Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Dreamers Sand on 06-12-2010, 23:37:05</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>06-12-2010, 23:37:05</strong>
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				<div align="center"><span style="font-family: ar destine;" class="bbc_font"><span style="font-size: 28pt;" class="bbc_size">Blassreiter</span></span><br><br>(http://i61.servimg.com/u/f61/15/81/73/66/burnin10.jpg)</div><br><br>The road blocks were now up, and the normal Metropolitan cops were patrolling them. Radios were going off, the comm channel being listened to with insane intensity. Overhead in the night sky was a series of helicopters, all patrolling the area. The streets were empty, and people were demanded to stay in their homes, lock their windows and doors, close the curtains and blinds. And they listened. The ones who didn't were cuffed and set aside to the road blocks, watched by the local PD. <br><br>Set on the eastern district was a heavy Hum-V, made to be fast and tanked for armor. Inside were the comm technicians, captain, and commander. The order was radioed in then.<br><br><strong><em>"Amalgum spotted, Delta 2 of the eastern district. Helicopters just saw it on the streets. It's westbound. Victor. Subero. Anika. Follow it, take it down."</em></strong>[/i]<br><br>Three people who's names had been called over the XAT comm responded, steadying themselves on their motorbikes. One was Victor, a tall and limber man wearing the official green and black suit of the Xenogenesis Assault Team. Subero wore the same thing, and they both had matching bikes. While on the other hand, was Anika (http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/260/6/2/623a58e34fdc6bd31df3bb886c60ab5e-d2yg609.jpg), wearing the orange and black uniform body suit. She flipped the visor of her helmet and kicked the crank on her bike, looking down at the monitor to see the Captain's coordinates directing them. Turning the handles, she sped off, Victor and Subero following behind her.<br><br>"So Anika, baby, how'd you sleep?" Subero purred through the XAT LAN comm. <br><br>"I slept fine, but if you're trying to hit on me, go on and just admit so I can shove my boot up your ass and save you the trouble beforehand." Anika purred back into her comm, brilliant burgundy hues alight with mischief as she pressed the handles forward and sped faster. She hit a hard turn and the wheels squelched against the road, as she leaned back up and steadied the racing motorcycle, hearing the two right behind her. <br><br>"Good God you're making me horny Anika. You know I like my women spicy." Subero jested. The team was close, a well knit group of work friends who got along fine, though usually didn't keep up much contact when off. Didn't matter, the XAT worked often and long hours. Emergency calls also took priority, so the time alone was not very often and when it was existent, it was fairly boring and spent sleeping.<br><br>"You should fuck a fajita Sube-"<br><br>"You two are such damn pervs." Victor interjected with a laugh. Anika smiled and turned another corner, seeing the marker on her coordinate map blinking. They were near. Just as suddenly as Subero was about to spit out his next pick-up line though, the Amalgum attacked. Dropping down from the rooftops, it cracked the earth and threw Victor and Subero from their bikes. The wheels howled as Anika spun the bike and came to a halt. She drew up her gun and commed in the call.<br><br>"Sniper, come into position 3!" She said fiercely. The Amalgum stood in white grace, with dark orange tints underneath the thick armor. Lines of red danced in technological patterns along the shoulder pads and shins, even along the arms. The clawed hand on the left produced a sickle-like blade and it howled out, laughing violently as it punched its fist into the top of a car and lifted it over its head. <br><br>"Heellloooooo, Demoniacs!" The Amalgum called, its paranoia and symptoms so set in that it was haunted by the images of the Demoniacs. Anika hissed and drew her FN Fal assault rifle, pulling the trigger. The onslaught of bullets was born, a chain, a string of endless rapid fire pounding into the armor of the Amalgum until it swept its arm out and tried to hit her. Anika ducked and rolled to the side, into a crouched state, where she grit her teeth in anger.<br><br>"Victor, Subero, you okay?" She called out.<br><br>"Yeah, you?"<br><br>"Fuckin' dandy, hold out the sides and aim for the throat, face... the waist, and back of knees. Those are the only soft spots it seems to hold. I'll distract it."<br><br>"Yes ma'am!" <br><br>Anika shot at the Amalgum's face, her black gloved hand trembling with the rattle of the gun's kick. She then ducked again, as it howled out and slammed its fist into the ground next to her. She pulled the gun under her arm and took off, jumping over its fist and rolling on the ground, before getting back to her feet and making it to the other side of the street. It was then the Amalgum struck her, sending her flying across the street and into a window. She landed on the floor of a floral shop, laughing quietly as she got up and dusted the glass out of her back armor. She then rubbed her hands together to dust the glass off of the gloves before removing her cracked helmet. She tossed it aside and ran her fingers into her hair, the short silky black locks falling around her head in smooth, straight tendrils. Her dark eyes like glasses of Spanish sangria gazed out, as she began to run towards the window. Grabbing the flat sill where no glass remained, she launched herself out of the broken window and landed on her feet outside, racing for the Amalgum.<br><br>"Hey cyber-freak, over here!" She called out with a wild smile, before talking into the comm on her neck. <em>"Now Subero, Victor, try to take it out before it eats me alive."</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>07-12-2010, 22:46:50</strong>
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				Christoph could feel their presence writhing around in his mind like maggots, unmistakable blips of recognition that two Amalgums were near. His right arm tensed reflexively at the sensation, eyes narrowing with violent certainty. They couldn't be allowed to hurt anyone. Not while he was near.<br><br>Setting down the apple he was holding, he gave a slight nod to the produce-seller, who gave him a polite smile. The two had talked on occasion, without exchanging names, despite the subject matter of conversation. Christoph would return, undoubtedly, giving the man reason to be surprised at the sudden change of interest, rather than disappointed. Giving a shrug, he watched the man go, his gaze attentive.<br><br>Out of view, Christoph began running through alleyways, snaking between buildings and rushing toward the feeling of the other Amalgums. Accelerating to a faster, almost-inhuman pace, his heart exhilarated in his rising pulse. Even as anger pulsed through his body, the thrill of speed and motion was immense. As much as Christoph wanted to slay other Amalgums, to destroy their cursed existence and prevent them from touching innocents and ending their lives as completely as they had ended his, he could not escape the pleasure of his new power. It had nearly consumed it at first, the ease at which he could destroy incredible and tempting. He had barely fought it off, the rush in his blood, the seething in his mind - if he hadn't, he would have become as the same berserk killing machines that terrorized people now. That... that was something he could never become.<br><br>Reaching an abandoned walkway, he leaped upward, the swift motion through air like a kiss. Grabbing a window-ledge, he nearly flew up the brick wall, grabbing handholds and hurling himself upward with ease. Finding the outer stone-rim of the roof, he clambered up and ran to the edge, looking out over the blocks for signs of the Amalgums.<br><br>Eyes racing over the rooftops, he heard gunfire erupt suddenly, the sound of brick and mortar collapsing following shortly after. Gripping the edge stone architecture tightly, he grimaced as he felt the change coming over him.<br><br><em>Not again.</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>07-12-2010, 23:11:54</strong>
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				Anika watched the Amalgum roar, laughing insanely as it lurched towards her. She turned on her feet quickly, pivoting to face the open other end of the street, and began to run. She was fast, but not quite fast enough. Most Amalgum could easily outrun the average human. She was a little faster than average though, and this Amalgum was hot on her trail. Inching up closer behind her. She turned her head looking at it, and watched the right hand raise, the silver circlet and glyphs shining as a silvery blue whip was born of energy. Anika scoffed, preparing to dodge the oncoming attack. The whips were one of the hardest things to avoid though, it would be difficult dancing with this devil.<br><br>It cracked its hand forward, and the whip cut through the air like a hungry serpent. Anike pivoted to face it, watching the flow, the roll of the whip's momentum as it spun towards her. She sidestepped and then leaned back. She leaped into a backflip, trying to evade it. The sound of searing came to be, steam and some smoke born into the air as Anika crashed into the ground, like a rag doll. She rolled twice and groaned, as suddenly the Amalgum cried out.<br><br>"Back of the left knee is struck!" Subero called out. "Anika, are you all right?!" <br><br>"F-fine." Anika groaned, pushing herself up and coming back to a stand. When she stood upright and faced the growling Amalgum, it was seen where she was struck. The whip had rolled over her stomach, but not truly injured her. The slightest motion away from it had saved her from a horrendous injury. The XAT suit was burned off of her taut, pale abdomen, and her skin was a little reddened along the navel where the whip had come too close for comfort. She clenched her fists and reached to the back of the black belt that wrapped around her waist, drawing an energy pistol. She fired off a round, and the Amalgum howled out. Energy seared the armor, stung the skin, and made the Amalgum rather pissed off. <br><br>"Little ants!" Another growl came, from down the street. The second Amalgum, almost made in a replica version of the first with a darker grey shades. It began to speed towards Anika, and she let out a string of curses.<br><br>"Guys, I'm pinned!" She called, looking back at the injured Amalgum as it readied its whip, and the second as it formulated a pair of white daggers. "Grrr..." Anika snarled quietly.<br><br><em>Gotta' find a way out of this, I won't let these sacks of shit get away from me!</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 00:36:23</strong>
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				Christoph's body glowed with energy as his second form was wrenched out of him, his body changing and melding with this new identity in a painful, searing transformation. The curse in his blood, the disease of the Amalgums, had given him this strength and turned him into a monster; but Chris had found his way through the torment that seized and deluded his mind, clawing back to sanity and using his new life with clarity.<br><br>Dark black plates of armor overtook his body as his Amalgum form came into being. Serrated blade-like protrusions jutted from his shoulders and his arms, his hands becoming as gauntlets, fingertips coming to pointed, vicious ends. Coils of metal, mixing the colors of gleaming steel and rusted-iron, seemed to replace muscle and sinew between the metal plates, binding like joints and flexing in movement. Two nests of wicked-looking spikes and hooks bristled on either side of his back, running from just above his hips to his shoulder blades. A dull, red-orange glow pulsed from between and beneath the armor and coils, and out of the odd sigils that adorned his body, its energy eagerly awaiting release.<br><br>Stretching out his arms, Chris clenched his fists, feeling the power rippling through him. Heaving with expectation, he leaped suddenly from the building. There was work to be done.<br><br>Striding impossibly fast across rooftops and leaping over them with agile grace, Christoph arrived above the scene in a matter of moments, looking down at the XAT-armored woman facing off against two Amalgums brimming with lethal intent. Dashing forward, he leaped into the air and tumbled downward as metal strips propelled outward from his forearms, materializing halberd-like blades.<br><br>As the charging Amalgum brought out its daggers, aiming straight for the woman, Christoph broke the space between them, severing the monster's right arm and throwing it forward, crashing into the building opposite of him.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 01:00:12</strong>
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				Anika drew the energy pistol up and aimed at the oncoming Amalgum. But of course, she was interrupted.<br><br><strong><em>"A third Amalgum has showed up on the radar! This is unbelievable!"</em></strong><br><br>But it was too late for the great news. Anika had been knocked off of her feet by the wave of air sent her way when another Amalgum dropped into the street right in front of her. But it seemed rather to be taking on the other Amalgum. The one behind her, injured, leaped into the air and latched onto a building. Climbing up, it disappeared on the rooftop.<br><br>"Fuck, the first one's getting away!" She turned back to face the third Amalgum, and pitched out a yell through her clenched teeth. "This isn't the last time we meet, <em>Black Knight</em>." She turned and began to run, jumping on her bike and cranking it into a loud roar.<br><br>"Who do we take on?" Victor asked as she prepared to speed off. <br><br>"The second and third, I'm going after the first. It's injured, I can take it out." Anika narrowed her eyes and the bike burst into motion, whipping through her short ebony hair. The bike hit a hard turn and Anika leaned, her body only inches from the cool midnight pavement as she spun her wheels and took off down the strip. <br><br>On the rooftops, she could see the Amalgum leaping about, and drew her pistol. She aimed at it as it ran, as she drove, one hand jerking the bike handles to keep her heading straight down the street.<br><br>"I'm running out of time to play this game." She called out to the Amalgum, listening to it laugh maniacally in that rasped multitone, before it leaped into the air. She fired three rounds, breaking the leg off of it and putting one arm out of commission, while the last shot simply seared the armor on the bicep. <br><br>"Ahhh!!!" It hit the ground and rolled, before coming quickly to its crooked stance, drawing its whip. Without saying anything, the Amalgum growled and cracked the whip. Anika's eyes widened, and the laser whip burned through the bike, sawing it perfectly into pieces as the front wheel and handles were torn off. Anika had leaned back just in time, but the bike hit the ground forward while the back wheel continued spinning, and she was thrown into the air. <br><br>Much like one would hit a volleyball to their side teammate, the Amalgum struck her from the air with a smack to the back that sent her flying into a wall. She crumbled down and lay in a pile on the ground, watching the Amalgum approach as she began to lose consciousness.<br><br>"F... fucking... Amalgum..." <br><br>And the world went black.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 01:25:47</strong>
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				Rushing forward, Christoph put forth his arm-blade, aiming to cleave the Amalgum cleanly in two - but it recovered quickly and threw itself aside, leaving sundered brick in its wake. Turning fast, he followed it upwards as it tried to escape in the opposite direction of the other Amalgum. His eyes catching the other and the woman, he resolved to finish off this one first and follow. No matter how well-trained and equipped the XAT were, they were still human, and apt to suffer injury and death.<br><br>Claws dug into brick as Chris ascended, leaping onto the building top. Snapping his right arm forward, the arm-blade swung out and the metal caught in his hand, extending instantly to form a double-headed halberd in his hands. Facing off against the other Amalgum, the air between them was suddenly torn with bullets and blasts from the two XAT members below. Snorting impatiently as the monster took off, fleeing from the curtain of energy and metal, Chris dove after in chase.<br><br>Propelling himself with a burst of energy, Chris flew the air as the Amalgum leaped from roof to roof, agile as a monkey in the trees. Banking to its side, he smashed his shoulder into it, knocking it toward stone and halting its flight. Landing beside it, he swung the energy-blade at its neck, cleaving stone once more as it narrowly tumbled aside. Twisting upward, it came at Chris with its daggers, a raspy howl thundering from its throat. Standing his ground, Chris flipped the halberd aside suddenly, severing the monster in two and sending its decaying halves into the ground.<br><br>Growling as more shots suddenly lit the air, some of them bouncing off of his armor, Christoph broke into a run, following the mental signature of the other Amalgum in his head. Dashing from building to building, he evaded the assaults of the XAT and their pursuing bikes.<br><br>Nearing the second Amalgum, he saw it crawling toward the severed bike of the woman, who was lying unconscious nearby. Reaching it, the thing pulled itself onto the bike half as the wheel came to life, suddenly righting itself vertically. Catching sight of Chris as he pulled back his halberd, ready to attack it, the Amalgum grabbed Anika's body and presented it as a shield. Halting his motion, Christoph cursed and took off after the Amalgum as it screeched through the streets, weaving carelessly through traffic.<br><br>Heading it off from the rooftops, his blade collapsed and disappeared back into his arm as Chris leaped down toward the pavement. Rolling with the impact, he moved up and smashed his fist into the ground, sundering asphalt and knocking the Amalgum into the air. Leaping after it, an arm-blade materialized and sliced through the creature's remaining arm holding Anika. Catching her, he pulled her close as he folded inward, barbs and hooks exploding out of his back on coils and impaling the Amalgum. Landing several feet away, the metal curled and snapped back into him as the broken body of the creature fell to the ground.<br><br>Narrowing his eyes at Anika, he brought her along as he ascended the nearest building, getting out of sight. Laying her down gently onto the roof, he looked over her quickly to make sure she wasn't contaminated with the Amalgum's blood. Satisfied, his second-self suddenly faded into energy, disappearing back into his body as suddenly as it had come out of him. Drawing in a deep breath, he looked down at the woman, her unconscious expression so far from the violence she had just been swept into.<br><br>Picking her up, noting the bruise on her forehead, he headed for the roof access, sighing. He couldn't leave her there if she had a concussion; he'd have to see how wounded she was. Carrying her down the stairs, he found a janitorial closet and kicked it open, breaking the lock. Setting her down on the threshold, he found some first aid supplies and began attending to her to make sure she her heart rate, breath, and body were in good condition.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 02:06:33</strong>
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				"Annie!!!" A small, feeble voice called. A young boy, perhaps six years of age, was hunched over in a corner, hiding. He was crying, sniffling, and shaking. In front of him, cornering the boy in the edge of the dark school gymnasium, was an Amalgum. It was Theo's baseball coach, who'd asked him to stay after practice, and for this...<br><br>"Shhh. It's useless to cry little Theo, useless to just sit there and call out. That curvaceous woman, your sexy guardian, she can't protect you now..."<br><br>Theo shifted, and a buzz rattled on the hardwood of the floor in the corner. The Amalgum turned its bright red eyes, and growled. <br><br>"Did you ask her to come save you? Is she on her way? I'd love to have a taste of her. Perhaps you can watch, see all the uses your guardian is good for..."<br><br>"You're a monster!" <br><br>"AM NOT!!!" The Amalgum roared. <br><br>"Well, doesn't look like you're still human."&nbsp; Anika called in the darkness, her heels clicking quickly against the floor as she raced inside. The moonlight cast in through the windows shone brilliantly against her pale skin, and the black cocktail dress she wore. She'd been attending a party at XAT, celebrating their success in finding the racetrack killer. But even worse now, she was barely armed and facing an Amalgum that had her adopted child in his focus. <br><br>"God damn you're a fox, I'll cut you a deal." The Amalgum snickered, leaping into the air. It landed in front of her, and she stood firmly, unafraid. The Amalgum here was not completely lost. He had his human mind barely in reach. He was not bent on destruction, but other things were definitely on his mind. And she was beginning to understand what, when he shifted back into a human with his red aura from the transformation fading. The tall, masculine coach in his early forties began to quickly undo his pants, pushing them down before reaching out and grabbing Anika by her throat, slamming her into the floor.<br><br>"ANNIE!" Theo cried, watching as the Amalgum man, the baseball coach, laid himself between her legs, forcing her thighs to spread as he reached between her legs. Grabbing a handful of her lace panties, he jerked, causing her body to inch down the floor as the sound of her panties tearing off echoed into the gym. But before the man could fully sport a smirk, Anika reached back and grabbed a folding knife hidden in the bra strap beneath the back of her dress.<br><br>Just as he positioned himself to fuck her, she slammed the knife into his back. Blood misted into the air as she assured to hit a space between his spinal column. She then ripped the blade out of the tight spinal cushion as his body began to twitch, and she thrust the knife into him again. And again, and again. Finally the man went limp, his hands still firmly grasping her sides above her hips, as bright lights came into view.<br><br>"XAT, halt your positions!" <br><br>And a man broke through the crowd, a long-haired man with long black hair tied in a low ponytail. He knelt down next to Anika and pulled the body off of her, getting another member to go pick up Theo and wrap him up in a blanket and calm him down.<br><br>"Anika, Anika... Can you hear me? Are you hurt?" He began to place his hands on her, checking her for wounds, and her world went black.<br><br>She felt those hands, Damon's hands, rubbing her tenderly in the fashion of a careful EMT, checking for wounds. Was Damon there? What had happened?<br><br>Anika groaned, eyes fluttering just barely, as she tried to focus on what was happening now. The pale beauty tried to lean up, rubbing her head and groaning again, before she ran her fingernails into her hair. The draft on her abdomen let her recall the Amalgums and the fight. She then turned her eyes, and saw a man.<br><br>"Oh, uh... hey." Anika said rather awkwardly, rubbing her eyes. She took in a long breath and then shook off the pain that was throbbing in her muscles. "Did you?... Where's the Amalgum? Are you a resident? Where am I?" She licked her lips and leaned back, letting out a sigh before tipping her head to the side and giving a crooked grin as she began to look over the man.<br><br>"Man, that was an impolite thought train. How about, hi I'm Anika Morgans, XAT Defender. It's nice to meet you. Now, we can explain what happened and how I got here." She said with a smirk. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 02:33:10</strong>
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				Looking down at the waking woman, Christoph's eyes briefly reflected a touched concern before becoming more neutral, more quiet. The flutter of her eyelids, the sound of her voice, reminded him of his sister as she awoke, her body wounded and bleeding out, and gave him the last of her words before she died. It took only a moment for Christoph to cement himself into the present, but the experience was discomforting, to say the least; since becoming an Amalgum, emotions seemed to have grown far more intense and overwhelming than they had ever been before, and required much greater control to keep himself in check. Being unrestrained led to becoming the berserk monsters that he had to hunt down.<br><br>Leaning back, his red hair falling away from his sun-tanned face and hazel eyes, Christoph extended his hand to help her up, lies flowing easily from his mouth. "I found you as I was coming down to see about the commotion... I didn't see any Amalgums, though." He returned her smirk with a light smile, concern mixing sincerely with his voice, however momentary. "I'm glad you're still in one piece, then - you XAT defenders have it rough." While his tone was mildly humorous, it was very serious and a little praising. Despite his 'condition', the XAT did what Christoph did, even if they wanted to kill him, too. Being just human, he had a respect for them and their efforts in protecting humanity.<br><br>Crouching and moving to stand, he pulled her up with him if she had taken his hand; otherwise, he let her get up of her own accord.<br><br>"I didn't see you bleeding anywhere, and you're already awake, so it can't be much of a concussion." Smiling at the thought, that she had come so close to being wounded, but had barely avoided it as evidenced by the tear in her uniform and armor, Christoph was thankful for how matters had turned out. He would have hated to stalk and kill her if she had become an Amalgum - even though she was XAT, it seemed everyone turned into a berserk monster once they became an Amalgum, no matter who they were.<br><br>Watching her to make sure she didn't wobble or fall down, Christoph moved aside so she could go as she pleased. "Do you feel okay?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 02:45:49</strong>
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				"Eh, XAT is a bit rough, but it gives me the adrenaline rush I've gotten so addicted too. Life's boring without a purpose." Anika smiled, coming up to stand. Stretching back, she winced, her body sore. Her legs wobbled and almost gave, but her hand shot out and she grabbed a shelf off to the side of her. She steadied her stance and rubbed the back of her neck, giving a soft humored expression as a bare blush came to her lips. "Seems like it'll take me a few minutes to be as nimble as I was before I got batted into a brick wall. Guess I'm pretty lucky I didn't suffer any more than I did with this instance, but I'll definitely be feeling this soreness tomorrow. Overall though, I'm good. I'm a big girl, I can handle a few boo-boos." <br><br>Anika made a low, devious chuckle as she moved towards the doorway, leaning into the frame and locking eyes with Christoph through the few pieces of black hair that fell over her wine-colored hues. Her dark, full lips tugged into a smooth smile, a little mischievous though it was just a show of her curiosity- a curiosity that got the best of her on more than one account. If anything, Anika was a bit more courageous, curious, and prideful than your average woman. Hell, she could topple a few men in her fearless ways.<br><br>"I really owe you one though. I mean, first off you shouldn't have been coming to investigate an Amalgum, they're dangerous to anyone without Demoniac Enforcement training, and even then they're still an unrivaled force. But you did take me in and check on me, a kind act from a fellow civilian... I ought to be able to repay you somehow." Anika stepped out of the doorway and turned completely to face him, her arm pressing into the frame while her other hand rested on her hip, her taut abdomen gleaming in the few lights as they met her porcelain skin. "Perhaps take you out for a drink, just as friends or something like that... By the way, I don't think I got your name." 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 03:04:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Moving toward her to catch her if she fell as she faltered, Christoph halted when she managed to keep her feet and take hold of the shelf. Letting his arms fall when it looked like she'd be okay, he nodded to her. It was clear why she was in the XAT at a glance, with what she had already said; it was exhilarating unlike much else, something he could greatly appreciate himself, and she was a strong, confident woman. She sounded like she'd seek out challenges and plunge into them headlong.<br><br>Nonplussed by her confidence and curiosity, Christoph regarded her a little curiously himself. Shrugging mildly, he replied simply to her talk of danger as if it were nothing. "It's a human's duty to look after one another; it's the least I could do for you."<br><br>Offering that same, confident and somewhat-caring smile, he considered her words for a moment as if she had said something strange. Despite his handsome face and muscled body, Christoph made no effort in catching anyone's eye since becoming an Amalgum. The nature of his change made significant emotion something difficult to deal with, and getting close to a woman would open up that possibility in a very big way. He generally kept his distance and rebuffed attempts to attract his attention.<br><br>A flicker of interest appeared inside him, though; he rarely dealt with anyone who was very strong in determination and courage, and she was a XAT member. It seemed like a bad idea too, though, since she'd shoot him faster than talk to him if she knew what he was. Offering his hand in greeting, he gave her his first name, leaving out the last. "Christoph. Pleased to meet you, Anika." After shaking, he considered her offer, and answered somewhat reluctantly, figuring it couldn't hurt to just... meet and talk over drinks. And, considering the willfulness in her eyes, she was likely to push past a refusal anyway.<br><br>"I suppose you could treat me to drinks and dinner, if you're intent on repaying a 'kind civilian'." Humor tinted into his expression, but it wasn't mocking.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 03:22:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Good." Anika said to the way he replied to her offer for dinner and drinks. Her lips curled into something almost seductively charming, and her eyes almost visibly darkened. "I would've hated for you to have said no. I hate forcing people to go out with me." She chuckled then, a light-hearted thing. "Don't worry, biting is something I save for the bedroom. You're safe with me as long as you keep your clothes on." Her open flirting was something that intimidated a lot of people, but most of the time Anika's dark humor tended to be harmless. Just her sense of humor was too much for most people. Perhaps she'd been hanging around the XAT guys too long...<br><br>She looked over his face again, dark eyes studying him as she gave a wry grin. Anika reached out and placed a hand gently on his shoulder, her forefinger just barely grazing his neck by accident. <br><br>"My bike was destroyed. Do you have a car or something? Or, at the least, would you walk me down the street to get a cabby? I might be tough, but I'd rather be seen semi-stable looking than limping by myself." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 03:33:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Looking at her as she spoke flirtatiously without hesitation, Chris' curiosity increased. Though she added humor to lighten her tone, he could see how her confident ease could intimidate others and make them speechless. Chris had no difficulty with it, as he had with her attitude thus far; it intrigued him some, though. Dressed in just a well-fitting t-shirt and well-cut slacks, it wouldn't have been difficult for Anika to imagine the man naked. "I don't have a habit of taking off my clothes in public, so that shouldn't be much of a problem," he replied, his smile becoming a light smirk.<br><br>Returning her studying gaze evenly, he nodded to her question, and upped it. "I could take you on my bike; do you need a ride back to headquarters?" The way he said the word, it seemed clear that he would need directions, but had no problem walking into a confusing situation. Turning, he nodded lightly toward the stairs, moving down them.<br><br>"What happened before you lost consciousness?" Christoph asked her, intending to come off as more of a civilian than he would otherwise by making light conversation.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 03:40:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Anika found his comment a perfect volley against her own. A little surprising, she hadn't ever had anyone beyond her XAT brethren to joke with her in the manner she liked to jest. So, in a way, it was a relief. She'd might actually look forward to an outing with this guy. Not to mention he was quite attractive, but Anika's first and foremost rule about men was to always expect that they only want sex and don't care who you are or want anything more than. Not always true, but it kept her safe from getting over-attached or really finding boyfriends- as if that in itself were an easy task. Many a men who met her found themselves overpowered by her conversation and ability to one-up people. That, or they made it to her bedroom and ran out with their manhoods tucked under their balls like a scared puppy by her dominant and passionate side that could get... a little... aggressive? She liked to use the term passionate, simply because that's what it was. Weaker men would perhaps say violence, but that wasn't always the case. The last man to crawl in her bed and say "ow" got a real taste of pain when she hung him out of her window by his ankles... naked.<br><br>She shook off the thoughts and blinked back into the present, smiling as she nodded.<br><br>"The XAT headquarters is only a twenty-five minute drive from here, I hope you don't mind. This'll be the first time I've rode bitch on a bike in a long time, but I don't think it'll be something to complain about." Anika smirked, turning and looking into the hallway towards the elevator. "Ready to go when you are, Christoph."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 03:50:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Given her state, Christoph didn't taking the elevator, though he was quite fine taking the stairs. Nodding, he pressed the button to open and let her in first, following. "Not at all. I'm glad I can take you back in one piece myself, really," he said with some genuine meaning. He had no desire to see anyone plastered and eviscerated, least of all those who fought so hard for everyone's safety.<br><br>"Do you often ask civilians out on dates?" he asked her, somewhat amused. Her heady confidence was something comfortable for Christoph, who was used to dealing with meeker, weaker-willed people. While he didn't look down on them, per se, it was refreshing to meet someone who wasn't afraid to push forward into uncomfortable situations.<br><br>And, while he didn't plan on pursuing her, it would be nice to have some good conversation.<br><br>At the bottom floor, Chris let her go first before following and heading out of the building, gesturing south as he led the way. "My bike isn't far."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 03:56:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She scoffed playfully at his question about dating civilians, and she shook her head now. As they walked out of the building, she continued onward as to elaborate her obvious answer of no. <br><br>"I don't date, or err, can't find people who can withstand me. The most I get out of guys are one night stands and good buddies for short bouts of time. Nothing I'm not used to and I'm definitely not crying over it, but I guess deep down I'm not really a people person. I defend the people, but I think that's about as far as it goes for me. I think joining XAT sacrificed my chances at a normal life with normal relationships, but it's not something I'd take back and do over any different." <br><br>The bike came into view and her legs throbbed a bit, but the walking was helping her adjust. She turned her head and smiled at Christoph, liking his willingness to ask his own questions instead of withholding his curiosity. Admirable.<br><br>"And what about you? You lucky with the ladies? Or do you just save damsels in distress as a hobby?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 04:03:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Moving easily onto his bike, he took out his helmet and waited for her to get on, smiling easily at her. "I don't meet many women who interest me," he said plainly, not entirely clear in whether that meant that Anika was interesting or not to him. If anything, it may have seemed more like a challenge to the woman.<br><br>Putting on his element and starting up the bike, he took off into the streets. "You're navigator, Anika."<br><br>With her directions, Christoph drove quickly through the streets, always riding on the upper edge of the speed limit and weaving through traffic. Rather than showing off for her, Chris' speed came off as something he enjoyed and preferred doing; he could be slower, but the thrill of motion was something firmly engrained into his body now. Relaxing off on that was a pitiful waste.<br><br>"How long have you been with the XAT?" he asked while at a stop-light.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 04:13:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She swung her long, powerful leg over the bike and nestled her body behind his. Anika put her hands on his sides loosely, until she felt the speed. Exhilarating, she thought. He drove almost as fast as she did when she was on the blocked off streets. She almost liked seeing him rushing through this traffic, battling the speed limit in the open. Her arms slid inward, her hands facing his body and palms pressed against his firm stomach. Her fingers spanned over his shirt, and she dug her fingertips in, her nails grazing his shirt and applying a little pressure on his skin- though nothing painful or annoying. Her body leaned into him, legs against the back of his own, large breasts softly crushed against his back. The wind tore through her hair, made her feel free. The warmth of his body was nice too. Especially contrasting against the cool bite of the night air whipping past them. <br><br>As they reached the stoplight, she gave him an answer.<br><br>"Hm, well I'm 23 now... so about five and a half years. Almost six. I graduated high school a year early and jumped straight into the Xenogenesis program." She looked up the road, and then tapped her right forefinger against his navel. "The next right... And what do you do, Christoph?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 04:27:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Though his attention was largely on the road ahead of him, and on the cars he drove between and sped past, Christoph couldn't help but notice Anika's touching, which was more than simply keeping herself steady. Feeling her press against him, it passed through Chris' mind that he couldn't remember when he had last held a woman, let alone a naked one. Love and sex were something he could ill-afford, unfortunately; more important things roamed the streets, and no matter how controlled he was, it was a risk to be vulnerable.<br><br>Nodding to her, Christoph took the right as fast as any of his turns, pulling into them with a little brake and accelerating halfway through. Before, Chris had been frustrated by traffic, but now he simply burned right through it. Many would have called him reckless with how close he drove past cars, yet he had never gotten into an accident by human cause since his change. He was simply too fast and too aware to fall victim to lesser reflexes and dangers.<br><br>Pulling a half-truth that was easy to tell, Christoph answered her over the rush of the air winding past them. "I'm an ECP for the city." While it had been some time since he had been practicing his former occupation, it was a grim reminder to Chris - despite his training and skills, he wasn't able to save those who mattered most to him.<br><br>Skewing past a small traffic clog, Chris nearly found himself on the sidewalk as he dashed between vehicles. "Why'd you sign up?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 04:45:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His question came to be, and she stared at the long straight road that would lead them to the two-thirds point of their trip. Why had she joined? For a moment Anika sank back in her thoughts for a few moments. Blind to the road, to the man. Her grip loosened on him for a second, and she then came to answering, back in the present once more.<br><br>"When the Demoniac outbreak first started in the local area, my mother, a nurse at a local hospital, was murdered by a man who turned into an Amalgum in the ER. I was a little girl back then, and my dad took me to go see her, because we couldn't get in contact with her. When we got to the hospital, a lot of people were dead. The Amalgum attacked, and my dad defended me, and I ran. I couldn't protect myself at ten years old, and I had never seen a Demoniac up close before. It was frightening, ruthless, and it was crying about the pain. I can understand it all now better than I did then, but the death of my parents that single day is what persuaded me to seek... vengeance? I later realized vengeance is foolish. Each is different, all monsters. The one that killed my parents were killed by XAT. I know I've killed Amalgums that have taken people's families. It's reached a point where it wasn't vengeance, but being a protector. I haven't always... succeeded, but trying is the best I can do, and I'm damn good at it..."<br><br>She tilted her head up and looked at the moon above. "Sometimes I think that's my reason, why I was born. I think I was born to fight these things. I've had countless face-on encounters, some I've barely escaped."<br><br>The woman tapped her left forefinger against his chest as if an unspoken way of saying 'left', sure he'd catch on. He seemed smart. They were only about five minutes away now.<br><br>"So I'm guessing you live a much more peaceful, quiet life. Just guessing by your lack of dating and kind nature." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 04:56:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Christoph found it somewhat odd how her motivation matched his own. The circumstances were very different, of course, but he had come to the same end and conclusion; first, vengeance, and then protectorship. After facing the death of his sister and mother, he raged until it was spent and the monsters were dead - after that, he found little purpose at first, other than survival. When nothing was left, he realized what mattered, and came to it willingly. Aggressively. Determined.<br><br>"That's some dedication," he said as an understated compliment. He was impressed, to be sure, by how touch and skillful she must have been to survive so many years fighting the Amalgums, but he wasn't one to lavish flattery - especially not with one as confident as her.<br><br>Taking the signal, Chris pulled left, nearly cutting off some cars to do so and running the tail end of a yellow signal. As he was about to answer her, the sirens of a police car flipped on behind them, an officer apparently taking offense at Christoph's manner of driving. Skirting around the next corner quickly, Chris glanced back at Anika. "You might want to hold on tighter."<br><br>Giving no other warning, Christoph drove the accelerator to its limit, their pace advancing far beyond the normal rate for civilian bikes. Zooming between cars, he had gone to almost double the posted speed limit, outpacing the limited police cruiser and driving well beyond the area. Given his initial speed and the delayed reaction of the officer, he had little reason to think the officer had time to flash his ID.<br><br>Clearing the area, he pulled back to a normal speed and answered her, awaiting her next direction. "Treating patients isn't much like fighting Amalgums, I'd wager."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 05:08:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The flickering siren lights were soon a thing of the past as Anika thought first of how she'd just tell the cops off, and then of how Christoph drove like an auto pro. Now he was looking more and more like her behind the steering handles of a motorbike. She liked that, liked it quite a lot. She hugged herself to his body, wrapped her arms more firmly around him and pressed her cheek to his shoulder blade, avoiding the too-sharp whip of the wind without a helmet. She then leaned back up, when he began to slow, and released him a bit.<br><br>"Take a right, it'll be on your left side down a small circular parkway... And... Christoph?" She leaned closer to his ear and chuckled, a soft, alluring sound as she continued to whisper. "I could've just flashed that cop my XAT license. They don't stand up to the XAT. They handle criminals, we handle demons. But regardless, I can at least admire your driving skills. Maybe you should consider joining my ranks, handling a bike like that." <br><br>She leaned her head back a little as they turned into the drive of the XAT HQ, and the bike came slowly to a stop. She swung her leg off of it and came to a stand, rubbing the outsides of her upper legs to massage the taut muscles there before she set her gaze to meet Christoph's. <br><br>"So about those drinks then. There's this nice little place uptown called "The Tequila Mockingbird". Real small jazzy little grill and bar. Not many people, good food, nice service. How about I meet you there, at um..." She looked down at the inside of her left wrist, where her watch was. A small circular thing with several sets of numbers. One that said it was Monday, October 12th. "Friday, at 8?" She said with a question-like curl on the end, just to leave it open to his constructive addition if he had a better date for it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 05:18:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As soon as Anika gave him directions, he took off again. At her close lips, he gave a light shrug, smiling easily. "I'm not too familiar with the intricacies of the relationship between the police and XAT." Though he could have guessed at it, he would rather not have had the officer asking questions. He wasn't quite a clean legal entity anymore, and questions led to... dangerous situations. For Christoph, it was far better to simply avoid them, which wasn't that difficult to pull off.<br><br>Arriving, the visor of his helmet pulled up, their lack of speed making speech easier. "I'll think about."<br><br>Once she got off, and told him about the place, he nodded knowingly, though in truth he hadn't been to the place; Chris really didn't get out much for social engagements, these days. "Sounds great." Flashing her a smirk, he turned the bike back on. "Try not to get knocked out by any Amalgums in the meantime." Winking, the visor shut, and he took off without looking back, eager to get out of the area entirely, lest the officer put out an APB for his bike. Though it wasn't difficult to evade several of the police, if it became a wider search for his particular color and general make of bike, it might lead to the situations he assiduously tried to avoid.<br><br>Back to darting through traffic, Christoph headed home to drop it off and pick up where he left off - getting groceries. Anika had certainly made an impression on him, though; he half-hoped that nothing came up around then that would cause him to have to duck out.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 05:42:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Anika liked his answer- it was satisfactory. And she looked forward to meeting him then. As Anika turned and headed inside, she was greeted by Subero, Mikaela, and Victor all racing towards her.<br><br>"Where the hell did you go?!"<br><br>"Off." She snickered.<br><br>"We couldn't find you, and when we got to the other Amalgum, Black Knight had finished it off." Victor said. Anika scoffed and shook her head.<br><br>"Oh well."<br><br>"You should be more careful." A new voice came, one that drew her full attention. As Anika looked upon Damon, she nodded. "Regardless, it's past your time to get off. Go home. You overwork yourself."<br><br>"Just having a little fun." Anika shrugged, before moving into the lobby to cash in her time slider before leaving.<br><br><br><br><div align="center">~XXX~</div><br><br>The Tequila Mockingbird was an easy to spot little place, the neon lights gave it away. Inside, it was a stretch of a topaz marbled bar, with dark seats and black leather cushion. The place was kind of dark, a little retro, but nice warm colors. Inside on the first booth, was Anika. She had sat in the booth (http://www.corbisimages.com/images/67/98ABCAE6-9B50-4059-9382-740E5EFF1FBA/42-17713591.jpg) at a small round table, the black curtain to pull across the booth pulled over to the side so she could be seen. Anika sat, at 7:50, waiting. She wondered if he'd show- and she hoped he would. She even took this as an opportunity to dress up.<br><br>Anika wore a black minidress (http://images2.seductionextreme.com/FP-229304-022.jpg) with a silvery eagle design faded on the front, and a 'V' cut neckline. It form-fitted her curvaceous structure and showed off her long, ivory legs. Some would almost make vampire jokes about her skin tone, but the shade of such a pale splendor without freckles or flaws was astonishing and admirable. Paired with her eyes like burgundy heaven and hair of ebony perfection; it pulled together well. She wore a smooth lipstick and gloss that matched her full lips to her eyes, and a pair of ruby-laced hoops that gave a red glittering shine under the soft lights. Her heels (http://images2.seductionextreme.com/PL-domina-119blk.jpg) took a real woman to wear, with 6'' heels without those hideous super-soles to fluff them up. The straps across the open foot were of vinyl, with zippers criss-crossing along those straps. Her toe tapped on the floor, as she waited, smiling up at the open bar. Her clear curve-cut nails that shone like glossy glass in the light toyed with the small ruby and white gold pendant (http://www.savvy-mothers-day-gifts.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/ruby-circle-pendant.jpg) resting on her gleaming cleavage. She pushed her nail through the little ringlet of rubies and white gold, and then she released it, turning her attention to the door in the distance and hoping for her guest to arrive.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 06:03:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Scoping out the place a day before their date, Christoph watched the kind of clientele who patroned the Mockingbird. His meeting with Anika had been brief, giving him little idea, other than her easy confidence and strength, of what she was like as a 'civilian'. Since his transformation, Christoph didn't really give the distinction as much thought as he did before. Even going around as a human, he felt the power and force of the Amalgum inside of him, and his view of the world had been changed forever. No matter where he was, he always had the awareness and capability rippling through him - it wasn't something he could just turn off and ignore, like leaving a shift at work.<br><br>Seeing little reason not to attend, Christoph planned for being there the next day and, with some luck, didn't run into any Amalgums on Friday.<br><br><br><hr><br><br>Showing up at 7:55, it didn't take long to scope out Anika, who had taken a booth near the front. Taking in an eyeful, Christoph was only slightly surprised by how she had dressed. Though she had flirted easily, he wasn't quite sure how real it was, and she had emphasized "friendly" as far as the night would go. Whether she had changed her mind between then and now, or if she simply enjoyed dressing down when off-duty, he couldn't say. Either way, he knew he was in for a handful; her heels brought them to about the same height, and she seemed completely at ease in the ensemble.<br><br>Since the place wasn't high-dress, Chris stepped up his wardrobe with a dress shirt (http://www.fashionstardome.com/illustr/goodphotos/mediumimages/Burberry+Long+Sleeve+Button+Down+Dress+Shirt+For+Men+Black+g_4209_27837.jpg) and some classy slacks, fitting his legs and hips as well as the last pair. He traded out his more utilitarian boots for a dressier pair (http://theshoebuff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/dress-boots1.jpg), though it wasn't as shined-up as it could be. While Christoph liked looking good in his clothing, he wasn't anywhere near fastidious.<br><br>Giving Anika a friendly grin, he came up to her and bowed lightly. "Kind civilian, reporting for an evening out." His eyes shone with amusement and his glance looked her over for her injury. "I trust you've been keeping yourself safe?" While his remark was fairly jocular, some concern was evident in his expression as well.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 06:13:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Anika smiled when her eyes set on the man taking entrance. His bow made her grin tilt a bit to form that usual mischievous look she liked to carry, but overall he looked quite handsome. As he moved in to take his seat, she crossed her legs over again and rested her hands on the table, folding her fingers together. <br><br>"Kind civilian, you look nice... And I'm doing well. A little sore, but injuries have yet to stop me from performing at my peak when I'm on the field. I learned the hard way that Amalgum don't really give mercy to the injured." Anika watched a waitress approach, adorning a black apron and a pair of knee-length khaki shorts with a buttoned up white quarter-sleeve with a topaz pin on the left breast of her apron strap that read "Sarah". <br><br>"Hey, what would you two like to drink?" <br><br>Anika took a moment and pondered, then smiled with a good idea for a drink from the bar. "A mojito, and a glass of water." She turned her eyes to Christoph, listening to him order his drink and keeping her eyes on him until the menus were sat before them. Her fingers ran over the worn black binder and parted it open, eyes scanning the dinner menu.<br><br>"So how has your week gone? Saved any more unlikely women from the street sides?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 06:25:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"No, I don't suppose they give mercy to anyone." A hardness touched Christoph's voice briefly, born of harsh and traumatic memory, but it was on the surface for only a moment. What had happened was done and over with; nothing could undo loss... unless you wanted to be a Demoniac.<br><br>Turning to the waitress, Chris let Anika order first before giving his own. "A manhattan, please."<br><br>Their orders placed, and menus before them, Christoph shifted his eyes easily between Anika and the list of entrees. He gave a light 'mmm' before replying from memory, flipping through traumatic events quickly. "There was the young lady overdosing on cocaine. That was fairly exciting." As he spoke, his eyes rested on food, considering what he'd eat as his mental eye replayed the gasping and thrashing of the woman - more like a girl, really - after he stabbed the syringe into her. It wasn't even close to appetizing, but Chris had given up that part of him long ago in his vocation and beyond.<br><br>Making his choice, he closed the menu and slid it to the table-side, looking back to Anika. "What do you like to do in your spare time, Anika?" The question seemed fairly innocent on the surface, but there was a definite undercurrent of interest; Christoph liked bold questions and stepping things forward decisively.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 06:40:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His answer was unique, to say the least. But not unique because of the spoken answer, but because of how his voice portrayed it, for a single split second. She analyzed it, recognized it. When she spoke of certain things, her voice changed, though she tried not to let her truths come out so easily- yet at the same time if asked for, she wouldn't hide them. Something dangerous about Anika. Both a weakness and a strength. She did not hide anything if someone asked. And if asked the right questions, Anika would tell the darkest secrets, unveil the innermost pain, all dependent on if the question was focused enough.<br><br>"Hobbies? Aye hm..." Anika took a moment, drawing her forefinger and middle finger to her lips, curled slightly so that her nails stroked the gloss, her slighting of a habit that included tugging her lower lip when she thought, or gnawing at it. Biting her lip was much more problematic though, she tended to bite herself til she bled sometimes by accident. <br><br>"I like to train, if that's a hobby. Read, research the Demoniacs and all that stuff. Study my enemy, train some more. I try to make time for Theo though. Theo's my... well, he's not my kid, I call him my Charge. I found him on his fourth birthday, when we got a call about a Demoniac attack. He was at his mother's house, baking cookies or something like it, and an Amalgam on the run from us burst into his living room, meshed with the microwave, and- kindly put-&nbsp; baked his mother alive. We got there just before he could use the microwave radiation to hurt Theo, and we took down the Amalgum. The kid stuck to me, wouldn't let go long enough for Social Services to help him find a proper home. So, I asked if I could take him home with me. Ever since he's been mine. So, he's not quite a hobby, but I have fun teaching him stuff."<br><br>She pondered more as she shut the menu, decided on the Greek Salad with grilled chicken. She pushed the menu over, on top of his. "Other hobbies I can't really think of. I'm not a social person. My life really is just protecting people from the Demoniacs." Her hands folded together on the round tabletop again. "What about you? Hobbies?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 06:53:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Observing Anika, not quite content enough with his own mind to take her conversation without being aware of her unspoken words, Christoph listened with interest to her talk. Though he found her idea of training as a hobby, it was interesting that she had taken on an orphan as an adoptive son. Chris supposed it may have been a maternal instinct that led her to do it, or an untouched desire of hers to have a family, suppressed by her choice of vocation, but it was an interesting choice regardless. It took responsibility and vulnerability to take such a thing on.<br><br>"That was kind of you; the foster system isn't very kind on children." Considering the mental image for a moment of a woman being baked alive, he pushed on with a light breath. "What do you train him in?" Just as it spoke of her character and interests that she focused on combat and counter-Amalgum activities, it would speak volumes on her nature to learn what she taught to the child in her care. "And how old is he now?"<br><br>Wondering why Anika wasn't very social, Christoph put together words to point toward the question. "Are your parents still alive?" Despite being awfully blunt, Christoph pulled the blowed of the question slightly with his pleasant, earnest demeanor. That was about all he could, for that.<br><br>Thinking about her question, Chris admittedly wasn't sure what to say, given that his 'job' and 'hobbies' mostly involved hunting and killing Amalgum. The ebbing frequency was most of what gave him free time, other than keeping up mundane activities, like eating. "I travel a lot. Sometimes I take photos, sometimes I don't." He shrugged slightly, as if it didn't matter much. "I also draw and do a lot of reading. Philosophy and history, mostly." While his answers may have been a bit misleading, all of it was at least honest; Chris had taken a recent interest in finding out about the past, now that his future was irrevocably changed. Whether it was comforting or distracting, he could hardly say. He was simply drawn to it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 07:10:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He was quite curious and yet she liked it. His blunt and fearless way of finding out what he was curious to know piqued her interest. He was an interesting human being, to say the least. She laced her fingers together, her thumbs running over the sides of her hands as she gnawed her lip very gingerly to think. <br><br>"He's eight now. I got him early on in my XAT years. And I didn't really... Well, I... I wouldn't say I adopted him, or took him really. It wasn't like I saw him and was like 'Oh gotta' have him'. It was more like this kid wouldn't have anyone but me. I wanted him to go find a good home, he deserved better than me, I can't be a mom. I... can't even make friends unless they fight the good fight like me. That's the only tie to humanity I have. He came home with me that night, and I told him to sleep on the couch, but he wouldn't be alone. He liked me because I was the one who made swooped between him and the Amalgum and took a blow from the Amalgum instead of him. So that night, in my apartment, he came into my room and crawled into bed, and latched onto me. Wouldn't let go, cried he was scared. I just..." Anika shrugged. "It was that ever since, he sees me as his Guardian, and I call myself that because its what he calls me. Because I protected him. Hence why he's my charge." <br><br>Then came the other question. <br><br>"Nope, they didn't survive that Amalgum attack at the hospital, not even my father. I was ten when they died, and my only friend Damon was seventeen, and he took me in and let me live with him." <br><br>Anika took a long breath as the waitress returned and asked what they were ordering. <br><br>"The Greek Salad with grilled chicken and blue cheese dressing." Anika said. The waitress then turned and asked for Christoph's order, and Anika set her gaze upon him as well to see. When he was done, she continued.<br><br>"What of your parents?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 07:29:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Noting how she turned away the one question, Christoph let it fall, finding more answers in what else she spoke of. Watching her eyes intently, he made a small nod, paying attention to her every word. It was curious, how she spoke of not being social, yet being here and wearing the dress she did. Christoph didn't think of himself much as being special in the sense of attracting people, so he wondered what it spoke of her to be here with him now. And then, what came next-<br><br>"Damon? Who's he, to you?"<br><br>While Chris made many guesses, he was curious to know what kind of life she lived, previously and currently. It was much of how a person was shaped, really. and a lot could be deduced from a smattering of details and a little observation.<br><br>To the waitress, Christoph ordered a corned beef reuben with russian dressing and a side of fries; he specified the fries to be crispy, rather than soft, much preferring the crunch of them in his mouth that way.<br><br>Returning his attention to Anika, he responded easily, without any hints of withdrawing. "My father left my mother when my sister and I were very young; I don't know what's happened to him since." He shrugged again, as if it were also an inconsequential detail. "About two years ago, my mother died to an attack by an Amalgum." He left out the part about his sister, leaving it up to her to figure it out or not - something he was curious to see.<br><br>"Would you give away Theo if you could?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 07:45:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Damon? Well, Damon's a lot of weird things... When I grew up, he grew up in the house next to me. Though a good few years older than me, he was very hospitable and friendly, nice and all that jazz. I stuck out like a sore thumb as a kid, didn't fit in much. My parents were rich, and they fit in this perfect society, and most of the kids with my level of familial wealth were stuck up. Damon wasn't though. Well, we grew up together, then my parents died a year after he'd moved out on his own, and he offered me to live with him when I was still young. He told me all about the XAT while I was in my teen years, prepared me for what was to come. He's a wise man. Eventually when I was older, we ended up romantically involved, which was ruined in the end because I was infatuated with my fresh revenge that needed to be taken out. It kept me from loving him. Though I've never loved anyone, I was never closer to caring about anyone romantically than I cared about him. After the cold end, he became my XAT superior, and helped me get the apartment across the hall from his. Odd, that we live like that, but we're both kind of shut down from the possibilities, not really people to dwell on what could've been. At least I'm not, I can't read into him like I used to. I think I stopped caring."<br><br>Anika remembered their time dating, remembered it all. Damon was her first, and their relationship was her only relationship- no matter that her relationship with Damon was... broken, unusual, full of drama and strange revelations about the two of them. Hell, it hadn't been that long without him. Three years now? Yeah. Right after she found Theo, and found that she cared a little more about Theo than she did her boyfriend.<br><br>"I would never give up Theo." She then said, a suddenly stern tone to her voice. Her eyes darkened and the tone was... not motherly, nor fatherly. Dutiful, serious, even intimidating. "I made him a promise I'd protect him from all the bad things, I made that oath on my life. And if it meant my death, when I make a promise I will go incredible, insane lengths to keep it. He counts on me to keep him safe, and I'll do so. I'll protect him from Demoniacs, people, and anything else that threatens him. It was my promise to him, and I doubt many could protect him better than I could, with as much resolve as I have... Sometimes I think that if I were given the chance, I would ought to trade him in so he could have a good mom who cooks and buys him teddy bears and coloring books, and a dad who can teach him to fish and do all kinds of boy things. All I can teach him is how to fight, how to spot disease and change, medical skills, how to shoot a gun, and crossword puzzles. Even Sudoku, when I was really bored. I try for other things, but I'm not good at it. I can't really raise him alone, but like I said. A promise is a promise, one I will live out no matter what."<br><br>She licked her lips and watched the waitress set down their drinks.<br><br>"Your food will be here in a few minutes." <br><br>Anika picked up her mojito and took a sip, letting the minty lime taste flow over her tongue and soothe her throat with a slight burn of alcohol. When she sat the drink down, her smile had returned.<br><br>"I'm assuming your sister is dead." She then said, bluntly and almost harshly, but the truth was always harsh. "Correct me if I'm wrong. If not, then we can continue on to your dating life. How you are with women and whatnot, since you already know a little about my only relationship."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 12:34:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Christoph wasn't surprised to hear that Anika had been involved with Damon, but she dropped several things that were new information. It wasn't typical for anyone to speak so plainly about love and romance, and how it ended tragically, and why it turned out that way. Often it was couched more lyrically, or begrudgingly, or just plain obscured. Anika's forwardness and honesty were very striking - moreso than her skill and determination.<br><br>At her serious intent about Theo, Chris raised a curious brow, but was clearly impressed. There was such willfulness in her, such eager and compelling fight. He could see why she had lived for so long, had been so successful in fighting the Amalgums. Few could be so fierce, day in and day out. "Were you planning on not raising Theo alone?"<br><br>Taking a sip of his own drink, the burn a pleasant sensation on the inside of his body, rather than what he was very used to experiencing now, he gave a small smile.<br><br>"She died that day as well. Misha was very... dear to me. We were very close, my sister and I. Without a father to raise us, I suppose I filled in for that, with her." Chris laughed softly, thinking back on good times that were gone forever, now. "She'd be 19 now if she was still alive." Many things that were possible had been crushed that day. Christoph would never forget, just as he knew so many others were scarred forever by the horrors visited upon them.<br><br>Drinking again, Chris pushed on steadily. "I dated more before my mother and sister died, to their endless amusement. I didn't really date anyone longer than a year, so I went on a good number of dates with different people. I think I was looking for the companionship more then, to be interested in people and feel good talking and laughing with others." He gave a quiet smile, though any meaning underneath was uncertain. "People are intricate things, full of possibility and difference, and it's nicer to look at their outsides than their insides. I wouldn't call myself great at being gentleman, but I've been fairly good about it, and about respecting people's feelings. After my family died..." Christoph gave a small shrug. "... I lost the drive to look for those things. It's not quite the same anymore, having the empty place in my life. Romance won't fill it."<br><br>Looking at the alcohol in his glass, Chris' glance went to Anika's before meeting her eyes. "Why do you push people away?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 15:20:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Alone?" She smiled, a soft chuckle falling from her lips so shallowly that if it were tangible it would've fallen right into her glass. "I had no choice, I knew that the minute I realized I couldn't get rid of him. At first, I tried to have things differently. It was a pathetic attempt, but young Theo got humor out of it. I used to take him to work with me on my HQ service logging days, and have him sit in the Rec Room with me and the guys, just kicking back and joking. One guy named Bernard used to play basketball with him, and another played board games. It took a lot off my chest at the time those days, because that was around the time I was having trouble with Damon. Damon had a feeling that it had come to bad terms with us, because he realized I was actually trying to take care of the child instead of giving it up. He had a feeling that Theo would end us. At the time I only had enough affection for one needy person, not two." <br><br>Anika tilted her head up and listened then to him, taking another sip of the mojito. She gazed over Christoph, liked how blunt this conversation was. Liked him. She hadn't met anyone so capable of volleying back otherwise awkward and personal questions before. The conversation would've been intense, stammered, and hurtful with anyone else on the receiving end. Not for Anika, but for them. Most people didn't like having the truth out there for them to have to face, but here were two people, sitting having a drink, and exploring the realms of depth and honesty in a way Anika had always craved.<br><br>His story compelled her. He and Anika had a lot in common. A lot of things that seemed to coincide. To know that he would've been different one day than now even prodded her humor a bit. He had a chance to be normal, for a while. That's nice, but if he had been normal, the two wouldn't be sitting here drinking together. But it was his next question that actually required Anika to run her finger over the rim of her glass and think.<br><br>"Here's your food, enjoy." The waitress broke the minute of silence where Anika had dipped into herself for that answer, and Anika snapped her attention over to the woman and the tray. She sat down a black bowl of salad on a white oval plate with grilled chicken and rice on the side opposite of the bowl. As well, Christoph's meal was received before him too. And the waitress parted.<br><br>"There are multiple reasons, I'm sure some I haven't even discovered yet. It's mostly about honesty though. I don't deny that after the life I've led, that I am incapable of loving someone the 'right' way, the way normal people desire. I don't have priorities quite like the rest of society, and it propels me away from people. Tack on that most men I attempt to make any kind of off-work contact with only want sex, which is nice on the rare occasion, but even that is... dull? I'd rather trade in all that, if I could have one good night in return. You know, someone who could match my passions, see me when they looked into my eyes, see what I am. I hate hiding from people, and refusing to do so usually makes them turn and run so fast that I barely see them leave... You see..." Anika paused, her fingers trailing down the cool mojito glass and creating a path where the condensation was broken, the moist little droplets hugging her fingertip and soon sinking into her skin.<br><br>"I am a monster. In a way human, but my humanity has been warped. On the outside, I look and can pretend to think live everyone else, though pretending gets me nowhere most of the time. On the inside, I am not such though... I am a demon all my own. On the hunt, giving up my chances to meet someone under normal circumstances to fight the good fight, to exercise all this capability I have. The only chance I was given to love I rightfully claim the fault for destroying. The pressure snapped me. People irritate me more often than not. I've lost my will to tolerate ignorance just so I won't be alone. I'd rather be alone than with someone who cannot see the truth, cannot appreciate all the intricate little workings of my inner being." <br><br>Anika paused, lifting her fork and pushing into her salad, twirling the romaine around in the dressing. <br><br>"Besides, having someone to care about, someone to befriend, it would compromise me sometimes. Even then though, I cannot deny the human urge for companionship, nor the emptiness I feel when I am not at work around my combatant coworkers. But such is the price to pay. Honestly, you're the first person I've really enjoyed seeing outside of a work basis. Most people don't just jump into such... interesting, conversation topics. It's nice to talk with someone who isn't afraid to speak their mind." <br><br>She took a bite of the salad, and then sliced off a tiny piece of the chicken, downing that with a sip of the water. Her attention then came back to Christoph after having eaten a little more.<br><br>"What kind of things do you find yourself interested in? Books, movies, etc." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 22:27:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Chris shifted his head slightly. "That doesn't sound like a pathetic attempt at all; why'd you stop?" Regardless of how dedicated Anika was in taking care of Theo, having others to share the burden - or, perhaps, give attention and interest to the boy - would help him all the more. If Christoph had grown up with only his mother, or just his sister, and no other company and companionship... he didn't think he would have taken it as well. He admired Theo's tenacity and will greatly, but he didn't see a reason for her to give up on exposing Theo to more people and good times.<br><br>With the conversation going back and forth between them, Christoph felt a gnawing worry. Anika had undeniably interested him, and cut cleanly through things like a sharp knife; if he let her, she could become... important to him. He could care about her. He could see it already happening, the threads of feeling flowing.<br><br>If she weren't so direct, so blunt, so honest, he wouldn't have much trouble with rebuffing her. Christoph was very used to the shields people put up around themselves, and he had grown tired of trying to pierce them, tired of trying to overcome - just as he had grown tired of awkward company.<br><br>With what he was now, he could scarce imagine someone so interesting and compelling, yet so dangerous to his existence. Anika was trained to ferret out and find Amalgums; she knew signs of them. She was no idiot and could put details together if Chris had to make a sudden exit. Having her in his life created a very real obstacle. And yet...<br><br>Staring at Anika, ignoring his food and taking another drink from his Manhattan, his eyes narrowed. Anika spoke so easily of things that did not seem to apply to her. She was still human; yes, she had given herself to hardness, to fierce instinct and battle, but that made her no monster. Monsters went berserk and killed innocents all around them. Monsters went on killing sprees and tore people apart with their bare hands. Monsters ruined lives and ended hope. Anika was none of these things. She was a defender, a protector, a guardian.<br><br>Looking at her intently, he leaned forward, brushing aside her question. Christoph spoke with a clarity of mind and an edge to his words, finding her argument defenseless against them. She did not have to believe, but he knew better. "You are not a monster. It doesn't matter what you've given up to focus on fighting and surviving; you are nothing like the Amalgums you destroy. They bring despair. You bring hope. You save lives."<br><br>Breathing more forcefully for a few moments, he let the air out and watched her. "No matter how armored and hidden your heart is, you chose to make the world brighter. Monsters do not make that choice."<br><br>Giving no further response for a bit, Christoph picked up his sandwich and bit into it, enjoying the rush of flavor into his mouth. Chris wondered how his words would find her; she could scoff at him and dismiss them with ease, even though they felt very true to him. He had experienced what being a monster was, fully and truly, and had stepped back from that edge, of falling into madness and rage. Since then, he had seen it consume the minds of too many others, their suffering great and the suffering they dealt out greater still. Perhaps Anika spoke of her own suffering, quietly hidden inside of her, despite the forcefulness of her choice. Sacrificing emotion was efficient and effective, but it was hard to erase pain and forget loss. Christoph had tried for a long time himself, with meager success.<br><br>Eventually, he came back to answering. "Philosophy. Introspection. People who think, contemplate, and try to understand interest me. Those who have put that into writing, or on the screen, capture my attention. They give windows into themselves, their thoughts, their feelings, their souls." He ate a few fries, pondering. "I suppose I still seek that, even if I've become too tired and disinterested to push other people for it. Relationships show us a lot about ourselves. When someone bares their self to you in a book or song or movie, you can see and feel what they're trying to express, and how it resonates with you."<br><br>He looked at her for a moment before smiling once more. "What did you enjoy before your parents died, before Damon, before XAT?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 23:10:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As he spoke, she cut into the chicken and took another bite, then ate more of the salad. Anika lifted a small dark greek olive to her lips and parted them, but was halted by his words. Surprise did not show on her expression, as her eyes rose to meet his and her lips tugged into a momentary smile. She then continued, pressing the little round olive into her lips and swirling it around her mouth, shaving the flesh off of the pit, before capturing the little pit from her lips with her fingernails and setting it aside on the plate edge. <br><br>"You're very insightful. I guess in that manner I am not a monster, but Demoniacs are not the only monsters we have in this world. Monsters come in many varieties. I think the potential exists. If I ever pretended I was something I am not, ever lied to myself, I would truly become a monster. Survival in my own is based upon the truth. The truth, as rough as it is, I can handle. The lies and feelings of emptiness without reason, lacking a true worthwhile purpose, now that.... that I cannot stand." <br><br>Anika then was proposed his next question, and her smile widened even more. By now, she was down to having eaten over half of her meal. And she was filling up quickly, the rest might be boxed for a snack later in the night. She licked her lips and downed the rest of her mojito. When she began to answer, her fingers dipped elegantly into the glass of ice and she began to fish out the slice of lime.<br><br>"When I was younger I wanted to be a doctor, and work at the hospital with my mother. The main aspect of it was that I wanted to <em>fix</em> people. I also liked soccer, and mischief. Heh, I ran away a lot, but I always came back. I just liked the little vacations, the independence. And my favorite escape was the lake, where I'd go in the night to skip rocks and stargaze. I continued that escape long after my parents' death, on until I moved inland of the city to settle here and begin work with the XAT." <br><br>Anika waved down a waitress very politely, and asked for a box. She then gazed at Christoph with a curious little grin, as she lifted the lime slice up to her lips. She slid the little lime slice between her lips, resting it on her tongue. Her lips shifted enough to gesture she was eating the entire slice, rind and all, until Anika parted her lips and slipped the lime rind ring out of her mouth, having somehow gotten the flesh of the lime without having bitten the rind into pieces or breaking it from a perfect circle. She lowered it down and put it on a napkin beside her plate, as the waitress returned with a box. She put the salad and remaining chicken into the box, along with the rice. Then she closed it up, and folded her hands on the table as the waitress took her plates.<br><br>"I could talk on with you for hours." Anika said then. "You're a very truthful and deep person. I can't deny that my piqued interest in you only grew over dinner tonight." Anika smiled, and stepped out of the both, coming to a stand. It was now that the true glory of her figure could be seen. Long pale legs, but not thin. Luscious hips, that ran into delectable thighs, always sloping and smooth, flowing into her knees before parting into strong calves. Her legs were not the only strong feature. Her abdomen, her arms, she had a look of strength and prowess about her, like Diana the Huntress. The only thing that didn't look strong was her breasts, which just topped off the perfect physique of an all too alluring woman. Her dark lips tugged into a crooked smile and held out her hand, palm up.<br><br>"Walk me to my ride?" She grinned. "And as we go, you can tell me whether or not we should do this again next Friday." Anika chuckled.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 06:48:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leaning in a bit, Christoph gave Anika a pointed stare at her return. "We are our actions and our choices, Anika - not what we are simply capable of. You are no more a monster than any other human until you choose to be one." Though he agreed with her assertions, it was not a point Christoph was going to let up on. He had showed himself very thoroughly how being an Amalgum did not necessitate that he be a monster. It was by his will, his choices, his actions alone that made him something else. This was truth to him, now, and something he had no choice but to believe in.<br><br>It was interesting to Chris to imagine Anika being little and eager to play doctor and help people. Before tragedy, there was often that innocence and happiness that wished so well for the world, for others, for the future. How many had to suffer the same fate?<br><br>While she spoke, Christoph made quick work of his sandwich and picked through half of the fries before finding his stomach sated. Despite the innate strength given to him by his second form, Chris never stopped improving his body and his skill, advancing and improving himself rapidly with the help of his infused blood. Though he could gain sustenance in other ways, Chris liked to consume food and remind himself that he was still at least somewhat human - and he worked up an appetite with all of his activities. Unlike Anika, however, he left the rest of his food on his plate; fries didn't re-heat well, after all.<br><br>Taking in an eyeful of Anika, Christoph stood after her, taking her hand in his, his strength immediately apparent and yet yielding to firmness, and giving her a direct look. "For one who speaks of men as such indelicate, uninteresting sex-hunters, you haven't wasted many opportunities to entice my interest." His expression remained deadpan for a moment before he grinned, amused with the matter and with the tug and pull of their interactions. "I haven't met another woman so bold and intriguing thus far." Christoph's approval was clear in his voice and expression, which indicated keen interest, but was a far cry from the roving and lecherous eyes of so many others. While he could not deny Anika's allure, he found her mind and heart more insistent in grabbing his attention... which was the problem, of course.<br><br>Walking out with her, Chris looked down at Anika's hair, imagining what she would have been like before XAT, before Damon, and before the Amalgums that took her life away. Vengeance and loss were a powerful alchemy, forcing the desire to heal into the desire to kill. What would she have been like if that hadn't come to pass? But such thoughts were idle and led nowhere, as the past was written and could not be undone. There was no going back for anyone.<br><br>"It seems you've already drawn my interest, Anika. I'm not sure if I could say no to more." Grinning at her enigmatically, he let her lead the way.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 06:58:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Anika walked out with him, recycling his words into her mind over and over, letting them ingrain into her thoughts. She smiled at him as he gazed at her, telling her that there would be another meeting. Of the entire night of intrigue and talking, that was the first thing that he said that made her heart beat a little harder, louder, in her chest. She nodded to him, and turned to her bike parked out front. <br><br>Moving to it, she parted a small slot and pulled out a tiny three inch by two inch notepad and mini pen, and began to scribble something down. Anika turned back to Christoph after having torn the paper off of the notepad and returning the pad and pen to the compartment in her bike. She held out her hand, offering the piece of paper to him.<br><br>"That is my cellular number, you can text or call. And it's also my address. Next Friday Theo is going to go hang out with Bernard's son, and sleep over at his place. I'll fix us some dinner and we can relax there and eat. That night is also the night of the meteor shower, if you'd want to go see it from the rooftops afterward."<br><br>Anika reached up, her fingertips touching Christoph's cheek, drawing down his skin slowly as she studied his eyes and grinned. "Would 6 o'clock be good?" She said, before pulling her hand away and folding her arms across her chest to keep a little warm.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 07:12:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Looking at the intact bike, Christoph's memory pulled forth the sight of her XAT bike severed in two by the Amalgum's energy whip, its half-crippled body claiming it and her unconscious form for a shield. In the streets, she would have fought him next had she killed the Amalgum; to her eyes, he was the same as their enemies, a crazed monster that could not hold back its rage and lethal intent.<br><br>Chris knew better than to involve himself with her, but holding the piece of paper in his hands, hearing her words and feeling her hand on his cheek, he knew he wouldn't say no. "I'll make sure I'm free." Smiling at her, interest overcoming wariness, temptation overtaking danger, Christoph found no thoughts of being careful or secure. Maybe later he could, but for now, there was nothing.<br><br>"... and I'd love to watch the meteors with you." It wasn't something that happened very often - Chris would watch it himself, were he not otherwise engaged, and enjoy the sight.<br><br>Nodding to her, the cold air picking up his dark red hair, Christoph waited for her to take off on her bike before mounting his own. He wouldn't call himself bewitched by Anika - that was hardly her nature - yet he was pulled all the same.<br><br>Shaking his head to himself, he took off shortly after she did, heading home at his usual speed, eager to work out some of the energy lingering in his body from their encounter.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re:</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 07:35:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Anika smiled at his response, liking that for once an encounter with a male wasn't actually boring. The woman mounted her bike- a black and magenta one compared to the orange and black XAT issued bike. She looked back at Christoph once more, before smiling that crooked, devious smirk of a strong, untamed woman. Then she slid the helmet on and took off, down the street and headed home...<br><br><br><div align="center">-XXX-<br><span style="font-family: courier new;" class="bbc_font"><strong>Wednesday</strong></span></div><br><br>Anika hooked the woven black handle into the long titanium alloid case painted black with a magenta line down the side in a zig-zag. She leaned out of the helicopter opening, hand held onto the side as she gazed down at the playground below. Her hair whipped quickly back and forth in the wind of the propellers as they seemed to go lower and lower. Her free hand placed onto her hip, now bare as the tailor had taken her suit and made it a two piece from her lashing, so the suit was a long-sleeve top that ended only inches below her breast, and a pair of long pants. She had on her hip her utility belt, with an energy pistol holstered on either side. <br><br>There were four others in there with her, four other XAT members who were prepared to the T. This was a series of two Demoniacs, both merged with something different. One had broken a muscle car in half and meshed with it until the legs bore wheels and the arms were armored with the heavy fiberglass hood and trunk cover. The other had meshed with the jungle gym, the monkey bars giving it a coiled armor look while protruding almost wing-like expansions of bars from its back. <br><br>"All right, everyone, take this son of a bitch out. Go!" The Captain called out over the comm. With it said, Anika hooked the clip to her belt and gripped the rope with her gloved hand, jumping out of the helicopter. The rope attached to the floor of the helicopter, and gave her a perfect propel downwards. Her boots hit the grass of the playground and she was standing before the car-meshed Demoniac. It spun wheels into the grass, and roared, the pure Demoniac slamming its hands onto the ground and preparing to lurch forward at sixty mph or more. She drew both pistols and aimed them forward, as the others dropped. Immediately, she began to drain down her energy cells, unloading blue blasts into the Demoniac. It howled, the energy bullets tearing through the fiberglass easily. Though their natural armor was a little tougher. The Demoniacs were not that difficult. At least this one was not. Two shots to the head, and it fell over, scrambling around for something to mesh with. <br><br>"Anika, six o'clock!" Anika heard Victor and turned sharply, coming into a crouch with both pistols facing the bar-bearing Demoniac. She fired off, but it had an armored front, hadn't meshed with something for armor save for its wrists and shins wrapped in the bars. The bullets did not do as much damage as she would've liked. Finally her guns clicked, and the energy cells needed time to recharge. She holstered them, and raced towards the monkey bars Demoniac, drawing forth the woven black handle from before. Her right hand reached across the handle as she pressed in one small switch, and a blade folded out quickly from the hilt, creating a strong katana with a faint glow or shimmer. The katana had a 30% carbon laser coating, making it able to battle Amalgum weaponry and Demoniac weapons, without breaking or being seared through. <br><br>Leveling it, she raced forward, and bore her blade strongly as she ducked down and the Demoniac slammed both fists down into the earth on either side of her. She came out from under the Demoniac and turned to face its back, slashing at its back and working on disarming it to create a soft spot to attack, while the other four worked between the vehicle Demoniac and the one she was focusing on.<br><br><em>I wonder... I haven't seen Black Knight since the last encounter with Amalgums, where Christoph took me in. I wonder if he'll feel the urge to come out and handle the infestation today, or if he'll resist.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 10:17:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Christoph's eyes opened as his second form solidified, leaving them blazing orange pits of violent intent. Grabbing the stone surrounding the window before him, he grumbled it in his armored hands, sending dust and gravel toppling below. Gripping the bottom of the now-large hole, he flung himself downward, tumbling as he hurtled through the air. Spreading out his arms, metal flicked out, red-orange blades bursting forth and humming with destructive force. Colliding with the ground, Chris took off running down the street.<br><br>He heard the XAT long before he saw them, battling it out with the two he felt up ahead... but Christoph's attention was fixed on the third, inside the building next to him. Turning suddenly, he ripped through a door into it, barreling toward the Amalgum fused with an oven, heat searing the air around it from its arms, chest, and legs. Facing him, the Demoniac released bolts of white-hot energy, flurrying wildly. Twisting low and to the side, Chris released the blade on his right arm, hurling it toward the beast's chest.<br><br>Falling backwards, the Demoniac barely dodged the halberd-head, which sliced through the wall before dematerializing and returning its energy to Christoph's arm. Growling, he charged, smashing into the Demoniac and sending them both through the wall and into the battlefield-in-progress where the other two Demoniacs fought with the XAT. Drawing his arms back, he slammed them down into the oven-Amalgum's legs, severing them and sweeping them aside.<br><br>Before Christoph could finish off the beast, the first creature Anika had taken down, now fused with a van, barreled toward him. Leaping to the side, the van skidded past the oven-Demoniac and aimed for Anika's back while she focused on the barred-Demoniac.<br><br>Seeing the vehicle speeding rapidly at the woman he had rescued and since spent an evening with, Christoph brought his fists to his chest and threw them forward, the arm-blades spinning off and forward, slicing viciously through the front section of the van and toppling it, flaming and crashing across the street.<br><br>Running forward, Chris leaped into the air and caught the blades as they returned, metal extending instantly and forming his halberd as he swung it down at the oven-Demoniac, which rolled away from the blade scything into the grass.<br><br>Crackling with energy and fury, he pulled his weapon out of the ground and went after the third monster, ignoring the other two for the moment.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 10:34:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The battle continued, the comm suddenly radioing in a new message.<br><br><em><strong>"Two more spotted, one Demoniac- and you guessed it- our favorite vigilante Amalgum."</strong></em><br><br>Anika bared her teeth, but continued, dipping under every attack with the nimble evasion of a sly predator trained perfectly in the art of battle. Every hefty swing could put her out, but she ducked or jumped, and was too close quarters to be attacked by the more lethal ranged attacks. Finally she gripped the blade handle with both hands and thrust the sword downward in a vertical sweep, and the back armor cracked off. She then ducked under it and shifted to face it, only hearing a loud commotion of battle behind them. She sharply turned and saw him, the Black Knight, taking the Demoniacs off of her hands. Off of the XAT's hand. She snarled, while the others seemed to step back and be in awe of the power the Black Knight exhibited. <br><br>Turning, she let out a vulgar curse and swung the blade up with both hands, biceps flexed as the Demoniac slung an attack right into it. She bent her knees and was pushed down a bit, but she held her ground. When it raised its arms, she swept inward and swung at the knee, cutting halfway into the flesh and causing it to topple onto its side. Then she ripped the blade out of its meat and attacked the other leg, bringing it down with its arms on the ground. She ran to it, and jumped on the broken legs and gripped one of the barred wings, swinging down between them and lodging the blade with the force of her gravity into its unveiled back. The Demoniac screeched but began to fade into nanomechanical dust. <br><br>She ripped up her blade, and saw that by then, the others were destroyed either by XAT or Black Knight- or both. She then raised her blade and leveled it with the Amalgum, full just rising and falling heavily.<br><br>"Well looky here. I still don't quite get why you kill your own. If I have my way, I don't intend on finding out. You're a danger to the people. You haven't hurt anyone yet, Black Knight, but the day you do, I'll be there. And I'll bring you judgement myself." <br><br>Anika swung her blade to the side and sheathed the shorter blade after it folded into itself. The woman then looked back at the XAT and gestured to the helicopter. <br><br>"Everyone get back in and we'll head to HQ shortly."<br><br>"Don't we try to ki-" <br><br>"No. I've got better plans with that Amalgum. Let's go." She turned her head and eyed the Amalgum sternly, a cold, deathly gaze. She clenched her fists and walked towards it, standing before him by only a few feet.<br><br>"I am unafraid. I will always be unafraid, of you and your kind. I'll see you again soon, Black Knight."<br><br>She turned and stepped into the helicopter, and it rose up, preparing to take off. <br><br><strong><em>"Did you kill the Black Knight?"</em></strong><br><br>"No. It doesn't matter, we'll meet again, I promise." Anika said, leaning out of the helicopter just a bit and never breaking her gaze from the Amalgum as they pulled away into the sky.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 11:03:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Staring at the XAT humans once the Demoniacs were finished, Christoph's weapon vanished into the air, leaving him unarmed before them. Though he knew they would hunt him and he would have to evade them, he had no wish for fight with them - and he refused to harm them. Moving to go, he found Anika standing before him, her enhanced blade held aloft.<br><br>The orange eyes of his second form looked out at Anika, regarding her impassively as she delivered her seeming threat, yet pulled away and showed no intent of battle. Given their previous behavior, Christoph could not say why the XAT would suddenly retreat from him, or why Anika would suddenly... pardon him. As much as she wanted to do battle with him and cut him down, she spoke words of truth - he hadn't hurt anyone. It was almost as if she was saying, <em>you aren't a monster... yet</em>.<br><br>Christoph knew he could never trust the XAT to not persecute his existence and try to eradicate. They did not understand that Amalgums were more varied than mindless killing machines; more than a few, given the chance, could make it out of the frenzy and become like him... at least, Chris believed as such. No matter how different he was, he could not think himself simply unique. The cloud of bloodlust had died out of him quickly, and afterwards, he could control himself. His Amalgum form pushed him to great heights of tension and emotion, ready to rend and do battle, but it wasn't too much for him. He had it in hand.<br><br>He couldn't be the only one who could do such a thing, could he?<br><br>After the XAT helicopter left, Christoph turned and fled through the city until he was out of view and safe, where he could slough off his second form and be Chris once more. Sighing as the energy dissipated, leaving his flesh very mortal again, Chris looked toward the XAT headquarters, wondering what was going on in Anika's head.<br><br>Shaking his own, he began walking through the city, feeling out for more Demoniacs to hunt. That was Christoph's life, after all - making sure no one else had to suffer what he had suffered, or become what he had become.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 20:26:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><span style="font-family: courier new;" class="bbc_font"><strong>XAT Headquarters: Board Room</strong></span></div><br>Anika sat in a chair, waggling her foot in a hyper fashion as she focused on the image large on the front most holographic screen. It was the Black Knight, and lucky her, she was in the picture too. Between them, mounting her bike. The encounter from the previous week. She sighed, and watched the Captain stroll in front of the screen, the thickly muscled man clicking a thin remote which turned the slide over to one of a bulleted menu. <br><br>"We have never seen Black Knight kill a civilian or hurt any human being."<br><br>"This is a worthless waste of my time." Anika spat out, and was immediately hushed by the sharp glare of her Captain. <br><br>"Regardless. The leak has gotten out, civilians praising the vigilante Demoniac, calling him our favorite name, on to the other most commonly used street name "The Holy Metal". They are beginning a civilian uproar, saying that it is still human. Thus, under the government's new ban, we're only allowed to attack Black Knight if it hurts a human."<br><br>"This is outrageous!" Anika came to a stand. "If we wait, we're waiting too late. Why sacrifice a life when we can put him down <em>now</em>!?" She was quiet afterward, breath rising and falling angrily. The Captain nodded.<br><br>"Calm down. What's going to become of this is unsure to us right now. But we are currently developing a loophole. A way to engage the Black Knight. Perhaps even instigate a first blow that will put him on our crosshairs." <br><br>Anika drew her hand to her face and sighed, turning and leaving the Board Room without another word said. And behind her followed one specific gaze, almost sympathetic, yet something deeper existed. Dark-haired Damon watched her leave, his hands dug into his pockets.<br><br><em>Anika...</em><br><br><br><br><div align="center">-XXX-<br><span style="font-family: courier new;" class="bbc_font"><strong>Friday <br>5:50 p.m.</strong></span></div><br><br>This little meeting between Christoph and Anika would be a little more dressed down, Anika thought. She'd shown him her sexy side, and she liked his reaction of remaining calm and keeping direct conversation. Now it was time to move for something a little more casual to her- but still quite enchanting.<br><br>She had just showered up and after her showers she always bandaged for the night to keep the soreness of her body down til her days off could rejuvenate her. Anika had bandaged her chest, horizontally, her breasts still large though held by the white strips. The bandaging begun along the center of her breasts if not an inch higher, and went down to just above her navel. Then her wrists were bandaged. She'd taken a blow to the side of her ribs when in training with Subero, and she'd also had some bad strain on her wrists from fighting the Demoniac with her new blade. She knew she needed more training with the way of the sword before taking it into battle again. Along her legs she wore a pair of long boot-cut jeans, hugging her lips and rather low-rider styled. As she moved for the door, she was pulling on a black tank top, one that shaped to her form and hugged her every curve while still being casual and classic. She ran her fingers into her hair and put on the tiniest touch of lip gloss to accentuate her full lips, darkening them a bit as the pale Goddess made it to the door. She flicked the locks down and then undid the bolt, before turning the handle and opening it. <br><br>The sounds of her black Timberland sneakers (http://www.celebheights.com/sneakers/timberland.jpg) were almost inaudible, as she leaned into the doorframe and tapped the toe of her shoe against the hardwood of her floor, peeking into the hallway of the seventh floor of her apartment complex.<br><br><em>I hope this goes as well as last time.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 22:57:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>Friday<br>3:00 am</strong></div><br>The Black Knight roared with rage as the Amalgum's lance cut into his left side, piercing through armor plates and sending nano-infused ichor splattering out from his back. Grabbing the energy weapon's handle, he pulled the weapon deeper into himself and the Amalgum to him, a sudden swing of his fist decapitating the monster with his right arm-blade. Releasing the dematerialized weapon, he heaved as he surveyed the piles of Demoniac dust, scattered around him.<br><br>Something had been increasing the numbers of Demoniacs lately, and more Amalgums were showing greater intelligence and power - signs of other living human-Amalgums. While Christoph could cut easily through Demoniacs now, human-Amalgums still presented greater challenges and managed to occasionally wound him. This time, it was as if he walked into an ambush, though; three human-Amalgums awaited him with a retinue of Demoniacs.<br><br>The battle had been fierce, and XAT hadn't even showed up to assist. By the time the monsters were all dead and crumbled inside the empty warehouse, significant damage had been done to the building… but the only thing that had drawn him to it was his sense of their location. Given the destruction surrounding him now, it was only a matter of time before the XAT or police or else showed up, necessitating that Chris get going. It gnawed at him, though, that this had occurred - it spoke of some kind of intelligence guiding the creation and spread of the Demoniacs, which was a very, very ominous sign. Christoph would never relent in his hunt, but the danger had increased suddenly and unexpectedly, and if they could hurt him, then what they would do to the populace, to the XAT… the thought chilled him.<br><br>Pulling his second from back inside of him, Chris wearily left the area, bloodied wounds and bruises decorating his body. They would heal quickly enough, of course, but it had been awhile since the Black Knight suffered significant injury.<br><br><br><div align="center"><strong>5:52 pm</strong></div><br>Pulling up to the building on his bike, the visor disappeared as Christoph pulled his helmet off and slid it into its small compartment. Dismounting, he pulled off his gloves, putting them away as well. Looking down at his left hand and the mark that told his nature as an Amalgum, Chris was momentarily thankful that the media had yet to report live capture of a human-Amalgum. No matter where his relationship with Anika went, he couldn't long hide the mark from her, and if she knew what it truly meant, that would be the end of things rather quickly.<br><br>Unbuttoning his jacket (http://image.ec21.com/image/sellergood/oimg_GC01563224_CA01667920/Dolce_Gabbana_Mens_Jacket_Coat_Dsquared_Diesel_Energie.jpg) and revealing a long-sleeved, close-fitting grey shirt, Chris made his way up the stairs to Anika's apartment. Though his wounds had healed most externally for the most part, other than some small cuts and faint bruise-marks, some of the brimming energy in his usual step was diminished. Dressed again in slacks (http://www.sheplers.com/i/p/072/072897/072897_89_p1_770x.jpg) and a more casual pair of boots (http://www.shoes.com/ProductImages/shoes_iaec1225927.jpg), he spotted Anika's door as he went down the hall - and then her face, peering out.<br><br>Remembering that she mentioned Damon held the apartment opposite of hers, he glanced toward it briefly before returning his eyes to her, a smile appearing on his face.<br><br>"Hey, Anika. Still in one piece, I see."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 23:21:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Seeing Christoph brought that sly grin to Anika's lips, her eyes studying his form as he came up the steps and met her at the door. She leaned further into the frame, tapping her toe on the floor once more before she responded to his comment.<br><br>"I wouldn't have cancelled on you if I were in two either way, so I doubt it makes a difference." A chuckle fell from her lips as she stepped back, inviting him into her home. She shut the door behind him, and reset all of the locks. Very protective is what that said about her. She didn't like intruders by any length, and her home was walled down like a fort with all of the weapons she kept hidden and the tempered glass windows that were bulletproof and strong enough to withstand a few blows by an Amalgum before shattering. <br><br>The inside of her apartment was rather large and cozy. The doorway led onto a small landing with a iron grid-textured plate on the side where she kept a shelf that hung her XAT suit and immediate weapons of choice. The landing led out about four feet in a semi-circle, before stepping down a three inch step to the main stretch of floor. The living room was there, all dark stained hardwood with black leather furniture and glass on coiled iron tables and stands. The entertainment center was an iron frame with thick tempered glass shelving, holding a 52'' flatscreen TV, and several consoles around it, with the left side flooded with books all arranged quite neatly. Before the TV was the main black leather sofa, with two thick, plush cushions, while to its sides were two single person leather chairs that matched in texture and design. To the right one could see a hardwood bar protruding upwards from the floor, about to chest height with three stools set before it. One could glance over it and under the hanging wooden light fixtures to see the kitchen. Octagonal, hardwood, with stained dark cabinets and dark, black granite countertops. Fridge was black too, a double door that opened from the center outward, with chrome handles. Next to the bar was a sink, chrome, and beside that a hanging glass rack for the glasses that went with Anika's personal bar. opposite of it, on the counter next to the fridge, was a large basket of fruit and a cookie tray setting out with a few cookies on it, though some were missing. Out from there, to the far right of the living room, was the dining room that was broken away by a thick dark curtain which separated it from the living room. It stood before one of the large floor to ceiling windows that looked out over the city and the sunset. The table was coiled iron with a glass top, and the chairs were ebony wood with wicker woven seats and backs. Other than those most obvious adornments, one could see to the northern side of the living room, to the left, was a large bedroom entrance, and to the right past the kitchen and dining room was a small hallway perhaps leading to a bathroom and other bedroom. <br><br>"I hope you like it, it's the place I call home." She said. Anika moved on to the kitchen, opening the fridge. Inside were many shelves and it was rather well stocked. Her hands reached out in particular for one glass baking dish, pulling it out and setting it on the counter. Inside were two porterhouse steaks, thick and tenderized resting in a dark marinade.<br><br>"So Chris, if you don't mind me calling you that, are you a steak kind of guy?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 23:44:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Christoph smirked lightly at the remark; it was a grim joke, but he surmised that, given her strength and determination, she'd be just as independent and fierce even if she was in a wheelchair. He imagined, briefly, trying to help out and being swatted away as she moved herself around the apartment in such a contraption. Then again, with today's technology and her placement in the XAT, it was more likely that she'd get cybernetic and biological reconstruction performed on her body - she was quite the able soldier, after all.<br><br>Perusing her apartment with quick glances of the eye, he noted quickly her priorities and aesthetic tastes by it. Security was obviously a forefront in her mind, as was durability and a splinter of both modern and historical chic. Chris wasn't entirely sure what her salary was as a member of XAT, but he doubted she would recklessly throw herself into debt, and presumed she was fairly well off. With the survival rates of military, law enforcement, and XAT-like careers, they were well-compensated for risking their lives over and over again.<br><br>The somewhat spartan quality of the apartment, devoid of knick-knacks, sentimentalities, and art that filled and cluttered so many homes mirrored his own, which had lost a lot of its 'homey charm' after his mother and sister died. Christoph liked the uncluttered space, the openness, and the lack of memories. It made daily living much easier.<br><br>Standing at the counter with her, he nodded to both of her questions. Christoph wasn't particularly picky with food, and enjoyed quality of flavor and cooking over a certain pick of specific ingredients. Settling his eyes on her, he asked her directly, "Have you ever been assaulted here before?" his curiosity piqued by all of the metal.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 00:03:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Chris joined her at the counter, he gave her the okay for steaks, he immediately came up with a question. She paused, and then pulled her lips over her teeth in a friendly grin. She knelt down and pulled out a lined griddle and brought it up, setting it over the flat span of her oven. She then pulled up a skillet onto the burner spot next to it, the griddle vertically placed to fit it. She grabbed a fork and put the marinated steaks on the griddle, before turning back to Chris.<br><br>"No, not yet. But I want to make sure when it happens, this place will be a stronghold. I used to have normal windows, no laser systems or motion detectors, or reinforced steel walls. But after the first year of having Theo, I ended up saving a lot of my cash and started just slowly building this place into a fort. I feel good about leaving him here alone sometimes because of it." <br><br>She moved to the fridge and drew out several things. Squash, zucchini, mushrooms, ginseng, and a few other littler ingredients. She set them aside the sink and began washing them, then laid them next to a cutting board. Then she moved her arm out towards one of the higher cabinets and drew out a bag of white rice. <br><br>"How protected is your own home? That's... that's a silly question, I doubt you have any reason to fear assault from anything beyond a foolish mugger." <br><br>Anika smiled, looking back at him as she waved off the question, the white bandage on her wrist flexing with her wrist as she turned back around. She began to dice the zucchini and squash, and decided to start off the night a bit more easily.<br><br>"How has your week been Christoph? Anything exciting happen for you?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 00:12:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Though quite capable of helping out, Anika seemed intent thus far on handling the cooking on her own, so Chris remained at the counter, watching. Her hands moved with practiced ease, despite the bandages on her wrists. Christoph's eyes focused on them for several moments, his trained eye keenly searching them and then the rest of her body for wounds, as it so often did with others. No matter how much time and differing occupation had passed, it was a habit he had picked up as a paramedic, and it hadn't gone away.<br><br>Despite her waving off the question, he answered it. "Other than a deadbolt, not at all." The way Christoph spoke of it, he didn't sound so much like he was boasting - rather, the statement was made without fear. Chris had no reason to fear anything attacking him, anymore, though he left those particular details out of it.<br><br>"Being a paramedic is always exciting, I suppose; there's something intense about saving lives... even from self-inflicted wounds." Looking her over, he watched the vegetables yield to her able hands. "Not quite the same as your occupation, though."<br><br>He grinned lightly, pleased that she was able to keep herself alive and out of harm's way. It would be a pity to see her slain by the Demoniacs, and it struck a chord in Christoph, the one that wanted desperately to save people, making him feel a little uneasy.<br><br>"How did you get those?" he asked, gesturing to the bandages on her wrists.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 00:29:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He continued. And she remembered immediately why she was looking so forward to this night with Chris. As she diced the vegetables, she went onward to answer. <br><br>"These?" She smiled. "I got a sword. Of all things to fight with, heh. I have been trying to find a more capable way of fighting Amalgums. I will go as far as it takes, anything extreme that doesn't involve becoming one myself. The Captain thinks I'm insane, the research department thinks I'm a fun toy to watch. The blade, it's actually pretty damn cool. Katana fashioned, automatic fold and reinforced bolt snaps. Best part of all is the carbon fiber coating topped by a thin energy sheet that allows it to block from Amalgum energy weapons. The only problem is fighting a Demoniac with it, I'm not quite used to it. Whacking a sword on that hard surface of armor sent the vibrating force that I exerted into my wrists instead of into the enemy. I mean, I should've thought it out a bit better. But I knew I could break the armor, no matter the price. It sprained my wrists, but a sprain is nothing bad- they are almost completely healed already. Regardless, it's just a sign I need more training. We're currently working on reconstructing an Amalgum whip, though it has to be fashioned to a gauntlet. I readily volunteered myself for the gauntlet project, so it's getting fitted to me and we're working on creating a neurological reaction timer on it. Ah, I'm babbling, forgive me."<br><br>She put down the large cutting knife and scooped up all of the diced things, throwing them into the skillet as the steaks began to sizzle with a little bit of oil. Then she lifted a large spoon and began to stir the vegetables about.<br><br>"Would you fill that pot with water, and get it to boiling on the back burner? Just to get the rice going." Anika asked in a kind tone, though her natural voice made it sound like a demand. She was sure he would understand. Turning to Chris, she gazed at him with her dark hues and smiled.<br><br>"If you're a paramedic, I might have to just let you help me out next time I get banged up. I get so annoyed by the public emergency medical staff. So... panicky." She shrugged and turned back to the steaks, flipping them. On one side they were now semi-cooked. About fifteen more minutes they'd be done, perfect, and right on time with the rice. "Anyway." She turned to Chris, a light smile on her face as the smell of spiced steak and stir-fry began to fill the home. "Have you been looking forward to tonight?" Anika said somewhat bluntly, interested in the answer.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 01:23:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Christoph registered some surprise at her words. He knew the XAT had developed handy technology in their constant pursuit of the Demoniacs, but he had no idea they had gone so far in replicating the Amalgum's technology. Though it was still a pale comparison to the power he could wield, and the potency in his body, human-enhancement reached far and would only continue. How long would it be, he wondered, before they became more machine than human in their battle against the Amalgums?<br><br>Despite his utter disdain for it, Christoph found it plausible that they might eventually decide to create and harness their own Amalgums. It seemed unlikely, though, considering their policies and barely-curtailed hunt against him. Time and necessity would tell.<br><br>"That's pretty impressive," he said, it showing in his eyes. "I can see why you fare so well against them." He wondered how much she would sacrifice in her fight against them, the thought discomfiting him. She had already given so much of her life and heart, and would undoubtedly give up her body as well when the stakes grew too high for a mortal to face against. She gave him much confidence in her ability, but... everyone had limits.<br><br>Nodding to her, he complied with the instruction, finding it neither pleasant or unpleasant.<br><br>"Amalgums always raise the stakes," he said simply, knowing that they unnerved many who would otherwise be calmer and more in control of themselves. "I'd be happy to if I'm in the area; I can teach you a bit, if you'd like," the offer unweighted and without insinuation. If he could help her stay alive longer and help herself more, he'd enjoy the chance. Already, he could feel attachment growing, and the thought of her death scathing in his mind.<br><br>Sharing her look, he returned her smile. "Yes, though not without reservations. You're too intriguing to pass up, and that makes it..." Christoph gave a shrug as he leaned back against the counter, searching for the right words, thinking about it without being evasive. "... I don't think I could refuse your interest, and I'm not used to being vulnerable to attraction, these days." Chris didn't sound begrudging or angry about it; it was simple matter-of-fact as he said it, though a slight grin came to his lips as he remembered what life had been like when he was in the midst of good times with other people. Was this going to be like that?<br><br>Was Christoph even interested in that anymore?<br><br>Anika was a mix of fire and ice, and he couldn't tell what exactly would pour out of her when she opened her armor. She could talk about herself with ease and honesty, just as he could, but being vulnerable was something altogether different than just being open. Given her speech about being a monster, he wondered what lurked inside of her... for better or worse.<br><br>Holding her gaze, he returned the question. "Have you?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 01:50:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His answer summoned something unique inside of her.Something almost foreign. It was warm, likable. She smiled at that feeling too, ignoring what it meant and just lavishing in the sensation itself. Anika stepped away from the stove and to the bar, reaching underneath for the small black fridge where her alcohol was.<br><br>"I was talking about the meteor shower." She snickered deviously, drawing out two spirit glasses and dropping a few ice cubes in them from a small tray in the fridge. She then pulled out a bottle of Sangria Zinfandel. Pouring it into the two glasses, she put the bottle away and then pulled out a lime from the fruit basket and a small flat plastic basket of berries from the fridge. She took a small metal cocktail stirrer and pierced an array of blueberries and raspberries and then put it in one glass, repeating the same thing with the other. Then she did two slices of lime, sticking one on each glass' rim. <br><br>She then returned to the steaks and stir-fry, the rice on the back burner now just a wait.<br><br>"I kid, I was looking forward to the answer you gave. I've been looking forward to tonight as well. It's different to have worthwhile company. I think we both pique each other's curiosity quite a bit. But it's nice, different. Plus it's given me something to do these past two Friday nights beyond sit and read science books and watch primetime television." <br><br>Stirring the vegetables one last time, she moved to reach into another cabinet and grabbed down two square black sutton plates, and smaller little dishes to match. Anika then began to plate the vegetables, and gestured to the rice.<br><br>"Drain that for me please? Then you can just open the bag and put it in the pot... Thanks." She then flipped the steaks and turned off the burners, letting the griddle cool and the steaks set for a minute. She moved across the kitchen and then pulled out a six inch rectangular cruet with a dark sauce in it- the marinade from the steaks. She took it over to the plates and filled both little dishes with the sauce and then took the sauce to the glass table across from the kitchen. Returning, she put the steaks on the plate, and looked up at Christoph.<br><br>"What do you think will become of this?" Anika then said, curious as to what he'd say, seeing as how it was a question not even she had thought of. "You're interested in me, and I you. And we are both... very different people when compared to the rest. What do you think will progress from this chit-chatting over dinner that we're both so fond of?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 02:12:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Christoph wasn't truly disturbed at her answer, watching her with his appraising, almost-impassive, stare. If he had completely misjudged the situation, it was far easier to retreat at once than to find chains on himself before trying to pull away. With her behavior, though, he took it as a playful feint and nothing more. Eying the alcohol, Chris wondered for a moment if he could get drunk anymore - at least, with any reasonable amount of alcohol. The regenerative properties of his body now made anything that would affect a normal human strike much more weakly, and that included toxins.<br><br>Taking the glass, he sniffed it before drinking, taking his time in consuming it in order to enjoy the flavor; Chris had no reason to rush through it, after all, and fruit was something he greatly enjoyed. Drawing the stirrer from the glass, he plucked a berry from it gently with his teeth, sliding it to his mouth and pulling it in with his tongue. Tasting it as it burst, scattering its juices, Chris returned his eyes to Anika's. Her response was more in line with what he expected. He had no answer for it, though, and set the drink down to attend to the rice.<br><br>Finishing with the prep, he took his glass and moved to the table, setting it down and pulling out Anika's chair, waiting for her to sit before seating himself. While he waited, it gave him some time to consider her question. Anika had given various hints about what she was interested in, physically and mentally, but it wasn't quite clear, either.<br><br>More importantly, Chris wondered what he himself wanted, his eyes following Anika.<br><br>"That depends on a lot, Anika." As Anika finally went to sit, he looked at her intently. "What do you want?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 02:27:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her eyes followed him as she looked back over her shoulder, watching the berry disappear between his lips. The way he ate it, and sipped on the glass of sangria zinfandel. He was definitely strange, she admired it. Liked it. <br><br>Plating the rice, she put the cooking dishes in the sink and grabbed a two forks and two steak knives, taking the dinner plates to the table. Setting them down, she put napkins near them and went to her drink, finally going to sit down. She cut into the steak, and pierced one piece with her fork, dipping it into the sauce.<br><br>"Dinner is served." She said. Anika took a bite, letting the hot savory juice flow over her tongue and the meat satiate her hunger. As she pushed her fork then into a piece of zucchini, she turned up her eyes and gazed at Chris.<br><br>"You've run up on the magic question Chris." She said. "That's one of the very few questions I cannot answer." Her voice had quieted down a bit, but there was no one there but them, no need to talk very loud. Especially over dinner, sitting across from one another. She took a few short minutes to continue eating, letting the expression on her face express that she was in thought. Deep thought, sifting for answers that did not yet exist in coherence. <br><br>"I know what I want, in the two major things I do. Protect Theo, fight the Demoniacs." She raised the stirrer from her glass and pressed a raspberry to her lips, letting the magenta berry fall onto her tongue and crush between her teeth. Swallowing it, she let a sigh fall from her lips. "I have no idea where to go with a personal relationship, what to want from you. I enjoy your company, and all I can truly say right now is I want to continue partaking of your company." She put the stirrer back into her drink and wrapped her fingers around the spirit glass to take a sip from it before continuing. "I am not one for personal desires, beyond my basic needs. To eat, sleep, protect. Sometimes I crave sex or another's comfort, but that's just human. I wonder if I will have any of those things from you. I already achieve some slight level of comfort, merely from the conversation we share. The depth, truth, back and forth you aren't afraid to look into me, dig for the pieces to complete the puzzle. A puzzle that no one's really tried to complete before. Just as I am trying to complete you. I like it too, I like learning. You are an adventure all your own to me, if that at all makes sense."<br><br>Anika paused, eating, and smiled, looking up at Chris with a light-hearted yet vague grin.<br><br>"How's dinner?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 03:11:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sitting down, Chris took his time with each bite of food after finding the first much to his liking. Despite her preoccupation with Amalgum-hunting, she managed some skill in the kitchen. Christoph supposed it had something to do with Theo, but that wasn't necessarily true; regardless, the taste and texture was delightful, and Chris savored each piece of steak and forkful of vegetables that went into his mouth. Anika's hospitality was charming, even if her behavior otherwise wasn't very conventional or endearing in the usual sense of people.<br><br>The scene between them reminded Chris of a handful of memories that had captivated him before his tragedy, before his change. They flickered through his mind like shrapnel, cutting and exploding calm as they incited emotion, exactly the thing that had worried Chris previously. Across from her, he was affected by its resonance with the past, just as reminders of the death of his family violently triggered anger and rage in him. Christoph had learned to control the surges of feeling that had pursued him like a living thing inside of him, twisting him toward destruction and taking on his second form. Part of that control involved avoiding triggers, though, and spending time with Anika ran straight in the face of that.<br><br>Focusing on the pleasant sensations of food in his mouth, he closed his eyes for a time, tongue and lips engaged solely in consumption. Taking another drink from the Zinfandel, he opened his eyes once more, Anika's words settling again. "It's delicious, thank you." Watching her, a smile returned to his lips. Yes, she would be a challenge, and it would be a challenge for himself to be faced off against her, just as she had shown the ability to hold her own - as much as any human could - on the battlefield.<br><br>"Do you see yourself as more animal than human? Operating on basic instinct, your mind focused primarily on bringing death to those who had wronged you, on protecting others from sharing the same fate... your life spent only on violence and the protection of others, given little fulfillment but pushing yourself to the brink and releasing the full fury of your nature?"<br><br>His fork pierced another piece of cooked flesh, letting it shift a little on his plate as he looked at her, his gaze intent yet restrained.<br><br>"Perhaps that's why you see yourself as a monster, because you have largely stripped yourself to the basics of your being, and, like an animal, could change allegiances under the right circumstances?" Christoph had let restraint fall away as he slipped into her with knives of words, peeling back surface and layer as one would take apart an onion.<br><br>"And so when I ask you what you want, it is hard to find an answer other than simply being, occupying yourself with what stimulates your inclinations, but seeking nothing else than the sole mission of your life - you have given up hope, expectation, and sight of anything else."<br><br>He regarded her with a larger smile, seriousness fading to amusement. "Or am I incorrect?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 03:35:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The two ate in a semi state of peace that was unusually nice. It reminded her of some things in her past, though Anika was sure if he was as unsocial as she, and as damaged and marked by the past, that these events unfolding between them would be metamorphic. She could already think of Damon sitting where Christoph was now, the last man she had shared dinner with at that very table. But he was not as at ease. They would eat in the silence, and he would speak up, ask <em>"Why are we so quiet? It feels sad."</em> and Anika would always retort, <em>"Silence is not sad. Sometimes, it is the answer to all problems."</em><br><br>When he started to talk, her fork stilled, pierced into a piece of steak cut from the last third of her steak. She stared down at the juices flowing out of the meat as she pushed her fork in deeper, until the metal prongs pressed against the plate's bottom with a soft <em>clink</em>. Her mind was suddenly rather void of other things, of Damon, of work. She took in what he said and put together his words, realizing the man had made her a perfect mirror in which she could see herself. Anika let him finish, and drew her eyes up to watch his lips pull into a grin. For a few moments, she was expressionless, until finally her own crooked grin crept upon her lips. <br><br>"You've read me like an open book, which shouldn't have been hard. You've wasted no time in asking all the right questions, and I find it useless to hide anything from anyone, especially you." Anika took the fork to her lips, taking another bite of her steak, before speaking again.<br><br>"I have given up hope of finding anyone, of finding that filler for the emptiness. I found it much like my... price, for leading the life I do. Sacrificing relations to assure other people have those chances. Whether or not I'm truly meant to be this way is unknown to me. I accept that things change, nothing stays the same, especially people. I know ten years from now, I will be different, just as I was nothing like I am now ten years ago. I took it upon myself to strip everything else away, to turn myself into a machine. In which, I will become the perfect weapon, the perfect defense. I still have a long ways to go, if I do that though, give up hope on anything but the potential to fight, kill, destroy."<br><br>Anika ate for a few more moments, her plate now almost emptied. She then sipped on her drink and sat it down, locking her eyes with Christoph's, studying his own hues with hers. <br><br>"And now I must ask..." She was done with her dinner, reaching past the plate and taking the stirrer, in which she pressed the little metal stick into her mouth and pulled the three berries off of it, eating them. When she put the stirrer back, she put her elbows on the table and met his gaze again, folding her hands together and letting her chin rest atop of them.<br><br>"Do you plan on changing any of that? Do you think you already have? Do you want to be apart of this animal's purpose, of this monster's heart?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 04:02:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Letting her give her words, her reply, Christoph passed the time further in his own silence, eating more of what was on his plate. The taste hadn't diminished at all, and the warmth had yet to leave the food, but his appetite for it was lessening. Slipping openly for a moment, he had found such engagement and interest in Anika, in looking through her and pulling her to the surface. She did not make it hard, as she put it, yet people were afraid all the same. For all of the sacrifices she made, for her tiring of bullshit and illusion, she had become almost unavailable to other people, because of their discomfort, because of their fear.<br><br>Taking more bites, he was nearly done as well by the time she had finished, and he set his utensils down and pushed away the plate. Anika struck something entirely different in Christoph than she did in other people. Figuring her out, at the core, had been easy; the puzzle was hardly complete, but the work of it was done and over because she gave herself away, purposefully. Finding her eyes again, Chris thought that she must have <em>wanted</em> to be found. No matter her sacrifices and her intentions, part of her still wanted to fill that void of companionship, to let her be fully human again, to give her joy.<br><br>Sharing her gaze intently, his eyes narrowed at her questions. Pushing his chair back, he stood, finding them almost repulsive, their path insidious and dark. Anika found joy in this refining of herself, in becoming a weapon, and that path held its own seductions, just as opening up did... given her reality, it currently held more, and she would have no compunctions in giving herself to it, if she lived that long.<br><br>"You are not a monster." Staring at her defiantly, red hair framed his face and the blaze in his expression. "You can choose to be, and part of you wants to be, but you haven't yet and you want a brighter way out."<br><br>Pressing his fingers together tightly into fists, he released them, the momentary tension pleasing. "Am I brave enough to change you? Yes. But if you give the opening, I won't stop pulling this other fate out of you." His eyes bore into hers, at once tyrannical and affectionate. "There will be no turning back."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 04:22:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She watched him push his chair back, standing. Her eyes stuck to his, and she was both amused and angered by his statement. But when those two surface emotions faded, she was almost touched. She hadn't known him long and he had more faith in her possibilities for something beyond violence and oath than she did. Anika breathed deep, slow, quiet breaths. The woman slowly pushed her chair back and came to a stand as well, picking up the dishes and walking past him. She sat them into the sink, then returned to the dining room. Face to face with him, she gazed into his eyes.<br><br>"You have more faith in me than I do myself. That's odd of you." She whispered. She reached up, Anika's smooth, tender pale hand touching his cheek, fingers flowing along his skin. Tracing his face, down his jaw, the slope of his throat and slowly along the crook of his neck before resting on his shoulder. "Hmph. I pressed a point to you that my humanity was limited, and that's the one thing you've fought harder than anything else. But to bring it up again, I gage your reaction to be stronger. I know something about you is dark, and hidden. I don't know what, but I understand you've got something in you that empowers you to believe things are like this. That humanity still exists even in the least likely."<br><br>Her fingers gently squeezed his shoulder, before falling to her side. Anika's velvety hues of burgundy searched his own, and her smile never faded.<br><br>"Your faith is charming. I think that paired with how forward you are, how strong without the masks, is what draws me to you. Plus you are unafraid to find the answers you want." <br><br>She turned to the side and chuckled, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. Anika turned away from him and moved into the living room, flipping a switch the downed the lights in the kitchen. Then she picked up a thin blue jacket, pulling it onto her arms, and grabbing a duffel&nbsp; bag and cooler from just inside her bedroom. She returned with the cooler in one hand and the bag hefted over a shoulder, gazing at Chris.<br><br>"Shall we head up to the roof, and watch the meteor shower?" When it was said, she held out her free hand, palm up and waiting for his own. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 04:59:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Christoph stood, unwavering, gauging her response and silence. He had not let her go lightly, and the ferocity of his words would give pause to any but the most hardened of souls, who stood resolute and steadfast against any intrusion upon the path they had chosen for themselves. Anika was more open, though, because she was conflicted and wanting. She was not desperate, no, just as she was not seeking savior, yet the desire for the unfulfilled lingered in her still.<br><br>Looking inward, recognition glimmered in Chris as he saw the want to curb aside dark destiny glowing within him. It had been there long, long ago, coming out in how he worked to save people's lives and make sure they didn't die and be severed from their families, their joy, their destiny. Once he had changed, it became a violent, gripping desire to fight destruction with destruction and protect Germany from this new problem, this new threat that had come into being.<br><br>Seeing Anika's own path into darkness, he felt the same call to pull her away from it, to lead her toward safety, toward joy, toward fulfillment. She would not go to the grave with the same sense of satisfaction if he let her continue on the route she had already chosen for herself.<br><br>"As I said, we are what we choose to be - not just what we are capable of. I saved many more lives by being a paramedic than I would have by being an accountant, an engineer..." Christoph trailed off, the full truth of his inclinations and beliefs barred to Anika, no matter how relieving it would have been to for once have someone acknowledge his new identity as something that didn't have to elicit fear and hatred.<br><br>Her touch was nice, and Chris felt himself react more than expected, unused to physical contact that wasn't meant to kill anymore. Letting out a breath, he let himself smile again, though it was still laced with conviction. "I would prefer 'moving', but that'll do."<br><br>Finishing the drink and eating the berries off the stirrer in one quick gulp, Christoph swallowed it down and then moved to her, nodding and taking her hand in his, his grip firm but respectful.<br><br>On there way to the roof, another thought occurred to Chris, and he asked freely, completely uninhibited. "Why are you so conflicted?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 05:09:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As they walked up the twisting staircase towards the rooftop, he proposed something else, and she smiled, thinking that over as well. Her hand felt good in his, and it was hard not to get distracted by it. His fingers longer than hers, broader, his palm warmer. Her own skin was insanely smooth, but her hand was only of medium size, with nimble fingers and somewhat long fingernails. Together their hands matched. Oh right, the question.<br><br>"Conflicted? Well, I've just been through so many things I suppose. There are many angles at which life has put me, to the point that I have to try to make sense of it, or take on a certain direction just to make sense of what I am, who I am. Theo calls me his Guardian, Damon called me a demon, the Captain calls me wreckless, and my fellow members of the XAT call me tactless. My mother called me the greater hope, my father told me that I would make so many people happy and I'd be happy too. There are many things that I have been introduced with from outer sources. After a while, all the names and words, they mix up and they simmer down to something simpler. Paired with the lifestyle I live, it is not hard to become conflicted by who I am, what I've been through, and the world around me. I think everyone is conflicted somehow, to some degree."<br><br>As she pulled a key from her pocket she opened the door to the roof, and pushed it open. The gentle winds whipped about softly, and the stars above shone brilliantly in the last touch of sunset, the waxing crescent moon rising. She shut the door behind them, then moved to the edge of the roof, facing outward to the city outskirts and the more wooded area beyond. Anika opened the duffel bag and drew out a thick cloth blanket and unrolled it onto the rooftop's surface.<br><br>"So what conflicts you Chris?" Anika then asked curiously, peeking up at him as she sat the cooler down next to the bag and then took a seat on the blanket with her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms wrapped around them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 05:23:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Considering her answer, Christoph realized he had misjudged his question, and its aim fell by the wayside. Though her answers were somewhat interesting, they were not at all what he was looking for. He'd have to try again, but he'd rather do so later, rather than sooner. Pursuing questions too far was... tiresome, after a time, for both the asker and the asked.<br><br>Looking up at the moon and feeling the familiar pressure of the wind against his body, Chris smiled more, enjoy the moment that he was sharing. Standing there, facing the sky, scanning it for meteors, he was reminded of being young and out with his family, stargazing, talking, and laughing the night away. Those were good times, then. Even though those people were gone, why couldn't he have good times now? The thought struck him like a hammer, knocking him to the ground for all of his ideas of keeping distance, of staying away from everyone.<br><br>Sighing quietly, he turned back to face Anika and then take a seat beside her. How could he find the words to say exactly how he felt without telling her exactly what he was? It was quite the conundrum, and Christoph wasn't sure he was up to the task. Nevertheless...<br><br>"Ironically, I pushed away the desire to seek companionship. It seemed dangerous to find closeness, to be vulnerable, when so much was easily taken away..." Chris didn't like those words and struggled to find better ones, finally grasping a different tack. "I never really thought of it as giving up, but that's exactly what I did. Rather than face dangerous possibility, I shut that door and tried to ignore it and the light peeking out from behind it. I gave up. I settled. I resigned myself."<br><br>Looking away from the sky, he watched Anika's eyes and face, interest growing more steadily in his chest as he took in her pale, largely unmarred skin, despite her dangerous occupation. She was beautiful as she was, but Christoph wondered how much more pleasant her life could be, had she not experienced such loss. The difference brought pangs to him as he imagined it.<br><br>"I've been struggling with facing fear and staying safe.... but I suppose that's we all struggle with. Danger or safety." Eying her suggestively at the remark, meaning more of her life choices than her every-day battles, he scooted close to her, but left a small, respectful distance. Though she had touched him, she had not invited his touch, and after growing up with two women, Christoph had become highly aware of how one could be affected by untoward advances... and in this regard, Chris would rather be careful than reckless.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 05:42:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Anika listened, and soon Chris was easily winning in the battle of interest between himself and the meteor shower. She gazed at him, saw him looking at her as well. But what did it mean? She'd had plenty of men provide her no sustenance for conversation, no substance for possibility to progress. Just a couple times of having sex, and were Chris any other man, she'd have had her legs wrapped around his waist right about now. But it was oddly different. Chris was frequently engaging a side of her that she had never really touched upon since Damon. And even then, with him, the two men were different. Amazingly so, they were polar opposites beneath the surface.<br><br>He inched closer and Anika smiled, before reaching into the duffel bag again. She had two small sofa pillows and a wool blanket. She pulled out the two pillows and laid them down for her and Chris, then drew out the other blanket and laid it in a folded stack next to her. She then reclined, laying back and staring up at the sky. The sky filled her vision, as it darkened into a midnight shade. The stars began to glow, Polaris, in the distance, and the couple of flickering tails in the sky a sign of the meteor shower about to really warm up. <br><br>Her hand reached out, and she touched his arm, snaking her fingers down before lacing them with his own hand. It was odd to experience this, odd to be slowly taking it to the next level with a man. With Chris, she didn't really want sex. Though she could definitely imagine herself unleashing her passions unto him, for once a man was more interesting for his mind than his body to her. And she wanted to bask in that sensation. Anika gave his hand a pleasant little squeeze and smiled.<br><br>"If life were not a struggle, it would be absolutely boring." Anika whispered, eyes gazing at the sky as her free hand rested on her abdomen, over her tank top. "Then again, right now with you is the most enjoyable peace I've had in a very, very long time..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 05:56:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				While Anika laid down, Christoph remained sitting up, the energy and tension in his muscles not dispersing enough for relaxation. As Anika's eyes shifted away, so did Chris', and he again gazed at the sky, and the limitless but unreached potential far out there, deep in space. Christoph wasn't much into the space exploration, as far as interest and attention went, but the romantic notion touched a chord with him more than once. Possibility and choice was something profoundly interesting all in itself, as his words and interest made clear.<br><br>Watching the tails of astral bodies moving in the space far away, giving their signs in the sky, Chris' mind dispersed thought, finding himself at a loss for direction in the moment. After unveiling Anika, it felt somewhat disappointing to not be able to pull himself out of the darkness and expose secret after secret, yet that was part of the hazard of spending time with the woman. That dissonance would remain inviolate, unless she had a change of heart. To show her that he was an Amalgum, that his life had become, in many ways, quite like hers, was currently out of the question.<br><br>Looking at his own arm resting on his one upturned knee, his memory imagined the sight of his second form, bristling with jagged metal on tight, interlocking plates. Sometimes, Christoph wondered which form was more truly him, now that it had 'saved' him and overtaken his body. What would he be without the Amalgum part of himself? But... he did not want to think about what he would be without the human part of himself.<br><br>"What is the joy of life outside of fulfillment?" he stated quietly, the question clearly rhetorical. The knowledge of how one-sided a relationship with her would be on several accounts danced like daggers in his mind, harsh and painful, but alluring all the same. It was something he could not find the will to stray from, though he knew it would hurt.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 06:21:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After his last spoken comment, the silence was born. It was cold in the night, but his hand was a source of warmth that she found herself liking more and more with how long she kept that embrace. Without space between their palms, the heat was formed. Warm, like a small wanton between them...<br><br>The night went on, the meteor shower brilliant, and sooner than she'd prefer, over. She leaned up, the time now about 10 o'clock. Her hand slid up Chris' arm, until her arm was hooked around his own. She looked at him curiously, with that same mischievous grin. Her burgundy eyes almost appeared violet under the shade with the barest touch of the moonlight. Anika turned to the cooler and drew out a bottle of water, taking a swig before replacing it.<br><br>"It's starting to get late. Or at least, late to the terms of someone who has to be up for work in the morning." Anika came to a stand, standing next to Chris. She waited for him to stand, and then picked up the bag and cooler. "Let's go back to my place, and we'll say our goodbyes for now there."...<br><br><br>After they'd returned to her place, Anika sat down the small cooler and duffel bag. Her apartment was dark, timed lights that went off after a while without the motion detectors set off. And not having stepped in a great deal, the darkness still existed with the moonlight breaking into her apartment and then a scarce bit of light from the hallway.<br><br>She leaned into the doorway, smiling at Christoph. Reaching out, she touched his cheek again. His skin was... admirable, and the color of hair, his eyes, he was quite handsome. Anika drew her hand away to her side, and nodded to him, black hair falling along her cheeks as the bit of lighting shaded out some of her pale form.<br><br>"I guess... this is goodnight, Christoph." Anika said in a voice that had not been heard by many. Something almost tender. The way his name fell from her lips, it was obvious that Anika was enjoying the company, that she knew not what she wanted in the long run, but for now she wished that the time had not come so quickly. "When shall we meet again?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 07:11:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Within the silence, Chris' mind eventually drifted into a similar state, filled only with the sensations and experience around him. Though he felt much more tension and discomfort than Anika seemed to, in time he found a sense of calm, and relaxed into the evening. It was different, almost strange, to feel suspended so calmly in the moment, the now, of what was going on around him. He smiled lightly at her, though he did not share the mischievousness of her grin; there wasn't any spot of playfulness in him then, and he had nothing to return it with.<br><br>It ended soon enough, of course, and the reverie snapped in twain, coiling back into the darkness.<br><br>Nodding to her, he got up and followed, wordlessly. Christoph's mind was somewhat clouded, now, and he found it difficult to shift away from the sentiments of the evening. Breathing softly in her apartment, he felt somewhat fatigued from it, even though the experience glowed brightly in his chest. Perhaps it was the spiking of emotion, the pressure of his second self... perhaps it was feeling control slip away from him, perhaps it was too much reminiscing; Chris didn't know.<br><br>But, he wanted more.<br><br>Chris bowed his head lightly to her, a smile returning to his lips. "Thursday, 7pm." It was clear that Christoph, too, did not want to leave so quickly, but there was time enough for the space between them. "Goodnight, Anika."<br><br>With a last look of his eyes, Christoph turned and walked away.<br><br><br><div align="center"><strong>Sunday<br>2:24am</strong></div><br><br>While driving through the streets of the early morning, clearing his mind from its preoccupation, the surge of Amalgum-presence flared into Christoph's mind all of a sudden. Far more used to feeling them at a distance and closing in on them, the sudden appearance surprised Chris and made his hand twitch on the handles of his bike. Narrowing his eyes, he pulled off quickly and suddenly, blazing from street to street before coming to a halt near an alley. Leaping from his bike and running down it, he pulled on his second from, becoming the Black Knight, bristling with animosity. Turning toward the cluster, he took off running.<br><br>Outside of a morgue, a dozen Demoniacs were pouring out and assembling, all looking hungrily into the night, a savage, monstrous gaggle. Bursting from around a corner, Christoph saw them and drew out his halberd, red-orange energy flaring to life. Charging, they assembled and threw themselves toward him, ready to tear him to pieces.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 07:48:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Annie!!!" A small, feeble voice called. A young boy, perhaps six years of age, was hunched over in a corner, hiding. He was crying, sniffling, and shaking. In front of him, cornering the boy in the edge of the dark school gymnasium, was an Amalgum. It was Theo's baseball coach, who'd asked him to stay after practice, and for this...<br><br>"Shhh. It's useless to cry little Theo, useless to just sit there and call out. That curvaceous woman, your sexy guardian, she can't protect you now..."<br><br>Theo shifted, and a buzz rattled on the hardwood of the floor in the corner. The Amalgum turned its bright red eyes, and growled. <br><br>"Did you ask her to come save you? Is she on her way? I'd love to have a taste of her. Perhaps you can watch, see all the uses your guardian is good for..."<br><br>"You're a monster!" <br><br>"AM NOT!!!" The Amalgum roared. <br><br>"Well, doesn't look like you're still human."&nbsp; Anika called in the darkness, her heels clicking quickly against the floor as she raced inside. The moonlight cast in through the windows shone brilliantly against her pale skin, and the black cocktail dress she wore. She'd been attending a party at XAT, celebrating their success in finding the racetrack killer. But even worse now, she was barely armed and facing an Amalgum that had her adopted child in his focus. <br><br>"God damn you're a fox, I'll cut you a deal." The Amalgum snickered, leaping into the air. It landed in front of her, and she stood firmly, unafraid. The Amalgum here was not completely lost. He had his human mind barely in reach. He was not bent on destruction, but other things were definitely on his mind. And she was beginning to understand what, when he shifted back into a human with his red aura from the transformation fading. The tall, masculine coach in his early forties began to quickly undo his pants, pushing them down before reaching out and grabbing Anika by her throat, slamming her into the floor.<br><br>"ANNIE!" Theo cried, watching as the Amalgum man, the baseball coach, laid himself between her legs, forcing her thighs to spread as he reached between her legs. Grabbing a handful of her lace panties, he jerked, causing her body to inch down the floor as the sound of her panties tearing off echoed into the gym. But before the man could fully sport a smirk, Anika reached back and grabbed a folding knife hidden in the bra strap beneath the back of her dress.<br><br>Just as he positioned himself to fuck her, she readied to slam the knife into his back. But he drew a quick hand, and the knife was knocked aside. She grew wide-eyed, reaching up to grab his throat. She began to choke the Amalgum, but he began to change. A half-change, his arms and upper body armored, his shins and thighs armored. His gauntlet hand grabbed her throat. Raised her and slammed her into the floor, cracking it around her. The wind was expelled from her lungs, and her hands clawed to find a weak spot to attack him. He then gripped her dress's front, and ripped it away, unveiling her breasts and stomach. His hand pressed to her left breast, and the gauntlet fingers created five thick gashes around the luscious mound, summoning a loud scream from Anika. But the scream was not forever, as the Amalgum reached between her legs and parted her with ice-cold metal fingers, sliding one jagged metal digit inside. Tears swelled to her eyes, and she reached up, digging her fingers into the sockets of the eyes. <br><br>But when Anika gave up, that split second of failure sinking in, her head fell to the side and she looked towards where Theo was. Or should have been. <br><br>"Gah!" Her eyes jerked up. Where was Theo? The young boy stood over the Amalgum with the knife in his hand, having remembered everything Anika said about the weak spots in their armor. Amalgum blood thrust out of the wound as the young boy did not dig the knife out and cut again, but instead wiggled the knife around in the direct back of the neck. <br><br>The Amalgum then collapsed and Anika writhed out, tossing the body aside. She covered her breasts with her arm and laid her other between her legs, trying to push a piece of the tattered dress down to hide the blood pooling at her thighs.<br><br>"I..." Theo began. "I protected you..." He whispered. "I'll be your protector too, Annie..." <br><br>Her head turned, and she felt tears running down her cheeks, the first time she had cried in perhaps a few years. <br><br>"XAT, halt your positions!" <br><br>And a man broke through the crowd, a long-haired man with long black hair tied in a low ponytail. He knelt down next to Anika and took off his jacket, covering her and pulling her to his body while getting another member to go pick up Theo and wrap him up in a blanket and calm him down.<br><br>"Anika, Anika... Can you hear me? Are you hurt?" He began to place his hands on her, checking her for wounds, and her world went black.<br><br><br>Her phone went off, beeping loudly at 2:30 in the morning on a Sunday. It was madness, but Anika woke eagerly and jumped out of bed, flipping open the cell and reading the message. Once read, she raced to her closet and dressed into something- anything- as fast as she could. What it was was a black long-sleeve and a matching pair of black pants, with her work boots and a pair of leather-palmed riding gloves. She then grabbed her sword, holstered her pistol belt and pistols, and then took off. <br><br>"Theo, lock up!" She said, flicking on the lights as she left. A small voice could be heard responding softly, a common <em>"Yes Annie."</em><br><br><div align="center">-XXX-</div><br><br>Her bike hummed richly towards the morgue, topping almost two hundred mph while she rode the straight freeway. Turning off she cut down her top speed a bit and saw the Amalgums on her radar. Lifting her cell to her ear, she spoke.<br><br>"Captain, I'm almost on the scene."<br><br><strong><em>"Be careful Anika, this is dangerous, it'll be ten minutes before we get there."</em></strong><br><br>"I'll be fine." She snapped the phone shut, then pulled her bike over, seeing the mass of Demoniacs. <em>Fuck, the corpses!</em> She hissed quietly in her mind, snarling in reality as she jumped off of the bike and raised one pistol and the sword- the very weapon she'd been training hard at the entire day before- though a day didn't make her too grandly better. <br><br>"Hello again Black Knight, we just keep running into each other." Anika called out, as a Demoniac came at her. She fired at its throat, and ducked, slipping past it and then slamming the blade right into the back of its neck, dissecting the head from the creature before she turned and looked at the others. "I hope XAT gets here fast..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 08:20:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The destruction surrounding the morgue grew by the minute as Demoniacs fused with anything in reach and the Black Knight tore up the landscape scattering and injuring them. Christoph had slain many a Demoniac in his career, but rarely had he encountered so many at once. His tactics had to change to accomodate the numbers, and, unfortunately for the area, it involved breaking a lot of things.<br><br>For his part, Christoph had already slain five of the Demoniacs by the time Anika arrived and took down the sixth. He was wounded, though, judging by the slices in the jagged parts of his armor and energy glowing through where it was normally covered. With the numbers a bit more even, he could deploy more devastating attacks on them without worrying so much about being vulnerable, which was the problem in facing so many at once.<br><br>"It seems we're after the same thing," the Black Knight replied before dashing forward, the energized halberd spinning his hands before he leaped into the air, driving his weapon down into a too-slow Demoniac, splitting it from shoulder to crotch and sending its remains quickly dusting to the concrete below.<br><br>Landing with a crash, two of the remaining Demoniacs came at his sides while the other three centered around Anika, finding her more suitable prey compared to the polearm-wielding Amalgum.<br><br>As they launched a tangle of energy whips at her, Christoph let out a roar as he split the halberd down the middle, throwing the two contracting axe-blades forward and through the air, slicing toward the Demoniacs harrying Anika. Giving his attention away, the two Demoniacs flanking him struck, one driving an energy-enhanced lightpole into his arm and piercing coil and armor, sending a splatter of nano-infused ichor across the ground. The second behind him battered upon his back with a car-door attached and reinforced in its arm, cracking part of his armor.<br><br>Clutching his wounded arm, the Knight swept around as the hooks and barbs in his back exploded outward on metallic coils, creating a wave of piercing metal directed at the Demoniacs at either side of him. The first found itself quickly overwhelmed, hooks ripping apart armor as barbs impaled through it, the monster giving a horrid cry before crumbling to the ground. Deflecting many of the coils with the car door, the other weaved away and began firing off energy bursts at Christoph. Trying to shield himself, several dissipated harmlessly before the began piercing toward him. Shouting with rage, the Black Knight barreled toward the Demoniac, protecting his head with his arm.<br><br>Reaching him, his coiled-weapons became a cloud of assaults, shredding the air as they plunged through the Demoniac's defenses, finally bringing it to a halt.<br><br>Bloodied and furious, Christoph returned his attention to Anika with quick, searching eyes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 08:45:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As the fight began, Anika was quickly surrounded. Pushing the katana switch, the short blade unfolded into a much longer one, and gained its glow. She was ready for more, but was soon surrounded. But fear was the last thing to dare touch her face, for she only gave her dark smile and showed her teeth like a predator ready to engage fiercely. But something nagged at the back of her mind, in the tiniest pit of her consciousness.<br><br><em>That voice sounded... familiar...</em><br><br>It was then the three whips came rushing towards her. Anika widened her eyes before twisting her body, ducking then leaping back, flowing in a smooth stream like water over smooth bedrock. But it was more than just quick reflexes and luck that saved her. When her feet hit the ground and her sword dug into the earth to steady her, her eyes saw the Black Knight, getting pummeled with attacks as consequence to having fought for her that single second. <br><br><em>He just protected me... That idiot, what's he doing saving a human!? It doesn't make sense...</em><br><br>While he fought, she returned to attack the Demoniacs that he'd injured and not yet killed- away from his flurry of coiled metal attacks. She drew her pistol as one came for her, the face lowering while the arm drew back, giving it the speed and angle it needed to thrust its fist straight threw her. Though before it could bring its arm forward, she fired off an energy round through the eye that blew out the back of the head and sent Demoniac flesh along the paved earth. Then she turns, seeing an arm flying towards her. She shifts to the side, drawing the blade in a crescent upward away from the demon then cycling it full circle, cutting off the hand. The Demoniac draws back the severed arm and prepares to hurl a series of elevator drawn wires at her, the lashing things like a snake, multiples ready to choke her if given the chance. But those weren't energy laced, and she had the advantage. <br><br>Anika ducked down and then drew her body up. Both hands on the sword handle, her head dipped low, hair shadowing her already dark eyes. Slicing upward, the blade cut into the wires, saving her from their full effect. Though the wires still lash upward enough that the sharp fresh cut ends lash at her cheek, creating three diagonal cuts along her left jawline to her left ear. The woman audibly hisses, before drawing her pistol and then firing at the face. Multiple shots, until finally the hardened mask cracks, unveiling soft flesh beneath, where her last shot blows the face to bits with searing steam rising from the collapsed Demoniac body.<br><br>And oddly enough, from there, it seems the rest is handled. <br><br>She turns, gazes at the Black Knight. And, strangely, he's gazing back at her. She wanted him dead by her sword, by her pistol, by her hands. Before he turned into a monster. But... but the way he acted out there, saving her. It was so very human-like. Standing before him now, she gazed at his injuries and the blood. Anika looked up at him, into those bright orbs.<br><br>"I can't believe I'm doing this..." She whispered, folding her blade and sliding it back into the sheath. "Black Knight, go home." She said sternly. "Go on, before XAT gets here. They..." She shook her head. "They want to provoke you. And I'd rather not play stupid games. You know now I want you dead, and when you lose your humanity, I'll kill you myself. But until then, I don't want to see them get the satisfaction of poking at you to make you fight them. There's something pathetic about it all... So just leave. And do it quickly." <br><br>Anika turned, and moved towards her bike, carefully toppling the broken land. <br><br>"And I'll do the same." She whispered, hearing the sirens of police and XAT heading towards them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 09:00:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Gazing at her impassively, his Amalgum face capable of barely any expression, the Black Knight replied calmly, the rage in his sounds moments earlier completely absent from his voice. "No force will goad me into hurting an innocent." Speaking with grim certainty, Christoph knew he would rather die to a XAT onslaught than kill any of the humans who fought so hard to protect everyone from Demoniac attack. Running was his only option against their fire.<br><br>Those two sentences, given in the span of a few minutes, were the first Christoph had ever spoken aloud to a human while in his second form. As an Amalgum, he worked efficiently and brutally in slaying other Amalgums, and he spared no time or thought for words. It was strange, hearing the words of his second form, the metallic radio of machined voice. He didn't worry that Anika would correlate it with him as Christoph, but it was ironic, speaking to her in different forms, one she wanted to kill, and the other she sought closeness with.<br><br>Ironic, further, how they helped save each other from the same threat they fought... similar, yet apart.<br><br>Turning from Anika, Christoph ran in the opposite direction, clearing away from the morgue and its environs. Even as emotion-laced thoughts of Anika swam through his mind, his attention returned swiftly to the infestation of Demoniacs that had arisen from it. Something <em>had</em> to be behind these kinds of attacks, which meant an intelligent force directing some creation of the Demoniacs - which left nothing but another Amalgum responsible, who had the blood to give to make them.<br><br>Crashing through the streets until he could find a quiet spot, he slipped off his Amalgum form in a burst of energy, finding blood suddenly on his arm and body from the wounds he had sustained. Cursing to himself, Christoph pulled off his jacket and shirt, wrapping the cloth around his arm and awkwardly replacing his jacket. It would heal soon enough with rest, but it hurt like a bitch. Though Anika had helped him, caring for her was something of a liability; she was too reckless for her own good, and Chris would rather take wounds than see her take any. She couldn't regenerate a lost arm like he could, after all... and it was a growing certainty in him that he would never want to see something like that happen.<br><br>But, of course, how could he ever persuade her away from his career? It was impossible, really, and he couldn't shadow her constantly.<br><br>The situation was fairly maddening.<br><br>Growling to himself, Christoph made the walk back to his bike, driving off in the night for his apartment.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 09:32:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It spoke again to her, and she couldn't help but feel that same trivial thing inside of her nagging at her to realize or question something. But she couldn't pinpoint what. Regardless, by the time she got to her bike, XAT showed up and saw the bloodshed.<br><br>"Holy shit," Mikaela said, peeking out and removing her helmet, the blond flipping her long locks of hair back. "Did you take them all out your-"<br><br>"No. Black Knight." Anika said, straddling her bike and letting out a long sigh. "I'll make the report in the morning." Anika then started the bike, and took off heading back home...<br><br><div align="center">-XXX-</div><br><br>Pushing through the door, Theo awaited her, sitting on the sofa. Theo (http://quizilla.teennick.com/user_images/A/AN/ANA/Anaro4ever/1186725323_esAnimeBoy.jpg) turned his eyes up, setting those dark hues upon her. She smiled down at him, a smile unlike anything many others saw. Thin, faint, but it shown in her eyes. A place where true smiles rarely reached.<br><br>"How did it go Annie?" <br><br>"It went well."<br><br>"Your face is bleeding." Theo slipped off of the sofa and ran through the house, his bare feet pitter-pattering on the floor. When he returned, it was with a wet cloth. He held his hand up, and waited for Anika to kneel. And so she did, slowly lowering her body until she was on her knees. She tilted her head to the side, while the young boy pushed her hair away from her bloody cheek and the blood that had ran down her throat and chest. And he began to slowly wipe up the blood and clean the wound with the wet, cold rag... "How is that" He finally said.<br><br>"Much better." Anika reached out and wrapped an arm around him, coming to a stand with the boy pressed against her figure. She easily carried his figure to his bedroom, where she soon tucked him in and told him his goodnights again, later heading to her own bed.<br><br>Stripping down and laying in the bed, she stared at the ceiling. And for some reason, she thought of Chris. And she hoped their date came sooner than later... She... missed him.<br><br><br><br><div align="center"><span style="font-family: courier new;" class="bbc_font"><strong>Thursday<br>6:50 p.m.</strong></span></div><br><br>Anika was ready, having come to the door and waiting like usual. Call it paranoia, but she didn't find it fond to leave the door unlocked or to leave company waiting outside if they arrived while it was locked. She wore a simple low-cut navy blue quarter-sleeve top that hugged her body, and a pair of dark jean shorts that almost matched, and her feet were bare without shoes since she didn't plan on going out unless Chris decided he wanted to. She turned her head and looked back. Again, her place was spotless. And again Theo was staying with Bernard's family. Turning her head back, she pushed the door open a bit and looked out into the hallway, leaning into the doorframe while she waited with a vague smile on her face.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 10:15:56</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>Wednesday<br>11:58 pm</strong></div><br>Christoph's eyes widened as the knife sank into his gut, guided by the inexpert hands of the criminal in front of him. Surprise worked into his mouth as blood began to flow, opened by the metal. The man across from him holding the knife looked just as surprised for a moment before letting go and running. Hearing the sound of sneakers upon concrete take off and fade, Chris looked down at himself and the blood staining his hands now. Turning, he saw the shocked man at the counter, suddenly moving toward him.<br><br>"Are you okay?"<br><br>Holding up his bloodied hand, Christoph gave him a thin smile as he felt the mortality of his human form pulsing through his body. The man rushed for the phone behind the register, grabbing and dialing quickly. Shaking his head, Christoph uttered "Fuck," and grabbed an errant rag on the counter. Stooping to wipe up the blood spilled onto the tile floor from his body, sweat appearing on his brow, he ignored the attendant's speech into the phone.<br><br>Bringing the cloth to his body after cleaning the knife as well, he held it to his torso to prevent any more blood from spilling, knowing full-well the effects it could have. Swallowing, he made his way out of the convenience store.<br><br>"Hey! Hey dude, I'm calling an ambulance!"<br><br>Looking around, his face paling, Christoph took off down the street, holding the rag tightly to his body. Feeling pain echo through him and a growing feeling of cold hollow in his body, he staggered down an alley. Breathing heavily and hearing the patter of quick steps coming toward him, he pulled himself up into an open dumpster and fell into it.<br><br>Listening intently to the movement of feet, he lay there for awhile, blood soaking through the rag at his belly. Grimacing, he wrenched his second form out of himself, the feeling in his abdomen fading into a quiet numbness.<br><br>Remaining there for almost two hours, unmoving, Chris thought of his many brushes with death as a human. His line of work wasn't the safest, either, and he had come under assault himself several times. Though he never came away from any of it with near-fatal wounds, the play of guns and knives could have easily brought him low. If he had died then, he thought, maybe his sister and mother would still be alive. The image was a wrenching thing, imagining his family standing at his casket, mourning... but still alive. No matter who he saved now, he could never bring them back. The past was written; there was no changing it.<br><br>Emotions riled, Christoph thought next of Anika, the woman who wanted to kill him as much as she wanted to know him. No matter how much he had tried to stave it off, it ate at him, sneaking into his mind insidiously and pulling out his feelings. Chris couldn't deny them as they crept through him, growing in size and strength, his desire for her company thriving unexpectedly. He wanted to be around Anika, to enjoy her presence, to steer her hand toward happiness. And, despite his resistance, he wanted to be closer to her. Thinking about it made his heart beat faster.<br><br>Concentrating, Christoph's Amalgum body dissipated into energy, leaving him again in the soiled dumpster, alone but no longer bleeding everywhere. There would be a mark, though, that he couldn't heal by the time his date with Anika came.<br><br>Slowly pulling himself to his feet, he clambered out of the trash heap and onto the street. Reeking and displeased, he returned to his bike, taking the bloody rag with him.<br><br><em>Fuck...</em><br><br><br><div align="center"><strong>Thursday<br>6:56 pm</strong></div><br>Wearing a dull black leather jacket, a brown t-shirt, and black slacks, Chris dismounted his bike, stowing his helmet and gloves. Breathing out a deep sigh, he reached for his sore abdomen, wrapped now with bandages to cover the remnants of the wound. Looking at the stairs and hallway leading toward Anika's apartment, Christoph felt his heart tugging. He was definitely looking forward to seeing her, now, and his reservations were small bumps on a long ride. Shaking off doubt, he began walking, accepting his eagerness to see her and the heightened emotion that came with it.<br><br><em>If I can't face this... I might as well stop trying to be human.</em><br><br>Turning the corner, his lips pulled into a smile, one that hadn't been used in a long time - until he had met Anika, and felt its sincerity come back into his life.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 10:24:18</strong>
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				Anika saw him, saw that smile, and grinned. There was something between them that was like a rapidly spreading disease. Every time she saw him, he had crept deeper into her, his smile widened and hers did to. Every time, she wanted more time with him. More everything. Had it almost been a month now since they'd met? Just about. <br><br>"Hey." She said simply, stepping out of the way. When he came to the door she just barely put her hand on his back and shut the door behind him, bolting the locks and setting the rest by hand. Then she stepped inside with him and moved to the bar, calling over it to him.<br><br>"So tonight, since last Friday you got my steak-cooking skills, I thought we'd order something that delivers. There's pizza, Chinese, and an Italian place that delivers locally." Looking over the counter at him, she then brought up another subject. "Would you like something to drink while you decide, or do you have any ideas on what you'd like from one of those three vast categories?" Anika jested lightly, tapping her nails habitually on the counter as she tapped her toe on the hardwood, waiting on what he'd like to drink seeing as she had the most necessary things to make the more common cocktails and some that were perhaps even uncommon. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 10:45:09</strong>
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				"Hey," he replied back, moving into her apartment without fanfare. Hearing the sound of the many locks again, he showed a small amusement at the thought of her home being invaded - it would probably fare far worse for the invader, after all.<br><br>Walking to the bar, he leaned against it, watching her with the same smile, simply enjoying the sight of her face. "Chinese, spicy noodles, and a drink would be lovely; vodka with anything." Christoph's fingers slid lightly over the surface of the counter, the texture of metal everywhere more keen to his fingers, the differences in sharp relief.<br><br>Keeping his eyes on her, Chris asked the first question that came to his mind. "How's Theo doing?" While he had been initially unthinking of the boy while at Anika's apartment, the thought of him had crept in, like his own sister had oftentimes as he worked and went about his daily life. It would be interesting, too, to see and hear her talk about the youth she had taken into her care.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 10:56:55</strong>
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				"He's really well." Anika said, pulling out two fortified wine glasses (http://www.indianwine.com/images/portwine.jpg) and sets them down. Then she begins mixing a few things, the most dominate ingredients being pomegranate juice, halved lemon vodka and regular vodka, and Sierra Mist. She topped it all off by pouring a tablespoon of pomegranate syrup into the bottom of the glass and then sliding a lemon and lime slice on each glass rim before handing him his.<br><br>"Theo's been doing really well in school, he got an A on his math test. He's really smart, a real whiz kid." She then turned and lifted a phone off the hook, and dialed the local Chinese place. <br><br>"Hey... Yes, delivery please... One spicy noodles, and one General Tso's chicken with lo mein instead of rice. And a quart of wonton soup. That'll be all, thank you... Yes... Seventh floor... Just knock and I'll answer... All right, goodbye." She put the phone back on the hook and turned back to him, smiling. <br><br>"It'll be fifteen minutes." Anika lifted her drink and came around the bar counter, coming to sit on a stool next to Chris, taking a sip of the strong drink. Slightly carbonated, a little bitter, sweet, and natural tasting. All topped off with a gentle burn going down. Her eyes set on Christoph and she leaned into the bar counter, her gaze unwavering from him. "How've you been? Anything exciting go on, or just the average day-to-day life of a paramedic?" Anika questioned softly.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 20:55:10</strong>
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				Taking the glass, he drank with curiosity at the mix of ingredients, being much more used to plain or little-mixed hard liquor. Pleased with the taste, he set it down, watching Anika on the phone. Theo sounded like he was doing well with Anika, and she had done a great thing... it would be a terrible tragedy, then, for him to lose her, after having already lost so much. By his reaction, likely too much to bear. Anika, too, likely could not face the same thing, especially after so much time.<br><br>Thinking of such things, even in this pleasant moment, came naturally to Christoph. The chains of connection were everywhere, running even into memories of the dead, and they bound people's hearts tightly. Just as they brought joy and pleasure from contact, their destruction could bring far worse consequences.<br><br>How would he feel if Anika died?<br><br>Nodding to her, he took another drink, sharing her gaze. A faint smirk came to his lips at her question, which would generally be answered with more of a time-falsehood. "I was stabbed last night at a convenience store robbery." His hand went reflexively to his abdomen where the wound was, fingers gently brushing over the t-shirt there. "I'm not sure it was worth what was in the register," he added, coughing a little, exaggerating his state of injury. He felt pretty fine, but he'd have to take it easy and add a little show, lest she grow suspicious. Nevertheless, he smiled with humor.<br><br>"Other than that, just the usual for saving lives, I suppose."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 21:38:48</strong>
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				Anika smiled as he sipped the drink, and laughed softly as he gestured to his stomach. She felt a pang of worry, but she wasn't a woman to jump up and go "Oh poor baby, are you all right!?". She was more of a, if he looks all right, he must be all right. Plus the touch of amusement he topped it all off with made her feel at ease with the fact he was injured. Hell, he could see her own injuries himself. When she turned her head to look at him those three gashes on her jawline shown, a darkened red. Not infected, well taken care of, and liquid-stitched. <br><br>"Well, I hope you gave him hell for it." She smiled. "I'm glad to see you can poke fun at it though, you're a strong man. Last man I saw come to me with a penetration wound cried like a baby because he said it would leave a mark." She laughed. "And I thought most men flaunted their scars."<br><br>Anika shifted on her seat and looked at the television, on in the distance and a light murmur of noise. It was understandable if you listened, the silence in the apartment when the two people were quiet being impeccable. The show on the screen was a Discovery special on the advancement of nanotechnology. At the moment they were showing a person taking a scalpel to the upper arm to form a long cut, and watching it heal together slowly. Returning her attention back to Christoph, she smiled.<br><br>"Being the strong and to-yourself man you are, do you tend your own wounds?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 21:52:32</strong>
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				Christoph chuckled a little. "Really? I hope it wasn't a XAT member," he said, grinning. With his new state, Chris knew already that he wouldn't bear any scars anymore - in fact, every one on his body had already healed into nothing - but he agreed with the sentiment. Trials of life made one stronger, and scars were signs of survival and victory. Crying fearfully about pain was something Christoph had abandoned long ago.<br><br>Tilting his head just slightly, he could listen to what was on the TV easily without looking toward it. Considering what ran through his blood, he was reminded that humanity was closer to becoming more like Amalgums every day with where technology was going. Though Christoph still didn't know what, exactly, created Amalgums, he knew without a doubt that involved blood. A flash of memory struck him, the expression of the Amalgum that had given him its curse, it resuming human form before gasping his last, imparting a few, terrible words to Christoph as blood ran down the metal piercing the two of them and flowed into Chris' body.<br><br>Eyes moving back to Anika, he smiled back. "Of course. It'd be a terrible waste to know how to patch someone up and not be able to apply it to yourself. It's more difficult, but doable for many injuries that aren't life-threatening." Part of him wondered, at questions like these, if she intended to ask him again to join the XAT. It was almost a romantic notion, fighting together against Amalgums... as humans. Chris almost laughed at the bitter irony hidden from Anika.<br><br>"How about you? Is there anything other than run-of-the-mill, fight-for-your-life Demoniac slaying in your work?" While he said it with some humor, Chris was clearly interested in hearing what Anika had to say. Other than their occasional encounters, he had no idea what her occupation consisted of otherwise - and, well, he partially wanted to know what she thought of the Black Knight when not facing him.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 22:04:11</strong>
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				She smiled at his words, and took another sip of the strong pomegranate cocktail. Anika considered his next question, and shrugged.<br><br>"There's a lot more to the XAT than just slaying Demoniacs. If it were just fighting them, we'd be simple and work would be so easy. This past week has been hectic. We have an up-and-coming science and investigations department blossomed on the wing of XAT called Pandora, and they've been working out some crazy stuff. They're the ones building me the gauntlet. Now that they're big enough to petition for certain rights and requirements though, they're becoming quite the pain in the ass. I've had to attend several board meetings this week where we've discussed the most blasphemous things over and over. They're preset idea was to provoke a vigilante Amalgum with his humanity intact, and now they want to capture him. I wish they'd make up their minds, though overall none of these plans include the death. They're actually looking to send an XAT Search and Recover team to capture a wild Amalgum to bring into Pandora for experimentation. So, I've had to be hearing all this crap. I don't know how they expect us to catch one alive. We don't have the equipment to cage one up like a wild dog and bring it in. And last I checked, Home Depot doesn't sell Amalgum kennels." <br><br>She gave a long-winded sigh, picking the lemon slice from the rim of her glass and biting off a piece of the yellow flesh, before continuing. "Stack on that Captain decided to put me on as Commander of the Tactical Division for one project Pandora's attempting. I still don't have the details on that, but I'm dreading the possibilities of where Science and dumbfounded human curiosity will be taking them this time."<br><br>Anika met her eyes to his and smiled, eating the rest of the lemon slice as the sound of knuckles rapped upon the door.<br><br>She got up and slipped away, opening the door and taking the paper bag of Chinese food and bringing it to the bar. She pulled out his noodles, and her aluminum dish of chicken and lo mein, before moving to get two bowls for the soup- one extra in case he was a wonton kind of guy. Pouring herself two wantons and some juice with chives, she opened her dish and prodded a piece of chicken with her fork.<br><br>"So did you report the stabbing?" She then said bluntly. "Or did you beat the guy up?" Anika chuckled, taking a bite of the General Tso's chicken.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 22:17:22</strong>
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				Though Christoph appeared to be listening calmly to what Anika was telling him, the revelations were somewhat alarming. Many details were missing, but pushing too far into Amalgum-technology would just lead to... terrible, terrible things. There was a reason why he had never seen another sane Amalgum, and pushing that onto people purposefully seemed like the opening to an even greater spread of crisis and devastation at the hands of human-Amalgums. They were nothing like Demoniacs, after all, once they fought past the terrible hallucinations and rage that seethed through their new form.<br><br>"It sounds like Pandora is a very apt name for them," Chris said with some wit, though he didn't feel quite into the humor. At Anika's mention of 'vigilante Amalgum', he had little doubt that he'd end up facing Anika again at the head of a capture-squad, and it was saddening to think about. No matter what he did, he would be hunted as a monster and animal, it seemed.<br><br>Thanking Anika for the food, he took some of the wonton as well, setting it next to the container with his spicy noodles and their mix of egg, tofu, and chicken. Inhaling the smell of the food, Christoph found some amusement in the relative quality of the Chinese take-out. It was nice to have some different cuisine, despite how far they were from China.<br><br>Moving to eat, he paused at her questions and shook his head. "I let the store clerk report it. After the guy stabbed me, he and his partner took off." Twisting some noodles onto his fork, he grinned a little, recalling the pain and surprise. "I let them run away; I was a bit more preoccupied with making sure my internal organs were okay and stymying the bleeding."<br><br>What Christoph didn't mention was his reaction to the man's surprise. The pair seemed more like desperate men than hardened criminals, and it was clear by his expression that he had never stabbed a man before. Maybe it was idealistic, wistful thought, but the act may have sent enough repercussions through the man's psyche that he would reconsider his choice of appropriating funds. If not, well... another tragedy would occur, he supposed. It was aggravating to not be able to bring his full potential to any scene that didn't involve Amalgums; though he would never kill another human under almost any circumstance, it would be easy to subdue criminals in his second form. Yet, laying a hand on anyone would instantly and forever brand him as a crazed killer, just like any other Amalgum.<br><br>Being so powerful and yet powerless was a strange thing indeed.<br><br>Taking a bit of the food, he smiled, feeling a warmth in his chest and letting out a breath. "I should have been more careful, really. I was being too arrogant in thinking they wouldn't pull a knife on me."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 22:37:10</strong>
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				"Yeah, Pandora is quite the fitting name indeed. I think it's a bunch of idiots truthfully, with their crazy ideas and science experiments, always trying to find the next generation discovery. Humanity falls when it jumps the wagon. I have a feeling we aren't ready for some of the things that division is working on..." She shrugged though, listening then to Christoph. She lifted a coiled forkful of lo mein to her mouth, taking a bite before tending to more chicken, the sauce delicious and fairly spicy, always a plus. She ate a bit more of the meal, before continuing onward with their ever-interesting conversations.<br><br>"Arrogant? Ha, I think that's the last description I'd ever pin to you Christoph." Anika chuckled. "A lot of people don't believe desperate criminals will pull them into the mix, especially when they have no involvement in handling what they want. I doubt arrogance is the appropriate word for it. I mean, even if you did expect it, what could you have done? If you ran, they might've pursued you." <br><br>Anika continued to eat a bit before pausing again, licking her lips and drawing her wine-shaded eyes to find Christoph again. For a moment, she simply studied him. Eyes falling over his face, tracing his lips, his hair, his throat and clavicles, onward and outward. Only his profile, she didn't look lower, there was so much more to Christoph than just a dangly bit down there to satisfy her. She then watched him take a bite of food, watched the way his lips parted, the way his jaw flexed and his throat gave way.<br><br>"Besides, we can't all keep our guards up forever. Every now and then we have to be vulnerable. It is a way of life that we cannot keep safe every minute of every day..." Anika took another bite of her chicken, then stared down into the plate as her next question came to be.<br><br>"What drove you to be a paramedic?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 23:44:12</strong>
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				Chris shrugged slightly at her assertion, his eyes closing for a thoughtful moment. "I could have fought. I hoped they might reconsider, to be honest," he replied, a strange smile on his lips. There were many things Christoph regretted, and it was his inability to change that he struggled hardest with. No matter what happened, he would always fight against the tide of harm and suffering, to prevent it and allay torment. The hardest suffering to fight was the suffering within another, hidden underneath the fluid motion of life, of day-to-day living, where actions defined them and their future. It was not easy feat to touch that. With Anika, it was more a matter of luck, than anything else, though he could not have touched it if he didn't have the faculty to do so.<br><br>But with others? Whether grand or subtle, his actions could only do so much. Changing a heart wasn't a power one could come by; the process was a long, arduous struggle, that one had to pick up themselves.<br><br>Taking a few more bites, he nodded lightly, agreeing with her assertion. If one knew harm would come, one could strip away fear. Even with all the power granted to him by being an Amalgum, he too would die one day, and there was no escaping that fate.<br><br>"I've always wanted to save people," he remarked, a self-effacing smile on his lips. "It's easy to hurt someone - we have so many tools for that - but what good comes of it?" Talking of harm and help now was a bitter amusement now with how much slaughter he brought to the streets of Germany. He brought up a hand before she could reply, quickly following. "I know it's necessary sometimes for protection." Having been there himself, he knew the truth of it, and greatly respected those who protected others, even with violence. But, still...<br><br>Shrugging again, he looked down toward his noodles, eyes contemplative. "What more could you do for someone than pull them back from death?" Releasing a quiet breath, he turned back to Anika, knowing how much those words drew him to her. She sought a death of the soul, of happiness and joy, and he rebelled against that death with every fiber of his being. He had the chance to with her, unlike his sister and mother... and he would fight for it dearly.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 23:58:26</strong>
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				Listening to him, Anika put the lid on her dinner and folded in the aluminum edges, taking the last sip of her drink. She came to a stand and moved into the kitchen, putting away the dishes and putting the leftovers in the fridge. Turning back to Christoph, she came around the bar, standing behind him. Her hands were still, raised and inches away from his back, before she moved them upward and placed them down against his shoulders. Leaning closer, she held that minimal bit of contact and inhaled, smelling his distinct scent and smiling at the way it ignited her. <br><br>"I think it's kind of ironic. You pull people back from death, heal them, and tend to them at what could otherwise be their end. And I prevent death, a certain specific death, trying my best to assure that no one faces the loss of another that I had to deal with, that many have dealt with." <br><br>Anika pressed her thumbs into the center of his upper back, and began to caress with a little bit of strength, massaging his shoulders lightly. Simply from the little circles her thumbs made on his muscles, one would assume Anika had done this before. <br><br>"Do you have any dreams, Chris?" Anika said in a soft whisper, one that's breath brushed against his ear when she spoke. Her hands moved inward, closer to his neck, and she began to massage the back of that area, along his spine while her fingers slipped around his throat and rested flatly against the inner of his shoulders til her fingertips were almost lain atop of his clavicles. "If so, what kind of things do you dream about?" 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 00:19:08</strong>
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				His attention following Anika, he drew in a long, quiet breath at the touch of her hands on his shoulders. The sensation affected him more than he expected, and he eased at their pressure. Turning his head, he looked up at her, a smile on his face. It was something again that he was very unused to after so much time, and even then, the insistence of the tugging inside his chest was new. Despite enjoying many a person's company, the force of the pull never grew strong toward others, its presence instead being a warm thread to hold onto and bask in. Christoph's interest in Anika actively grasped and threw him.<br><br>"Occasionally..." The question diminished the pleasure in his shoulders and neck as his mind went to the darkness inside of him. For a long time, Chris had been greatly disturbed by his reflection, often seeing his Amalgum form in it staring back at him. He had to come to grips himself with the fact that he was not a monster, that he could use his strength and abilities to protect, rather than destroy. The struggle was long, and it haunted his dreams sometimes, where he saw himself on the streets, killing people ruthlessly and slaughtering soldiers without remorse. It was as if he was outside of his body, watching it all happen, the crazed fury born in the metal...<br><br>"Tragedy is what I remember from my dreams. The deaths of my mother and sister, and others I've seen..." Christoph trailed off, remembering a dream - no, a nightmare - a few days ago of seeing himself cut Anika down with his halberd, scattering halves of her body across uncaring stone. Afterwards he stood there, bellowing with rage and torment for what seemed like ages until he awoke.<br><br>"Lately, yours," he finally said, looking toward her calmly with his craned neck. While it disturbed him, it also informed of how much she had crept into his subconscious already in the short span of time. <em>Like an infection</em>, he thought, even though he knew of no 'good' infections. Reaching up from the counter with his right hand, he touched hers, fingers brushing along the back of her hand, his attention focusing heavily onto her presence, her breath, her voice, her vitality.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 00:48:26</strong>
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				As he spoke about the tragedy in dreams, Anika could easily relate. Her hands did not stop though, her palms summoned warm between themselves and his own skin with the fabric of his shirt as a source of friction-induced heat. Soon his hand came up, to gingerly touch her own, brushing against the back of it. Anika shut her eyes at the feel, and her other hand removed itself from his other shoulder. Slowly she reached around his face, her fingers pushing into his hair where it began at his forehead and pushing back, combing through it entirely to the back of his neck. When done, her hand slid back around, forward until it stretched over his chest where his heart lay buried under flesh. She then gave a soft sigh. <br><br>"I too have nightmares. But most of mine are of my memories. Sometimes I remember them exactly the way they were, sometimes I dream of variations, if things could've gone differently. My dreams are where I cannot hide from the agony in my soul that clings to the losses I've suffered. While awake, I can survive and they do not bother me. But my mind warps those memories in my sleep and makes it so that I cannot escape every second of reliving them." <br><br>Anika took her hand out from beneath his and touched his hand then, sliding her fingers between his own. Leaning into Christoph's body, Anika pressed her front to his back and her head came over his shoulder, so that her cheek nuzzled his own. His skin was warm, tender. She enjoyed it, it made her feel... complete, in an odd sense. Anika turned her head a little, and let a small, feathered kiss upon his cheek, her lips soft and careful. Pulling back, she studied only the feel of his heart beating beneath her other hand.<br><br>"Do not worry about my death Christoph. I will not die anytime soon. I refuse to- there is so much to still be done." She nuzzled his hair lightly, savoring the feel of his silky fairly dark locks against her cheek. The feel of him like this, her arms around him, so close yet so simply vague; it felt amazing. Different. She'd never before admired a man like this. Anika was still unsure of where she wanted to go, whether she wanted to lean around and taste his kiss, or to just bask in the light embrace.<br><br>"What do you feel, right now?" Anika whispered, her question unique and truly vulnerable in its curiosity. "What do you feel when so close to me?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 01:30:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A shiver passed through Christoph's shoulders and neck, Anika's hands eliciting greater and greater reactions out of him. Flesh tingled and hair rose, the rise and fall of his chest becoming more noticeable as his body called for more breath. Bringing his other hand to the one on his chest, his fingers laced between hers and grasped her hand, finding deep comfort in its presence.<br><br>The words of Anika's pain scratched against his heart. She spoke so easily of the suffering she hid, that she refused to abide by in her daily life. It was similar to his own, and so many others, though she had pushed hers so far down. Chris could still see it, though, even as it hid in her, eroding her from the inside like poison. Nothing good came of putting pain away and never resolving it.<br><br>Gripping the hand on his shoulder tightly, he leaned back a bit against her, nuzzling his cheek into hers before it was withdrawn. The touch of her skin incited want for more. At once restrained and free, Chris looked sad for a moment, reflecting on what Anika had suffered for so long. It could be healed, still, and Christoph wanted so much to heal it.<br><br>Holding her hands close, not willing to break them off yet to embrace her, he paused in thought enough to answer her before he asked her his own question. After a moment, he laughed quietly, a small surprise in the sound. Letting it die out, it touched his smile and his eyes. "Happy. Hopeful of something better, wanting of more... wanting to help."<br><br>Releasing the hand on his shoulder, he shifted slowly so as not to bump her, and slid off the stool, drawing the hand on his heart away and letting it go. Turning to face Anika, Christoph's eyes searched hers as he spoke, his smile lingering but holding a twinge of sadness. "Why don't you face your pain and let it find peace?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 01:44:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His answer made her smile. It made her feel good to know he felt such a way, simply because she felt the same about him back. She wanted to help him too... and she wanted more... Anika watched him, studied him as he turned around and faced her, meeting her eyes to his. She gazed up at him, her hands now having lightly drifted back to her own sides. Anika gave silence for a moment, no smile existent though the expression perhaps could be incited as vulnerability. <br><br>"In my darkest hours, the pain is what led me, guided me to better myself. It was that pain that was a constant reminder as to what I wanted to become. Sometimes I fear if I just get rid of it altogether instead of keeping it tucked in my pocket as a modern reminder, I'll forget the trials I had to push through to get where I am. Forget why I came down this path in the first place. It is a scar that tells the story of my life, and I wonder who I'd be should that scar ever heal." <br><br>Anika stepped just barely closer, her heart oddly pounding. She didn't get her heart racing like this even when facing Amalgums sometimes. It was a strong thunder, beating heavily. She would almost say she could feel the blood thrust through her veins by the healthy, inspired pulse. Her skin felt more sensitive, like she'd stepped into his aura and was being magnetically attracted to Chris's body. She reached up and touched his cheek, drawing her hand down his jaw and neck before resting her hand over his heart. Feeling it beat as her own did. Her other hand then took his, drew it up. The V cut of her shirt allowed the left side of her chest to be fairly available, for when she opened his palm without looking away from his eyes and unfolded his hand onto her skin. With his hand pressed against her bare porcelain chest, he could feel how fast her heart was racing.<br><br>"I don't really understand why my heart is beating like this, but I'm glad I'm not the only one." She chuckled, pressing her hand tighter to his chest. "Christoph, I want to ask you something and you can readily tell me no... Theo is not coming home til Saturday morning. And I'm off tomorrow... Would you like to stay here tonight, with me?" Anika said. She had no intentions of sex, but instead wanted to feel that warmth, that comfort in sleep. She wondered, would laying next to Chris at night be the cure to her nightmares?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 02:08:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Maybe you'd be happy," Christoph said simply, looking at her intently. He didn't believe at all that it was persisting trauma that made him what he was today; his fight continued because his desire to protect continued, and he already felt more strongly about it since meeting Anika. She had given a face to it, a name to feel for, rather than a nameless horde of masses. It hadn't given him strength where he had none, but it sharpened his purpose and made it brighter.<br><br>Chris felt the same rise in his chest as Anika touched him and laid her hand on his chest. He didn't really understand it either, how she incited such reaction; it was liberating, in a way, to be freed from tension with the soaring feeling there. His eyes widened slightly at the feel of her chest, a subtle show of interest and effect as his hand pressed gently against her, palm resting against the pulse of her heart. The simple act of pumping blood was a potent feeling under his hand, the sign of her life, her existence.<br><br>Considering her question, a bemused look came to his lips, his voice almost laughing. "Why would I say no, Anika?" Giving in to the chuckle, he brought his other arm around her back and drew her to him, hugging her tightly. Smiling, mirth and quiet joy in the feeling, Christoph pressed his cheek against Anika's again, delighting in the light touch. Closing his eyes, he held her, enjoying the embrace without words, his breath and heartbeat loud enough to express his happiness at her closeness.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 02:21:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His arm wrapped around her, and he let her know that he would be spending the night. And the way he phrased it made her feel... relieved. The woman leaned into his body, pressed herself against him. The feel of his cheek against hers- against her cheek that wasn't currently touched by the few liquid-stitched gashes. She nuzzled her clean cheek to his, a soft sigh escaping her lips, the cool breath like a light sea breeze coming from the shore to his throat. Her hand fell from his chest and she pushed her arms upward, over his shoulders and around his neck. Leaning into him more, her cheek slid past his and rested against his upper chest, along his clavicle. Her heart pounded heavily, and she enjoyed the silence of their embrace.<br><br>"I'm glad you have no reason to say no." Anika finally whispered. Her hands opened over his back, fingers spanning along his back and admiring the shape of his figure through his shirt, only traveling his shoulder blades and upper spine instead of anything lower. After another few moments, she pulled away and grinned, gesturing to the kitchen. <br><br>"Would you like to have dessert, and maybe settle in the living room for a movie? I have a vast selection downloaded onto the TiVid3." Anika said, having not yet broken the embrace though she did lean back enough to look up at him from the close distance.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 03:26:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I'm glad you asked," Chris replied, the dissonance and emptiness in his own life disappearing whenever he was with Anika. His own hands rested on the center of her back, along her spine, fingertips tugging gently at the fabric covering her skin. Releasing a deep sigh, it felt like a burden had passed. Getting closer to her hadn't torn everything up, and he felt better because of it. Holding her now, he was glad he hadn't pulled away, that he had risked it. Even if everything fell apart a week later, he felt this moment right now, and that wouldn't disappear.<br><br>Looking back at Anika after she leaned back, he smiled at her for several moments, not answering her question and just taking the time to look over the features of her face. Letting out an amused sound, he nodded lightly. "Sure. You can pick the movie; I'm curious what your tastes are."<br><br>His arms loosed a bit, giving her freedom to leave as she pleased, though he was in no rush to watch anything on the television. The conversation between them and the sight of Anika was enough to content Christoph... at least, for now.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 03:41:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Anika gazed up at him, his hands on her back creating something like a warm glow against her skin. Her gaze and his was glued together, and she nodded to him, slipping away. She moved into the kitchen and turned to look at him, curling her finger playfully to invite him to follow. There, she began to pull things out of the fridge and freezer. She then picked out two stemmed glass dessert dishes (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/wsimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201038/0010/img37m.jpg), setting them aside. She had all the makings of an ice cream sundae. <br><br>"I always keep ice cream and all these fixings around because Theo loves them. My rule is that I'll fix him an ice cream sundae just the way he wants it every time he makes an A on a test." Anika spoke kindly. "So, come here, and help me out. I have vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and butter pecan ice cream. Whipped cream, chocolate and strawberry syrups, maraschino cherries, strawberries, bananas, sprinkles, chocolate chips, sundae walnuts, and crushed almonds or peanuts. And a few other things lying around if you'd want them. I've got a lot of fruit on hand too. If you don't like ice cream, I have a tub of plain yogurt too, in case you'd rather make a parfait." <br><br>Anika chuckled. "I sound like a fatty from all that, don't I? Ha. I have healthy food around here too... somewhere." Anika gave a genuine little grin, putting spoons at all the little fixings to create something like a line of things to make the sundaes with. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 10:59:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Giving her an amused look at the playful gesture of her finger, Christoph followed, looking at the various ingredients that she brought it. Surveying the giant lot of them, his amusement deepened. Growing up, Chris had enough treats, but hardly anything like this waiting for him in reward for a good grade. Theo was a lucky kid to have Anika, though Christoph didn't attribute it to her generous policy of desserts. With how she spoke of the boy, it was clear how deeply she cared about him and how much she gave of herself to the child.<br><br>Laughing at her assertion, Christoph shook his head and touched her side just above her hip firmly, fingers applying a bit of pressure. "Not at all, Anika." Grinning at her, he took one of the dessert dishes she had pulled out and brought it to the assortment she had laid out. Glancing over them quickly, he gave her a questioning look, "Do you have any peanut butter?"<br><br>Regardless of the answer, he opened the butter pecan and chocolate ice creams and split them evenly into his dish. Taking a handy knife and a banana, he cut slices for himself - and Anika, if she wanted - into the dish. Taking a small handful of walnuts, he added that on top; if there was peanut butter, he heated it and added it next. Finishing it off with some whipped cream, he looked at his creation with a youthful eagerness and flashed Anika a pleased smile, perhaps seeming out of depth for the dessert. "Thank you."<br><br>Once she had finished hers, he took a spoon to his own, tasting it with a subtle, but delighted sound.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 12:33:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As he came by her, hand falling above her hip, she smiled brilliantly. Anika wasn't sure why, but his touch was like an addiction. Each little taste was immaculate and made her crave a little more. Anika then watched him ask for peanut butter. Her expression stalled a moment, and she quirked a brow, before reaching up into a cabinet and pulling down a container of peanut butter. She pulled a spoon for it and then watched him make his, filling the dish with an odd but delicious looking concoction. <br><br>Moving behind him, she prepared her own somewhat similarly in base to his, with halved chocolate and butter pecan, before adding the bit of banana. Then a few slices of strawberries, drizzled in heated chocolate syrup, with walnuts and sprinkles, and whipped cream with a maraschino cherry on top. She poked her spoon carefully into the side as to not destroy the little mountain of sugar. Setting it aside, Anika quickly shuffled things back into the fridge and freezer before picking up her dish and moving past Chris towards the living room. <br><br>Upon the leather two-cushioned sofa she sat, picking up the remote and beginning to flip through movies. Finding one specific crime drama with a slight plot of romance between two rivals, a criminal killing for justice and a cop so dedicated to work that no matter the reason the killer must be stopped. It was one of her favorite movies, engaging and thoughtful, with a unique romance which was unusual for her to get into. As she set the remote down, she dipped her finger into a bit of whipped cream and licked it off, smiling at Chris. <br><br>"This is a good movie, 7 Brooklyn Nights. Do you like your sundae? You've been awfully quiet. If you weren't originally such a calm, quiet person, I'd suspect you'd be chugging it too fast to talk about how good it is." Anika chuckled. She then pulled up her spoon and savored a simple mouthful of banana, strawberry, and whipped cream. She then slowly began to lean into Chris a bit, until her body's side was against his own, as she waited for a few moments. Without the motions of them walking around, the lights flickered out, leaving it darkened in the room save for the TV light and the few overhead bar lights. <br><br>"Mmm..." Anika said softly, dipping her spoon then into the chocolate ice cream and looking up at Christoph while she took a bite, the movie now past the opening scene and starting to get into the actual plotline.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 21:15:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Following her to the living room, Chris set down the dessert bowl and pulled off his jacket, laying it nearby. Taking a seat next to Anika, he drew out his spoon like a weapon, eying the delicious mound of topped ice cream like a foe to be destroyed. Dipping in with his first attack, he tasted the delicious mix and made a rather pleased expression. Looking at the rest hungrily, he began in earnest, preferring cold and solid ice cream.<br><br>When Anika asked her question, Christoph had his spoon in his mouth. Giving her a questioning, faux-confused look, he beamed at her and held up the empty spoon, swallowing what was in his mouth. "It's been a long time since I've had a sundae." With her body next to his, he leaned it a little and nudged her cheek with the tip of his nose, bemusement and affection in his face.<br><br>Focusing more on the ice cream again, he didn't register any recognition of the movie title. "I haven't seen it before." Eating happily, his dessert bowl was finished rather quickly, which he put down on the coffee table. Resettling a bit, he laid his left hand down on her right knee, fingers brushing lightly and content with the contact.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 22:36:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Slowly, but surely, Anika finished her sundae. She started with the sides and ate down until nothing was left but a little dollop of whipped cream in the bottom of the bowl with a strawberry beneath it and the cherry on top. She scooped up the whipped cream and strawberry, taking the last bite, before then lifting the cherry by its stem. She used her other hand to put the dish next to Chris' recently emptied stemmed bowl and then put the cherry in her mouth, swirling it over her tongue before using that muscle to pluck the little red orb from the candied stem. She tossed the stem into the bowl and then looked up at Chris, watching him. Feeling his hand on her knee. He was... so different. She could really feel it now, feel the change in her life commencing like a forgotten machine of a few generations past being returned to life, churning slowly into motion.<br><br>About a half hour passed and they were now just a little over halfway through the movie. The movie was set on a bedroom scene, where after sex the female Victoria and the male James, lay curled in the sheets. The woman crawls over his body, the bare little bit of light casting a smooth silhouette over her curves as she leans down and kisses him. And she speaks a set of words Anika felt would be difficult if she were ever in the position. <br><br><em>"What you are, I cannot forgive... I can't deny it, James Benson. I think I might be falling in love with you... But I've got to kill you, or turn you in... My life revolves around taking down people like you, I can't just-"<br><br>"Forget? Forget what you are? You can't be happy with me, because you'd choose living a life of solace and lonesome justice than be in love? I know my priorities must seem odd to you Victoria, but I can't help it. I do what I do because I have to. For once, I have finally stepped into a situation I <span class="bbc_u">want</span> to be in. And that situation is with you. This thing, us, whatever we are... I don't want it to stop..."<br><br>"But... But James..."</em> The woman leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to his cheek, her eyes growing moist. <em>"I don't know what else to do."</em><br><br>Anika reached out, her hand falling over his own. She leaned her head against his shoulder, her soft uninjured cheek a cushion against his form as she resisted closing her eyes to bask in the moment. Her eyes remained parted, the rich red velvet hues reflecting the light of the television screen as they watched. Anika soon slid her hand away from his, and onto his own leg, resting just above his knee. Her thumb moved back and forth, creating a little heat, soothing her as she felt his leg beneath her grip. This affection, this adoration and bliss... It was so... new.<br><br>As the scene on the screen changed, Anika turned her head to look up at him. To once again study Christoph's expression, his face, his lips, jaw, throat, and chest. The way his hair fell so smoothly along his features, the way he looked... content? Perhaps even... a little nervous? She couldn't read the underlying expression that was barely surfaced, perhaps Anika was actually imagining it.<br><br>"Are you all right Christoph?" She whispered, as to not override the movie in volume.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 22:58:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Content and calm next to Anika, he remained close but didn't move onto her anymore than the hand, preferring to not be overbearing, despite the desire for physical contact. He had listened to his mother and sister discuss dating, and how anxious and trapped they felt when guys pushed past their comfort zones, and Christoph had since been exceedingly careful about how he touched women. It didn't stop him from being flirtatious, back when he was younger, but words and hands were different, and he was intrusive with neither. Respect was still very important to him, even though he hadn't dated anyone in quite awhile.<br><br>As the film pressed on, though, Chris grew increasingly uncomfortable. Despite her cunning nature and keen eyes, it seemed impossible for Anika to know anything about his nature as an Amalgum - and yet, the movie playing out before them, the conflicted, tragic love between enforcer and vigilante, was almost a mirror to their current situation. Anika had been ruthlessly determined to hunt down and kill him as the Black Knight up until very recently, and even then he had no doubt that she would still if he hurt anyone. Her dedication was absolute, and while he was an anomaly, he was still an abomination in XAT's eyes and, more importantly, Anika's. Hell, it had taken Christoph awhile to not think of himself as one anymore.<br><br>Just as the male protagonist, the vigilante, hadn't intended to fall in love with the enforcer, he hadn't had any plan to meet Anika as a human and to begin seeing her. It all came about very unexpectedly, and though he tried to keep his distance, he was inextricably pulled in. Despite the danger, he couldn't get himself to run and flee.<br><br>Christoph's heart pounded, emotion rising with the volatility his nano-infused blood gave him. Clenching it down and hiding it, his anxiety and turmoil was still glinting through. Though the movie seemed like it was going to end well for the lovers, the similarity to their situation was jarring, and Anika still didn't know his identity. He dreaded her ever finding out while knowing it was a large possibility, looming on the horizon.<br><br>Looking at Anika, he nodded a bit, letting out a quiet breath. "Ah, maybe it's all the sugar; it's been a long time since I've had so much." The words sounded like a lame excuse to Christoph, but he couldn't... say anything close to the truth. That was at least true, he didn't really indulge himself in desserts, even though he knew it wouldn't affect him adversely. His hand tightened on her leg for a moment and he gave her a slight smile, as if brushing it off.<br><br><em>What a movie to pick,</em> he thought.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 23:25:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman watched him answer, getting the feeling that more was wrong than he was letting on to be. Anika leaned up, shifting to sit upright and moving his hand away from her leg. She reached over and grabbed a wine-colored cloth satin pillow, laying it into Christoph's lap. She then spread her legs out and curled them a bit, before laying closer. She finally stilled after getting into the perfect position, laying her head on the pillow in Christoph's lap while letting one arm rest somewhat above her head so that her hand pressed into his. Her other hand simply laid upon his knee. Anika took a long breath, on that made her chest rise and fall- and Christoph would be able to feel her breathing now.<br><br>"If you feel bad at all, just tell me. I might have something medicine in the bathroom cabinet that could help." Anika said. As the movie started coming to a close, she flicked her gaze up at the time. It was almost ten o'clock. Anika shifted just enough so that she was laying on her back, her face facing upwards, where she could look up at Chris. The angle was pleasant. She usually did not feel so small or vulnerable, and enjoy it. It was unique, beautiful even. <br><br>Her hand reached out and stroked his cheek, as the movie was now only moments away from the ending, the gist of the storyline already grasped. <br><br>"Would you like to watch another movie, or are you ready for bed? You look a little worn down." Anika said in a quiet, somewhat tender murmur.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 23:55:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Releasing a quiet sigh, Christoph shifted a little before Anika set the pillow down in his lap, turning and moving to lay on him. With her position changed, Chris tensed his right hand into a fist out of sight, muscle and sinew straining against bone as he pushed force into them. The violence of the motion helped release the tight feeling in his chest, riled more by his Amalgum-blood than anything else; though Christoph genuinely worried for that looming confrontation, it was Anika's presence the movie's startling similarities that pushed it outward into something more affecting.<br><br>Shaking his head a bit, he replied softly, "I'll be alright." Closing his eyes for a bit, his breathing came back to normal with meditative rest, his hand releasing its tension. Since becoming an Amalgum, violence was a more predominant urge, and for whatever reason he found its presence soothing, even if just the pull of muscles in his arm.<br><br>Feeling better, his eyes opened again, smiling down at Anika when she moved to touch his cheek. More drawn to her than the movie, despite its ironic content, he was happy to share her look and feel her there with him. It was interesting, seeing a more gentle side of her. Christoph suspected that something of the sort was there, beneath her hard exterior; he was of the notion that the two didn't have to be mutually exclusive, that one could be strong, fierce, and gentle all at once. As a paramedic, he was very often thrust into such situations, where seconds counted and he had to be as fast and determined as possible - but still give the patient the softest of hands, lest he hurt them further. Force and strength needn't discount vulnerability. It was brave, after all, to bare one's self so openly.<br><br>"I'm probably a little fatigued from the wound in my gut." His fingertips pulled upwards between hers, drawing softly across the backs of her fingers, brushing gently over the little hairs on their upper digits. "Whatever you want is fine by me."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>12-12-2010, 00:36:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Anika leaned up, after having savored the sensation of his fingertips running over the backs of her fingers. She swung her legs over the edge of the sofa, and she came to a reluctant stand, her long legs pale and smooth in the faint light as she lifted their dishes.<br><br>"All right then. My bedroom is right there," Anika held up one dish and gestured to the open doorway in the distance leading into the master bedroom. There it would be the same mix of light walls with dark hardwood floors and a black satin bed comforter and pillow cases with blue sheets. Inside the bedroom to the almost immediate left, was the doorway into the master bathroom. There too bore hardwood floors with wooden cabinets and black granite countertops. Only there had porcelain sinks (two) and a large porcelain tub that fit into one corner and them shaped out almost like a triangle with a rounded arch with two small steps that let someone step into the large thing. Then a blue hazed glass-paned shower with enough space for three. In the cabinet- long and thin- next to the sink were soaps and things, and a shelved wicker rack on the outside of the tub had folded towels, rags, sponges, and a few other things like bath salts and beads.<br><br>She put the dishes into the washer and then comes back around, standing at the sofa where Chris is. Reaching out, her hand rests palm up and availed for him to take. As it is taken, she moves into the bedroom with him after turning off the TV. The lights in the living room soon go out as she cuts on a lamp on the coiled iron and glass nightstand next to the Queen Size bed, before gesturing for the bathroom.<br><br>"If you want to shower or bathe, the bathroom is free. Well, will be. I'm going to change into my pajamas and brush my teeth, then you can have it." Anika said softly, though her voice was still stern, carrying that strength with every word. Reaching into a painted black dresser, she pulled out a few things and then headed off into the bathroom. A few minutes later, she easily returned, having brushed her teeth and changed.<br><br>Anika adorned a red satin robe (http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/spicylingeriestore_2133_1742780580) with a tie around the waist and long loose sleeves with the hem of the bottom falling just above her knees. She moved barefoot towards the bed, pulling back the covers before undoing the tie. When that was put aside on the table, she peeled away her red satin robe, she folded it onto her nightstand, and smoothed the few wrinkles over her stomach out of her black ruffled halter gown (http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/spicylingeriestore_2137_66167410) that came just below the upper thighs. She crawled into the bed, pushing her long pale legs under the beds' sheets and laying back with one arm propping her up, as she looked to where Christoph would be with a more tender, unique grin.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>12-12-2010, 01:06:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Waiting for Anika to always take care of the dishes felt a little odd and grating to Christoph, who was very used to doing it on his own or helping his family with it. Something about it seemed unnatural, and Chris' fingers rapped quietly on the sofa as the time passed with fortunate quickness. Taking Anika's hand, he stood and followed her into her bedroom.<br><br>Scanning it and the bathroom with his eyes, fingers rubbing together as if they could feel the granite and porcelain within. Anika's apartment was certainly more upscale than his, though there had been more room in the one he shared with his mother and sister. Now, he was in something far cheaper with little space, enough to wile away the little time he spent there. Rest wasn't nearly as much of a necessity anymore, as his Amalgum blood could repair and rejuvenate readily, but it helped calm his mind and sped up the regeneration process. Christoph was fairly certain that while he could stay awake perhaps indefinitely, it wouldn't do his mind any favors, and control was necessary to keep a handle on the magnified influx of emotion he felt in his second form.<br><br>Unprepared for a night over, Chris nodded to her nonetheless. He didn't have a change of clothes that would better fit sleeping, or a tooth brush; fortunately, he had already bathed himself vigorously and thoroughly since lying around in the dumpster for awhile. It took some time, but he wanted to make sure he was completely clean from the incident - he was meeting Anika, after all.<br><br>Raising a brow at the sight of Anika's new attire, Christoph briefly wondered how intentional - or, rather, of what intentions - the enticing nature of her wardrobe was. Often, she didn't seem to be trying to seduce him, yet there were slips here and there... in truth, it wouldn't take any effort at all, but it was interesting to watch the shifts in her behavior and what they told of her. Chris had felt a growing desire to touch more of her, but, again, absolutely refused to push farther than was clearly invited. He was, besides, entirely comfortable with just sleeping with her. Her presence in his arms had been a bright, consuming experience, and falling asleep with that wouldn't come with difficulty. It felt very, very good.<br><br>Giving her a grin in return, he asked before slipping into the bathroom, "Do you have a spare toothbrush?" Regardless of the answer, he washed his hands and face within, feeling better with the touch of cold water on his skin. Staring at his reflection in the mirror, he saw his second form and shook his head with a quiet sigh. He brushed his teeth if possible, or used mouthwash, or otherwise rinsed.<br><br>Drying off, Christoph decided to be conservative and just pull off his boots, socks, and pants, leaving him in boxers and the t-shirt that had been under his jacket. The material wasn't exactly concealing of his form because of its size and tightness, but it was definitely more modest than his bare chest and the bandages around his torso. Folding up his pants and laying everything in a neat pile, he exited the bathroom, the entire thing passing by quickly.<br><br>Cracking his knuckles, the motion feeling good in his hands, Chris gave Anika a warm smile and came to the bed, carefully sliding in and getting used to the size and feel of it. Settling under the sheets, his eyes moved to hers, curious and aware.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>12-12-2010, 02:56:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As he asked about the toothbrush, Anika had given a simple yes. She then waited, listening to the sounds of the water turning on and off. The smaller noises in the empty apartment, of the her heartbeat, excited to be sharing this night with Christoph. As he later came out of the bathroom, his legs availed and his body figure alluring, he joined her. Pushed into the sheets and joined her in bed. When he did, Anika leaned over and flicked out the light, taking a long, slow breath before returning to her spot. <br><br>Pushing a hand under the covers, she pushed up on them and slid her bare legs over, to be closer to Chris.&nbsp; Her thighs grazed his, as she faced him, so very close. The woman reached out, pushing her fingers into his hair and propping herself up on her other arm. Staring down at the silhouette of his form, Anika continued to comb her fingers into his hair, smiling vaguely. <br><br>Her heart was racing. She knew what she wanted to do, but it had never felt like this before. Felt like time was slowing down, like every second took a few extra seconds in itself to tick by. Every breath felt longer, deeper. Every thundering thump of her heartbeat was stronger, like a hammer beating on the inside of her rib cage. Slowly she began to lean in, her hand in his hair coming forward to cup his cheek. Wordlessly, slowly, taking all the time in the world, Anika closed into Chris. Her eyes fell shut and her heart skipped a beat, as her full tender lips pressed against his. Fitting so smoothly, locking like two gears meant to turn with each other, meant to sync. His lips against hers sent waves of static excitement into her body, made her lips feel like they were radioactive with desire and bliss. Her hand pressed back into his hair, until that hand was pressed lightly to the back of his head, holding their kiss. It felt like a century, her body was floating on that river so distant from her life. For once, she was immediately broken away from the day-to-day curriculum, the thoughts, the duty, the remembering. She was given a second of total escape in his lips. In Christoph's kiss.<br><br>Breaking away, her eyes opened and she breathed a bit heavily, obvious she might've forgotten to take a breath while savoring the every intense sensation ushered forth by his lips meeting hers. Her smile came lightly to be, and Anika let out a faint whisper.<br><br>"I've found freedom in you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>12-12-2010, 03:36:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Christoph's smile deepened as she came closer and slid a hand into his hair, the feel of her fingers there simple yet intimate and stirring. The last he had really had of anyone touching him there was his sister, a memory that skittered past him for a heartbreaking moment. Anika had been right in that Christoph bore his own darkness and his own pain, his loss marring him as hers did to her. Though he had accepted it, it hadn't died, either, and pieces came up from time to time, sharp and potent.<br><br>Reaching out, his hand went to her back, fingers splaying across it and rubbing a little, finding the contact soothing and warm. Tugging softly over the middle of her back with his fingertips, their pressure firm but gentle, Chris' eyes stayed fixed to Anika's face, watching the emotion in her, rushing to the surface with her blood. The trace of her gaze, the movements of her lips, he saw and felt the heaviness of her, of the air, of the moment surrounding them. Anika was beautiful, and all the more so for what glimmered inside of her.<br><br>As she leaned in, Christoph's eyes smiled at her before they closed with hers, his body moving to meet her advance with his own. Finding her lips on his own, a shudder passed through his chest, everything suspending but the feel of her in front of him, of their mouths together. Christoph's fingers dug into the fabric of her gown and pressed against her back, the soft friction of their lips drawing a deep ache for Anika in Chris'. Their chests close to one another, hearts near and pulsing intensely, Chris felt nothing but a perfect moment of happiness with Anika, held against her and sharing the intense emotions within them.<br><br>When she pulled away, Christoph gasped softly, his entire frame filled with the touch of her, the easy joy and earnest craving, finding fulfillment with her. Overcome with it all, Chris almost looked surprised at the force of him, a laugh nearly escaping his lips at how <em>good</em> it felt. It was incredible how so little did so much, how touched his heart was by this woman that he had met and seen so little of outside of the battlefield.<br><br>His fingers pulled at her back before closing into a light fist, just enjoying the feeling of pressure against her. Smiling impossibly large, he closed his eyes a moment and leaned forward, his nose brushing against the tip of hers.<br><br>"You've given me joy."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>12-12-2010, 04:18:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The way he reacted made Anika feel warm, as if she had been thrust into a bath of lukewarm water that tingled against her skin. And the feel of his nose's tip brushing her own, his minty breath washing over her lips, it was all the more pleasant. Her hand continued in his hair for another moment as his words slowly sank into her as if moisture upon dry skin. Finally though, Anika pulled herself from the face-to-face bliss. <br><br>"Good." Anika pulled back from Chris before turning away from him, shifting down into the bed so that her back was facing his front. She snuggled into his form, pressed her body into his. She stretched her arms forward and caressed her legs against his own, enjoying the feel of their bare skin. With the warmth formed between them, the feel of Chris breathing so close to her, she could only feel total encompassing bliss. The woman closed her eyes and settled her breathing, relaxing more and more.<br><br>"Chris..." She whispered gingerly. "Sweet dreams, and goodnight." Anika said. And with that, she began to slowly drift off into the lightest, but richest slumber of a good long time.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>12-12-2010, 10:34:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Time drew out in the long moment, their breaths and heartbeats the most soothing music Christoph had ever heard. It was something he knew he could bask in for hours without ever thinking to check the time or worry about the pressing details of life. Her closeness, here, like this, obliterated tension and doubt. There was only warmth and want.<br><br>Chris eagerly took Anika's body against him, his knees pressing into the backs of hers, his arms moving to wrap across her stomach and hip, and clasp her from side to chest, his arm nestled between her breasts and tucking his hand at the meeting point of her collarbones. Just as Christoph had never felt so drawn to someone before, he had never felt so desirous of holding someone tightly against him. If she had wanted him to shift or move, he would have, but she gave no sign of dissatisfaction, and he held her fast against him. Breathing against the back of her neck, he drew his face forward to nuzzle at the back of her hair before settling, watching the subtle movement of breath through her chest and throat.<br><br>Closing his eyes, Christoph smiled at her words. "Good night, Anika." The sound of her voice, gentle and peaceful, felt like a rich reward to Chris, who knew, now, of what she had suffered and been through. To find a shred of peace to hold onto was something she deserved, something he wanted to give and let her enjoy. There was more than the slow death she had consigned herself to awaiting her, and Christoph had deeply wanted to show that to her and make it clear. In his arms, she seemed happier and more in love with life than she had been before... and that brought its own immense fulfillment and satisfaction.<br><br>Anika fell asleep before him, and Chris let the minutes drift by without much thought, finding solace in their closeness. Tomorrow would offer more of it, too, with her being free from her duties, and spending a day with her sounded very lovely. Christoph really didn't need any particular activity to go out and do with her... her company and conversation were enough on their own. Everything else felt like a backdrop to what really mattered.<br><br>Listening to her quiet breath, his heart beating quietly against her back, Chris eventually found himself drifting off. In part, he didn't want to have to let go of the moment, which stood out so singularly in his life since everything changed. It didn't seem like it would never come again, but every moment of this was precious and like gold in his memory. Kissing the back of her neck gently, slumber finally came.<br><br><br><hr><br><br>Throughout the night, Christoph never let go of Anika, keeping her held tight and firm against his body. Though his legs shifted in the den of sleep, it came calmly enough, and his arms had exactly what they wanted in them, something his subconscious knew well before he did.<br><br>His head shifted upward, eyes slowly opening to the sight of Anika's headboard, coming into focus with a thin moment of confusion. Lifting his head to look upon Anika's face, he let out a long, happy breath, and pulled her more firmly into him, finding nothing better to wake up to.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>12-12-2010, 22:25:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Anika felt a strong embrace, a long drawn breath exhaled into her hair, along her neck. She gave out a slight groan in the morning, the light in her room dim as her thick drapes were pulled shut, only a crack of light coming inward in a stream that flowed along the floor. Her legs extended against his in a stretch, her body arching against Christoph's. Her arms extended overhead as she then gripped the bed sheets and pulled herself over, turning to look at Christoph. In the morning, in the faint lighting, he was gorgeous. But Chris was a handsome and alluring creature in all lights. <br><br>Facing him, Anika leaned in, sleepily pressing her cheek to his shoulder. Her hands found his chest then snaked around his body like serpents slowly entrancing him. Soon she had her arms wrapped around him, her body pulled to his. Her legs nuzzled his own, her outer rising and caressing his before locking around his own. Her lips touched down upon his neck, lacing a few tender early kisses against the warm skin of his throat. As her eyes fluttered open, she leaned closer, her cheek to his and her breath pouring over the crook of his neck. <br><br>"Good morning." Anika whispered, her fingers running over his back as she lavished his heat, reveled in the splendor of a trusted body to be cradled near. Her heart was too tired to race so suddenly, but the thunderous, paced beats were strong. Healthy. Rhythmic. Her leg wrapped around his tighter, before pulling him into her, pulling the two unbelievably closer. Another slight groan/yawn came from her lips as she kissed his throat again.<br><br>"Would you be interested in breakfast?" She said in an almost inaudible brush of her lips to his skin.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 03:14:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Christoph's eyes flickered open at the sound of Anika waking and coming to move in his arms. His embrace grew a little looser to let her stretch and shift as she pleased, but it wasn't until she tried to turn that he released her fully, with a small hesitance.<br><br>Seeing the expression on Anika's face after waking, so empty of the wearies of battle and worry, was like seeing her at peace. There was a quiet, bright happiness around them, readily entangled with each other and thinking of nothing else in the calm moments of the morning. Feeling her in such a way brought a large smile to Chris' lips, finding joy in her ease.<br><br>After she put her arms around him, he did the same again, holding her gently. Her unexpected kisses brought a rise in his chest and sudden intake of breath, both surprised and unused to the sensation and its sudden effects on him. Within slight moments, his skin grew warmer, his eyes more alert, the touch of her lips more potent than the sun in waking his mind.<br><br>"Good morning," he replied quietly, softness spreading throughout his smile. Christoph swallowed a little, his heart beating at hers with the fierceness of life and want. Wrapped so tightly with her, he closed his eyes for a time, shuddering slightly at her mouth on his throat again. His breathing had risen in frequency and intensity for several moments of silence to her question before he could pull it back a little and smile again. There was nothing that really could have prepared him for how he would feel around her.<br><br>Opening his eyes, he drew a hand up to her cheek, thumb rubbing gently, and pulled back a little, looking to her for a moment with uncertain thoughts before his lips pulled into a small smile. "Yeah. But not yet." Bringing his face to hers, he pushed up on her nose with his, his lips smiling next to hers before pressing against them firmly as his fingers tightened against her back.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 07:50:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was obvious that Christoph did not want to leave the bed where he and Anika lay. And she liked that, liked the simple <em>not yet</em> that fell from his lips before she felt them meshed against her own. Again that static bliss flooded through her lips, electrified her veins and made her heart pound quickly. But this time one kiss was not quite enough. Anika loosened the iron binds on her passion, and let just the tiniest trickle of it bob to the surface. Her head began to tilt a bit, and her lips danced against his. Pushed a little more hungrily, while still affectionate. Closing against his, before parting. Anika inhaled his breath, his essence, her lungs filling of that remedy before her lips crashed unto his once more like a wave to the shore. Her arms wrapped firmly around his body, one hand pushing up the back of his neck and into his hair. Her lips parted once more, meeting and devouring his, her lips every brushing collide with his own sending sonic bursts of emotion through her normally emotionless body. <br><br>Finally stopping, Anika audibly gasped. Her head leaned back as if to divert her lips from moving on their own accord to taste more. She smiled, a brilliant wide thing that pulled her rich lips over her teeth. Her lips seemed a little darker than normal for their natural tone, the kissing having drawn blood to them. Made them more sensitive, made her want to continue using them in that state. Her head tilted forward, til her nose brushed against his and her eyes were deeply locked onto his.<br><br>"I fear the power of your lips to be the most powerful thing I've come upon. I do believe if anyone can defeat me, it might just be you babe." Anika whispered against his lips, her unique irises aligned with his own. "Mmm, your kiss is like a drug Christoph. I've never had anything quite like it before." And without another word, she leaned in, her lips capturing his for another few seconds before pulling away, letting the pulling gesture force their soft, slightly moistened lips to part.<br><br>"What would you like for breakfast, when we <em>do</em> decide to get out of bed?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 08:16:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Each kiss was a tingling shock to Christoph's body, radiating outward from his lips and exciting his heart further. Feeling the hunger and insistence in her mouth, the hand on her cheek moved between her shoulder blades, the other moving further down, and Chris' fingers dug tightly into her back. Pushing back against her lips, it felt like a barrier had been split and torn away, leaving him more bare and susceptible to her; he wanted her touches, the heady spark in their mouths pressed against one another with their bodies. Chris' dimly remembered passions did not compare to the want he felt for Anika now with her skin on his, bodies entwined tightly.<br><br>Breathing more deeply, trying to fuel the swift blood pulses of blood with air, he teased his bottom lip against hers, eyes holding an altogether different look for those moments, both more vulnerable and more desirous than Anika had yet seen in him. His fingers drew lower down her back, still pressing tightly, before stopping again.<br><br>Grinning a little at her words, he kissed her back, preferring that to a vocal answer. There was nothing better to say, and he didn't want to think of the other meanings of what she said. His second form didn't matter right now. Everything here was more important.<br><br>At her question, the look dimmed somewhat from his eyes, tugging more at his faculties. What did he want for breakfast? Christoph really didn't care, but she asked him, so she deserved some kind of lead. "Mm... eggs and toast." Releasing breaths onto her lips, his heart calmed a little in the thought, hands growing less intense on her back. Perhaps he was getting ahead of himself; Chris felt like he was standing on a cliff with one foot half off the edge, and the smallest push could send him over.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 08:50:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Anika found his answer empty, and just a quick escape, and she chuckled deviously. There was something fiery about the potential between them, the embers waiting to feel hot life. For a moment though, she just smiled. Grinned at him as their hearts both pounded excitedly. But smiling only lasted so long. <br><br>Gripping the sheets, she jerked them away, revealing Christoph and her own bodies in what they had gone to bed in. His shirt and boxers, her babydoll gown. And without much reason, foresight, or hints, Anika twisted up in a fast motion given only by both a woman compelled by desire and a woman trained to kill. <br><br>Anika brought herself over his body in a split second, legs spread and body straddling his own. She put her hands on his chest, smiling mischievously as she drew them down his body. Her bare thighs rested against the legs of his boxers, her knees caressing the sides of his upper body that his shirt did not cover by being pushed up by her fingertips. As she moved, she gripped the hem of his shirt and rolled it up his body, waiting for him to raise his shoulders and arms so that she could fully remove it before tossing it aside to the floor. Immediately her hands traveled his body. Careful over the bandages, but then slow and tender along his stomach, the band of his boxers, the sides of his rib cage, then inward to his chest, outward to his shoulders. Leaning in as she moved further up, her body rested a little more on his, and her mind was losing all control. She could feel his body beneath hers, her panties rubbing against his boxers- that form-fitting little undergarment no protection from the sensations of his own waist. It made her blood boil, her heart want to explode. Inward, finally, she brushed her lips to his own. Her hands trailed off from his shoulders and down his arms, finding his hands. Her fingers locked with his, moving his arms upward over his head a bit. And as their kiss continued, Anika felt her grip on control loosening. As her lips meshed with his, they began to part. Her tongue danced behind her lips to meet his, begging for her to surrender and let her tongue <em>taste</em> him. But she refrained. The kiss ensued, perfect and rich. <br><br>Anika felt it, her boundaries slipping. Her back arched, and she drove her hips down into his, grinding into his body powerfully, a liquid sensation of ecstasy running into her legs, into her core. As immediately as she drove into him, her lips broke the kiss and a soft exhale came out, borderline moan before she let out a wild grin against his lips. Time to, how to put it, abandon ship?<br><br>She twisted her body and released his hands, twisting like a trained fighter and landing in a strong crouch on the floor. Coming to a stand she took a few steps away from the bed before turning and giving a pleasant and quick sigh. Then she began to move slowly for the kitchen, stopping in the door frame to look back at him.<br><br>"I'm going to have to invite you over to spend the night more often. Now, I think I'll start on breakfast before we get... carried away." She winked at Christoph then, and headed into the kitchen, the dress in the full morning light pouring through the windows availing the true glory of her curvaceous porcelain figure. "Eggs and toast right? I'm sure I'll add a bit more to it though. I'm feeling... rather well, this morning."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 09:11:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Christoph's mild reluctance gave way to surprise as she tore away the sheets and straddled him, having absolutely no expectation for the sudden shift. Though Anika had dropped various hints of seductive interest and energy, up until now she hadn't shown such fire and want in her eyes, and as keen as Chris' was, it stunned him for a moment. Complying easily with her pulling up his shirt, his eyes sought hers, both curious and a little challenging, wondering where she was going. At the touch of her hands, his gaze moved to follow her hands, the mix of their warmth and the slight chill at bare skin a teasing sensation across his body.<br><br>It worked very well in exciting his heart, and Chris' hips pushed up against hers as she brought hers over his, moving of their own volition and interest. Finding her lower back with his hands, he drew them across her back and along her spine, fingers applying pressure again before she took hold of them and moved them over his head. Leaning up into her kiss, not content to just lie back and let her touch him, he released a hot breath after her mouth broke contact, his eyes reflecting the intensity of the desire she stirred in him.<br><br>When she ground down into him, his fingers pressed tightly into her hands, fighting their control as he pushed back with his body, the sensation a siren call for him. Seeing the wild grin, he had a fraction of a moment of thought before she pulled off of him, going fast to the floor. Looking at her from the bed, suddenly freed, his chest rose and fell as he watched her, his lips forming half-words.<br><br>Narrowing his eyes, all while grinning, he quickly got out of bed, leaving his shirt behind as he followed her. "Like what?" he asked to her notion, though he was quite content with having more than just eggs and toast - they were just what initially came to mind, after all.<br><br>Standing in the kitchen near her, he laid a hand down on one of the counters, soaking up the cool temperature of it to try and balance the furious heat in him. Still watching her, he spoke up as she began pulling things out, "I'd like to help." The look in her eyes told her <em>or else</em>, and he seemed as serious as he did playful about it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 09:26:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As he entered the kitchen, Anika only laughed. Her new mood was strange to her, but it felt good. Free, relaxing. The woman drew out two pans onto the stove and then moved to the fridge. She pulled out eggs, shredded cheese, and bacon. Then she pulled out a navel orange and a grapefruit. Orange juice then came next out of the fridge. When all of those things were out, Anika turned sharply to face him, arms falling on his shoulders and fingers pushing into the back of his head's rich dark reddish hair. <br><br>"Mmm, or... what?" She purred. "Don't punish me yet- I'm going to let you help." She smiled. Her body leaned into his and she met his lips, the passion of having woken to each other in raw desire still not yet faded out. One kiss led to two, then three, and ended with her enclosing her lips around his lower, tugging it and letting her tongue caress that lower bit of smooth tantalizing flesh. When Anika released his lip, she turned back and gestured to the eggs and cheese. "Think you can scramble eggs Christoph?" She smiled, grabbing a knife and two black sutton plates and beginning to slice the fruit.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 09:40:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Raising a brow and smirking a bit - but only a bit, because it dissolved quickly into a smile - he replied, "Good." Ready to move, she surprised him again with her lips on his, and felt the tug again in his chest, his own mouth pushing back quickly after the first. Nipping at her lips after she let go, teeth snapping lightly, he watched her move away with smoldering eyes. Christoph hadn't expected her to be so... cloying at this, just as he hadn't expected his own significant reaction.<br><br>Letting out a heavy breath, trying to refocus himself, he nodded to her question, amusement playing over his features. He didn't actually feel that frustrated, though the pull of desire was thick and strong, like a chain embedded into his chest. "How cooked do you like your eggs, Anika?" Grinning at her lightly, he pulled out a few eggs after getting the heat going, holding and cracking each with one hand only, spreading them apart as they cracked with his thumb and finger, and closing the shells similarly after they loosed their contents into the frying pan. Pulling out a spatula and working on them, it was clear that he had done his fair share of cooking himself.<br><br>While he scrambled the eggs, Christoph stole a few glances at Anika, partially to just look at her and partially to marvel at how much his life had changed with her presence. So much was different now, because of her, and it was so intense that it was hard to neatly consider it as reality; even his wild emotions as an Amalgum gave him no real preparation for this.<br><br>As she sliced fruit, Chris went ahead and found the bread on his own, pulling out slices and popping them into the toaster. If Anika seemed to mind, he'd give her a quirk of the eyebrow and a <em>What are you going to do about it?</em> look with his smile. Something about her recent shift in mood made him more... competitive, almost, but not quite. He had seen something pull out of her, and he was drawn to taunting her further.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 09:55:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Anika sliced small wedges of the navel orange and grapefruit, and plated them on the sides of the plates. When that was done, she noticed he was doing both the eggs and even the toast. Anika put a hand on her hip and smiled. <br><br>"I like my eggs however you like them Mr. Chef." She grinned, stepping closer to him as he cooked. "You can go on and put the bacon on too, since you're already doing this thing quite well." Anika came up behind him, pressed her body against his. Her hands gripped his hips and slid around his front, running over his stomach as she pressed her cheek against his shoulder blade. "I've never had a man cook breakfast for me, you should be honored." Anika grinned, enjoying his bare skin against her, underneath her palms and fingers, like nothing else. She almost craved nudity if only to be able to feel his every inch nuzzled to her skin. Anika turned her head, kissed along his shoulder blade, and then pulled away. <br><br>"What would you like to drink? I usually pour spirit glasses of orange juice and then a larger glass of something else. I've got water, tea, and a few fruit-juices." Anika said softly, pulling out forks while she waited.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 10:15:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"As you wish," he said, grinning back and looking a bit more heated at the touch of her body and hands. The sideglance turning a little sly, he brushed his fingers just barely over her while he tended to the eggs. "I do feel honored." Being here with her, like this, was a delight regardless. He supposed it was letting him further into her world, to have some measure of control in her kitchen, and thus her life... but her letting him in as much as she had was enough to satisfy and please him. Shivering a little at the kiss on his shoulder blade, he gave a quiet, amused snort. Chris could definitely tell that Anika would be a handful.<br><br>"Orange juice and water will be fine," he replied, turning down the heat on the eggs as he started up the bacon, shifting his attention mostly to them; he wanted to get them done quickly, hot off the stove to go with everything else that would be shortly done. After stirring up all of the strips, he turned off the heat to the eggs, moving it off the burner.<br><br>As the smells of the food wafted through the kitchen, Christoph had a distinctly different feel for the entire experience than before, being in just his boxers and with the more... pulling, intimate company of Anika. Looking between her and the bacon, his tongue came out for a moment, licking his lips, and was followed with a smile.<br><br>Finishing up the cooking, Chris went to go get the plates for them. Finding himself near Anika, he slipped his arms around her, drawing her back to his chest and holding her tightly for a moment, leaning down to kiss the hairs on her neck very, very gently. Grinning a bit, he brought his teeth to her skin lightly, grazing over the flesh before squeezing with his arms and letting go. "Cooking's done."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dreamers Sand</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 10:29:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Anika held her embrace for a little while before releasing him. She took the two glasses of orange juice to the table, then a glass of water and a glass of tea. After that, napkins and utensils, watching him plate the food. It looked rather delicious- Chris was ever proving himself more and more amazing. It was then, before even getting to the table that he came behind her. Kissed and nipped her neck. The grazing of the teeth was what did it though, made Anika melt in his arms like butter on- toast. <br><br>Her smile came to be as she shuddered tangibly in his grip, biting her lower lip lightly as her eyes fell shut. Leaning back into his body, she gestured to the toaster. <br><br>"I'll get the toast and butter, and bring the plates to the table. Go sit down... before breakfast has to be postponed." The woman chuckled, pushing out of his embrace and shuddering again. God his feel, his body and breath, his lips. She'd never been so entranced by a man before. Her world was upside down with him. But it was a good upside down. She reached over to the toast, taking it and setting it on the plates, then grabbing a dish of butter and using a butter-knife to smear butter onto the hot toast. Then she grabbed the plates and walked to the table, setting them down before sitting herself.<br><br>The cold contrast of the chair was shocking compared to the warmth of his tender yet firm body. But it was a nice factor to pull her out of her rich dreamlike state. She took her fork and gently speared a bit of eggs before taking a bit, then smiling at Christoph.<br><br>"Good job, you cook rather well. Then again, you do a lot of things well I've noticed. One of the best things you do well has to be the way you leave me absolutely entranced by your every breath, drawing me in like a moth to a flame. It's quite nice, and unusual for me." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blassreiter [Eternity/Anael]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ferrousaemyr</strong> on <strong>16-12-2010, 00:37:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sitting down at the table after letting Anika free from his arms, he filled up his plate and took to eating quickly. The food was good, he noted, and he liked the variety; he usually didn't go to elaborate lengths for himself, settling with staple recipes that were good and didn't require too much work. Any moment could send him packing into the streets, after all, and a few seconds often made the difference between life and death. It was only with Anika's presence that he felt more interested in making something more delicious, more elaborate. Being around her managed to make him more interested in life outside of vengeance.<br><br>Smiling across the table at her, between politely putting away the mix of entrees, he regarded her with the same measure of curiosity and warmth he had given while they were together in bed, reveling in being close. "Why do you think that is, that we find ourselves so changed by one another?" Though he wasn't as explicit about it as her, he had no compunctions about revealing that. Since being with her, since opening up and baring most of himself - excepting a certain, sensitive matter - he had felt everything beginning to change. Life was altering its flow before his eyes, and dormant pieces of him had awakened just as new experiences pulled new reactions out of him.<br><br>Christoph had never felt about anyone so strongly before, after all. It was like the difference between his muscles and power since becoming an Amalgum. He was completely different, really, and the emotions Anika inspired him were of a very different level and taste than what had come before her.<br><br>"It's been very surprising for me, being around you. Now that I've had it, though," he said, a touched grin on his lips, "I wouldn't trade it in for anything."
			</dd>
		</dl>
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