Reforging (Rina/SLF/Invite)

[Deleted]

Things are different now.

A small trail of sweat infused blood rolled down Jaus' forehead, his hand entwined with the ragged mess and his hues locked with the small tattered map fused within his crusted fingers. His shirt a shade of black however its entirety was tattered matched with brown smudges of muck and dust, embroidered with tears at the sleeves.

What does it mean to be a leader?

Jaus would narrow his vision a deep lapse of breath before drawing from his hip pocket a red pen marking the spot he was at on the map with a large "X". The pen and the map quickly dispatched into the compartments of his pants, also tattered although more fashionably so as though they'd been made that way originally.
Jaus would rise his hands clapped together to be dusted off before sliding to the right and grabbing his backpack. He was on the move again.

The SLF needs to be remade, for a more pressing time.

Around him would be a few bodies, the rag tag group of some raiding bandits. He imagined that they were partial to Barker as Jaus had been migrating through his area of influence just South of Jurassic Park and through the ruins of #259. Upon notice of the map there was a large unoccupied area that looked like it had some potential. Distance for one was a good option.

"Just a few more hours before dusk...gotta hustle."

[Orion]

"So... this is what happened. Well... it seems as if I'm not really going to be attending school anymore."

Orion, in his blue body-covering hooded cloak, walked among the ruins of 259. He hadn't yet pieced together what had happened exactly, but there was a war... experiments... explosives? Oiron shook his head as if to send the memory away. His mind had rebooted, and he didn't need to restart it by forcing memories back to the surface. He could, however, check the damage that had been done while he was out. He knelt by some stone and then looked up at a nearby building, running options for this destructive power in his head.

Explosives. Definitely. From without, not within. Curious... so it was a war?

Orion shook his head again and stood, his eyes scanning the surrounding area and locking upon a figure. It was vaguely familiar... but far enough away that he couldn't make them out. Orion raised his voice as he called out to the person.

"Hello! Is someone out there? Helloooo?"

[Rina Vade]

Rina

You never know what you have until it's gone...

It was time to face it. She had loved that school. Even with the fighting, the unruly childlike teens and the stupid teachers. It had felt somewhat...well, safer. Safer than where she had always lived before anyway. Safer than home. Now, though, nowhere was safe. She'd holed up near the Olympian Apartments for a while after things went to hell. The water wasn't working well and there was little to eat, but everyone was in the same boat, and they all helped each other. It'd been six days since her last real meal. Her body was running mainly on water and what little adrenaline she had left.

At least she had access to a computer there. She'd learned a lot on the web. Sean Barker had finally attacked. No one even knew he was going to. She had to go back. Had to see...

It'd taken her a day and half to walk from the Olympian Apartements into town, and all she wanted to do was lie down and rest, but she couldn't. She knew she couldn't. Not yet.

As she rounded the last corner leading up to school #259, her steady pace faltered. "Holy Shit." she muttered, azure eyes widening. The place was in ruins. The buildings were crumbling and bodies littered the area. Something close to remorse rushed through her, but she ignored the feeling. This was no time for breaking down. If anyone was around and were the minions of Barker, then finding her in a vulnerable position would just make their jolly, god damn day.

With slow, deliberate strides, Rina navigated the path down into the school, her ocean colored orbs scanning every inch of the ruined site. Her boots crunched on debris and gravel. At least they were still intact. Unlike her clothes...ugh, she didn't even want to think about it. Her expression as she looked over the once-school was one of disbelief and anger flashed in her eyes, dancing and crackling like fire. Sean Barker. That cretin. She would kill him if she ever had a chance. She swore it, she would. "Give me an opening and I'm fucking taking it, bastard" she thought, clenching her fists.

Not only had he destroyed the world, but peoples lives as well. She had seen them. The Experiments. They flocked to the Olympian Apartments, battered and frightened. Most them didn't even look human anymore.

Movement caught her eye, and Rina stilled upon seeing someone at a distance. There was also another person. He wore a cloaked hood. She couldn't see his face, but his body stature said male. The other person was further away, so she could tell nothing of them. The hooded person, who didn't seem to notice her at first, called out.

"Hello! Is someone out there? Helloooo?"

Rina didn't speak. He'd just done all the talking for her. She, like him, waited with a tense silence. When would he notice her, she wondered? Was he a friend or foe? His voice sounded...familiar...

Those who seek vengance may find their end nearer yet.

::Notes::
Words; 616
Muse; Woot, it's back in it's jar! (Hehe, Ryan knows what I mean)
Other; This'll be fun~

[Deleted]

OOC: I like the format you've got Rina, mucho impressed

Jaus would have had only the time to take himself a few steps before the uttering of sound just passed the nearest shattered pillar drew his attention.

"Hello! Is someone out there? Helloooo?"

He'd quickly move ducking behind the broken frame of the pillar hoping that it would sheath his body from sight though the affirmative move their probably drew more attention than the concealment would hope to appeal. The voice though, Jaus took special notice to. Familiar as it had been of a student he'd probably once worked with, fought against, or simply met in the halls.

Student...

The word brought the faintest of sympathies to his head restraining his balled up fists at his sides, releasing them to a calm dissuaded presence before peeling himself away from the cover.

"Yeah, you're a student?"

Jaus would question taking a step closer in the boy's direction hoping that the veil of secrecy between the two would be relinquished and presences would be made apparent.

"I'm here to help, to get people to safety."

He'd take cautious steps forward still combating the thought in his head that an experiment was the last thing he needed today.

[Orion]

"Yeah, you're a student?"

Orion watched as the man stepped closer, speaking again.

"I'm here to help, to get people to safety."
"I was a student... but evidently school's out. As for safety, it seems that considering the lack of people, this place is relatively safe. Oh, soory, I forgot to introduce myself. But first..."

Orion turned towards the figure he had spotted out of the corner of his eye after he had called out. He flipped his hood back, revealing his unnatural golden eyes, now spotted with blood-red, blue hair, and the glow around him.

"Are you a student? My name's Orion. Orion Smith. My memory's a bit foggy... what happened here?"

[Rina Vade]

Rina

You never know what you have until it's gone...

The figure that she was unable to tell if they were a guy or a girl came closer, and now she could clearly make out that they were male. He spoke, his voice strangely calm.

"I'm here to help, to get people to safety."

Safety? There was nowhere safe anymore unless you were on your own, or so she thought. Even the Olympian Apartments weren't as safe as some might think. Rina shifted her weight, cringing as her the joint in her ankle cracked loudly. For all the sitting down she did, it was a wonder her joints hadn't stiffened up on her. It'd be a miracle if she didn't get arthritis. The hooded figure then spoke and she was sure that she had heard his voice before. It was so familar, but she couldn't bring up anything.

"I was a student... but evidently school's out. As for safety, it seems that considering the lack of people, this place is relatively safe. Oh, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. But first..."

He pushed back his hood and turned to look at her. Those eyes, she remembered them from somewhere...

"Are you a student? My name's Orion. Orion Smith. My memory's a bit foggy... what happened here?"

That was it! She remembered now! Rina's expression lit with realization. "Yes," she said. "You're that student that didn't know the answer to one of the History questions the teacher asked!" she exclaimed, then her face reddened and she looked at the ground sheepishly.

As first impressions go, she had just accidentally been rude. Who brings up something embarrassing like that after such a long time?

Finally getting a hold of herself, Rina glanced back up. "I'm Rina Vade, and I don't," she paused. That was a lie. She did know what had happened. She'd lived through it. "I'd rather not talk about it, but if no one else knows..." she gestured to the other guy and shrugged. He sounded like he might know. She'd be grateful if she didn't have to tell the whole story.

Then, her curosity got the better of her and she asked softly, "Your eyes. They weren't like that before. What...what happened?" he voice was laced slightly with concern.

Those who seek vengeance may find their end nearer yet.

::Notes::
Words; 503
Muse; Great, great, GREAT!!^^
Other; Why, mucho gracias, Ryan.

[Deleted]

"I was a student... but evidently school's out."

It sounded like the end of some sick joke, Jaus would fret letting the thought trail into his mind of all those CSI and NCIS TV shows he used to watch that would open with a morbid joke. IT seemed all but trivial now.

"As for safety, it seems that considering the lack of people, this place is relatively safe. Oh, soory, I forgot to introduce myself. But first..."

Empty. Now.
He'd shrug his head over to the pile of Experiments that had attacked him but twenty minutes prior. Perhaps it was safe, but to let ones guard down in a moment of terror seemed to beg desolation.

"Are you a student? My name's Orion. Orion Smith. My memory's a bit foggy... what happened here?"

He'd remembered just as quickly as the figure had made himself apparent. Jaus had never been one for faces but he did in fact remember those that he'd fought before.

"Yes,"

A voice would call out immediately redirecting his attention guard brought up with his fists drawn to his chest. They'd only lower at the point when he noted the fact that her cheeks were suddenly reddened. An innocent. Jaus shrugged in meek descendance.

"You're that student that didn't know the answer to one of the History questions the teacher asked!"

With that being said the first visage of Jaus' composure would be broken. The once stern and angry facade of Jaus was shattered and now he was laughing. Falling on his ass he'd clutch his head with a dropped hand. Who said something like that at a time like this? It was so awkward and nonchalant it was funny. And by all means necessary and refreshing. IT'd been so long since Jaus had smiled.

"I'm Rina Vade, and I don't, I'd rather not talk about it, but if no one else knows..."

His composure would slowly regain, hands placed beside his butt and press himself to a standing position. With a resounding clap his hands would be dusted off and the right one presented as an introduction to Rina.

"Jaus Valentine, and don't worry about it, we'll clear things up in time."

He would hope to be as reassuring as he thought he was although uncertainty writhed beneath his skin as their terrain boiled around them in the turbid chaos.

"I don't know about you guys but this place isn't what I'd call safe. Barker's been rolling patrols particularly around the school to round up survivors. I have a safehouse."

He'd incline his head to direct towards the road. A small stride to start walking, slow at first as though ushering them to walk and talk.

[Orion]

"You're that student that didn't know the answer to one of the History questions the teacher asked!"

Orion blinked as the other one fell on his ass laughing. Of all the things she could've said, it was this? Oh well. Orion gave a slight chuckle as she continued, though he had no memory of the incident.

"I'm Rina Vade, and I don't," she paused. "I'd rather not talk about it, but if no one else knows..."

The other stood, offering his hand to Rina.

"Jaus Valentine, and don't worry about it, we'll clear things up in time. I don't know about you guys but this place isn't what I'd call safe. Barker's been rolling patrols particularly around the school to round up survivors. I have a safehouse."

Jaus... it sounded familiar. As did Barker, but less so. Jaus began walking towards the road, so Orion fell into step next to him, shrugging.

"I really don't have any other place to go except home, and judging by the destruction here, I don't think I want to go home until I find out what had happened."
"Your eyes. They weren't like that before. What...what happened?"

A concerned tone from Rina gave this question. Orion shrugged once more, at a loss.

"I... don't really know. In fact, all of my memories of the time spent here at 259 are vague and blurry at best... My apologies, but I do not remember you, either one, though the names sound familiar. All I do remember is my time at 552, and my arrival here. What I do know about now is this: my other personality is completely gone. However, so is... I guess my attitude towards defending others. I do not know why, but also the eye color of my other personality has mixed with my own, resulting in this."

Orion then considered her question.

"If you mean the golden part, well, that, along with my blue hair and the blue glow around me, is the cosmetic characteristics of how Project Valor messed with my body. Valor was human experiments back at 552, one of a few. The only other people who underwent it were Takehiro Amakusa, Mekiel Echigo, Valo Morei, and Tsubame Hirotaki. Along with the cosmetic changes, I also can no longer feel pain, heat, cold, or the effects of most narcotics, including alcohol."

Orion looked at Jaus, now that he was done telling his tale. For now.

"So... would you do me a favor and explain what happened here? My memories of 259 do not involve a ruined school. They also" here Orion gestured at the bodies that were left behind "do not mention other experiments gone amok. Or the infleunce of this 'Barker' person."

OOC: WOOT! 495 words! A lot more then my norm. Happy life=happy muse!

[Roth O'Roak]

From out of the shadows a lone figure would appear. The man wearing a dark motorcycle helmet hiding his face and a long black trench coat covering his entire body with a pair of loose black pants. In his hand would be a blood covered black metal baseball bat. No, you don't want to know where the blood came from. He would slowly stride up to the group having been,istening somewhat to theri conversation.

"What happened? That's easy. Hell has risen to Earth."

The only person who knew Roth (because iof Orion's memory loss) would be Jaus. But none of them would know exactly who this figure was with his face covered up and his voice thrown off to Chrisitan Bale/Batman levels. Swear to me.

"Barker launched a full out assault on the school. Despite the efforts, myself included, we lost. You Orion? You lead the SLF as best you could, but were simply outmatched and overwhelmed."

[Rina Vade]

Rina

You never know what you have until it's gone...

For the life of her, Rina couldn't figure out how he could be laughing at a time like this. Sure, what she'd said might have been funny to other people, but to laugh your ass off about it? Still, she couldn't help the amused smirk that quirked her lips. He then got up, offering a hand, and said,

"Jaus Valentine, and don't worry about it, we'll clear things up in time."

Years of battling her trust issue made her hesitate to shake his hand, but she reminded herself of the situation and reached out, if albeit awkwardly, and shook it. "Good to know I'm not the last one alive." she muttered, half-joking. For a while, she had been afraid that only she and the experiments had escaped the explosion unharmed. The only thing injured on her was the cut running down her calf starting at the hip, and that was from slipping on the stairs when the ground heaved and cracked the building she'd been in straight in half.

"I... don't really know. In fact, all of my memories of the time spent here at 259 are vague and blurry at best..."

The one called Orion began. Rina glanced at him to listen. Another personality? He was an experiment, too? She felt her heart give a painful lurch as her expression became one of sympathy. She didn't pity him, no, not at all. But she'd seen them. The Experiments that had escaped. Some of them had spoken to her when she asked a question, but for the most part, they were fearful and wild-eyed, shutting themselves away in the Olympian apartments.

One of them was a little girl, only eight years old! Barker was going to die by her hands if she could help it. A very painful, slow and agonizing death. How could he do something like this?

The sound of someone approaching made Rina tense. Her shoulders went back as he guard came up, eyes wary. Friend or foe, she guessed that none of them knew by the way the other two acted. Plus, the guy was still wearing his helmet, so none could see his face. Was that on purpose?

"What happened? That's easy. Hell has risen to Earth."

His voice was off due to the helmet over his head. That wasn't his true voice.

"Barker launched a full out assault on the school. Despite the efforts, myself included, we lost. You Orion? You lead the SLF as best you could, but were simply outmatched and overwhelmed."

So that's what had happened with Orion. And did he get taken for an experiment before of after that? Probably after, since his memory of 259 was what was gone. Erased. "Written over." she thought, cringing.

Those who seek vengeance may find their end nearer yet.

::Notes::
Words; 571
Muse; Wonderful
Other; Welcome to the party! XD

[Deleted]

"What he said.."

Jaus would reply his attention turned downward still proceeding onward towards his original destination, though faltering a second to squat downward towards the ground and grab a handful of gravel like something out of Gladiator. He'd run his hands together calmly before inhaling and letting the dust trickle down between the recesses of his didgets.

"Like I said, safe house this-a-way."

A nudge of his head backwards looking at the masked figure hesitating a moment to accept him into the fold. However his comment before assured Jaus if only partially that his intentions were less than hostile at least towards him.

"We need to plan a retaliation strike... if that's something any of you are interested in, I'm as pissed off as the next guy but going in this alone isn't going to end well."

Jaus would nod, his eyes making sure to lock with all of them in a stady progression. Masked man, Rina, Orion. "Our hide-out has enough food and supplies to last us about a week, by then we should have things in order to strike back."

[Orion]

A man came up, helmet over his head, bat in hand. The bat seemed vaguely familiar...

As the person described the details of what had happened here, Orion's memories got a tiny bit clearer, though not much. However, one thing became clearer as Orion stared at the bat.

"That bat... it seems familiar to me... something is telling me that I had an ally who used a bat like that... nevermind, forget it. Your story rings true to me, but I can't really remember... "

Orion shook his head at the memory, as if getting rid of a fly. Jaus spoke, confirming the newcomer's story and inviting them all to a safe-house, as well as retaliation. Orion considered, then made a decision.

"I don't have anything better to do, and I guess I'll owe you one for bringing me to food and shelter. I'll give you a hand; during the time at the safe-house, I'll see if I can acquire a few resources to help out."

That said, Orion's face became a resolute mask, determined to help this semi-stranger in return for his kindness.

[Roth O'Roak]

As Jaus eyed Roth he would give a slight nod. Coming into an alliance without a face was something frowned upon by most. After Jasu would finish Roth would pull up his sleeve to reveal the Sol Paladin's gauntlent. That might just be enough for Jaus to understand.

"I'm in."

[Rina Vade]

Rina

You never know what you have until it's gone...

Things were just getting more and more interesting, weren't they? Rina's stance relaxed slightly when she realized that the newcomer was no threat, but she didn't drop her guard. Something in the back of her mind whispered to her to remember something. It unnerved her. Maybe she knew this guy while in school #259? There were a few guys she could recall that always made her uneasy. Perhaps he was one of them?

The guy called Jaus spoke and she glanced at him as he said "safe-house". She frowned when she heard how many supplies they had left. With four people - if all of them decided to go - they might not last as long as he suggested, especially since none of them had obviously eaten in a while. "Count me in." she finally said quietly with a nod as she looked thoughtful for a moment. They needed a way to get supplies at least.

Looking up at the ruins of the school, she began, "Do you think there's any intact rooms on the inside?" if there were, then maybe they could possibly see if there was anything they could take with them. Food, medical things, weapons...

Her Long Bo. How she missed it. It was her favorite weapon and she liked it a lot. She wondered if it was still in the locker room? If the locker room wasn't all crumbled in. "Ugh, that'd be just my luck." she thought with an inward groan. However, if she couldn't get her Long Bo, maybe she could find another? She looked up at last once everyone had agreed to go to the safe-house, and then looked over at Jaus, raising a brow in question. Should they check out the school to see if anything was left standing?

Those who seek vengeance may find their end nearer yet.

::Notes::
Words; 400
Muse; Getting there
Other; Sorry for the late post! I can't get on during the weekends. >.> Stupid library is closed then.

[Deleted]

ooc: For starters I apologize for the delay, been in studies and now my internet is having issues. So thank you for your time and patience with me. After this week my posting speed will pick up dramatically.

"Mmmhmm, plenty of rooms its just outside the fallout zone."

Jaus would proceed with his walking, if they continued to follow him walking the distance of about an hour they would come to an untouched place from war at the top of a hill. A grassy green lawn and a white picket fence of sorts. But the fence wasn't quite a fence but a large stone masoned wall at each of the corners stood several eyes in the sky keeping watch on the more common entry ways. At the frontal entrance would be a gate shimmering back with the initials "S. E.". To anyone who didn't know Gabriel Seran they'd probably appear alien in nature. A guard standing post hovered very high above Jaus' position, his mocha skin brining out the reflection of his smile.

"Philippe, I have a number of people we need to house."

The large mocha skinned man would size them up, dwarfing each and everyone in his gaze.

"Mr. Valentine are you sure that.." Interrupted of course. "I don't suspect that Gabriel will mind."

A sort of shared glare crossing between them as Phillipe took a step back and opened the gates. Inside would be a few dozen tents pitched outside, a long scaping terrace towards a hillside estates. Every few feet would be armored guards, regiments of Gabriel's personal armed forces.

"If you need anything I'll be happy to facilitate. Otherwise I presume you'd like to meet our host?"

Jaus would nod slowly taking his steps to carry him inside the house and around the circular stairwell looking upwards and then down.

"Downstairs are our medical offices, it will be the forefront of our rebuilding efforts, if we want stability people need to be in their best state of mind and health. In the basement is our armory, small arms and supplies will be kept there; otherwise this can be your new home until things are sorted out."

Jaus would carry himself up the stairs coming to Gabriel's penthouse, assuming the rest would follow he'd punch his code into the keypad and step into a dark room, a chair facing a large map with etched out figures of where Gabriel was planning his new dominion so to speak.