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Post by David B. on Nov 9, 2012 21:40:26 GMT -8
David stood on the edge of the Rogues territory, though he did not know it as such. He was following bloodstains on the ground, frowning as he stopped about twenty feet away from what they might consider their border. Crouching, he dug his hand through the dust and filth on the ground, trying to examine where he might find the body. He had chased the man into a building not far from there, since the man had thrown an egg on his guard not a minute or two before. He was unable to find the guy at first, but when he finally saw a speck of him, he lashed out with wind, cutting the mans shoulder.
Now, tracking commenced.
It lead...toward the territory that was technically a no-fly zone on his maps. Men had vanished here, and while normally he would march a troop in there and find out what was up, his resources were stretched thin. Still, he was alone...and now might be a good time.
He took a step over a boulder, ready to head in the direction the blood had gone.
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Post by Vespyr on Nov 9, 2012 22:44:01 GMT -8
Tonight on Animal Planet
The nearer David came to the other side of the block, the more difficulty he would have following the trail of blood in the road. Over the passing year, the asphalt became broken up by wild grass and weeds as nature thrust itself back into the city streets, unkempt and unbridled, perhaps even with some help. Closer to the unmarked zone, grass grew in thicker patches, rising up to knee-level in some areas, converging in the distant streets almost like a vast field between the abandoned, disintegrating buildings. Decay seemed to have festered here more than anywhere else in Southern California, but there was also a haunting degree of vitality about the place… as if nature had sanctioned a piece off for itself, going back to its roots, rejecting outside influence. The trees were taller. The weeds were rampant. The scent of death was in the air.
There was a reason the streets were empty for several blocks in every direction; no one would settle there. The place had a bad vibe. Nature was no longer amiable and welcoming; it had turned its back. But it still watched.
And it knew there was someone standing at the gates.
…The night was eerily quiet. David would easily hear the pounding of feet on the ground, getting nearer… if he listened closely, he'd hear them coming for him.
They rounded the corner on thunderous paws, tearing through the wild grass with their jaws hanging ajar, tongues dripping hot saliva into the wind. Fifty feet away, two dogs--a black labrador and greyhound--charged down the street toward the unfamiliar-smelling man. They didn't even bark. They just glared at him with beady black eyes as they honed in on him, ravenous. But suddenly, when they were only about twenty feet away, the dogs stopped running and pivoted a complete 180 degrees as they skidded through the grass. On the right side of the street at the mouth of a dark alley, the grass began to move and sway strangely as if an invisible hand trailed its fingers through and was following the two running dogs. The wave advanced quickly at their tails, closing in. Suddenly there came a yelp and the labrador was down. The greyhound kept running and disappeared around the corner again. There was some thrashing and a few pained barks where the black lab had vanished into the field… then only silence and stillness.
The scent of blood drifted on the warm night breeze, along with… the very, very faint sound of purring. After about a minute, the grass moved again, gently. Here and there the tips of ears and tail were visible for a fleeting instant. Cats. There must have been twenty, or more… in that particular coalition.
While the rest had dispersed, there was clearly one feline who was still interested in the scene, and was in fact heading straight for David through the grass. As it grew sparser near the edge of the block, the man would be able to see a long orange tail held proudly like a flag, and then the rest of him… as Fleesh sauntered into the open.
He was rather large for a feline. His fur was the color of deep russet in the night and his one eye glinted amber in the moonlight. There was a small, cat-sized eyepatch where his other should have been. The tom would saunter right up to David, about three feet to the man's left, and then… keep walking for about ten feet. There he stopped, sat down, and fixed his amber stare on the man quite intently. He momentarily turned his leonine head toward the empty streets from whence David had come, then turned his stare back to David… his eye knowing and assertive. |
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Post by David B. on Nov 10, 2012 16:33:42 GMT -8
'The fuck did I just see?'
David had stood stone still as the dogs came around the corner. Two large canines whose eyes were fixed on him like he were a walking bowl of kibbles and bits. He wouldn't move, resolute as they seemed to saunter in his direction. He kept feelers out into the breeze, checking corners with his Qi for their owners. Frowning, he felt bodies, but they seemed the size of toddlers, or babies. Suddenly, the grass moving, he stared a moment before looking back at the now retreating pups. His eyebrows rose slowly as the second dog called out. As the tails and ears rose above the grass, he watched all of them as they walked off, still not moving, though this time in slight shock.
One broke away, walking by him not a few feet away. As it emerged, he reached up with one hand and scratched the side of his head in confusion at the kittens eyepatch. It had an owner, then... it looked back the direction he came and then pointedly at him. He frowned. Walking over, he would give some cat calling noises with the tip of his tongue, holding out his hand to offer up a pet as he stepped slowly toward it. Perhaps, from what he had just seen, this animal was not the kind to come and rub against his leg. But it was at least intelligent enough to run off some Dogs, orchestrate other animals to help, and then do all but say "I'm letting you go, human. So get the hell outta here."
Admittedly, he was curious. So...
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Post by Vespyr on Nov 10, 2012 18:22:07 GMT -8
Radar
Fleesh would let the man get near him, casually rising to all four paws, his tail held high in confidence. If the man so wished, he could run a hand over the cat's orange fur just once before Fleesh would slink away, trotting in the the direction David had come from… stopping every few feet to make sure he was being followed, giving David a stern look.
x_>
If David would follow him so far, Fleesh would lead him northwest for about a mile through the abandoned streets before suddenly sauntering off into the black shadows of another alleyway. A nonchalant meow sounded off in the darkness.
. . .
Something strange was afoot. Vespyr stopped walking and glanced down at her left hand, at the silver soul ring on her middle finger. The metal band had been growing steadily warmer on her cold hand but she hadn't noticed, until now… and it wouldn't have struck her as odd, if only she didn't sense that Fleesh was also nearby. He and whatever was with him were drawing steadily nearer.
Under the shadow of her hood, Vespyr narrowed her dark violet eyes and took a few steps backward into the dark alley she'd just been passing through. She waited. Sure enough, Fleesh came trotting around the corner toward her in a few minutes. Was he alone? |
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Post by David B. on Nov 10, 2012 21:27:04 GMT -8
David would be crouched next to the cat, and run his hand over it a moment before giving it a scratch behind the ears. As it would start moving, his eyes would turn back toward the strangely silent land that the animal had come from. Dead dogs, nothing living but a few stray cats. It was like someone opened a hole in the world. He took a step toward it before looking back at the cat, who was staring at him. It... Wanted him to follow? He would turn and look at the land it was leading him away from, let out a little breath, and turn back toward Fleesh. He'd follow the animal. It was obviously very well trained, and David had to be the one to choose between his curiosities.
In the end, the animal won out.
Land would always be there. One eyed felines who killed big ass dogs wouldnt.
*******************************************
A mile is a long time to follow one creature. But he sure as hell stuck to it. He jammed his hands in his pockets and kept an eye on the puffy little orange tail, every corner and twist. As he rounded one corner, however, the little thing vanished, leaving him standing there with nothing but the echo of its voice glancing off the rubble. He glanced around a moment before letting out a grumbling-
"Perfect. Just perfect."
He started slowly moving up the street, looking at the windows for any sign of life. Stopping after a moment, alarm bells rang in his head.
He could feel somone breathing.
The cat?
No, too big.
He turned around to look back the way he came, his back to an alleyway- they were breathing very softly, and standing in a narrow area that the wind passed through quickly, distorting his ability to pinpoint it. He slowly took his hands from his pockets, speaking in a calm voice, not loud or bold. Just...cautious.
"I can feel you breathing."
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Post by Vespyr on Nov 10, 2012 22:14:24 GMT -8
Of what consequence
Standing unseen in the darkness, Vespyr watched as the silhouette of the man passed in front of the alley. When he spoke, she crossed her arms and leaned a bony shoulder against the brick wall. She was only about ten feet away from him, but by the way he called out, she could tell he couldn't see her. She could have kept it that way, waiting in silence until he left, but… Fleesh rubbed his flank against her leg, demanding. Almost urgent. Vespyr glanced down at him briefly, her brow raised in mute curiosity. He'd brought the man to her for a reason, perhaps...
"I could smell you coming a mile away." she spoke, her voice cold and emotionless. "What's my breathing to you." |
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Post by David B. on Nov 11, 2012 9:39:44 GMT -8
David paused.
Voice came from behind him. He turned around slowly, staring at the faint outline of an individual who was leaning against the wall. He couldnt see her or her face, just a black shade. He gave a small smile at her words.
"Ah. Well, i havent been quite as fond of showering since the loss of hot water."
A joke, though he didnt know how she would take it. He noticed the cat around her feet, its own outline moving back and forth against her leg. Weird... He would hold a hand up to block the sun, trying to get a better look at her.
"So...any chance of you stepping out into the light, or...?"
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Post by Vespyr on Nov 11, 2012 13:51:16 GMT -8
Picking up strays
Vespyr shot a look down at Fleesh, but the tom only stared at her pressingly, and sat down on his haunches next to her boot.
"Nope. No chance." she said, preferring to remain nothing but a dark shape in the deeper dark. She flicked her violet stare back up to the stranger to pick him apart a little more--what he was wearing, how 'clean' he seemed compared to the average civilian, etcetera--so perhaps she could glean a little more about why Fleesh thought he was so goddamned interesting.
"What brings you here?" she asked coldly, tilting her hooded skull toward the brick wall. People didn't usually wander around these streets, even by day. It was still dangerously close enough to the border of that place to be deemed a 'hunting ground' by the dogs and the other, more savage animals. Not to mention, they were standing in the heart of Barker territory, many miles from any of the gang lands or the so-called safe havens. If the man hailed from any of those rebel groups, he surely was a long, long way from home... |
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Post by David B. on Nov 11, 2012 15:22:13 GMT -8
David cocked an eyebrow, deciding not to respond to her refusal to be seen. He only lowered his hand with a shrug.
"I was following your cat. Apparently, after killing two dogs with several of his buddies about a mile from here, right in front of me, he saw fit to lead me to you. As for what I am doing in Barkers territory, that's a little more information than i would like to give a woman whose only a shadow in the dark."
He would scratch his head.
"Can I at least get your name?"
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Post by Vespyr on Nov 11, 2012 15:44:34 GMT -8
Anonyma
Vespyr eyed the man in silence, raising her brow curiously. So he wasn't with Barker… was he one of those against him, or was he indifferent, like her? After all, even those who were brazenly pitted against Sean Barker might have been a little more cautious about running around on his territory… in plain sight.
"If you had a little bit more survival sense, you'd be a shadow in the dark." she suggested… speaking in what could be easily mistaken as an earnest, concerned tone. Of course she wasn't, but… she was still curious. It would take a little more tact to figure the man out, at this point.
"Would you believe me if I told you I never had a name." the shadow spoke, civilly, but with a twinge of inward spite in her voice, as well as a degree of truth. |
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Post by David B. on Nov 11, 2012 16:12:32 GMT -8
David smiled a little.
"I suppose I don't care to be one. Or maybe I hope I get found."
She seemed a strange one- preferring to use words as a weapon. Said things in a roundabout way. He wouldn't argue. Heck, he kinda liked it. Back when he was at 809, many years ago, a teacher there used to like talking in riddles sometimes. When he had something important to say. David would stick a hand in his pocket as he responded.
"I suppose if it was the truth, I could believe it. But if thats the case, what should I call you?"
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Post by Vespyr on Nov 11, 2012 16:43:20 GMT -8
Death in the alleyway
She narrowed her eyes a little, still unsure of the man's intentions. Hoping to be found? It sounded reckless. But she of all people could appreciate that… or did she honestly think it was a little foolish?
Vespyr took a slow step forward, her slender form manifesting a little more from the shadows. The stranger would be able to see the outline of her, that she was leaning with her arms crossed, that there was a hood casting shadow over most of her face, and that what was visible of her face was deathly pale, almost completely white. White hair, black hood, white skin, black lips, all barely distinguished from each other in the deep dark where she stood… but still distinguishable if the man peered hard enough. Maybe he'd even see her slender fingers folded over her crossed arms, and the unnaturally long black claws tapping patiently on her sleeve.
She looked hardly human: too skinny, too pale, too… sharp. Vespyr was well-aware of the effect that her cadaverous appearance had on most people, and she'd play that card shamelessly to see what this man was inclined to believe.
"Call me whatever you like, it doesn't make a difference in the end. You've been found, if that's really what you were hoping for.
"So what will you do now."
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Post by David B. on Nov 11, 2012 16:59:14 GMT -8
David's eyebrows drew down, smile fading as she moved forward a little. Her outline was like a sketch, scratched against a wall. He didn't move, continuing to stare unabatedly at her form. He couldnt see everything- just a part of her. But it was enough. He had never heard of someone looking as she did. It wasnt like she was killing herself, but that she had already been dead.
He undid his jacket, unzipping it slowly to reveal the black shirt under it. A tee- nothing special. The purpose was to display his lack of fear. Expose your heart to the enemy. He turned up his chin only slightly, exposing his neck.
"Who... Exactly are you? Not a Barker lackey- obviously. So, what, you a Crow then?"
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Post by Vespyr on Nov 11, 2012 17:19:51 GMT -8
Proud member of the Apathetic Party
Not of Barker, not of Crows, either; she could now assume that much of him. The corners of her lips twitched into a strange, darkly amused grin.
"I'm nobody's lackey, mortal." she said, throwing in the last word purely for theatrical effect and her own amusement. The black smile grew further across her face, exposing eerily pointed teeth to further the act.
Aside from Barker's men and the Crows, who else could he have been? Vespyr didn't keep up with current affairs as much as "Teal" did, but she'd heard the talk, and knew vaguely some of the other names that were recently thrown about in those boring diplomatic discussions she eavesdropped on whenever there was correspondence between "Teal" and "Unfettered" over the bluetooth. The man standing in front of her was either a civilian on nobody's side, or…
But from the awareness he seemed to have and the inkling of concern he revealed over her potential political ties by asking, it would be unlikely--Vespyr made an educated guess--that this man was simply uninvolved.
"You're a long way from home... Dragon." she said, her voice getting a little sharp on the last word as if she were taking a stab at him. |
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Post by David B. on Nov 11, 2012 17:37:21 GMT -8
David smirked as she called him a mortal. She was prone to theatrics, wasn't she? He didn't know why she played these games, but they brought her to the correct conclusion. He took off the Jacket, revealing the sash on his arm. It was Black, and written in white, plain text was the words "The Named". He let out a little breath.
"You sound almost...displeased."
David hated the way people saw him, sometimes. They looked at him or uttered his loyalty with disdain. As though the actions of the past Dragons were his burden to bear. They knew nothing of him, or what he wanted, or why he wanted it. Yet they assumed. Because assumptions were easy. Actually discovering for themselves was the hard road. He offered up his name.
"I am David Blaze, and yes, I am the Storm Dragon. Did you train that cute little creature to lure people here so you could kill them?"
A grin.
"Because me and death...we tend to argue."
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