Phoenix Rising (Private RP)

Orderedchaos • 18 January 2017 at 12:55 PM

Over 200 years ago the old world ended in a wave of terror as creatures out of nightmares emerged into the world and began ripping it apart. From the ashes of the old governments arose the Dark Phoenix, uniting the remnants of humanity under their rule. Only the Dark Phoenix could keep the horrors at bay with their soldiers, some of whom seemed to be almost superhuman.

New cities arose in the shattered remains of the old. Each one safe haven from the terrors that now roamed the land. Each one under the firm rule of the Dark Phoenix. Life in the cities was tolerable enough, so long as you did not speak out against the ruling elite. Those that did disappeared in the night only to be seen again broken and on display for the populace as a sign of what happens to dissenters, if they were seen again at all.

In the years following the apocalypse a few people began to develop powers. Powers like those wielded by the Dark Phoenix’s elite soldiers. Once found, these people were whisked away by Dark Phoenix soldiers, some later appeared among their ranks while others were never seen again. Anyone displaying unnatural abilities are treated with fear and distrust by the populace at large.

The cities themselves are divided into 3 sections. An inner ring where the ruling elite and most trusted soldiers live. The second ring houses the bulk of the soldiers and supporters of the Dark Phoenix’s rule. The outer ring holds everyone else. Soldiers rarely patrol in the outer ring. Only making appearances to keep the worst of the wild animals and terrors at bay or to swoop in and carry off rebels or those with powers.

Outside of the cities lies a scarred wasteland. Wild beasts mutated almost beyond recognition and nightmarish terrors roamed the land unchecked, both due to the strange energies released by the apocalypse. Few live outside of a city’s minimal protection. Only those who have been exiled or who refuse to live under the Dark Phoenix’s rule live out in the wastes.

There have always been rumors of rebellion against the Dark Phoenix. Rumors that have always been promptly squashed by the ruling elite. However, no matter how hard the Dark Phoenix tries to quell thoughts of rebellion they never manage to completely stamp it out. There is a rumor that somewhere out in the wastes lies the rebel headquarters and that the rebels will stop at nothing to reveal the truth about what the Dark Phoenix really is.

~~~~~~~~~~
Character Form

Name:
Alias (if any):
Gender:
Age:
Appearance:
Personality:
Alliance (Dark Phoenix, Exile, Rebel, Elite, etc.):
Powers (if any):
Weapons (if any):
Past:
Other (Fears, dislikes, family, etc.):

@bunnyshadow
Let the fun begin!

bunnyshadow • 18 January 2017 at 2:08 PM

@Orderedchaos

Form :

Name: Jenaux Serdtse
Alias: Vechnyy. An endearing name used by those that are known to be the Elite followers of the Dark Phoenix. It is derived from another language, a word that otherwise means “Eternal”.
Gender: Female
Age: 285. She was born little more than a decade before the Dark Phoenix seized the world.
Appearance: Jenaux appears to be in her early twenties, perhaps younger. Her hair is a pure white color, though it does shine with a silvery brilliance that makes it known that it is invigorated with magic. She is as far from normal as her appearance can offer. Her skin gives off an very rare healthy glow, that even the well fed Elite have trouble getting. She is of a moderate height overall, taller than most women but shorter than most men. Jenaux is relatively thin, but not overly so like how most starving civilians are. Her lips are full and pink, her eyes are large and feline, and her eyebrows are soft and arched. One of her eyes is a vibrant shade of purplish-gray while the other is pale gold. For the most part, she is usually wearing white colored clothes that consist of a hooded cloak that billows elegantly around her curved hips. Underneath, she wears tight black pants completed with a pair of short heeled boots and a black corset top. To complete the outfit, she has an elbow length white glove on either hand.
Personality: Jenaux is bipolar to say the least. For someone that has lived as long as she has, the woman has been through all stages of life, and several identities as well. She is solitary for the most part, but demands the attention and respect that the woman thinks she rightfully deserves for her time spent in the guild. For the most part, she looks down upon others. For someone that is nearly immortal, Jenaux is unusually keen to not having her time wasted. Definitely very cold to those living in both the mid and outer rings of the cities, but she does give respect to Exiles for some strange reason.
Alliance: Dark Phoenix
Powers: In simple words, immortality. Jenaux has mastery over both life and death. She has the power to siphon off of living things with the touch of her hands. Jenaux has been killing off people, animals, mutants and beasts to extend her existence for nearly three decades. She cannot “turn off” her power, but as long as there is no direct contact it will not take affect. It is both a blessing and a curse. Though Jenaux can live forever, she can also still die under certain circumstances. For example, she can still drown, starve, and more.
Weapons : Two double edged swords that hang threateningly on her left side.
Past: As a young adult, her family was associated with the Dark Phoenix when the underground society was first created. Her father had been one of the first members of the guild, having taken part in it’s creation. Along with that, he was set to be part of the first group to go through the process of receiving superhuman abilities. Instead of coming out of it gifted with a special ability, something went terribly wrong and he died when she was but 18 years. As his only legacy, she was warily taken in by the others despite her youth. Jenaux volunteered to be part of the next group, and they let her in due to the fact that no one wanted to take the risk of death. The process succeeded, and she got her power of eternal life. As the years sped by, others aged, but her youth remained. Jenaux probably knows more secrets of the guild than anybody else, except perhaps the great Emperor.
Other: Jenaux has long given up on finding love. Though she has been living for longer than anyone can remember, Jenaux has yet to find happiness. It’s sad really, the fact that someone can live long enough to have seen enough friends and lovers pass away that they had given up on that all together. Jenaux is a questionable figure at the least, having been around for as long as she is. Children of children have seen her roam from city to city, making sure that all abide by the Dark Phoenix’s rule. She is both revered by the Elite out of fear and respect for her length of time in the guild, and detested by nearly anyone else because of that very same reason. Jenaux makes her appearance well known as much as possible, though there are times where she sticks to the shadows.

[EDIT]

A shining white number glows dimly on her left shoulder blade, counting the amount of years Jenaux has left to live. On her right shoulder blade, a similar number keeps track of her days. The numbers constantly shift as her lifespan lengthens and shortens.

Orderedchaos • 18 January 2017 at 3:39 PM

@bunnyshadow

Name: Lindarin
Alias (if any): Lin (nickname)
Gender: Female
Age: 25
Appearance: Lin is rather small, a byproduct of not getting enough to eat growing up in the outer ring. She is rather short and lean with a look of being underfed. However years of hunting and scavenging have honed her muscles to a whipcord strength. Lin keeps her reddish brown hair short and usually pulled away from her face. Her eyes are a dark green and her skin tanned and weathered from years of exposure to the sun and elements. Her clothing is plain, functional, and tends to have more pockets than you’d expect. She always wears a dusty brown cloak that doubles as warmth and protection from the elements as well as helping her blend into her surroundings when she’s out scavenging/hunting. The only bit of color she wears is a necklace made of colorful rocks, glass, beads, and other small charms that she’s found over the years of scavenging. She keeps this necklace hidden under her shirt.
Personality: Lin has learned that those who go unnoticed, both in and out of the city, tend to survive longer than those who don’t. She prefers to say little and keeps mostly to herself. She’s learned to never trust anyone fully but she will work together with others in order to survive. She keeps a tight rein on her emotions, especially her anger, knowing that any outburst could bring the wrong people down on her.
Alliance (Dark Phoenix, Exile, Rebel, Elite, etc.): None at the moment, she is more concerned with survival and staying off the Dark Phoenix's radar
Powers (if any): Shadow manipulation, she can manipulate the shape and density (darkness) of shadows, Lin can use this power to give herself what she calls a "cloak of shadows" that allows her to hide more effectively in dark places, at night she can be nearly invisible, however the more light there is and the stronger the light the less her power functions, her power is nearly useless at midday or a brightly lit room
Weapons (if any): a few small knives that she keeps hidden around her person that she uses for self defense, a short bow that she uses for protection when scavenging
Past: Lin grew up in the outer ring of the city with her family. From early on she learned how to scavenge for pieces of old tech out in the wastes that could be traded for food or other goods. Over the years her family slowly whittled away until it was just her and an older cousin left. A couple years ago this cousin disappeared and no one knows why or to where. At times she’s used her power to spy in second ring, gathering information to keep her and others safe as well as information that she can sell for the right price.
Other (Fears, dislikes, family, etc.): Lin lives in constant fear that someone will discover her power. She puts little trust in her neighbors, knowing that if any of them found out she would be turned in, but she does what she can to help keep her small neighborhood alive and functioning. Lin both hopes for and fears the day the she discovers what happened to her cousin. She hopes that he is alive and well, but fears that he may have been taken and imprisoned or killed by the Dark Phoenix.

bunnyshadow • 18 January 2017 at 4:11 PM

@Orderedchaos

Name: Enoche. His last name is unknown, and his first was given to himself by himself.
Alias:
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Appearance - Human: His hair is shaved on one side while the other half is long and shaggy and hangs down to his neck. His eyes are dark, and his pupils are unusually large, giving off an odd and very canine feeling. The tips of his fingernails are sharply pointed, and behind his closed mouth are four sharp canines that peak out from behind his lips. He wears a heavy silver chain around his neck, almost as if to remind himself to tame his inner beast. Enoche is well built and covered in rippling muscles. He has a sharp jawline, and the word “Maneater” is tattooed across his muscular chest. Wears loose pants with holes in them and a tattered shirt when he can get his hands on one. When he can't, he walks shirtless.
Appearance - Animal: As a hyena, he has thick coarse fur. It’s a dark brown shade, with dozens of heavy black spots decorating his body. His underbelly is a muted hue of gray. That’s where the normal appearance of a hyena ends. His front and hind legs are large and covered in bulging muscles, with large claws protruding from the end of his paws. Sharp rows of teeth line the inside of his large snout. His ears are big and pointed, and one of them is missing the tip. He has a long snaking tail, and a long spittle covered tongue to match that. Around the size of a average human.
Personality: Enoche has animalistic tendencies to say the least. Oftentimes, he is seated back, licking his hands and arms, both growling and snarling at anyone that dares to near him. It is obvious that he is not entirely sane and not entirely human by the way he tears into live food and breaks the bones of his meat with his jaws. The man laughs like his animal counterpart, even when no one has told a joke.
Alliance: Exile
Powers: He is a shapeshifter, having the ability to morph into a mutated hyena. In his human form, he has everything he does as an animal, including heightened strength, hearing, smell and speed. Enoche has incredible night vision. The downfall to his power is that the longer he remains as a hyena, the more of his own humanity he loses. The longer he stays in his human form, the more sane he becomes, albeit slowly, it will be surely.
Weapons: Nothing but his claws and teeth.
Past: His family lived in the outer circle. Could not afford to raise a child, threw him out into the wastelands, especially because of his huge appetite. Nowadays, he roams the streets of the very edge of the outer circle, scavenging for food or the occasional stray human that has mistakenly wandered out at night. Though he does appear during the day, he tends to stay away from humans due to the fact of his obvious mutations.
Other: He is a scavenger, able to eat food alive and raw. More often than not, he is a man eater.

Orderedchaos • 18 January 2017 at 7:29 PM

@bunnyshadow
Lin crept slowly and cautiously through the darkened alleyway. Even though the shadows cloaked her form, hiding her from unfriendly eyes, she could still be heard if she wasn't careful. Lin could not afford mistakes, not tonight, not this far into the second ring.

Her mission was two-fold. First, she had taken a job to slip into one of the storerooms and steal some various medicines supplies. Nothing too valuable that might bring the guards out in force, but small things that wouldn't be missed right away like pain relievers, simple antibiotics, and clean bandages. That part of the night had gone easily enough, the goods now tucked away in her various pockets. The storehouse wasn't heavily guarded and the guards that were there were too busy playing cards to notice much.

Lin’s second job was going to be much more difficult. Today was the day that the new guard schedules were posted posted and there were always people willing to buy such information and pay well for it too. The first job was her cover for this one, her real reason to be in the second ring. No one hired her for this one, no one even knew that it was she who gathered the information. No, Lin didn’t let anyone know that part. Anyone who payed for this information didn’t know who it came from just that if money was left in an agreed upon spot they’d find their info there the next day.

Ahead Lin could see the glow from one of the barrack's windows. She crouched low, pulling more shadows around her. The new guard schedule would be posted on a board in the main room. If she climbed onto the nearby building she could get a view of the board through one of the windows. Making sure that no one was around Lin climbed to the roof by way of an old drainpipe. Once one the roof she crawled on her belly towards the edge, the glow from the guardhouse window ahead and just slightly below her.

Reaching into a pocket Lin withdrew a small instrument, one of her most treasured possessions, a spyglass. Peering through the spyglass Lin found the noticeboard, there in the center was the new guard schedule. She read it over several times, silently mouthing the words and names to fix them in her mind. Withdrawing a piece of charcoal from another pocket drew a few quick, simple shapes on her belt, shapes that she could use to recall the new patrol patterns.

After replacing the charcoal and spyglass in their pockets Lin crawled back from the edge slowly, careful to not make a sound. Lin doubled checked that there was no one around before she carefully climbed down from the roof. Upon reaching the ground she began to make her way back towards the outer ring, make sure to not take the most direct path from the guardhouse. If anyone saw her she didn’t want them to think that that was where she was coming from, not today.

With a little luck she’d get back to the outer ring with no one from the second ring knowing that she’d been there. As she made her way back towards the outer ring Lin prayed to the spirits that her luck would hold until she made it home.

bunnyshadow • 18 January 2017 at 10:59 PM

@Orderedchaos

~~~

The low growl that emitted from his throat was definitely not human, and the dried grass nearby shivered lightly in the stinging wind. Enoche's hands trembled, his already sharp nails digging furiously in the ground as dark fur sprouted from his spine. "Y-yes..." He snarled now, chest heaving lightly as spit dribbled from his lolling tongue.

There was another low rumble, but this one came from his stomach. His ribs bulged angrily from under the mass of fur, it was obvious that the beast hadn't had a good meal in ages. He lifted his large head in the air, pointed ears perking upwards as his heightened senses did it's job. He could hear the howling wind, but that seemed to be it. And then there it was.

"I smell...." Enoche trailed off in a baritone snarl, sniffing the air heavily through his distorted snout. His muscular front legs hit the dirt ground with a heavy thud, followed quickly by his abnormally large hind ones. He could feel the dirt gathering in his coarse fur, but paid no mind to it as he sprinted towards the familiar form of the city.

The past few nights had been relatively still. It seemed that the inhabitants of the outer ring had caught on to the dangers of wandering out past curfew, but there seemed to be somebody out and about tonight. He skidded to a stop behind a crumbling home, sniffing the air heavily again, now that he had closed the distance significantly.

Enoche bared his sharp teeth now, and spit flowed freely from his hungering maw when the scent reached him. He licked the points of his teeth as he crept forwards slowly. The shapeshifter knew this odor by heart. Enoche had been catching several whiffs of it for the past year now, and it had nearly become an obsession for him to find the owner.

The beast chuckled loudly now, the yipping of his howling laughter echoing noisily as the wind carried it around the outer ring. Maybe that was why he hadn't been able to catch any prey lately. His rowdy guffawing was warning enough for anyone to hide, but no hiding place was safe so long as they were alone and his nose did it's proper job.

He lifted his large head off the ground as he darted forwards with newfound energy. It wasn't long until he reached the outer ring of which people currently took shelter. His nose found itself being assaulted by new scents--fresh scents, but he shook his heavy head angrily as he focused his attention on the one from before. The one he had never been able to get his hungry jaws around. What little light from the lamps hanging nearby cast shadows across the dried ground. He perked up suddenly, his tail waving back and forth excitedly as the smell grew stronger.

It was nearing.

The flickering fires hidden behind the thin shell lamps impaired his night vision slightly, but he ignored it as he shook his head back and forth in search of his prey. Enoche forced himself to remain calm. He couldn't let it get away, not again.

The aroma entered his nostrils, and he sniffed it heavily. The scent invigorated him, and he could have sworn that his prey was within pouncing range. His eyes adjusted to the darkness, and he saw it now. A small figure sneaking by. Shadows clung to the figure's form protectively, but it did nothing against his night-vision.

Unable to hold himself back, he let out a ferocious howl, hind legs bending sharply right before he pounced, sharp claws extending dangerously from his front paws.

Orderedchaos • 19 January 2017 at 5:36 PM

@bunnyshadow

Almost home. Lin thought as she darted through the outer ring’s streets.

A wind whipped down the street bringing with it the sound of distant hysterical laughter. A sharp icicle of fear stabbed into Lin’s guts. Lin cursed and picked up her pace. She pulled the shadows closer to her as she eyed the surrounding buildings searching for somewhere safe she could hide. Her gaze was met with only doors and windows that had been barred for the night. With one hand Lin pulled a shiv from her sleeve, holding it ready incase whatever made that laughter came close. Lin began to look for a way onto the rooftops.

A howl erupted from behind and Lin screamed in fear, no longer caring if anyone heard her, in fact hoping someone might hear her. She lept to the side hoping to avoid the beast’s attack but was only partially successful. One of the beast's paws caught her cloak, its weight pulling her down. Lin felt a line of pain burn down her back as a sharp claw scored a mark on her flesh. The hand holding the shiv lashed out, striking something, as Lin scrambled to her feet.

The pain emanating from Lin’s back burned away the chill of fear replacing it with anger. Anger that she had let her guard down enough to let some wild animal sneak up on her. Lin spun to face the beast, drawing her one of her good knives in the process. When she saw the giant hyena fear tried to trickle back into her mind, for this was no ordinary beast. Instead of giving into the fear she drew upon her anger and snarled back at the hyena keeping the knife between her and it as she backed away.

“I will not become dinner for some overgrown mutie dog.” Lin growled as the shadows fell away from her, they wouldn’t do her much good in this situation.

Without taking her eyes of the beast Lin continued to back up slowly. She had seen a stack of dilapidated crates leaning against one of the buildings that she could use to get up on the roof. One look at the beast's muscular back legs and Lin thought that it might be able to follow her up onto the rooftops but there was chance that it might not and that slim chance was all she had to go on. If she could make it to the crates.

bunnyshadow • 19 January 2017 at 8:26 PM

@Orderedchaos

~~~

The guttural yipping that exited from Enoche's mouth was filled with unadulterated excitement. His maniacal laughing nearly covered the feminine scream that left his prey's mouth. The knife had done nothing but tear through the coarse gray fur of his underbelly, maybe even skidding his thick skin and drawing a thin streak of blood.

The cloth from her cloak stuck to his large claws, and he leapt back in preparation to lunge at the woman again. The tattered material flailed uselessly in the wind under his enormous paws, and Enoche shook his head energetically.

"I've been...." He trailed off now, long tongue dragging across the ground as he let out another loud cackle. "I-I've been following you." The beast sniffed noisily now, panting heavily as the scent of blood entered his flaring nostrils. It was a mixture of both his and hers, but he found himself almost able to taste the iron on his tongue.

Momentarily distracted by the shadows drooping around her form, he tilted his head curiously as the darkness fell aside to reveal her slim form. Shadows, huh? Now that was something strange. He overlooked that discovery when he focused back on her. She was almost as starved as he was if his eyes weren't playing tricks.

Victory was within reach. No human or beast had ever managed to outrun him.

"The laws of the wild apply here." Enoche smiled toothily, taking as many steps forward as she did back. His voice was raspy and rough, overall very fitting of the monster it came from. "I'm the king of THIS food chain!" He growled harshly, fangs bared in a giant grin.

The beast ran forwards, his bone-crushing jaw opening and closing as he snapped at the woman's tiny frame.

Orderedchaos • 20 January 2017 at 3:56 PM

@bunnyshadow

It spoke. The creature spoke. Before Lin had a chance to process this information it lunged at her. Lin just barely managed to dodge out of the way of the snapping jaws. The massive jaws came so close Lin could feel the heat of the beast’s breath and its drool spattered her clothing.

Reaching out Lin grabbed one of oil lamps that cast its dim, flickering glow on the street and threw it at the ground. As it shattered the flame brightened, quickly consuming the spilled oil, casting the shadows into sharp relief. Acting purely on instinct Lin’s power reached out the shadows, taking hold of them and throwing them at the beast’s head, seeking to blind and distract it.

Without checking to see if it worked Lin turned and bolted towards the crates, pulling more shadows around her, becoming as one with the darkness as she could. Jumping and scrambling she pulled herself onto the roof. As she pulled herself up she kicked at the top crate causing it to fall. Anyone or thing trying to follow her on to the roof would have to jump now.

Lin ran, dodging around chimneys, jumping gaps, and scrambling over ledges. Fear had taken hold of her again and her only thoughts were to get to home and safety. The only thing Lin could hear was her own ragged breathing, she didn’t know whether or not she had lost the beast. Ahead of her was a familiar gap in the rooftops, her street. The drop to the ground jolted fresh pain from her back, causing Lin to hiss and swear. Lin dashed to her door and flung it open. Once inside she slammed the door closed and bolted it. Grabbing her bow and quiver she crouched in the corner farthest from the door, arrow nocked, waiting to see if anything would try to come through.

bunnyshadow • 20 January 2017 at 4:27 PM

@Orderedchaos

~~~

Jenaux knocked harshly against the heavy set wooden doors. The sun had set hours ago, and the moon stood tall in the sky, it’s moonlight shining weakly against the white paint of the large mansion. She knocked again, then looked up at the glass windows of the second story. There was a flash of movement, and a lamplight was put out. It took a moment, but the door was pulled open by a thin girl.

“Where is your master?” Jenaux said bluntly to the servant.

“He is on a mission to wipe out a tiny rebel group in the barrenlands.”

Jenaux pushed the door open all the way, and it trembled angrily when it slammed back. The small girl cowered at the sudden movement, scurrying away from Jenaux’s threatening form. “I took care of them a long time ago.” She said, as she walked purposefully past the stairs and into the living room. Jenaux stopped halfway down the hall, examining a shelf filled with glass silverware. “The citymaster hasn’t given extermination orders in several weeks.” Jenaux turned to face the servant, her cloak whipping angrily against the hallway walls. “Where is his workroom?”

The small servant hesitantly nodded at Jenaux’s words. “This way.” She said weakly, leading Jenaux up the spiraling staircase.

The pair treaded down another long hallway at the top of the stairs, her eyes examining and overlooking the many expensive paintings and vases decorating the tables and walls. They stopped in front of a closed room, and Jenaux reached to open the door. There was a sharp click, and the knob stopped mid turn.

Locked.

“Does he live alone?” Jenaux asked waywardly as she pulled out one of her blades. She slammed the hilt against the doorknob as the servant answered with a tiny yes. The knob struggled to hold, trembling from force as Jenaux slammed the hilt down for the second time.

“It’s just him and you then?” Jenaux interrogated as she hit the knob once again. There was a loud crack, and it fell to the floor with a thud. She pushed the door open gently, almost as if to make up for the mistreatment outside.

“No…” The servant said quietly. Jenaux turned over her shoulder, her heterochromia eyes narrowing slightly. The small girl got the hint to continue without any further notice. “He has several men come over every fortnight.”

Jenaux acknowledged the information with a slight nod, before moving fully into the room. She sheathed her sword. Papers littered the tables, and she picked up a thick folder from the top of the wood desk. She flipped through the pages slowly at first, then quicker as she neared the end. “Your master is a rebel.” Jenaux said bluntly, throwing the file down on the ground. The papers slid messily across the floorboards.

“I will have his head when he comes home.”
There was a quiet howl, and Jenaux turned to face the servant. “What was that?” She said suddenly, hand resting on the hilt of her swords.

The servant cowered. “It’s the monster that haunts the outer ring.” The girl said quietly. “It kills and eats even the strongest of men. Some say it’s an exile that has grown powers stronger than those in the Dark Phoenix.”

“No one has powers as strong as I.” Jenaux snapped angrily at the servant. “I should kill you for daring to speak out li-” She was cut off as another howl resounded, this one followed by maniacal laughter.

“He is more daring now, if he’s wandered this far into the city.” The girl’s eyes widened as she spoke, her fear of the beast beating her fear of Jenaux’s threats.

“Unbelievable.” Jenaux said angrily. “I will hunt that beast down and show you peasants living in the outer ring what a real warrior is.” She turned with a flourish, heading down the stairs despite the servant girl’s pleas. The door slammed shut angrily behind the woman’s back, and she beckoned her large horse over, mounting the animal. She slapped it’s flank, and the black stallion reared angrily, before breaking out into a run down the streets. The houses changed drastically as she left the edge of the inner ring and made her way through the second. Homes went from two or three story mansions into smaller one story houses.

Her cloak flapped angrily in the midnight wind, and the laughing echoed hauntingly around the streets. Then--silence save for the cracking of her stallion’s hooves against the concrete. She looked up from under her hood as the gate opened for the outer ring. The laughter broke out again, significantly louder than it was before. She tensed up as a loud howl echoed down the street. Her mount slowed to a trot, shaking its mane uneasily as it continued the journey.

There was a loud crash, and her attention was brought to a stack of crates toppling to the ground. She spotted the muscular back legs of some strange mutant before it scrambled onto the roof. Flames splattered across the concrete--she couldn't follow it up. Her horse ran down the street, Jenaux leading it by the slight glances she managed to catch of the animal, along with the haunting laughter coming from the beast's throat.

She glanced up at the roofs flying by, watching as the beast lunged from rooftop to rooftop. There was a purpose to it's movements...the monster was following someone. Her stallion slowed to a stop when Jenaux spotted the beast leaping off the rooftop. From where her and her horse watched, the woman could make out the beast snorting heavily as it sniffed the ground.

"Hey, beast." Jenaux called out. The monster's chuckling stopped when it spotted the dark stallion and it's white rider.

"A new meal...." It snorted, and her stallion stepped backwards uneasily. "Y-you will do." It said, slobber flying out of it's deadly jaws.

"Get out of here." Jenaux said, jumping off the horse. "Leave." She said, holding the two swords steadily in front of her. "You belong in the wastelands, beast."

The monster snorted incredulously, and it let out another lengthy chortle. "I go where my meals go..." It shook it's head angrily as it padded forwards towards Jenaux. "And my meal went there." The beast motioned towards a closed door, and Jenaux arched a brow. She tugged at the reins of her stallion, slapping it's flank.

Her horse reared, before charging towards the ends of the outer ring. "That's your new meal now, beast." The monster didn't hesitate, as it loped after the poor stallion.

Jenaux turned towards one of the tiny homes, sheathing her swords. She took purposeful steps over, her heels clicking noisily against the cracked concrete as the monster's howling became more distant. The woman lifted up her hands, pulling back her hood and allowing her silver hair to flow down to her waist.

"Open the door." She called out thinly. "I have some questions to ask you."

Orderedchaos • 23 January 2017 at 3:18 PM

@bunnyshadow

The sound of a woman's voice from outside her door was so startling and unexpected that Lin yelped and dropped her bow. Hurrying towards the door Lin let the shadows fall to normal around her. She opened the door a crack and peered through, her eyes going wide at the sight of the figure on the other side. Long white hair and eyes that even in this light she could tell were different colors, her cloths, her bearing, everything about this woman screamed that she had Power, the kind that Lin did not want noticing her. Too late for that it seemed.

Lin pulled the door open her hands trembling. "M...my Lady," Lin tried to keep the note of fear out of her voice. Taking a deep breath to try and steady herself she continued. "How can I help you?" Lin kept her gaze locked on her feet so as not to offend the woman by staring at her.

bunnyshadow • 23 January 2017 at 4:20 PM

@Orderedchaos

~~~

"That beast from the wastelands was chasing you." Jenaux said bluntly. She pushed the door open, letting herself in as she continued matter-of-factly. Once inside, she took in the small woman. Early or mid twenties, underfed and tanned like many others that took shelter in the outer ring.

"I heard from a little servant girl that he only comes out at night, and eats those that dare to wander the streets past curfew." The woman walked over to the pile of arrows dropped laying on the ground. She stooped down slightly, scooping up the bow elegantly before she continued. "Interesting." Jenaux said suddenly, weighing the weapon in her hands. "Haven't seen one of these in use for a long time."

She held it out, handing it to the other woman, before continuing her careless examination of the home. Jenaux hummed lightly to herself as she took a look around the tiny kitchen. Her heels clicked noisily on the dusty floorboards as she leaned into the bedroom. There were two beds, but only one of them had blankets. The other, empty.

Jenaux turned to face the thin woman now, multicolored eyes staring at the top of the other woman's drooping head. A cold breeze sifted through a crack in the wall, and both women's capes billowed slightly in the wind.

Jenaux caught sight of the tattered ends of the other woman's brown cloak, and she squinted at it thoughtfully. Looked like the poor woman barely got away from the monster. "What's your name?" She questioned, though it was worded more like a command. "The beast tore into your clothing..." She trailed off, mouth tilted into a small frown. "How unfortunate. Winter is coming."

"It's having my stallion for dinner tonight. You're lucky I was here." Jenaux added condescendingly, almost as if implying she wanted a big I.O.U.

"Like I was saying earlier." Jenaux said thinly, tone hardening. "I heard the beast only comes out late at night. Care to tell me what you were doing out and about after everyone else has gone to bed for the night?"

Orderedchaos • 24 January 2017 at 4:23 PM

@bunnyshadow

Lin's hands tightened around the smooth wood of her bow. The familiar feel of its curve under her fingers helped steady her nerves. She knew that she was in no less danger with this woman than with the beast, at least she was reasonably certain the woman wouldn't eat her.

"I'm Lindarin, great lady." Lin was proud that her voice didn't tremble as much as it did earlier. "I was visiting a friend. He's sick and I went over to help, I didn't realize how late it had gotten before I left." The prepared lie rolled easily off Lin's tongue. "I didn't think that I would run into a b...beast," the fear crept back into her voice and she hugged her bow to her chest, "on my way home."

Lin looked up into the woman's face, "I owe you my life," she looked down again not wanting to risk the woman seeing any anger the might leak on to her face with next words. "I am forever grateful and hope that one day I can repay you." A spark of anger in her chest flared. Lin did not like having to admit that she owed anything to one of the elite, but there was no getting around it here.

bunnyshadow • 24 January 2017 at 4:43 PM

@Orderedchaos

~~~

"Hmm." Jenaux said thoughtfully, pleased by how Lindarin was addressing her. "You'd better take care of yourself before you try taking care of somebody else." The woman said with a light scoff. "Quite unfortunate." She added as her fingers lightly tugged at her cloak. "The days grow colder, those with diseases won't make it past the harsh winter."

The woman arched her brows, and the howling wind brought with it a freezing gale. "I noticed you live alone." She voiced her assumption, glancing to the side as she spoke.

"I would like to stay here until morn'. I have no means of travelling back to the inner ring for now."

"In exchange for your hospitality, I can help with your wound." Jenaux smiled, turning her head slightly so she was looking down at the thin woman. Red stained Lindarin's clothes, and her brows knit together reflectively. "Perhaps have a tailor fix your cloak as well."

Orderedchaos • 25 January 2017 at 6:53 PM

@bunnyshadow

Lin's shoulders tensed, the twinge of pain only dimly registering in her mind. The thought of sharing her home with someone who had so much when she had so little caused the spark of anger in her to flare up. Lin forced herself to relax, anger wouldn't help her here, learning to deal with doing things you didn't like was how you survived in the outer ring.

"Of course, my lady, my home is yours for tonight. It's not much but," Lin shrugged causing herself to wince at the fresh pain leaving the sentence unfinished. "I appreciate your offer to help with my wound, I don't think I can tend to it myself. But my clothes," Lin looked at the mess her cloak was in before looking up at the woman, "I'm used to fixing them myself."

bunnyshadow • 25 January 2017 at 7:19 PM

@Orderedchaos

~~~

"No, no darling." Jenaux said. "Give me a moment." She said with a sigh. "I don't suppose you have any medical supplies? I stepped out tonight to oust some undercover rebels. I didn't think I would need anything."

"Would you undress?" The woman asked casually. Jenaux pulled out one of her blades, using her other hand to tug the ends of her white cloak up. There was a sharp ripping sound as the sharp blade tore into the expensive fabric. "My name is Jenaux. Loyalists and most others refer to me as Vechnyy." Jenaux laughed. "Quite an overwhelming name if I can say so myself."

She sheathed the blade, holding the smooth cloth now in both hands as she waited for Lindarin to undress. Jenaux knelt down on the ground, motioning for the tan woman to sit in front of her.

"I haven't done this in quite a while, but I've had decades of practice." Jenaux let out a short little chuckle, almost as if laughing at her own little joke. She placed the cloth down, adjusting her gloves before picking it up again. "It must be nice." Jenaux said, tearing off another part of her cloak to wipe off the excess blood.

"Living out here." She smiled bitterly. "It might not be the most luxurious of lifestyles, but you certainly have a bit more freedom since not every single one of your actions is judged or watched." Jenaux cleared her throat now, going silent when she realized she must have been rambling.

Orderedchaos • 26 January 2017 at 5:46 PM

@bunnyshadow

Jenaux's words did not fit with the picture Lin had built of the life of the elite. Unsettling thoughts began to push their way into her mind.

"Ah, a moment." Lin ducked into her bedroom. Stripping off her cloak and shirt she dug a small roll of gauze and vial of antiseptic out of one of the pockets. She hated to use even so small an amount of the supplies she had been payed to obtain but she had seen what happened when rot set into a wound. Dropping the ripped clothing into the empty bed Lin stepped over to the small washbasin and picked up the pitcher of water.

Stripped to the waist Lin walked back out into the other room. Placing the water and supplies on the floor she sat in front of Jenaux. Now that she was no longer on her feet fatigue began to set in. Her thoughts wandered and without realizing it she put voice to her thoughts.

"Sometimes I think the price of such freedom might be too high. You are not watched but you watch your family and friends die around you." Lin's voice was soft and heavy with sadness. "Sickness, accidents, some just leave and never come back. Warmth, food, safety these can make even a gilded cage look appealing."

Lin's head snapped up as she realized that she had been speaking her thoughts aloud. "I-I'm sorry, I hope I didn't offend you."

bunnyshadow • 26 January 2017 at 6:55 PM

@Orderedchaos

~~~

Jenaux cleaned and wrapped the wound as she listened to Lindarin's words. "Perhaps." She said, overlooking the other woman's quick apology. Instead, she choose to continue the conversation.

"I would know a thing or two about death." Jenaux muttered quietly with a bitter smile. "You must be tired, having taken such a long journey back home." The woman stood now, brushing off her dirty hands on the cloak, effectively staining the pure material.

"I'll speak to the city-master about the beast and see if I can form a small group of soldiers to capture the animal." Jenaux put more emphasis on the word 'capture' than she wanted to, but it was priority to imprison possible power wielders. Judging by how the beast moved and spoke, it was obvious that it wasn't like other mutant animals wandering the wastelands.

Orderedchaos • 27 January 2017 at 8:05 PM

@bunnyshadow

Lin got slowly to her feet, her limbs feeling heavy with fatigue. Turning around Lin looked Jenaux in the eye for the first time since she entered the small house.

"I feel we both know more about death than we'd like, Jenaux." Lin dropped her gaze again hoping her momentary boldness wouldn't bring her trouble. "You may sleep in the bedroom. I have some spare blankets and can sleep out here."

Moving back into the bedroom Lin opened the small closet. A few blankets, leftover from the days when she had any family left, lay folded on a shelf. Lin grabbed a fresh shirt before placing the clean blankets, one a thick quilt she used when it got cold, on the unused bed. She was sure it wouldn’t be as comfortable as Jenaux was used to but it would suffice for tonight. Gathering her blankets off her bed, making sure to take her tattered shirt and cloak as well, Lin made her way back out to the front room.

“There are clean blankets for you on the bed. Goodnight and thank you again, for everything.” Lin was surprised to hear a note of genuine gratitude when she spoke those words. The anger that Lin felt before had cooled somewhat, it still burned but something had caused the fires to cool.

bunnyshadow • 28 January 2017 at 4:01 AM

@Orderedchaos

~~~

"You've got some fire, Lindarin." Jenaux said, her lips pulling upwards into a forlorn smile. Her second sentence was much more quiet, perhaps too quiet for the other woman to hear properly. "Wise enough to know your place, but bold enough to speak your mind."

She turned now, taking off her cloak once Lindarin had taken her leave. The heavy white cloth fell to the floor with a heavy thud, and the woman stretched now, enjoying the feeling of weightlessness on her shoulders. Jenaux knelt down slightly as she scooped it up swiftly, folding up the cloak as she headed across the room.

Once that task was complete, she took off her boots and placed them at the end of the bed. Jenaux peeled the white gloves off her hands slowly, placing the pair on top of her cloak. She let out a heavy sigh, enjoying the feel of air on her skin. Her weapons were placed gently on the floor, where they clinked together momentarily before stilling.

The bed was harder than she expected, but Jenaux supposed she expected too much from a house belonging to the outer rings. The corner of her lips tilted upwards into a smirk at the thought of it. At least there was a bed in this home. She lay down, finding her mind relaxing significantly as she drifted off to sleep.

==========

The loud sound of wood cracking woke Jenaux from her slumber. It took her a moment to remember where she was, and the woman slid out of bed quickly. She peered out the dirty window, spotting a middle aged man splitting wood with a large ax. Back in the inner ring, people slept until it was necessary for them to wake up. Mornings were dreadfully silent save for maybe the chirping of birds that the aristocrats kept inside extravagant cages.

Out here, it was loud as civilians woke and began to perform their day to day tasks like chopping wood, cleaning clothes and other necessary tasks to keep them living. She rubbed her eyes tiredly, before putting on her boots and pulling on her gloves. The woman moved to pick up the cloak, but paused an inch away from the cloth.

Did she really need this? Lindarin would probably put the cloak to much better use than she would have, considering how it was torn. The woman pulled away her hand, stepping over to the end of the bed where she folded up the blankets neatly and placed them neatly at the head. Jenaux left the door open a crack, then headed down the hall quietly.

Lindarin seemed to be still asleep. It was the crack of dawn after all, and after such a long night, it was probably to be expected. She pushed open the front door, closing her eyes as she allowed the warm sunlight to caress her skin. Her hair wafted lightly in the small breeze, before stilling along with the wind. Jenaux stepped forwards now, ignoring the very obvious (attempted inconspicuous) glances being thrown her way. The way the inhabitants here held their heads so low only made Jenaux lift hers higher. There was a slight pause as the woman examined her surroundings. The synchronized marching of soldiers caught her attention, and she turned to face a group of 5 men. The one at the lead bowed when his gaze fell on her, and the four behind him knelt to the ground.

"Do the guards around here have any mounts?"

"You're in luck, m'lady." The lead said, head still bowed. "Our men managed to rope in a stallion late last night. We suffered two casualties running it back. Some strange animal tore straight through them."

"Ah..." Jenaux said, trying to hide the relief from her voice. "That stallion belongs to me. I would like him brought back to me."

"Of course." The soldier said agreeably.

"Go ahead." Jenaux urged. The four kneeling men stood now, and the lead lifted his head, though his eyes still remained downcast. They backed away, then turned and swiftly moved away to complete their task. Her eyes wandered to a mother and a child. The child was staring, and the mother gave him a small slap on the hand, before berating him for looking. "Keep your eyes down." Jenaux read the mother's lips. A pair of reins were handed to the silver-haired woman, knocking her out of her musings.

"Thank you soldier." She said, pulling the stallion's dark head against her cheek. "This is one of my most prized possessions. What sector are your men? I will make sure to repay your deed."

"G08." The man answered, excitement tinging in his voice.

"I'll remember that." She said. Jenaux mounted the stallion now, tugging at the reins roughly. The animal started at a steady trot, beginning to take the decently long trip home.

Orderedchaos • 30 January 2017 at 8:31 PM

@bunnyshadow

Lin awoke to find a sunbeam shining in her eyes. There was a moment of confusion as to why she wasn't in her bed and why she had slept so late before the events of the past night came back to her in a rush. Groaning Lin sat up, carefully and slowly stretching her limbs. Lin's back felt stiff and she felt a twinge of pain if she stretched wrong but there was no burning heat of infection. For that Lin thanked the spirits and, much to her chagrin, Jenaux.

Moving silently toward the bedroom Lin peered inside, she sighed in relief to find both beds empty. After last night Lin didn't want to see one of the elite again for awhile. A patch of white on the end of one of the beds caught Lin's eye. Stepping over to it Lin lifted up the white cloak that Jenaux previously wore.

"So soft." Lin spoke the quite words as she turned the fine material over in her hands. Even with the ripped hem, an easy fix Lin thought to herself, the cloak was finer than anything she had ever owned. Why did Jenaux leave her cloak? Was it just because it was ripped now? Or was there another reason? Lin shook her head clearing her thoughts. It did her no good to speculate on things she couldn't know especially when she had work to do. The medical supplies she filched last night need to be delivered for one.

Settling the cloak over her shoulders Lin smiled at the comforting weight. It was much to bright for anything stealthy but that could be fixed with some dye. Spinning around Lin gave a small laugh of joy at the way the cloak swirled around her. Lin transferred all the odds and ends from the pockets of her now ruined shirt to the one she now wore. Gathering up the supplies in a small bag she left the house to begin her day.

~~~~~~~~~~

Lin relished in the feel of coins in her pocket. Even after purchasing some black dye she still had a tidy sum left over. Some small good had come out of the beast roaming the streets last night, the healer woman had payed extra for the supplies.

Lin's steps carried her to tavern a couple sections over.

"New cloak?" The tavernkeep's gaze took in the fine cloak Lin now wore as he took her coin for a meal and ale.

"Its amazing what the elite will throw away." Lin said, smiling at the tavernkeep as if sharing a joke.

The tavernkeep laughed. "You always did have the devil's own luck when it came to finding things." He slid a mug of ale across the bar. "Go on and take a seat one of the girls will bring the food when its ready."

Lin took a seat at a corner table. Sipping her ale she studied the scratches on the table top. The majority were just that, scratches left by daily use or by bored patrons. But a small cluster near the edge were not so random. They looked similar enough to the rest but there was a subtle pattern to them, one that could be read if you knew how. It was a request for information, the kind of information Lin traded in.

As she ate Lin surreptitiously scratched a response to the inquiry. A place, an alley in yet a different section of the outer ring, where coin could be anonymously left behind a loose brick and where some time later the information about the new guard placements and routes could be picked up. Normally Lin would do the pick up and info drop at night but an involuntary shudder went through her as she thought about her close call with the beast. No, this time she'd have to do the drop off in the day, a little more risky but not as risky as tangling with the beast again. But that was a worry for tomorrow, today she had some work to do on her new cloak. This one had decidedly less pockets than her old one.

bunnyshadow • 30 January 2017 at 11:13 PM

@Orderedchaos

~~~

"What brings you here today, Vechnyy?"

The city-master bowed his head politely, lifting Jenaux's gloved hands up to his lips for a respectful kiss.

"There's a beast ruling the night in the outer ring." She replied bluntly.

The man motioned for Jenaux to enter the home, calling out to a servant girl as he did so. "Go fetch us some tea, won't you." The servant nodded quickly, skittering off to the kitchen to prepare the drinks. Meanwhile, the two took a comfortable seat in the main room.

"Well." The man said, pursing his lips. "I'm sure you understand, but I care not for the peasants living in the outer ring."

"He grows more bold. His howls have been heard inside the midring. The people grow fearful." She glanced over at him, tugging down the hood of her spare cloak. The woman gazed into the man's brown eyes like a predator at it's prey. "In addition to that..." She trailed off, knowing the city-master would be excited to hear the next bit of news. "It speaks. I suspect it's not just any regular mutant." The woman paused, allowing her implication to sink in.

He shifted a bit. "Now that's something that catches my attention." The man said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. The servant girl walked in now with a full plate. The girl placed two sterling silver teacups on the table, pouring the steaming tea quietly into the containers. "What would you like me to do about it?" He asked, picking up his own cup then handing Jenaux hers. He took a long sip as Jenaux replied.

"I'd like you to have ordered a small hunting party by the morn'. I would prefer them to be members of the guild itself. Just two able-bodied fighters will be okay."

The man put down his teacup. "I'll have them meet you outside your mansion early daybreak."

"Much appreciation." Jenaux said, placing her own cup down on the table. "I have matters to attend to now."

"I hope to hear back about this..." He trailed off, picking up the teacup that had now been refilled by the servant. "Beast soon."

==========

"Your betrayal was a mistake." Jenaux whispered to the body on the ground. "Now you're nothing but another trophy for the people to revel in our power for." She smiled, waving the thin girl over. "It's protocol to parade him around the outer ring, meaning that I can take you back home while I'm doing it." The servant girl nodded quickly.

"Thank you." The small girl muttered.

Jenaux finished tying the man to the horse, before turning to face the young girl expectantly. "You're not thinking of walking are you?" She said with furrowed brows. "Here, girl. My stallion is large enough to carry the both of us." The woman said harshly, though her actions were smooth and kind as she lifted the servant on top of her large stallion. She mounted it after the girl adjusted to a comfortable position.

"Don't fall." Jenaux said bluntly, tugging the reins harshly. She could sense the small girl's excitement at riding such a great mount, but choose to ignore it. The woman would allow the poor girl to enjoy what little happiness she could have.

It didn't take long for the woman to reach the gates leading towards the outer ring. The gate was opened apprehensively as the guards stared down at the stallion's prize. The ride through the crowded streets was mostly uneventful. Nothing out of the ordinary, just the same fearful and miserable glances.

"Here?" Jenaux asked the girl as they arrived at a small home, much smaller than the others. That explained why they had to send their daughter out to work for the elite, after all.

"Yes." The girl replied, getting off the stallion with Jenaux's help.

She saw the mother cleaning some clothes outside, and the woman rushed over, thankfully bowing down at Jenaux's boots. "It'll be fine." She said thinly. "Take care."

Orderedchaos • 1 February 2017 at 1:23 PM

@bunnyshadow

Lin moved softly in the nebulous predawn light, her now dark grey cloak blending with the shadows. Lin saw a few people out and about their morning chores, none payed her any special attention and she payed none to them. She was just another resident of the outer ring going about her business, though her business was a bit more risky than theirs.

As she moved out of her section she pulled the hood of her cloak up, making sure that it hid her face from a casual glance. As Lin neared the drop-off alley she slipped between two buildings entering the dark maze of dirty backstreets and alleys. Here drew upon her power, making the shadows darker and blurring her outline just a little.

A few twists and turns later Lin stood in front of a brick wall, her hand reaching out to pull on a brick that was marked with a circle with a jagged line through it. The brick came free easily in her hand. Lin reached into the hollow and withdrew a bag of coin that she immediately tucked away into a pocket, no time to count it as she ran the risk of someone seeing her. Reaching into a different pocket she withdrew a small roll of parchment, covered in the same scratch code that she used earlier, that she placed in the hollow.

After replacing the brick Lin strode off, weaving her way through the back alleys to emerge on a different street. From here it was a short walk to the edge of the city and the wastes. Lin's hand went to the quiver at her side mentally counting the arrows again even though she knew she should have enough. Striding towards the wastes Lin's thoughts turned toward hunting. With winter coming she could use the extra meat.

bunnyshadow • 1 February 2017 at 5:24 PM

@Orderedchaos

~~~

"Your life shortens, Vechnyy."

Jenaux paused her cleaning, placing the bloodstained cloth in the sink. She sheathed her now shining swords, turning her head slightly to face the handsome young man addressing her. "I've three years and eight months." Jenaux faced him fully now, heels clicking noisily on the linoleum of her kitchen floor. Her gaze wandered from his carefully chiseled features to his broad shoulders, then past that to the large curved shapes peaking out from behind his back.

The man chuckled now, eyes glinting with amusement at her sharp words. "Three years and six, Vechnyy. I suppose time passes seamlessly in your world, so two months means little to nothing to you." Several sharp knocks interrupted the duo's conversation, and the man stood now.

"Watch your wings Aero. I'd hate to have you pay for any damages." Jenaux said, pursing her lips as Aero's large white wings flared open dangerously. He smirked now, a brow arched teasingly as he left the kitchen to answer the door. "Fetch me my cape while you're at it." She called out to his retreading form.

When next Aero entered the room, he was trailed by another man, this one dark haired and with an aggressive posture, head held high, shoulders back, hair combed back smoothly. "Aero could you take this pack to your stallion?" She handed the winged man a mid-sized bag, before turning to face the newcomer. "I'll meet you outside in a second, Justicar." Jenaux headed out to the living room, picking up her cloak and pulling it tightly over her shoulders. She could hear the voices of Justicar and Aero outdoors, and the woman stepped out to see the two men bickering.

"You might be looking forward to dying faster but I'm not." Justicar said irritably. "If you're gonna smoke your tobacco, don't blow it in my vicinity."

Aero took a breath in, before letting out a purposeful huff, smoke wafting into the air as it left his mouth. "If you have a problem with it, go somewhere else."

"Enough bickering boys, your worries are insignificant." Jenaux mounted her dark stallion, digging her heels against the animal's sides as it began trotting towards the road. She heard hooves clicking against the cement, turning her head a bit to spot Aero's white stallion and Justicar's golden brown one trailing not too far behind her. The elite trio took no breaks on their journey, save for the short waits as the gates were opened from inner to midring and midring to outer.

Once inside the outer ring, the three slowed their mounts to a light walk, stallions nickering majestically as all their elite sat atop with heads held high. The sharp winter breeze shivered through Jenaux's long hair, weaving in and out of the large feathers lining Aero's large wings. Civilians of the outer ring watched apprehensively as the the trio virtually oozed both power and grace. The small group stopped outside a tavern, and each dismounted their stallions smoothly. "There's no where to tie them." Justicar said with a frown.

"The people here can't even afford to take care of themselves, much less a stallion. I doubt they would have an area for them if no one here owns one." Aero said sharply.

"Here." Jenaux said, tying all three reins together before knotting them and stepping over to a crumbling brick wall. She picked up a broken block from off the floor, then placed it at the top of the wall with the reins underneath. She pushed the door open now, stepping in with Justicar and Aero close by her side.

"Back so soon L-" The tavernkeep stopped talking as Jenaux pulled down her hood. His eyes wandered from Aero to Jenaux to Justicar before becoming downcast.

"How may I serve you three today?" He said, still staring down.

"Table for three will be fine." Justicar said harshly. The man looked around the area, spotting a large table by the corner that was already occupied. "That one " He said, motioning at it.

"I'm sorry sir but that table is taken." The tavernkeep said nervously. The people at the table seemed to have overheard the conversation, and they stood up quickly. "We were just leaving." One of the men said swiftly. "Take your seats." Another said, before they left.

"Wonderful." Aero said satisfactorily as he sat down. Jenaux and Justicar followed suit. The woman examined the room, noticing the stares that Aero's wings brought them. However, the man seemed oblivious. Once the other customers in the tavern caught Jenaux returning their gazes, they would look down suddenly at their hands or the table.

"Your wings are garnering quite a bit of attention." Jenaux said with a sideways smirk.

"Don't give me that." Aero replied thickly. "You act like your hair and cloak don't do the same. Justicar is the only 'normal' looking one here."

Justicar let out an obnoxious laugh now. "What about now?" He said with a grin, hands bursting up in flames before he even finished the sentence. Aero grinned as several patrons shivered uncomfortably by the usage of powers. The winged man laughed obnoxiously, wings flaring out noisily and knocking over a chair.

Jenaux gave the two of them disapproving stares but remained silent. The duo seemed to be having fun, though it was obviously only fun to the two of them, but at least that meant she didn't have to break up a fight if they were enjoying their time together.

Orderedchaos • 2 February 2017 at 7:04 PM

@bunnyshadow

More and more people appeared on the streets as Lin walked towards the edge of the city. She waved a "good morning" to a few that she recognized. As the light grew steadily brighter a thought popped into Lin's head, just because the beat hunted at night didn't mean that it didn't also hunt during the day. Her steps slowed, perhaps hunting by herself wasn't such a good idea. Lin changed her path, she knew just the solution to this problem.

Lin stopped when she reached a house that had a variety of colorful charms and wind chimes hung in the windows and around the door. Lin knocked confidently on the door.

The door was opened by a burly man with a thick beard and long hair. Colored beads, small bones, and feathers were braided into both his beard and hair.

"Lin!" Joseph wrapped Lin in a giant bear hug. "Sasha, Mala, look who's stopped by."

"I see you brought your bow," a feminine voice called from further in the house. "You comin' on a hunt with us, girl?"

Lin looked around Joseph to see a taller woman leaning against a door frame. "Yeah, day didn't feel right for solo hunting."

Mala chuckled. "Well, you know we always appreciate your bow."

"When you gonna stop living in that house all by your lonesome? You know you'd be welcome here." Joseph's arm was still around Lin's shoulders.

Lin's smile turned a little sad. "When I stop feeling like Andre will come walking through the door."

"Its been almost 2 years since he disappeared, but you do what you gotta do. Just know that when you're ready to move on we're here." Mala's voice was quite but Lin could hear the understanding and sympathy.

"If y'all are done with the chit-chat, we've got some critters to hunt." A stocky man, Sasha, appeared in the doorway next to Mala.

Lin silently thanked Sasha for the change in conversation. He must have seen some of it in her face as he gave her slight nod before hefting his own bow and quiver. "Well, what are we waiting for? Meat ain't gonta hunt itself."

bunnyshadow • 2 February 2017 at 9:51 PM

@Orderedchaos

~~~

Justicar's loud laughter rivaled only that of Aero's sleazy chortling. The ale seemed to have hit both men hard. Jenaux had begun losing count of how many nearly overflowing mugs that the two men had swallowed like thirsting desert birds. It seemed that in the outer ring, with no other elite hawking over them, that they decided to let loose in the tavern.

"It's barely afternoon." The woman hissed under her breath. "Do you two animals have no shame?"

Her sharp words fell on deaf ears, as Aero whispered in a voice level that was nearly a shout. "Justicar." He said. "What do you think of that waitress?"

The dark haired male rolled his eyes. "Aero, eyes off." Justicar replied with distaste. "How could you even consider a peasant like that? The people here are all dirty and tasteless."

Aero waved the waitress over, leaning dangerously over the edge of the wooden table. "Hey girl." He said with a wide grin, wings twitching excitedly.

The waitress forced a thin smile. "Would you like some more ale?" She asked politely, though obviously uncomfortable.

"He's had enough." Jenaux interrupted irritably. "They've both had enough for now. Take your leave." She ignored the two mens' complaints, eyes narrowed at their childish behaviors.

"You're no fun, Vechnyy." Justicar said with pursed lips.

"She's an old woman. It's expected."

Jenaux grit her teeth, shooting them both an angry glare with her multicolored eyes. "We're here for business, not to drink and make a fool out of ourselves." She whispered harshly.

==========

Enoche sat back on his haunches, a smile sliding carefully across his face as he lazily rolled over in the sunshine. His animal form proved useful especially on cold nights, but now that it was unnecessary, he found himself returning to his human shape.

He glanced up at the sky, squinting as the rays of light burned his pupils. "So bright..." Enoche mutterd dejectedly under his breath. The man leaned back against the dried bark of the leave-less tree. The dead plant's wood scratched in a satisfactorily manner against his back, and he hummed happily at the feeling.

Enoche picked up one of the femurs laying by his feet. Once there were two corpses, now there was nothing but chewed up bone and shredded articles of unknown clothing. The man put the tip of the bone in his mouth, and it cracked noisily as his teeth broke the material in half.

He tasted the cartilage now, savoring the flavor. Enoche lifted up a free hand, before scratching the dried dirt floor with his sharp nails. Half digging a hole, and half chewing up bones, the man began placing them in a small pile besides him for later burial.

When the hole was naught but one feet deep, Enoche gave up and simply pushed the chewed up bones into it. Now overflowing, he frowned irritably at his work. The man sighed now, before standing to his feet.

"Now where was that shirt..." He trailed off, puzzled as he ventured around the area in search of his clothing. After a bit, he gave up and just began wandering aimlessly around the barren-lands in nothing but a pair of pants filled with holes and a thoughtful look on his face.

Orderedchaos • 4 February 2017 at 9:32 PM

@bunnyshadow

"Do ye ever think that maybe he's out there?" Sasha's voice broke into Lin's thoughts as she scanned the small copse of trees for movement. Ahead Mala and Joseph were having a good natured argument about animal tracks.

"Hmmm?"

"Andre, your cousin." Sasha pointed towards deeper into the wastes. "Do ye that he's out there with the rebels?"

Lin shrugged. "Sometimes." Her voice was soft. "Out of all the things that could have happened to him that's one of the few where he could be still alive."

The rebels. Lin wasn't sure how she felt about them. Their actions both made things easier and harder for those living in the outer ring and she didn't agree with everything they did. Lin thought of the coins she got in exchange for the patrol information, surely some, if not all, of the information she sold wound up in rebel hands. Lin took their coin, did that make her an accomplice to what they did?

As Lin's thoughts began to wander Sasha spoke again. "Have you ever thought of finding them?"

The question caused Lin to nearly stumble. Everyone knew about the rebels but no one ever admitted to actually knowing them or trying to find them. The fact that Sasha even suggested finding them came as something of a shock to Lin.

"I...no. No. I've never thought of doing that."

Sasha shrugged but there was a flash of something on his face that Lin couldn't quite put a name to. "Just a thought."

Before Lin could say anything further Mala called back to them. "Hurry up slowpokes, we found what looks like a fresh deer trail."

bunnyshadow • 5 February 2017 at 3:52 AM

@Orderedchaos

~~~

Fresh meat.

Enoche sniffed the air, his heightened sense of smell bringing him the scent of fresh meat. If he wasn't wrong, it was a deer. The man knelt down on the ground, chuckling lightly to himself as he brought his nose to the dirt. He smelled the dirt for a moment, sliding his fingers across the tracks left from the animal.

Enoch lifted his hands now, flexing sharply as he began jogging towards the direction of the deer. He didn't bother following the tracks, instead the man followed his sense of smell. After a dozen or so minutes, he began slowing down as the scent strengthened.

"Daddy's coming." He said, letting out a quiet chortle. The land was empty save for the dried up shrubs and trees gathered in small clusters. Enoche let out a feral growl, venturing forwards slowly. There was a flash of movement trough a particularly thick cluster of burnt trees, and he stepped slowly between the plants to get closer.

The deer was one of the larger ones he had ever seen. Usually they were underfed, damaged or just skin and bone. Enoche had lucked out. The deer was lean and tall, fur looking unusually luscious against the desert landscape. He edged forward slowly, and he held his arms in preparation. The sharp nails sticking out of his fingers protruded threateningly as he neared the animal.

He smiled, grinning maniacally as the deer bent down to chew on the dried grass. Enoche bent his legs backwards, before darting forwards quickly with his heightened speed. He hit the animal in full force, knocking it to the ground. There was a sharp thud and the deer struggled to escape, then remained unmoving as Enoche inserted his nails sharply in its throat.

"Looks like I'm eating well." He said, smiling toothily. Enoche used the tips of his sharp nails to tear the animal apart, before sticking his hands in and beginning his meal.

"Mmm." He said happily, licking his lips as he sat back. "You've made me very happy." Enoche said with a smile as he lifted another chunk of raw meat to his mouth.

It was a shame he was too preoccupied with the deer to notice the gradually increasing scents of others....

Orderedchaos • 6 February 2017 at 8:57 PM

@bunnyshadow

No longer did Lin's thoughts wander, now she was focused solely on the hunt. She kept her bow ready, an arrow knocked. Beside her Sasha did the same. A few paces ahead both Mala and Joseph held their spears at the ready.

Suddenly the two in front stopped short, Mala giving a little hiss of surprise. Lin slowed her pace stopping only a couple steps behind Joseph. Someone else had beaten them to the deer that they had been tracking. A bloody and feral looking man bent over the now dead deer, shoving chunks of flesh into his mouth. Lin's stomach heaved at the sight.

Joseph motioned with his free hand that they should all go back. They all stepped back as quietly as they could. From the looks of mingled disgust and sickness on the other three's faces none of them wanted to get between the feral man and his meal any more than Lin did. Lin wanted to get away as fast as she could, something about the man sent danger signals flaring up in her brain.

bunnyshadow • 7 February 2017 at 5:42 AM

@Orderedchaos

~~~

The high pitched fluctuating laughter that came out of his mouth also brought with it several subhuman growls. He sat back, and now that his attention wasn't directed fully at the freshly slaughtered animal, he could just sense other entities around him. His head perked up when he heard something, that and the intermingled smells of several different beings altogether. Though there were a few, one stood out with unusual familiarity.

Enoche twisted around, dark eyes widening with recognition when he spotted the same woman that had only barely escaped his claws the previous night. The detailed lettering of the tattoo inked onto his back rippled as his lean muscles were put to work.

He picked up the mauled deer, throwing it at the feet of the small array of gathered people that had gradually begun backing away. Two men, one woman, and the thin one that he hunted.

"Have it." Enoche said, wiping the blood off his face with his arm. "You're gonna need it." He paused, struggling to find the right words. He was hungry no more, therefore he no longer saw any of them as a meal. Perhaps later...

"Life in the outer ring is difficult. Even more so out here, but I've had more than my fair share of meat these past two days."