pocket watch manadial.
Worn/faded slim dark indigo Japanese selvage denim jeans. (Black or stonewash alt. colors)
Black with white accents Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 running shoes.
Black calf length open toe and heel socks.

Secondary hairstyle reference (Somewhere in between the two)

Close type of ponytail style reference

Raiya specializes in destructive magic. She is a master of electrical spells, and ruinous spells. She has a great foundation in most all Catholic magics as well as some Japanese Zen Buddhist/Shinto magic. As with her fascination of Japan, she also has a great fascination with snakes and has developed snake themed fighting style and magic. Every so often she sheds her skin, this makes her immune to aging. With her magic powers, she also has the ability to control certain light metals.

Raiya's parents, Japanese immigrants, owned a successful Japanese cuisine restaurant chain in New York City. Both parents died in a burglary gone wrong leaving Raiya orphaned in infancy. With a large mana constitution, Raiya was immediately adopted by the Catholic cathedral and put into mage training. Growing up in the New York Cathedral, she always shadowed Felix and thought of him as her older brother. Raiya was always proficient in magic, and her studies reflected that. Raiya achieved the rank Grand-Mage at the age of seventeen. At the age of twenty she was sent with two other grand-magi to investigate the sudden disappearance of a remote village in Italy. The village was razed, not so much as a 2x4 left standing upright. Investigating the trace of mana waves left by the spell she made her way to a nearby mountain where she found on a cliff-side the definite point of origin of the spell. Looking around the point of origin she found footprints. The foot prints looked exactly like the sole tread of a typical Catholic Magi officer. The level of destruction and the fact that the mana waves left by the spell accounted for only one spell, coupled with the footprint meant the evidence pointed toward an Arch-mage or higher to be the cause of the destruction. Once she returned to the Vatican, she provided the evidence in a council meeting. The council thanked her for the evidence provided but stated that they would be conducting the investigation from then on. Even though the council told her to no longer investigate this issue, Raiya continued the investigation on her own. Looking into the records of those who were gone the night of the destruction of the remote village, she narrowed it down to two, Arch-mage Thadeus and Arch-mage Felix. After obtaining this information, Raiya investigated both Thadues and Felix's living quarters. She discovered that Felix had never even worn his uniform boots, as he wore his own more comfortable combat boots. Thadeus, on the other hand, did not have any other pairs of footwear besides the ones on his feet, which were the uniform boots. Learning of this information but knowing the Vatican council would never listen to her, she approached Felix whom she knew was innocent. She told Felix all of the information she had obtained, but Felix brushed her aside saying that the Vatican was conducting their own investigation and to go against their demands to keep the investigation within their selected team would mean excommunication, even if the information was correct. Felix told her that he would not tell anyone about her own investigation, but pleaded with her to keep quiet about the issue until the Vatican completed their investigation. Raiya couldn't believe what she was hearing, that her cold hard evidence was being brushed aside because of protocol. But what's more, that the investigation team was comprised with Thadeus's brother as a member meant surely that Thadeus would never be convicted of this crime. All of this put into perspective Raiya's membership with the magi, and soon after she left the magi and Catholicism altogether. When she left two others left with her, the other two grand-magi that were on her initial investigation team with her. Soon after they left, they returned to NYC. Because the Vatican saw them as Apostates, they froze all their accounts and social security information, forcing them to make money through means less savory. Instead of falling into despair, Raiya and her two peers adopted the shady lifestyle altogether. Through their magic abilities, it wasn't long before they were running the biggest criminal organization in NYC. Raiya still resides to this day in NYC with the other two magi as her right hand women.

Raiya is seemingly devoid of any positive emotion. Her normal demeanor could be described as aloof. She is seen as a hard nosed, unwavering leader. This makes her well respected by her subordinates in the gang she runs. Though, to those who know her well enough she can be lighthearted. She has a short temper and a low tolerance for annoyances. In her annoyed state she has no problem threatening her friends with one of her sushi knives she keeps in her inner coat pocket, or electrocuting them with her magic. She loves Japan, even though she wasn't raised there herself. Her fanaticism for Japan runs so deep that she has Japanese tattoos, and has even taught herself the language perfectly. She is an excellent chef and specializes in Japanese cuisine. Even though she isn't very sociable, the few friends she does have are kept close to her and she protects them.

[User]
Lori suddenly felt like somebody had turned off all the lights, she knew she had been blinded. But after hastily applying powder to her face that looked just like the anti-magic powder Roy had used early, she found her vision had returned for good. She quickly looked back down her scope, still seeing nobody out in the open. The hindrance had caused her to miss Raiya falling in her trap however, until the electric charge went off.

Knowing that Raiya had fallen in the stasis rune, Lori considered what to do next. She decided instead of trying to finish her off, she'd wait and see if any of the other intruders would make any erratic moves to try to save her, putting them out in the open for an easy shot. After all, Raiya wasn't going anywhere soon.

---

The charge had alerted Nemo, and after he peaked his head out for a quick look he was able to discern what had happened. Once Travis finished his status update, Nemo brought his own manadial up to his lips and whispered back. "Try to draw her fire and it should distract her long enough for me to get a shot off. Don't worry, I'll only need one." Nemo un-slung his rifle from his back and waited for Travis to make a move. Raiya's predicament meant they were no longer able to take it slow.

[Assistant]
"It better count," Travis replied back to Nemo, sounding almost hesitant and uncertain but committed the to the task at hand.

With a sigh, he withdrew his left hand back and quickly curled his fingers fist, crushing the design of the circle and thus cancelling out his spell. In moments, color and sight soon returned to his right eye though he blinked repeatedly to wear off the negative perception he still retained. If it weren't for its usefulness, Travis would have reconsidered dabbing into the darker arte; the spell itself presented an experience he struggled with appreciating. Quite simply, it made him uneasy tapping into a vision of a mirroring realm that perceives his reality in much different light.

Recomposing himself, Travis prepared his distraction and focused on the mana pooling into his right hand. While his runes were efficient in consuming the minimal of his reserves, they still demanded quite a bit of focus in generating, especially if there was a large number of them. For his next act, he was going to cast as many of his own lightning and backdraft spells from different intervals as he could just long enough to drawn Lori's attention to him. He knew where the summon them but the matter at hand was doing so without being spotted; a risk he didn't fancy making.

"Well, here goes nothing," he said with his head resting against the container, eyes closed before drawing a big breath and shooting off from his position and quickly leaned around the container and began casting.

Travis inserted each of his runes ahead of him, half exposed within the cover he had chosen to establish them in. His gamble was tricking Lori in directing her attention to what looked like a number of intruders attempting to engage her. Given the range and conditions, Travis was almost certain that his ploy wouldn't pose too much of a threat unless he got lucky with one of the spells.

After inserting his runes, had released a slight pulse of mana out, triggering each of the runes nearest to him to go off. Travis then broke cover and ran forward, causing each new rune to go off until he dove for the nearest container. The runes that were now active, while aimed at Lori, fired off without hardly any concentration back up their efficiently. Bursts of fire would have dispersed before even charging the outpost while streaks of lighting attempting to lash out either fell short or whizzed past harmlessly toward any attracing conductors.

[User]
Travis' distraction garnered Lori's attention, she quickly adjusted his rifle to spot him. She figured that he was making a final move to try to save his trapped comrade, just as she had anticipated. However just before she could fire her runic musket, Travis' runes began to discharge. While they didn't hit her from her outpost, the bright lightning disorienting her scope, throwing off her aim on Travis. She fired nonetheless, sending another heavy explosive round down range at him as he made his way towards his next cover.

---

As soon as Nemo heard the first sound of Travis making his move, he took a deep breath and popped out from his cover with his rifle shouldered. Moments later he fired off his own shot roughly at the same time Lori executed her own, though the sound of Nemo's was significantly dampened by the suppressor.

The distance between Nemo and Lori made seeing or hearing the results of his attack nearly impossible, except for the abrupt absence of the glint of her scope. However to Raiya, she would be able to hear the sudden break and crack of glass after the whizzing of the single bullet. Nemo didn't miss, his bullet had traveled the full way before piercing straight through Lori's rifle-scope, the only thing Nemo could see from his position.

Nemo immediately began to walk towards the outpost, using the bolt of his rifle to cycle another round in. Even without any real confirmation on his hit he seemed confident there wouldn't be any more attacks on the group. The silent stroll allowed Nemo to notice the storm had been picking up even more, causing the ship to rock in every direction from the tides. The rain and wind began to increase as well, making it harder to see. But by his guess, they still hadn't reached the threshold that would bring them to the paragon yet.

Soon enough Nemo reached the outpost, finding Raiya in her suspended state. "Looks like you're in a bit of a sticky situation, huh?." Nemo commented as he walked up and used his gloved hand to touch the magically effected area, causing the spell to gradually dissipate in a wave until Raiya was freed. "Just because I said I'd protect you doesn't mean you should be so reckless." He added before he began a trek up the outpost stairs to check for the body.

[Assistant]
Raiya let out a grunt of irritation at Nemo's pun. After he released the rune, Raiya fell down, exhausted from being essentially paralyzed. Raiya knew Nemo was right about her acting reckless. In fact, this entire mission was just her messing up time and time again and it was starting to weigh her down. "Damnit..." She cursed under her breath as she picked herself up off the ground and brushed herself off. Instead of dwelling on her mistakes she decided to just force herself forward, she'd have all the time in the world to pick herself apart after they got the paragon and returned. She followed Nemo up the stairs as he began to walk towards the outpost. She also made sure to keep her eyes especially peeled for any more traps, her most recent encounter with runes kept her on edge as they walked forward.

"What happened?" She asked curiously as they walked towards the outpost, "Did you guys take the sniper out?" She said as she conjoured her pistol in her right hand.