[System]
~Gwynn Foghlú~

Age:
17

Gender:
Female

Appearance:
Gwynn stands at a fairly tall five foot eight with pale skin and bright, long blonde hair with amber colored eyes. Most of the time she wears a rather formal looking dress one might expect of nobility. Green, red, and gold make up most of the color scheme on her dress. After all, a noble lady has to look presentable as possible. The cloak though, is merely a formality and used to be worn in parties and other fancy things. At her side, rests a blade she is skilled in using.

Physically speaking, she's fairly average as far as looks go. While she isn't unattractive, she's not overly so either. Soft features, modest feminine assets, unblemished skin suggesting she at least takes some care of her appearance.

Personality
Most of the time Gwynn is friendly, confident, adventurous, and somewhat flirtatiously aggressive in her mannerisms. She'll be the first to make friends with you, and also the first to assume you're a no good dirty evil butt-face and proceed to kick your face in for some small reason. Of course, once the misunderstanding is cleared up, you'll likely be friends for life.

Because of this, Gwynn has a tendency to jump to conclusions a lot about peoples actions and things, especially if she doesn't know someone all that well. And while she is no saint herself, and delights in some small mischief and possible theft of property, she's not going to do anything that intentionally endangers anyone.

When it comes to studies and academics, she's surprisingly well read and knowledgeable about a number of things, especially when it comes to study of history.

History:
Gwynn isn't from mainland europe, if her name and accent isn't any indication. She hails from quite a ways away, actually. A somewhat small island country to the North East by the name of Ireland. From an early age, she's always been a bit of a problem child. Always running around, getting into places she shouldn't. This has more than once landed her into quite a bit of trouble, but she's always managed to avoid any huge negative repercussions other than being grounded for a month straight once.

She was raised in a mostly middle class town, the daughter of an incredibly old declining noble family, who had their roots as conquerors in Britannia. Her family was once a more powerful house, but over time, politics, poor management of assets and a few assassination attempts have seen it fall into decline. While her family wished for a male heir to perhaps solve these problems, they got her. So they raised her as one might a son. Taught her swordsmanship, academics, and while she more or less was okay with the studies...well, her personality manifested in quite a few rebellious (and somewhat shady) streaks. Her parents tried more than a few methods to get her to be more well behaved, but they were mostly, futile.

As time passed though, eventually they struck a deal with a foreign noble family. In hopes of increasing their own power, they agreed to marry her off to a noble family.

Yeah. Right. Like she was gonna just do that.

Magic:
Cold Affinity, Icy Aura
Gwynn's magic is about as basic as Ice Magic can get. For the most part, she can freeze the water particles in air around her and use them to her advantage. Her skill level is fairly basic, and for the most part she can only form and create rough, large, heavy chunks of ice to lob at a foe. She could also freeze the floor by dropping the temperature, but for the most part her magic is fairly limited to the area around her. Additionally, it gives her protection from cold. Likes using it to ice-skate

Limitations
- Any hot/dry area, her magic will effectively be useless.
- Can easily be melted by fire, though she could easily reform it.
- has a range of a few feet in front of her she can drop the temperature, and control her ice. Meaning, she's not going to be using her magic at range a whole lot.

[User]
~Livia Fiore~
~Semester 1, Day 1~

Livia pouted for just a moment at Katherine, though said nothing as she interfered with her flirting with Lunalel. Ah well, she'd just have to show Katherine just how much she had offended her later, heh. There had been this thing she had been wanting to try for some time, and she knew exactly how to get Katherine for some alone time. Thoughts for later though. For now focus on this cute little Lunalel, and how to get some alone time with her.

"Oh please, call me Livia dear." She smiled at the knight as she passed. "And if you need anything at all, do stop by my office. It's always open." With that though, she turned and walked after Katherine. Her favorite, precious little student wasn't about to get out of this so easily. Oh no, no, she had something she had to discuss with her after all. The headmistress easily caught up with her, after all. She wasn't exactly hard to find in a crowd.

As soon as she approached her from behind.

She gave her a swift, but discreet smack on her butt. She spoke in a low voice, obviously not intending for anyone else to hear her.

"My, my dear little Katherine bringing such a cute thing to me and then taking it out of my grasp. I hope you're ready for some extra curricular lessons after the meeting today." She pulled back to a more acceptable distance, walking alongside the teacher, speaking more formally now that they were indoors.

"I request your presence in my office this afternoon, after the meeting this afternoon, along with Aetheria Gagne. There is something I must discuss with the two of you in private, as I believe the two of you are the most capable for the task. Until then, go about your day as usual. And if you see a student by the name of Lyssa Nemorienne in your classes today, you are to treat her as royalty and make sure she is comfortable. I do not care how difficult or impossible she is being. I will tell all the important staff why at the meeting this afternoon."

With that, the headmistress left Katherine side, without so much as allowing her to protest or question such an instruction.

~Gwynn Foghlú~

"For someone claiming to want to help the poor you are perfectly content to add hours to your own servant's workload."

Gwynn rolled her eyes at the Neko's comment. She almost snapped at her, but managed to restrain her tongue. Maoin was only doing what she was told, and as much as that annoyed her she didn't deserve to be told off for it. She simply looked at the cat, glowering at her in a childish manner.

"Mistress, you have no idea what your betrothed will be like. And you won't be a mere housewife, you will still have me and other servants to take care of you, and it's very possible that he may encourage some adventurous spirit being in his spouse. It IS the 1430s after all."

Gwynn made a noise that sounded something between a growl and an exasperated groan. The blond Irish girl turned her head away from Maoin in defiance, though she was mulling over the words. She was right, after all. She had no idea who this Swen was, or what he was like. Maybe she should give him a chance. It was bad to judge a book by its cover after all, as her father always liked to say.

"How about this: if you act appropriately in class, let me prepare you for the evening, and give Lord Swen a fair chance...I'll do anything you want tonight. Dancing, singing, games, ANYTHING."

Slowly, the noblewomans head turned towards Maoin, amber eyes furrowed as she looked at the hand that was offered to her. Well...even if she hadn't offered, she couldn't very well sit here forever. After a few moments of staring up at the Neko, Gwynn sighed, defeated. Well, she had offered though so she might as well make the most of this. Gwynn took Maoin's hand, getting off the ground and standing up. As soon as she got on her feet, she positioned herself to stand right in front of Maoin.

"Anything I want, eh?~" Annoyance had been replaced with a playful mischievousness. One of her hands brushed against the Neko's cheek, straightening a loose strand of her hair as she stared straight into the Neko's eyes. "And if I said...I want, you, my cute little Neko?"

This was probably something that Maoin wouldn't be new too. Gwynn routinely teased the familiar in such a manner. It was mostly to throw her off her game and interrupt her when she was trying to get Gwynn to do something she was supposed to be doing. Now though, Gwynn was doingit mostly for giggles.

[Assistant]
Gwynn seemed to surrender, using the outstretched hand to lift herself to her feet. Maoin sighed in relief as she embraced a hard won victory ... only to gasp a moment later as she felt her mistress' fingers brush her cheek suggestively. The neko had to resist the urge to press herself into the petting and settled instead for avoiding Gwynn's eyes. This certainly wasn't the first time her mistress had flirted with her, and it probably wouldn't be the last.

 "As your familiar, it is my job to provide whatever services make you satisfied." The kitten tried to speak coolly and unemotionally to her mistress, but the spreading blush on her cheeks and the hesitation in her response made it obvious that the noblewoman had won at her game. Largely because that statement was true ...

 A few seconds later, Maoin grabbed the hand of her mistress and began walking her to the campus. Despite Gwynn's implied promise to behave, Maoin was hesitant to let the irresponsible girl go.

---

 The pair eventually managed to enter the main building after filtering through the crowds. Looking behind herself, the neko decided to check on her charge ...

... and smacked her head into a solid sheet of steel as her eyes drifted from where she was walking. Clutching her head as a natural response, the black haired girl's eyes drifted upward to see that she had run into a female knight about four years older than herself. This embarrassment simply topped off the frustration of this day's events. Eyes watering slightly from the pain, Maoin looked down at the floor. "Sorry ..."

[User]
Lunalel Lightsword

Luna had been lucky to escape that woman. Well, that's how she felt at least. If she wanted, she could have likely stopped Luna from leaving if she so desired. She didn't seem to care enough to do so. . . So that was a good sign. For the moment at the least. Now though, she had absolutely no idea where she was now. She was. . . Somewhere on campus. "Really now. Where am I?" The Knightess asked herself as she looked about, trying to figure out where to go next. She was in a building now at least. Likely the main one, considering that most people would have come here anyway. Then she took a step and felt something bounce against her breastplate bearing the heraldry of the Lightsword house. Luna recoiled slightly, but recovered quickly as she looked down to see what she had just ran into to.

It was a girl. Well, seemed like more than a girl even. She had cat ears on her head. Luna couldn't say she was all too surprised since this was the Magic Academy. "I must apologize for this miss. I wasn't watching where I was going. Are you well?" She asked with a small smile on her face though she noticed the girl holding her head. It was likely where she hit her head. Well, she knew a small spell that should help with that much. "Light, come to me." As the Knightess said the words, a few strands of soft light glided like a leaf straight to her hand as she touched the head of the cat-girl. The pain from the blunt impact with Luna's armor should all but disappear and a floating feeling would replace it.

"Alright, let's stand up now." She continued, grabbing the cat's hand and forcing her to stand moreso than help her. "Now then, where are my manners. My name is Lunalel Lightsword, daughter to the Lord of the Lightsword house. I'll apologize if I bothered you two in any way." At the least, Luna took a guess at that. The other girl in the nice dress seemed as if she was with the other girl.

[Assistant]
"Aaah, you're no fun any more Moain." Gywnn sighed, seeing that her teasing had almost zero effect on the Neko. No surprise that she had gotten used to it, really since she did it daily. The blond simply sighed, shaking her head and followed after the cat, allowing herself to be lead. She wasn't really planing on running at the moment, so it was an unnecessary action but if it made Moain feel better, well...that was fine. She honestly, just didn't feel like it at the moment. Well, this was her life now she supposed. Maybe she was being a pessimist about this whole thing, but...well, she was never the most optimistic person out there despite the fiery disposition people attributed to her.

So she silently followed the Neko. She could easily escape if she wanted too, but she really didn't want to cause the cat any more stress than she already had. Eventually, she just returned to her own thoughts realizing just how soft the Neko's hands were...before a loud thunk brought her out of her thoughts. Apparently the Neko had run right into another girl.

Gwynn simply snickered.

"Wow Moain, for someone who doesn't like flirting you sure have a habit of attracting all the cat lovers, heh." Either way...this was the perfect chance. A distraction! If she could get Moain distracted here, she could escape. Would it cause the cat a bit more stress? Well, yeah, probably, but she would keep her promise and go to her classes. She might not exactly meet this Swen in the timely fashion she wanted, but she would keep her promise to mostly behave.

"Nah, she's fine. Moain is a tough little kitty." Gwynn replied with a friendly grin to Lunalel, giving Moain a friendly pet on the head. "Call me Gwynn. I'm a...reluctant new student here." She introduced herself, though conveniently left out her last name and spoke in a casual and friendly manner. She really never liked advertising she was a noble so much. Not because of the declining status her name carried, but because people inherently tended to treat nobles differently.

And she loathed that.


[System]
Species: Feral Vampire
Age: ~700, looks 27.

Appearance: Aldaric is pretty, one of the resons he was turned, but is also tall and broad chested like a capable knight. His green eyes are almost inhuman, and he doesn't have much for facial hair. As a turned vampire, his skin is slightly light grey, making him look like he is always standing in a shadow.

Personality: Aldaric is a little crazy and a little angry, but that doesn't make him a brash beast. He's driven by vengeance but still thoughtful and logical in his approach. He will work with others to achieve his goals and will keep his promises. He does delight in making his enemies suffer and takes satisfaction in killing them. Vampire blood has given him the strength he needs, but he realizes he has become addicted to it, and it's slowly killing him.

Equipment: Two katana type swords. Three hidden, barbed, blood-letting daggers. A heavy pistol (like a desert eagle maybe). Bola. Has ties to an underground network of other ferals involved in the black market, so has procured a few explosives and a steady supply of ammo, etc.

Background: Aldaric was a knight in the middle ages who was greatfully turned to escape persecution and take revenge on those who tried to execute his family. Long story. But since, he had lived happily as a turned vampire in the coven of his master, a pureblood of course, for centuries, among an established sect of vampires who were in favor of dominance over humans.

Eventually they went to war with the currently established vampire society over an obvious conflict of ideals, leadership, culture, etc. and and lost. Aldaric's vampire family this time was wiped out, and he himself was presumed to have also perished in the flames. However, he managed to survive, and over a few hundred years, he recovered, remade himself, and began hunting the purebloods with undeniable ire, feeding on their blood and gaining in power.

Today, he is a secret, coveted leader among the feral vampires, inspiring them to follow him, promising the blood of their vampire victims and vengeance as a reward for their loyalty. They coordinate attacks randomly on vampires of the society.

Extra: Has a hideout, motorbike, for story purposes mostly. Has some moral code holdover from his knighthood days and won't kill on holy ground.

[User]
Bernard sat with his back to a dark corner, leaning over the strong-smelling glass in front of him. He had ordered whiskey and taken not a sip, preferring to take in only observations at this point. The bar that employed Maxine would soon close, and so must his idling. For weeks now, he had considered simply appearing at this very bar, considered allowing her to pick him out of the crowd. Something yet unknown stayed his hand this evening, as it had every day for the last week. He felt it her right to know who had introduced her to this dark world, but now just did not seem the time.

Raven hair obscured Bernards eyes as he tracked Max to the table in the opposite corner of the room. From the way she moved, he recognized the stalk before the kill. This unlucky man, who had been causing problems for the waitstaff all night, had become prey to one of Man's few predators. A smirk curled the corner of his mouth as he watched his progeny at work. As she started to lead him out the back exit, Bernard made his own unobtrusive exodus through the front door. Outside, he straighted the stiff collar of his duster until itnearly reached the bottom of his ears. When a quick glance around revealed no obvious onlooker, he made his way around the side of the building.

At the edge of the shadows, he watched Max lead the man to her coworkers car, manipulating him with ease. Once the car door closed the windows began to fog, but Bernard stil knew exactly what was going on. He could smell the man's blood, and it made him lick his lips. While he waited, he entertained the picture of sharing a feast with Maxine. The thought made him ache with hunger, but he resolved to hunt later. There was plenty of prey on the dark streets, but he did not want to risk Max catching up to him unawares.

The sound of the car door opening and closing caught Bernard's attention, pulling him from his thoughts. He admired the young vampire's form as she straightened her clothes, and once again the idea of simply stepping forward hear and now tempted him. In his moment of hesitation, he noticed her stop and peer in his direction. As she started forward again, so he moved back into the shadows without thinking. A profoundly empty feeling washed over him as he saw that she had lost sight of him. Bernard's stillness rivaled that of the night air as he stood in the darkness and waited to see if Max would attempt to follow.

[Assistant]
Elijah Harding

Elijah laughed as he saw the new hunter tense up, readying his pistol. "Get a load of this guy Locke..." It was just hilarious seeing a hunter getting antsy over a corpse. From his actions, this new hunter was a rookie, and didn't know squat in Elijah's opinion. "I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure a vampire isn't going to get up after getting it's heart crushed, I can tell you that. If you ever see a vamp regenerate a heart you may as well blow your own brains out, as you wouldn't be able to kill it. No point in tensing up for no reason. Besides, if she was still alive, you would think me and especially the boss man over there woulda made sure she didn't stay that way." Elijah kicked the dead vampire's head to emphasize his point, causing the corpse to flip over. "Though, perhaps you're so new you don't know how to properly ensure a vamp is dead?"

Elijah began pouring gasoline all over the corpse, before lighting a torch and igniting the fire with it. The corpse quickly was engulfed in flames, and the putrid smell of burning flesh quickly spread throughout the area. It was a common smell for Elijah, seeing how he was using incendiary bullets, but it was always nasty to smell. Quickly brought about a gag reflex, though over the years he'd been able to prevent himself from puking all over the place.

"Anyway, beside me and Locke, and you of course, there aren't any other hunters in the area. It'll just be us three for now. We did try and call for more hunters to help, but no luck. Seems we'll have to hold down the fort. Not to say we'll be inadequate for the job, as we both have years of experience. Locke over there has decades of it, so I suggest you stay close to him, seeing how you're scared of a fucking corpse. I'll be damned if I have to take care of you in the middle of combat either." Elijah silently hoped Locke wouldn't be too angry he dumped the responsibility of the newbie on him. Locke was the eldest anyway, it should fall upon him to watch over the rookie.

"As for what we're doing, Locke will debrief you on that. I honestly have no idea what we're going to do, seeing as our only lead is dead. Unless our vampire buds over in The Society have intel we don't." For now, it seemed the Hunters could only wait. Either for intel on where these ferals were, or for another murder to occur...

[User]
Aldaric unknowingly held his breath as Katarina walked over to the bound society vampire. He smiled with admiration at how she so delicately tortured him with his own vicarious desires, feigning not to bite the vampire with a long, drawn out pause as a single brazen voice called out to challenge her in the background. Secretly, or rather not so secretly, Aldaric would have liked to have sank his teeth into Reginald himself, but he knew he could not. He was losing himself little by little with every feral feeding, and he knew it. He knew he only had so much time to exact his vengeance. Still, watching someone else who was so beautiful partake was... stimulating.

Dropping down off the platform, Aldaric for the moment ignored Ehren and approached Katarina. "No my dear sister, there is no other way. None, except death, for to live by the permission of another is not to live at all. I know now that I can trust you." He refrained from touching her, being respectful of her space. Suddenly he spoke loudly and more jovially to the gathering of feral vampires. "Hey! If we're not living, we're dying! Right? Hahaha."

Aldaric then walked away from the scene in the center of the room and toward Ehren, the vampire who had spoken out during the indoctrination. The rest of the ferals seemed to return to what they were doing, clearing the bodies off the floor and returning to mingling or dancing to some quieter music. He found Ehren standing where he had been near his table. Some human girl slinking off in the background did not escape Aldaric's notice, but he let her go in order to deal with Ehren.

"Now, what is this sycophantic society speech I'm hearing?" He spoke mockingly out loud to himself as he looked directly at the disapproving vampire before him. He seemed to hesitate for a moment and blink at Ehren, noticing for the first time those red eyes, the familiar broad back, and that faintly recognizable scent. Aldaric tilted his head curiously, yet brazenly moved forward into Ehren's reach.

It was difficult to guess at how powerful Aldaric was. He was older, had fed on vampire blood numerous times, and was undoubtedly fearless to approach so close to Ehren. It was damn-near unnerving as he used his mere physical presence as a challenge to goad Ehren into doing anything about it. He smiled, seeing Ehren maintain his ground and composure, then he backed off to a better speaking distance. "A pureblood who follows his own rules? I respect that." Aldaric's personality shifted again, going from mocking brat to a more controlled and intelligent as he dropped into his more serious, adult self. He spoke more slowly, as if recounting his own words to a historian for permanent record. "I heard what you said, but I am afraid that like it or not, we are already at war. The war began when vampires decided to kill each other over the pleasure of humans. When my family was attacked..." He clenched a fist, biting down his flaring anger. He exhaled, calming himself and smiled sweetly. "Ah, but we all know it was a farce for the purebloods to grab power, using those 'rules' as an excuse to kill who they liked. They don't want to be surpassed. A smart plan really. They goad even the human dogs into directing their hatred of vampires to us, sitting back and laughing while their two enemies fight amongst themselves. Will we die? Heh heh. Maybe, but not until I have seen every one of those pureblood Society fucks burned to ash." The vampire was obviously a little off his rocker, but clearly motivated. His ramblings told of a completely different tale than Ehren had ever heard, that Aldaric was the victim from his point of view, and that the Society was merely a collection of peons all vying for power. "I'll tell you a secret, pureblood. I don't care about humans, and I don't care about vampires. All I care about is avenging my betrayal. Blood like yours gets me what I want, but not... yours... not your blood." He seemed to get confused for only a brief moment. Aldaric then snatched a glass of wine off the table beside himself and held it up to Ehren. "I'm going after Octus. Cheers." He drank the wine in one gulp and set the glass down.


[System]
Nickname: Lu

Age: 24

Gender: female

Nationality: American

Appearance:

She stands at 5"10, has bright green eyes, and a light skin tone. She has a willowy appearance

In-Depth Personality:
Mute from birth, Luna is nevertheless a very loud person, animate In her communication, and in her presence. She is an extremely bright individual, the very epitome of bubbly. She is cheerful, willing to help everyone and willing to see the good in anything.

She can be a tad rash, impulsive even, often acting on what she thinks is right and going off, but other times she sees the sense in patience. She can also get frustrated when she is misunderstood, but most of the time she is cheerful.

Character background:
Born to what would be considered a disadvantage family, Luna was premature by two months. She spent most of her first year in hospital, her mother, a former drug addict, working hard to ensure she was healthy and happy. But it soon became apparent that Luna was mute. Luna however didn't let this stop her getting into trouble, tipping over IV stands, throwing her food across the room, and making a general mess.

Luna never considered herself disadvantaged, indeed she seemed like any other child, making friends, and doing well in school. She seemed to draw people to her, and never thought to question why she couldn't talk.

Having learned sign language Luna decided she wanted to teach deaf children and set her sights on that.

She gained a scholarship to college, but took a year off deciding to round out her skills, she learned hunting, archery, camping, cooking and music. She considered herself a well rounded individual as she went to college a year after graduation. She wanted to prove that just because you were different didn't mean you couldn't be just like everyone else.

It was in her second year when her mother died, killed in a car accident. Luna life changed drastically, as she was now alone, no family to speak of. She fell into a spiral of depression. It lasted months, her school work began to take a dive, and it looked like she would lose everything she gained.

She was never quite sure what changed things around, but one day it just seemed easier. She improved in her studies, and life didn't seem so hard. She finished her degree, and she got a job helping deaf children in school. For a while, she was happy.

Equipment:
-bow with 30 arrows
-basic food stuff, tin food mostly. Four cans of spaghetti, two cans of peas carrot and corn, two tins of fruit salad, four small tons of tuna. Some granola bars.
-two liters of water
-matches
-a spare change of clothes

Weapons:
asides from the bow, a small hand held pistol that she has no idea how to use, with a splattering of bullets.

A dagger that she found on the road

[User]
Lonely World, Season One Prologue

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February 21st, 2018 - Three Months before Day Zero…

Smith Household

---

The city of Toronto was bustling with life as it usually was. Traffic jams on the highway made worse by the snow of February, sidewalks packed with people trying to make it to work and snowplows desperately trying to clear the inner city streets. It was a frosty morning in the great city, the temperatures having dropped to a bone chilling -25 Celcius ( ) overnight. Snow was falling at a slow rate and clung to the city's buildings and streets like a disease. Clouds hung low in the sky and casted a grey, overcast light over the city. Overall, a normal winter morning in Toronto.

Only small outbreaks of both the Zika virus and HIV had been seen up to this point and people went along with their daily lives for the most part. The outbreaks were under control and being dealt with by the collaborative effort of the world's best doctors and no other cases of either disease had been reported anywhere else in the world. Passive ignorance swept most of the planet and everyone quickly forgot about the issue that would one day consume them.

---

Elizabeth woke with a yawn as alarm clock rang out. She sat up in her bed and pulled up the blankets, rubbing her eyes before looking over to the windows. A grin spread across her face as she saw the large clusters of snow falling past and she quickly leapt from her bed to get a better view. Down below the apartments, traffic was at a halt and snowplows littered the city. Lizzy quickly ran back over to her side table and grabbed her iPod, her thumbs flying across the screen as she rushed to find out if it was a snow day.

Minutes later she was in the bathroom. She quickly brushed her teeth, did her hair up in something that resembled a ponytail and then bolted to the kitchen. After quickly sending off a message to her friends she poured herself a bowl of cereal and then doused it with milk. Lizzy ate as if she had been starved for a week; snow days were few and far between in the Greater Toronto Area as they had an almost flawless snow removal service. It was not a day to be wasted eating cereal.

After the filling breakfast and a quick swig of orange juice, Lizzy pulled on her snowpants and then laced up her snow boots. She slid on her arctic white jacket and zipped it up before pulling on her Toronto Maple Leafs tuque and black ski gloves. She paced across the apartment and knocked on her mother's office door, not completely expecting an answer. After no answer for a good five minutes she eventually gave up and just left a note, leaving the apartment and descending to the streets below to join her friends at the park next door. It happened to be visible from their apartment and her mother never really had a problem with Lizzy going down on her own.

The brunette had a ball in the snow. The group of high school freshman wrestled, had snowball fights and took turns telling stories of their dreadful teachers in school. They were out for hours enjoying the mythical snow day in the cold metropolis of Toronto, unaware that their world would be quickly taken by surprise. Ignorant to the fact that these next few months would be the last normal ones that they'd ever get a chance to see…

---

[Assistant]
Renee burrowed deeper into her blankets as the fan beside her bed ran its chilly breeze across her shoulders. She'd probably get sick from having it on in the middle of this ass-biting Minnesota winter, but she couldn't sleep without the white noise. The world was too quiet, too still without it. But she knew she couldn't sleep forever. She had a bad habit of staying up too late and sleeping well into the afternoon. A quick glance at the heavily covered window near her bed confirmed how long she'd slept in. Her mom would be home from work soon.

She threw back the blankets and went through her usual routine, waking herself fully with the glaring light of her laptop screen until she felt the grumbles of hunger in her belly begging for some sort of 'morning' meal. She padded out into the kitchen, the house blissfully empty. It always was in the afternoons. She glanced out the kitchen window and made a face at the piles of snow. That would make getting to work sort of difficult.

After working through her morning routine, she faked being sick and called in to work. She spent the rest of the afternoon in her room, reading a book, until she heard the dog barking excitedly. She hopped out of bed and bounded into the living room, giving her mom a big hug. She always thought it was weird when her friends didn't hug or kiss their parents. Renee made sure to give her parents love and appreciation on an almost irritating level.

"Hey, mama-llama. Was work okay?" She stepped back and sat herself down on the ancient black leather loveseat, feeling the familiar itchy, cracked texture and the stuffing beneath. Her mom gave her usual heavy sigh and removed her purse, sunglasses, and coat before plopping down on her spot on the couch.

"It was work. And you? Did you get any work done around the house?" Her mother's raised brow caused her to shift guiltily. She'd forgone the dishes, even though she'd been told to do them for the past three days.

After a short and pointless argument, she did the dishes quickly and spent the rest of the night at a friend's house, preparing for their upcoming birthday party.

[User]
Luna had spent her first two weeks in Toronto in a daze. From moving to the city, finding an apartment, learning her way around, to diving into her class at the Tronto Schoop for the deaf, she had never been more satisfied. Having m been offered the position when she thought she would never get a job, Luna had agreed right away despite the fact she only had a few days to pack up and move to Toronto. She had sold off, or donated a lot of her furniture, and things she didn't truly need, packed up her car, cramming it full, and started on her way.

And hadn't regretted it.

Today however it looked like she wouldn't be going to the school, and she found herself wide open for a day free in Toronto. Perplexed at the idea, she wondered what she could do. After getting ready, Luna bundled herself in the old, thick and warm coat she had scored in a bargain years ago, and headed outside. Near the school district, Luna could already see children out enjoying the rare day of freedom in the snow, and she couldn't help but smile. She waved to everyone she saw, the universal word for hello, giving everyone a smile as she stalked through the snow. She put a lot of feeling into her gestures, being a very animated person.

She saw that a cafe was open, and decided to stop in for a hot chocolate, grabbing a menu, she pointed to what she wanted, cheerfully grabbing a waitress's attention, shaking her head to the offered sugar, but nodding enthusiastically to the offer for marshmallows, and handed over the right money for the warm beverage, happily accepting it when it was done.

She stepped outside once more, sipping the hot chocolate in its take away cup, and looked about her. Torunto really was a Beautiful place. For the first time in a long time, Luna felt at peace.

Sipping her drink, she started off once more, not sure where she would end up, just that she was going somewhere.


[System]
ALIAS: El Creed
AGE: 24
HEIGHT: 5'8"
WEIGHT: 135 lbs.
HAIR: Auburn
EYES: Violet
ROLE: Assassin
WEAPONS: Anelace, Throwing Knives, Bolo, Steel Knuckles, Crossbow, Longbow and Quiver of Arrows, Rifle, Flintlock
SKILLS: El is the mastermind. She is more efficient and effective with longer range weapons as she does not have the strength to overpower a male opponent. However, she is quick, agile, and graceful. She has had the better part of her life to practice the art of stealth, cunning, and deadly aim.
POWERS: N/A
NOTORIETY LEVEL: 15% Low Guard Alert
CHOSEN FATE: Villain

NAME: Esme Lenore Warwick
ALIAS: Esme Creed
AGE: 22
HEIGHT: 5'6"
WEIGHT: 130 lbs.
HAIR: Sable
EYES: Blue
ROLE: Hustler
WEAPONS: Twin Rattlesnake Venom Tipped Stiletto
SKILLS: Esme is the most theatrical of the four, able to adjust her demeanor to any given situation. She is very cunning, manipulative, and is able to place a small wager on just about anything to earn a quick pence.
POWERS: N/A
NOTORIETY LEVEL: 51% Medium/Moderate Guard Alert
CHOSEN FATE: Villain

NAME: Claire Iris Warwick
ALIAS: Claire Creed
AGE: 20
HEIGHT: 5'4"
WEIGHT: 125 lbs.
HAIR: Chestnut
EYES: Violet
ROLE: Spy
WEAPONS: An Array of Poisons, Sedatives, and Antidotes. Most Used Is A Vial of Belladonna Powder, Spyglass, Derringer
SKILLS: Claire is the quiet one, and this trait has attributed to her contribution to the family. She is stealthy, inconspicuous, highly intelligent, sociable when it is needed, and very patient. These qualities also aided in her study of poisons and antidotes.
POWERS: N/A
NOTORIETY LEVEL: 12% Low Guard Alert
CHOSEN FATE: Villain

NAME: Corrine Ivy Warwick
ALIAS: Corri Creed
AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 5'2"
WEIGHT: 120 lbs.
HAIR: Blush
EYES: Blue
ROLE: Thief
WEAPONS: Pet Ferret, Loki
SKILLS: Corri is the youngest, and she has earned respect amongst her sisters by thieving whatever is needed for them to survive, from money, to clothes, to food, even transportation and shelter. She is an accomplished pick pocket and lock pick.
POWERS: N/A
NOTORIETY LEVEL: 43% Medium/Moderate Guard Alert
CHOSEN FATE: Villain

HISTORY: These four young women were born to Charles and Isabelle Warwick. Charles was a professional gambler, womanizer and proper rogue. Isabelle was a genuinely kind, spiritual woman who fell in love with the wrong kind of man. Seven years after Corri, the youngest, was born, Charles was arrested, and taken from their home in the middle of the night. He had finally gotten himself into trouble that he could not con himself out of. Isabelle did the best she could to raise and provide for her four daughters, but times were incredibly harsh, and after holding several jobs at once, she found the only way she could make a decent living was to sell her body at a local brothel. Unfortunately, six months afterward, Isabelle was grotesquely murdered by a psychotic medical man in a dark alley one night, leaving the girls to fend for themselves.

El, having been thirteen at the time, refused to allow her and her sisters to be forced into the custody of the orphanage, and so she had grown up quickly in order to provide for them. It had become second nature, living on the streets, scrounging for food and money, but El wanted better for her sisters, and she knew the only way for a woman to make good in a man's world without having to fall to the same fat as their mother, was to take what they wanted by force if necessary. El began grooming herself, conditioning her abilities with long range weaponry, going so far as to change their surname to avoid recognition by reputation. After making enough money to sustain her small family, she enlisted the second oldest, Esme, into her scheme.

Esme became quite profitable in her own right, using her pretty face and innocence to lure men into her dainty little hands, and milk them dry of every pence she could. Once that had grown old, she picked up on a few tricks of the trade to hustle money from those who believed they had knowledge, skill, and experience over her.

Claire definitely came into her trade on her own, after all, it had seemed so natural. She was able to spot a unsuspecting victim from a mile away within the year. This had lead to her infatuation with the curses and gifts of nature, poisons and the like...and ways to counteract them.

Last, but not least, Corri. While they all knew what they were doing was wrong, Corri wanted nothing more than to survive, and assist her sisters in doing so. One night, as she and her sisters were strolling through town, a young man bumped into Corri. She was surprised at how easily she was able to lift his watch and wallet without the man having even given her a backward glance. It was also through her tasks that she found and rescued her pet ferret, Loki, who became a constant companion and somewhat of a little guardian angel.

El, Esme, Claire and Corri have been living this way for a little over a decade now, but they are continuously sharpening their skills in the hopes that one day, they will be able to pilfer enough to retire them comfortably for the rest of their lives.

[User]
Once he heard the sirens, and footsteps of the Tall Boys, Ty got nervous. He immediately ducked down into another alleyway, and leaned his head out to watch what was all going on. It seemed like they were chasing a criminal. Whoever this guy was, he wasn't half bad either, being able to dodge the Tall Boys arrows with seemingly ease. And then he heard the voice of the Lord Regent. Kingsford. A wolfish grin crossed his lips. "Wow, that didn't take long. Looks like it's my lucky day, and your's too laddie." He muttered to himself. Time to get his vigilantie on.

Ty blinked around from alleyway to alleyway, and rooftop to rooftop to remain unseen. Which was pretty easy, Kingsford was making a lot of noise after all. All eyes were on him. Ty could probably remain unoticed even if he rode in on a flying whale. He noticed the old man who popped his head out to yell at the former gangster, and sighed. "You're gonna get yourself killed you dumb fuck." He muttered to himself. He adjusted his cap, making sure it covered enough of his face.

Ty blinked behind Lysander, and sighed. "Aye, I can get behind that. Besides laddie, you and me has some business to discuss." He stated as he made his presence known. He held out his right hand, the mark on his palm began to glow. He used his pull ability to keep Kingsford in place, and forcibly bring him to him. "Gotta love that Outsider." He smirked. "How about you leave these poor sobs alone, and you and me have a little chat about your mates in the Broken Bottle Gang."

He then released the former crime lord, and dropped him on the ground. "So what's it going to be mate? You, me, badass superpowered battle that'll end with me dragging you off, and forcing the information that I want out of you. Or we can both walk away now, and get what we both want, Slackjaw, and his mates being brought down." He asked as he tapped on the hilt of his sword, showing that he was ready for fight. He looked around, expecting the city guard to arrive soon. "Decide fast laddie, those Guardsmen are like cockroaches, emphasis on the cock. They just crawl out of the courners. And no matter what, you just can't stomp on 'em all."

[Assistant]
@CutUp

-------------------------

- E A R L I E R -

-------------------------

"Will you keep it down you enormous BLOODY CUNT."

Lysander turned on his heels to face the source of the voice.

"Oh, well lookie here! At least somebody came out!" A sly grin swept across Kingsford's face. "What's wrong, old man? Somebody steal your Viagra?"

"There are folks and kids trying to drink and sleep and you're out there swinging your cock around like some gross fucking jackal!" Wilheim replied, "Now knock off your SHIT before I clamp a hagfish around your knobs!"

Suddenly, there was another voice, that originated from the same building.

"Sully, what the fuck is happening up there?"

"I'm fucking handling it Davis!" Wilheim turned his head to yell, "Go back to stroking yourself!"

Lysander burst out laughing.

"You-" He panted for breath, "You actually think you're intimidating? You, think you can tell me, what to do? Oh, you're too funny!"

He threw back his head in laughter again.

Wilheim gritted his teeth, watching the sagacious prick laugh in the most exaggerated manner he'd ever witnessed. He'd had enough. He took one look at his drink and knew what to do. He took a cloth from one of the drawers in the room and stormed over to the table. Soaking the cloth in the remainder of the bottle's contents, he picked up the lantern on the table and returned to the window.

The jammy fuck was still laughing. Wilheim held the open lantern up to the cloth, lighting it. He quickly took the newly crafted molotov and tossed it at the cunt while he was still distracted by the size of his own ego.

Kingsford continued his laugh, not hearing the smash of the bottle, but feeling the heat of the spark of fire on his legs. Shit. He quickly bent time and blinked a few paces away, patting the fire out on his legs. He sent time back to its normal pace, a sly grin still wrapped around his lips.

"So you wanna play like that, huh? I can do just the same." He pulled out his pistol, aiming it at the man. "Don't throw your life away, pal. Say sorry and I might just spare you." He grinned devilishly.

"Oh for- of COURSE you're one of them fucking Garys!" Wilheim replied. It didn't take even a rat's brain to deduce this sorcery.

Just then, a baby's crying sounded throughout the building.

"Sully!" A woman's voice followed the crying.

Wilheim turned his head and yelled, "I'll be right there Amelia!" He turned back to the egregious bastard, ignoring the gun. Not the first time he had one aimed at him. He raised his hands on the window frame and yelled, "Piss off!"

He shut the window, turned, and headed for the door.

-------------------------

- N O W -

-------------------------

The man - Sully, was it? - had just stormed back inside when Kingsford heard a voice behind him.

"Aye, I can get behind that. Besides laddie, you and me have some business to discuss."

Lysander groaned as the fucker's Mark glowed, and he was held in place. The guy started talking, but Lysander wasn't bothered, really. All he heard was blahblahblah, gay relationship with Outsider, blahblahblah, broken bottles, blahblahblah, looking for a fight, blahblahblah, kill Bottle Street Gang and Slackjaw, blahblahblah, guard's cocks. Damn, this guy was gay for sure.

Kingsford was dropped to the ground partway through the homo's speech, and decided to stay there till the end of it, just for showmanship. Then he rolled his eyes as his mark begun to glow. He swept some dirt up from the ground, throwing it towards the bastard's eyes, and blinked himself up, pulling out his own sword.

"You think it was gonna be that easy? Hah!"

[User]
The four young women strolled down the streets of Dunwall rather casually, despite Kingsford being on the loose. They had exhausted every option for earning enough coin for a meal this evening, and they had far surpassed disappointment. Hunger and frustration tended to work on the nerves, and at the moment...the young ladies were at one another's throats. "Well, that is just perfect! Maybe we should just turn ourselves into the authorities." Claire growled at her youngest sister.

Corri bowed her head, like a child being chastised. "At least we would never have to worry about where we will sleep, and we would get three meals a day." Corri murmured beneath her breath, her stomach rumbling loudly.

"Enough!" El barked at her sisters. "I am tired of this bickering and whining." El was the oldest, and she had been working the streets the longest.

"Perhaps we should simply find Kingston and join with him." Esme arched a brow, stopping in her walking to stomp her foot and cross her arms over her bosom. "The authorities have been after him for some time and he has managed to remain free."

"Are you out of your mind?" El ceased in her walking, spinning to face her sister. Her hands came to rest at the graceful flare of her hips as she arched a brow at Esme.

"He is a dangerous criminal." Claire chimed in, equally aghast.

"And what are we?" Corri blinked, her eyes widening slightly. The full petal of her bottom lip pushed outward in a charming pout as her gaze swept to all of her older sisters. "We are not saints. We cheat, lie, and steal money from anyone we can." She sighed.

El, Esme, and Claire looked back and forth to one another, tilting their heads, and smiling with sisterly understanding and affection. They all converged on Corri then, wrapping her in their arms.

Edited Note: As El, Esme, Clair and Corri walked through the streets, they were suddenly surrounded by guards. The girls knew that they didn't have hope of defeating their enemy, and thus...they all three withdrew the weapons hidden among their persons at the guards' orders, and laid them down upon the street. Soon, they were taken into custody and carted away.


[System]
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Description or Image: Asian 20-year-old woman, lithe and athletic build but not too skinny, attractive but not to a distracting degree, green, piercing eyes and long, flowing black hair

Alias/Nick Name: The Performer

Background & Reason for Joining: The Performer has traveled far and wide, searching for shows in which she could demonstrate her skills and prowess with her well-trained acrobatic movements. The whip-like ribbons just served as extra extensions of her own arms. Ever since she was a little girl, she dreamed of being able to use her dancing abilities to do more than just perform, but her parents had tried to keep her sheltered and thus (in their eyes) safe from the world's dangers. Longing for a life that truly means something and can help people, she uses her performances on each stage as a ruse so that she could scout out ways to help and she has made this no secret to her followers and supporters (both online and onstage). Thus, it was no surprise when a young man called out to her after one of her performances and told her that there has finally arrived a chance to do some good for an entire city of people. He shared with her a blog from a place called Hero City and once she reached the small apartment she had rented while performing, she sat down to read through the blog post. Once she finished, she promptly sent in her own information and reasons for being qualified for this request. 'I could finally be on a real team of superheroes,' she thought excitedly to herself, as she planned a way to keep up the ruse to her parents and friends from back home that didn't want to see any harm come to her.

Personality: On the inside is eager to please and help but gives off the appearance of being shy and reserved and uncertain at times. She does warm up to people and will become more social after a time, but always wary and alert.

Powers:
- Razor-tipped, whip-like ribbons that she has trained with for years so that they follow every subtle movement her wrists or even fingers make to direct them
- Sharp eyesight and hyper-awareness of her surroundings
- Strong even though her body type doesn't betray it
- Highly skilled in acrobatics, thus excellent dexterity

Weaknesses:
- Insecurities about herself that make her second-guess her decisions and actions
- People-pleasing and will most times go along with others' ideas even when she doesn't necessarily agree it is wisest
- Inwardly vain about her appearance

[User]
The pride that had swelled Talia's heart to almost bursting when she had heard the good news, plummeted below her feet into the floors below as Manny shared the bad news... The blood drained from her face and her knees threatened to give way... She was finished, utterly destroyed if they were on their way here... She wished she could have thought earlier about using a mask or different colored silks or something, anything to hide her identity, but she'd been so blinded by her own desperation to gain freedom and purpose, that she'd failed her team. Her parents heading here meant only one thing: she had to hide or be taken back with them and never trusted again. What could she do? Where could she even go? She would have to change her entire look now to avoid this happening again... It was too much... Talia was strong and determined but not this strong... She stumbled and fell to her knees on the floor, uttering only a soft cry of "no!" as she looked down at the ground, not registering anything else for the moment. Let her teammates see now that she was weak and has always been weak, let them see how incapable she really was and how easily afraid... now it didn't matter anymore. Besides, now she might even need their help, which she'd never been able to ask for before or trust another person to give.
As she forced herself to take some normal breaths, she turned to Bob and tried to make her face give a smile and half-laugh as she said, "Guess I should have disguised my identity like you did huh?"

[Assistant]
Bob was preparing cocky comments and comebacks, as well as a string of compliments to Talia..... then he saw her pale face, and things started making sense in his head. Parents weren't really a subject of talk between them yet. It seemed like a topic that they both wanted to avoid to keep the fun going. But he had seen that kind of look on the face of some of his friends when parents were called, and he figured he knew where this might be heading. There always seemed to be two kinds of rich parents... the ones that didn't care about their kids, and just threw money at them so the parents could continue their work, or play, or drugs, or whatever else they did. That's how his parents were. Then there were the ones that dominated their kids. Molding and training them, often abusively, into what the parents wanted them to be. It's those parents that usually brought on the look Talia wore.

When Talia dropped to her knees, Bob went to her, taking off his mask and dropping it to the floor, placing and arm protectively over her shoulders. "Hey, it's alright. We can get you decked out. I know some stores we can get a good deal on costumes and stuff. And you don't have to see your parents if you don't want to..." He turned to Manny with look that said *isn't that right, Boss*

[User]
---

@myinneroblivion @ShadowsofNight

---

The man could only look at his own feet and twiddle his thumbs together as the usually composed Talia let the weight of the news fall upon her. It seemed that it was something beyond the usual parent and child conflict when becoming a hero. From what he could assume, Talia's parents had more pull to the woman's life than he could have imagined to be healthy. Manny quickly glanced at the woman and heard her attempt in salvaging the situation with a little humor. He was rather glad that Bob was there to comfort her. He really didn't know what to do when someone was overwhelmed by grief and disbelief.

Bob then looked over to him with that look. A look pleading for reassurance that they'd do whatever they could to help Talia keep her distance from her overly manipulative parents. "O-of course. If you don't want to meet up with them I can probably hatch up a plan before they arrive tomorrow." The Latino man felt a little more confident now. He stopped twiddling his thumbs and stood tall. He didn't know Talia's situation with her parents much but if he could become a hero despite his parents' very vocal protests then Talia could too if she damn well wanted. "Who knows? Maybe your parents will just give up once they can't find you; come to their senses and realize that you're a grown woman now and they can't do squat if you want to keep being a hero." He took a knee in front of both Talia and Bob. "We're not the losers that we were a week ago. We've faced overwhelming opposition and come out on top! Defenders of the innocent and of Justice!"

Manny extends his hand towards the two in an offer to perform a team hand stack. "We're the goddamn CHAMPs and we don't give up!"

[Assistant]
'They cared?' Talia was shocked when her two teammates reached down to be on her level and console her with words and even an arm around her shoulder. She couldn't believe that they actually wanted to help her!

'Maybe, just maybe... she wouldn't have to return to the life her parents had tried for so long to imprison her in... their own personal, stifling and suffocating destiny for her... No, she couldn't do that to them.' She dropped her head and looked away from Bob and Manny. 'She couldn't just disappear and change her appearance so that she couldn't be tracked. Besides, people would pick up on her moves as being from The Performer no matter what she tried to don as her outward appearance. She also couldn't hurt her new friends though. She cared for them, too, and would have defended them if the positions were reversed.'

Steeling herself, she looked back up at them again and forced the words to exit her mouth with a semblance of confidence and assurance she didn't yet feel inside.
"Yes, we are the CHAMPS and I don't want to give up... I won't!" Her face screwed up with determination and focus. "Whatever ideas you both have for me to try or wear or whatever, I am all ears. I don't ever want to go back to them or that life... ever again." Her voice faltered a little at the end, but she still had finished her statement. She'd spoken it out loud. She was never going back to them, not if she could help it.

[User] Bob stood, giving his best confident and assured pose. "You don't have to go back. People are scared to do what it takes to get away from situations because they might lose everything and become homeless. But look at me!" He strikes a 'I am awesome" pose. "I make this lifestyle look Gooood." He laughs at himself a litte, but then his smile goes back to being reassuring. "But seriously, I got your back. Even if we have to fight the whole world, you have the Jersy Devil at your side. Plus you got a Job, and friends now. And you can always crash at my place."

[Assistant]
---

@myinneroblivion @ShadowsofNight

---

This was the stuff of legends. Staunch companions coming together to overcome a great obstacle to help a friend in need, and Talia was definitely a friend in need. "Awesome. Well first things first, we gotta enjoy the highs of our last success." He holds his envelope of righteously earned dollar bills. "We'll meet back up here later this afternoon so we can go into the nitty gritty of things for the plan. In the mean time, lets go enjoy ourselves." Manny knew where he would go first. To Hero City's Industrial Recycling Plant. The best place to get premium scrap and spare parts he'd need to fix and even keep building his Gadgeteer suit. He may even have enough extra bills to pay the plant the extra couple hundred bucks or so to have the privilege of scavenging the parts before they dismantle them into raw material to be re-sold to corporations and such.

To Manny, this was akin to a kid visiting a toy store with a huge wad of cash on hand. He could have anything he could find.

[User]
Talia smiled a little at Bob's fun and jest and Manny's enthusiasm. She tried to imagine what life could be like having true friends that had her back and were at her side... She tried to imagine how much different that life could be and that she could actually feel safe instead of always watching her back or keeping her parents caught up with stories. It had worked for a while, because she hadn't done anything really, truly freeing... Now she had and she loved it! But she didn't even feel safe in her own apartment, and it was no one's fault but hers.

'Enjoy the highs of their successes,' Manny had told them. She didn't even know how to at this point. 'Maybe she could drop back off at home and grab the majority of the things that mattered to her and stow them away at some place where not even her parents would think to look for her,' she thought to herself.

Bob had offered to her that it was okay for her to even stay wherever he stayed. She was already accustomed to heights due to her own performances but thankfully the couple days she'd spent on rooftops with him had made her more comfortable with the building heights too. "Bob, is there some kind of nook or overhang or something you know of where I could stash some of my belongings for a while? I don't want my parents knowing where I am and so I'm going to have to find somewhere else to stay. Also, I'm going to definitely take you up on that offer of finding a new look." The thought of hiding away from them, of running, was almost too much for her to allow... it was better not to think too far ahead, or she might crumble and not be strong enough to do this after all.

Regaining herself she turned to The Gadgeteer, "Thank you, Manny, for your help and your care. It means more than you'll ever know. I'm sorry if you end up having to deal with my parents. Hopefully, they are more pleasant to you if I'm not around. I will see you again this afternoon." She will leave with Bob when he is finished in the room, though attempt to persuade him to maybe not exit straight out the window...

[Assistant]
"Heck Yeah!" Bob exclaimed, already getting excited before clearing his throat and trying to compose himself better. He snags the money envelopes and tosses Talia's to her while pocketing his own. "Yeah, I got the perfect place. No worries. Hey... when I ran away from home, I had a chance to empty my bank account of my allowance... do you have something like that that you can do... or need to pick up your stuff? We should probably do that first, if there's still time."

He turns to Manny, Showing his excitement and childish glee in his eyes before he slips the mask back on over his head. "See you soon! We'll get this all worked out." Bob would head for the window, then pause. Reaching down, he turns off the boots, and then extends his elbow in a formal gesture to Talia to take her arm, prepared to take the stairs like a normal person. "Sorry, the boots make the stairs and exorcise in patience... which isn't my strong suite."

[User]
In spite of herself and the current stress of the situation, Talia couldn't help but smile at Bob's recovery as he caught himself before jumping back out the window per his usual exit strategy. Some of the tension fades from her as she takes his proffered arm and thanks Manny again before they walk out of headquarters.

"Yes," she says as they walk back down to where the cab was waiting that she took earlier to get here. "Yes, unless they've already drained the account somehow, but I don't think they have because they got on a plane so quickly to come here. So, I do have money kept in a bank and we should also quickly go get my things from the apartment because I also stashed some there in the AC vent."

They will make it to her place and get her things and also find that some of her money had already been withdrawn and it was a good thing that she had planned for that ahead of time when she'd first gotten here for her performances, or she wouldn't have had much left. They left the apartment after getting her stash as well, before she looked up at Bob in anxious excitement and curiosity because she now had no idea what kind of plans he had in store for her or where she should now go...


[System]
Age: 18
Species: Shiny Eevee
Type: normal
Nature: timid
Ability: Anticipation
Moves: 'You can learn up to six moves, but you're probably glad if you know... one right now.'
- Quick attack
- Hidden power
-
-
-
-
Mysterious Gem Location, Shape and accessory type: a golden collar with a diamond shaped purple stone around her neck
Other: She is very confused what is going on, but she knows every herb and berry that can help Pokemon Injured to heal from within. She also knows how to make medical drinks with the herbs and berries she carries around in a huge around her neck, and she doesn't even know what the mysterious stone came from. She has more silver in her fur then a usual shiny eevee, you will see in the poke world.

[User]
Pyro

@ianzerep@Iatos@Devo@RiverMaiden
Pyro sent another ember to deal with the mudslap headed his way and then Frida's before his mouth was once again letting off small fiery sparks.
"This feeling...yes, I enjoy this quite nicely." Pyro chuckled before using the ember to launch himself slightly upwards, which allowed him to scale a nearby building just slightly easier.
Of course that meant that Frida now seemed to be fighting the four by herself...however she wasn't. There was only one way they could win this fight, and that was by taking risks. And who would be willing to do so? Pyro of course.

Covering his mouth using his sleeve, Pyro now ran headfirst into the gas. The gas stung his eyes somewhat but he simply ignored it and fought through the pain. Seeing movement in the gas, he quickly moved his hand away from his mouth to launch another volley of ember.
Once the ember was gone he quickly covered his mouth once more. He knew he would get poisoned eventually, his sleeve wouldn't keep the toxins out forever if at all.
However...it did make breathing easier at this stage, and he would simply eliminate the four pokemon before the poison became too big a problem.

[Assistant]
Elvina just looked at twix and sighed then smiled. " We will need to gather more of those Energy Roots, and we need all kinds of herbs in this world that has any kind of healing Properties, I'm lucky my knowledge about plants for healing hasn't disappeared she said and pulled a giant leaf from a tree branch as she slowly walked on her unknown legs, but sometimes she starts walking on fours once in awhile as her tail continued to sway. " She picked the berries that they found then she took the root from Twix and laid it on the giant leaf that she had with her. She took an oran berry over to Twix and smled nicely. " Here Twix eat this we can't let you search for the rest of the berries and herbs for healing our follow party members that is fighting still." She said and sniffed the air and located more oran berries, Sitrus Berries, and she also found another energy root.

She also found some Pecha berries, Aspear berries, Chesto berries, Cheri Berries, Rawst berries, Persim berries and Some Revival Herbs plus more Energy Roots. She put everything she found into the leaf and continued collecting more for a lifetime supplies for curing the wounded, but she already knew the healing supplies will decrease greatly during the weeks and months living in these strange bodies with mysterious stones on them.

[User] As he got closer to the blond, Mellio started to see more and more details of her person, especially the anklet that had a mysterious stone within it. She WAS like the rest of them. Each and every one of them had one of those weird gems embedded in some kind of accessory. He thought that it was pretty cool, kind of like a secret team of sorts. He finally reached the girl, who was startled by his presence, heaving from his full on sprint. Having fully recovered after a few seconds, his happy personality went full force, showing on his face, his posture, and even as a sort of aura around him. "Hi there! I saw you watching us fight, and I was wondering if you could help!" he exclaimed quickly in a single breath, sounding more like: "HithereIsawyouwatchingusfightandIwaswonderingifyoucouldhelp!" Taking one of the girl's hands in his own, he gave her his best pout. "Please? My friends need help!" he punctuated his finished sentence with a surprise hug, repeatedly asking "Please?" and not letting go until she said yes.

[Assistant]
@Iatos @Devo @ianzerep @Lunarlors34 @RiverMaiden

Xiphias

Xiphias' ears twitched as she watched the fight unfold. They were like her.. with human forms instead of Pokemon ones. The air was thick with the scent of poison... as the pokemon like her faced off against the Grimer. Her ears twitched as she watched the battle for a few more moments before jumping in. She wanted to ask these others if they knew why they'd been turned into human-things. If they knew anything....

She darted towards the cloud of poisonous gas, taking a deep breath and holding it as she sprinted into the poison. She could feel it burning her skin as she charged towards the Muk. Panic hit her as she realized, she couldn't remember how to fight. The Muk sloshed towards her slowly, a smile spreading across its face. Xiphias felt her lungs screaming for air and had no choice but to release her held breath, feeling the burning sensation of the poison against her throat. As she took some damage, Xiphias' ice blue eyes seemed to glow. A fury rose from deep within Xiphias and a wave of darkness exploded from her body in all directions, even washing towards the others who looked sort of like herself.

[User]
@Draconequis

The blond Gijinka had been spectating the fight, mainly focusing on the actual combatants in the Houndoom and Froakie-like beings. Watching the two groups sling about elemental attacks made even more new information spring up into her head. Mud Slap. Sludge. Poison Gas. Bubble. Ember. Harden. Sludge Wave. The words formed within her mind as each move was used, the young teen not understanding how she even know what those words meant.

As she pondered this conundrum, her ears picked up the sound of running coming from her right, and the source was coming towards her! Meloi froze in surprise, unable to move in fear of the entity that approached her. But, as the figure came into view, the Ampharos Gijinka calmed down near instantly, looking at the being with apprehension. Wasn't this one involved in the conflict as well? Surveying through her memories, she was surprised to find that his absence was actually near the beginning of the fight, after a quick maneuver that saved the blue girl from being hit with a Sludge. The Shellos-like boy held himself up from his knees, heaving from exhaustion. The blond took this chance to see the finer details on his person, such as the comfortable material his clothing was made of, said clothing's cute design, and the strange opal that was embedded into the boy's headband.

Then, the green boy looked up at her with a radiant smile, and the teen almost let out a squeal of cuteness overload. He just looked too cute, with his childish face, body and clothing all molding his persona into a adorable little boy. The cute little Shellos asked her for help in aiding his friends, but she shook her head. No matter how cute he was, the blond wasn't going to risk her life for some people she didn't know. Plus, what was she even going to do? Flatter them? She paused for a moment, new information dumping itself into her cranium as she thought of the word "flatter". Huh, so it actually WOULD do something if she tried... Still, she won't-

Then the boy took her hand in his, and pulled her into a hug, shattering her personal space as well as her defense. Awwww... this boy was really too cute, trying so desperately to help his friends. She guess she could, might as well try to learn more about those who were similar to her. Unlatching the boy's hands from her back, the blond nodded to the Shellos gijinka, pulling him along as she head towards the battle ground. Suddenly, a pulse of pure darkness exploded from the field, flying in all directions, including the now allied duo. Night Daze, her mind shouted from within, advising her to dodge the move, as it could cause serious damage. However, she instinctively covered the little boy behind her, who was unable to see nor react to the move. Meloi cried out in pain as the most powerful Dark-type move smashed into her back, falling to the forest floor with the boy within her arms. She was barely conscious when she hit the ground.

[Assistant]
Twillelix 'Twix'

He was glad that his clumsiness at least helped somewhat, having no clue that the root were any special before she said so. As she told him that they needed more he nodded yet felt quite satisfied for not being totally useless. He was honestly glad they had found any berries at all, and when she gave him the Oran berry they had found to eat he gladly accepted it. He wasn't s sure it would instantly heal him or anything, but it would at least help him restore lost energy and it was not like he could remember eating anything recently either... he might as well eat while he had the chance. As they looked around however he realized time were passing quite quickly and he knew that they needed to return soon enough if they was to help their friends.

Seeing Elvina find some stuff he looked to her "Come on, we should get back and see if the others need our help... should grab any poison curing berry you can and then hurry" he said as he got up, he staggered a bit as his leg were sore, frowning slightly he bit down on the Oran berry and then picked up a apple on the way back, again waiting to support Elvina if she needed it even if his own ankle hurt.

---

The Battle were running on, and soon as more moves were exchanged and a Zoroark Gijinka joined the fray, The three grimers where soon knocked out. At this point the Muk realized that the battle were no longer favorable, and thus called the retreat before they got injured further. Escaping quickly back into the house the Gijinkas could claim their victory.

Battle Result: Enemy Looses the will to continue the battle and flees back to whence they came.
Pyro Poisoned?:
Xiphias Poisoned.
Mel-knocked out.

[User]
He didn't know what went wrong. Just a moment ago, the blond who was close to her age had started to lead him to the battle, having accepted his plea. Then, as he skipped along with the girl, he was pulled to the ground, a loud feminine scream filling his ears as a wave of darkness washed over the two of them. Team Mel hit the ground, the girl's hold over the green-haired boy slackening as the darkness dissipated. The area around them was silent for a moment, Mellio recovering from the cushioned fall while the blond who covered him fell into unconsciousness.

"Hey, are you ok?", the Shellos gijinka finally asked, rolling out from under the girl and getting up from the ground. Now standing, the boy looked over the blond's unconscious body, and his eyes widened in disbelief. A large gash stretched across the girl's back, the clothing around it ripped as well. He knelt down to the girl, visibly relieved when she heard that she was still breathing. He pulls Meloi's upper body off of the ground, slinging one of the taller gijinka's arms around his neck as she started to carry her around the building and towards the clearing his friends were at. She was hurt, and needed help, and no matter the circumstances of the fight, he needed to bring her to them. "Don't worry, you're going to be alright. My friends can help... I swear." Mellio said to the unconscious girl, not really expecting a reply as he tread on the dirt ground.

[Assistant] Elvina nodded " yes lets head back now, since I bet our other members are in a horrible position right now, so lets hurry Twix. I need to get there as fast as I can to help heal the wounded and fallen ones in our party. " She said and grabbed the last bit of pecha and Oran berries she was gathering hen she tied the big leaf around her neck with her hands holding on it as she focused to make her legs to work well as she ran a bit and halted waiting for Twix to catch up with her when he was a distance away from her a she ran through forest as her eevee tail swayed as she ran and made sure the giant leaf was very secured around her shoulders and neck for nothing won't fall out even if she fell down in the forest that Twix and her went to gather supplies to heal their wounded or fallen members in the group who were fighting the grimers and muks.


[System]
____________________________________

Zhijiru
Age: 17
Hair Color: Black, messy, mid-length
Eye Color: Green, however his left eye is infected (black and red) and is usually covered
Height: 5' 4"
Body Type: Between average and thin

Starting Information: Zhijiru was infected at a young age with an eye that turns all goopy and leaks black mud or ink when it isn't covered. He's is outcasted by his fellow villagers because of his afliction. Not much people know about his affliction and is considered a myth or rumor even to most people from his own village. He is trying to stay out of trouble to regain a better status among his people to gain a sense of belonging. But he has to travel from village to village to sell alone, with no family to help him. Sometimes thugs and bandits steal from him and there is really nothing he can do about it. He just hopes that no one will kill him as he tries to find his place in the world.

____________

Luca Weir
Age: 18
Hair Colour: Silver, short and a little messy
Eye Colour: Blue
Height: 1.60 metres (5'3")
Body Type: Average

Starting Information: A young alchemist healer from Talrasha, he was a bargain hunter for the best items and the best prices. Which probably ended up with his meeting with Zhijiru. He even occasionally worked with Zhijiru on some cases, but he always requested the safest jobs, always warning that "I'm not just unreliable in danger, but actively unhelpful."

[User]
The woman smiled at Luca. "Oh? Well, I do like my... Food. Full of spunk and energy."

Diesel creeped up closer to the woman and sniffed her ankle. "Oh, goodness. What a cute dog, is he for sale too?" Diesel flinched back a bit every time she moved slightly. Dogs usually did flinching as a playful gesture, but Diesel seemed to do it cautiously.

"No, he isn't." Zhijiru crawled under his counter and pulled Diesel back. But Diesel kept going back to her. Zhijiru shrugged and picked up the cage the chicken was in. Zhijiru stuck his tongue at Luca instead of responding to his comment, (away from the woman so she wouldn't see,) and put it on the counter.

The woman looked at the chicken for a few seconds, smiled, and handed the 20 silver coins. Zhijiru took a moment to make sure that they were real, checking the weight of them and seeing if any paint would come off but everything checked out. The odd thing was, Zhijiru was surprised she took the chicken for that price, and especially after Luca's comment about it not being tame.

"Thanks," said the woman, smiling, as she took the chicken away.

Zhijiru kept watching the woman as she walked away. She didn't walk like a farmer, she swayed her hips left and right needlessly, and honestly she didn't smell like one either (not to be a creep or anything). Why would a farmer agree to such a price, he almost meant it like a joke, if anything. There were other small things that didn't sit well with him. As he watched her, for a moment her silhouette changed. He rubbed his eyes and she disappeared into the crowd.

Jiru shook his head, he probably couldn't see her well, after all, he only had one eye to go off of. "Sorry about that Luca, I didn't actually think she'd take it, but I wasn't going to say no if she did." He tossed a single coin in the air and caught it.

[Assistant]
That woman dressed the part of a farmer, but the way she moved and acted seemed off. If she was going incognito, she was doing a poor job at it, especially the part where she suddenly disappeared into the crowd. Of course, guessing what she was pretending not to be was going to be tricky, but Luca could try.

"I bet you your chicken that's a hero or someone, pretending to be a local," Luca commented off-handedly. "Oh, and did you know your tongue's black?"

He lied, but maybe it was time to shake up Jiru a bit. Crouching down at the counter, Luca glanced lazily in Jiru's direction. "Looks like you're eating something nice tonight. Or, well, at least, eating."

Luca let out a little laugh. Jiru was dirt-poor, and Luca was only averagely poor, but any form of charity from Luca to Jiru seemed wrong. Unless Jiru was in the most dire of circumstances, but he never actually reached that point. Luca couldn't count how many times Jiru almost became too poor to even survive, though. The key word, in this case, was almost.

[User]
Zhijiru was sort of drowning out what Luca was babbling about. He tend to that sometimes. "WHAT?!" Jiru said, and attempted to look at his tongue to see if it was black. But then he realized Luca was just trying to get his attention. He took a jab at Luca's upper arm in return. "Why would anyone pretend to be a farmer? Being a farmer sucks."

"Let's eat somewhere tonight, my treat. I mean, of course, it has to be in my budget. It's the least I can do for selling the chicken you had such interest in."

Zhijiru looked around. "Where's Diesel?" His eyes got bigger as he looked around frantically.

[Assistant]
Luca felt elated at the thought. Days where he could sponge off Zhijiru and anyone else were rare, and he would utterly take advantage of that. "Sure! At least the bastard chicken's going to die."

Zhijiru was only looking at the surface. A hero would be disguised as a farmer to avoid suspicion, and save the world while in disguise. "She's probably hunting down evil incognito. She only looks like a farmer now, but she's dispensing justice."

When his friend mentioned Diesel, he looked around too. Diesel often tried to sniff his groin for one reason or another, and he was sort of glad that Diesel wasn't doing that now. But where was the dog, anyway?

"I don't know. Is he pissing on a lamppost?"

[User]
Zhijiru shuddered at the idea of Diesel getting lost. He was a smart dog, and never wandered too far. If he did, he was always trusted to come back. He was more vigorous than Zhijiru was, and he surely had to get real sustenance exploring while his master wasn't looking, even though he master never actually noticed when he had left in previous occasions. It dawned on him, that the dog had taken a liking to the fake farmer. Suddenly the ideas in Zhijiru's head started going at a thousand miles per hour. Did Diesel follow her? What if she had better food than Zhijiru did and decided to stay with her? What if she was going to EAT HIM? Oh the humanity! He imagined a slightly pudgier version of Diesel wagging his short curly tail, eating like a king. Zhijiru couldn't have that.

Zhijiru turned to Luca, and roughly grabbed Luca's shoulders, "Stay here! I'm going to go get him!" Zhijiru hopped the counter and started to run in the direction of the woman. Not thinking at all that Luca was not to be trusted with... well... anything.

[Assistant]
Luca squeaked as Jiru grabbed him and deputised him at the shop. He really must have loved the dog a lot. So much so that he left Luca in charge of the store. The worried look upon Zhijiru's face as he looked into the distance, especially when his face twisted into so many depictions of terror, was a mixture of horrifying and just a tinge of amusing to Luca. Zhijiru looked terrified, but cartoonishly so.

The young man stared in awe as Zhijiru vaulted over the store counter and towards some random direction. He forgot where the woman went, and she was hopefully unrelated to this. With Jiru come, he could at least do something.

Crouching under the counter, he lifted off his shirt and adjusted his chest-bindings. Luca called himself a man, but biology decided otherwise. It was fortunate that Zhijiru never knew. Once that was done, he stood up, picked off an apple from the counter, and placed another silver coin of his own.

He bit into it and munched noisily, watching passers-by with a lazy gaze.

[User]
Zhijiru dashed through the marketplace. He couldn't spot the lady anywhere. Thankfully Diesel was trotting along rather carelessly. The happy dog seemed like he was lost with that dumb face he had. Tongue hanging out, tail wagging, and nearly hopping in his step. But beyond that Diesel knew exactly where he was going. Zhijiru grabbed the dog, and startled him in the process. Which was unusual since Zhijiru snuck up on him all the time and the dog always seemed to know he was coming. The dog squirmed in his arms. "H-Hey!" The dog jumped off of him and started to run off. "What the heck is wrong with you?!" He exclaimed frustrated before running to catch up.

He followed the dog left and right and around people before the dog stopped at a dead end. Exhausted, Zhijiru could only muster a, "Ha... you... f-fat... dog," breathing in between every word. The dog put his paws against a scrap metal on the wall and started pushing on it, but then jumped up and down as if super excited to meet someone. His tail wagging frantically. "Arf, arf!"

The metal went, bang bang, as the dog jumped against the scrap. Bang bang bang.

A voice could be heard past the wall of the alley. "Who's making that racket?!" it sounded like a very, very angry man. Zhijiru swooped up his dog, more forcefully this time and hid behind a barrel. It smelled like rotting fish. A man came out, swinging a butcher's knife, trying to see if he could locate the perpetrator. Zhijiru held Diesel's mouth shut, resulting in a very quiet, "Omph, omph" as Diesel's cheek's inflated and deflated with each attempted bark. The man soon mumbled to himself and shut the door behind him. Zhijiru sighed in relief.

However, Zhijiru heard a familiar, "cluck cluck" coming from the wall next to him. Diesel pushed away again and stuck his nose in the crack of the wall. Jiru stared at him for a second and just thought, "What are you doing? You stupid dog..." He pulled the dog away, and decided to take the chance to look through the little hole. He peered downwards into it, as it appeared that he was seeing into a basement. "Cluck cluck cluck" The chicken was there, and so was a familiar voice, but in a not-so-familiar body. The dirty farmer with her hair up, was now a shorter, younger woman, with long black silky hair. "We meet again at last, chicken," said the woman.

He thought to himself, "She's talking to a chicken. She's crazy. Just like Luca." He moved away from the crack in the wall, and the dog figured it was his turn again. But when the dog stuck his nose back into the door some of the loose stone gave way and fell to the ground. "What?!" The woman shrieked in surprise and looked towards the crack in the wall above her. She saw a little muzzle poking through with a silently sniffing nose. She didn't immediately recognize it, but she put the two and two together. Zhijiru could hear her walking towards them. Right after he yanked diesel out. He heard a crash in the room, and frantic clucking. Zhijiru dashed back to meet up with Luca.

"Luca! Luca!"

As soon as he got back though, he made sure to leash Diesel up to the wagon.

[Assistant]
"How much is this apple?"

Luca grinned, and held the apple in his hand. He winked at the young lady inquiring, trying to pull off the 'handsome' demeanour to her. "Two silver, mademoiselle. It's fresh, and sweet for palate, and but not too sweet."

The lady giggled, before picking up seven of the apples and placing them into her basket. "I'll take the lot. That'll be 18 silver, right?"

This business thing seemed easy. The apples were the last bunch of the lot he managed to sell. The chickens went for 12 silver each to a friendly old man, a few bushels of grain were sold for a total of 7 silver. All that remained at the shop were the profits of today, and a ox munching on some grass with a lazy gaze in its eyes. The sales totalled 71 silver today.

Zhijiru would be impressed. Or more probably, too horrified to speak. Luca smiled to himself as his fingers traced the coins, one-by-one.

"Hey, mister?" Luca's attention was attracted by a middle-aged man, looking like a veteran farmer by a simple glance. "I see that your shop's empty, but is that ox for sale?"

Luca shook his head, and went back to counting the coins.

"I really need one, and this one is a fine specimen. How about 10 gold coins?"

Luca blinked, and stared incredulously at the farmer. High quality oxen went for 8 gold coins, the last time he recalled. Even if Zhijiru busted his ass to get this one, it would still be a net profit.

"S-sure," stuttered Luca. The farmer placed 10 golden coins (all of them tested by Luca's teeth) on the table, untied the ox, and went his way with a small wave at the young man.

Staring at the 10 gold coins, he began to laugh. He wasn't sure if Zhijiru had ever seen a gold coin! He still continued to laugh hysterically, even as his friend returned with his dog. Luca did not even notice Jiru's return.

[User] "Luca, What the hell are you doing?" Zhijiru said, now realizing how empty-- or... desolate his store is. "What did you sell?!" He exclaimed, not sounding excited, but rather wondering where his stuff went. Especially the ox. "You might have well have just sold the wagon while you were at it!" Zhijiru was a bit impressed, but his jealousy of his selling skills overshadowed any compliment he could have otherwise mustered.