It's Raining Men! (Invite Only)

[Raikotsu Sudeki]

*BOOM*

There would a loud explosion in the middle of the road of some random city in New York. Nobody appeared to be around at the moment but after an explosion as loud as that it was definitely going to attract some attention.

At the center of the blast would be a small crater, with a man lying inside of it stark nude. That man would be none other than Raikotsu Sudeki. His body was a little beat up but nothing to serious, but he would be unconscious the force of the blast being too much for him to handle.

He would be laying face down in the middle of the crater his 15 whip scars facing the night sky feeling the cool night air. Next to him curiously enough were a couple of vambraces, what made them more interesting though is that hey were tied as though they were still on someones arms... Rai would groan a little as the pain caught up to his unconscious form. He was definitely in a bad position here, hopefully the first person to find him would be more willing to help him than cause him more pain...

[Deleted]

New York.

The concrete jungle as many have called it for many years. That was truly an understatement after the bombs had fell. The once lively city had become almost a complete wasteland. Ruins. Rumble. Lost homes and families. The devastation was great enough for anyone to lose all hope. Even a girl like Amara who was always so strong almost lost her hope. Her will. Her strength. Through all the desolation she managed to stand tall still. Time had passed and the city had seemed to find it's hussle and bussle again. It still held it's dangers from every direction. If one didn't know their way around it was still easy to get lost. Moss and plant life had grown in places it wouldn't have before considering the upturning of the concrete grounds. Life has resumed some form of normalcy since that day, except this particular day brought the sound of a rather large explosion. The area was outside of the city skirts a little more in a forest like terrain which Amara happened to frequent. A white horse stood diligent beside her as they both swiftly turned towards the source seeing a cloud of dust rise up.

---What was that?---

Her horse Artax neighed as she held his reins and eased his soul. Yes Artax, like the horse in The Neverending Story. He liked the name so it stuck. With him at ease she hopped on his back and rode hard towards the direction of the sound. She knew the area was not a good place for a stranger. Upon reaching the huge carter she halted Artax, getting off and not removing the black hood from her head. A sky blue scarf was wrapped around the bottom half of her face as a cover from the dust. Cautiously the woman gazed about before noticing a body within the center. Eyes widening she rushed in to find a guy completely nude. Ironically the nudity didn't bother her, however the whip markings on him raised a curiosity. They were old but still, what had he gone through to even get those.

---What in the world happened to you? Where the hell did you even come from actually?---

Amara glanced around noticing there was no other nor any sign of a bomb. No remnants. This only caused her to question more. Seeing the still tied vambraces, she bent picking them up just as he began to groan. She knew she couldn't leave him behind especially in such a state. Amara honestly felt bad for the poor soul he was a mess. With a heavy sigh she whistled for Artax to come over and as he did so she pulled a rolled up blanket off the back of the saddle and turned the poor soul on around placing it over his form and rolling him in it. Pulling him up a little she managed with a little struggle to get him on the saddle and rode off. Her mind just kept dancing around where he came from. What happened there? Why the hell was he naked? She had a few places she could go but she decided to go to the closest which was a simple two floor cabin like home off in the forest terrain. Once there she was considering dragging him in but if he was groaning before maybe he would wake so he could provide a little help in the weight distribution of getting him in. She left him laying stomach first across the saddle as she went to get a bucket of water. Upon returning she thought to herself before pouring it on top of his head.

--- I always find myself in these situations. You're lucky it was me that found you. But who are you and what happened there?---

[Raikotsu Sudeki]

Rai would going in and out of consciousness, feeling as though someone were picking him up, then he though he heard the sounds of horse hooves. But the rest of the time he was just surrounded by darkness and memories, some good, but most he'd rather forget.

The first time he killed, the faces of men that were friends of his dying in combat next to him. But then he would see a face, blurry at first but it became clearer and clearer until finally he saw the face of his mother...

"Mom!"

He would shout out in his dream as well as the real world. He would reach up a hand towards her when suddenly the picture in his mind would change to that of a dark figure with evil eyes.

As Rai would go to speak again there would be a cold splash of water hitting his head. Rai would snap awake but he didn't move, he felt off, like something wasn't right. Then as the grogginess cleared from his eye he'd see why. He would be looking at the horses side. Thats when his other senses would kick in, he'd smell the horses scent, feel the pressure in his stomach from riding on the horse, hear the sound of its breathing. He had no idea was going on, why was he on this thing, where was he?

He would look up to see if he could get a better idea of where he was...

[Deleted]

With her eyes the only thing visible of her facial features they watched ever so intentively as he shouted out for his mother. The outcry felt so powerful to the woman. As if it was shouted through her touching her on its passing. He was clearly in a dreamstate and the memory couldn't have been pleasant. For Amara it was quickly deduced that he must've lost his mother as she had lost her family, though doubtedly in the same fashion. With the water poured over his head it seemed to cause him to stir enough to some level of awareness. Awake but barely, nevertheless she needed to get him inside. She tapped his face a little with one hand as she lifted his head up with the other. Her voice might've sounded muffle to his ears for more than one reason. One because he wasn't all there and secondly due to the scarf covering her mouth.

"Hey, hey, you think you can walk a little so I can get you inside?"

In whatever form his answer would come in she would walk to the other side of Artax instructing the horse to kneel down a little so it was easier to slide the guy down off Artax. If she managed to get him down she would support his weight. It had to be done and he would need to endure some discomfort and she was going to need to wash her hoodie afterwards for certain. She would help him inside if he was able and hopefully manage to get him all the way to the bedroom on the first floor.

"I got you."

[Raikotsu Sudeki]

Rai would hazily look at the woman with his one eye. It took a moment to process what she was saying, once he realized he was trying to help he would nod. As she helped him slide off the horse he would grimace as he landed on the ground. Though, thanks to her help he was able to move towards the house struggling against his own weight but still not trying to put too much on the woman who was helping him, he didn't want to burden her anymore than necessary...

Upon reaching bedroom he would look at her.

"T-thank you..."

He would say as he passed out again.

[Deleted]

As the stranger would try to not place the work on her she would assure him that she wasn't any kind of weakling. That she could take his share of the weight with certainty. Amara was a fit girl yet it wasn't for the hell of it. It wasn't for just keeping a figure trim. She dealt with a lot in the world especially when it went to hell. She had to be stronger than she once was, both mentally and physically. She had to take care of herself as much as she so kindly took care of others. But her kindness was not to be mistaken for weakness. She was still a rather fierce individual when the time called for. She wasn't one that backed down easily if at all. With that aside she lead him to the bed where he clearly weakly said 'thank you' and passed out again.

---Great. I've come to realize I'm a magnet to wounded creatures. This one is indeed the strangest of them all. Naked in a huge crater. Where did you come from? You look like you've been through some shit.---

"I hope you don't wake randomly well I tend to you and strike cause I will not hesitate in knocking you out again."

As he laid there Amara left the room to gather all necessities before she returned. She placed a bowl of water on top the nightstand then left again to bring back a stool for her to sit on as well a pair of clothes for him. Yes she had mens clothes for no other reason than her constant gathering of resources. With a heavy sigh she adjusted him in the bed and sat near beginning to clean him up best she could. He could certainly use a shower when he woke.

[Raikotsu Sudeki]

Rai would remain unconscious throughout her cleaning and dressing his wounds, but she would definitely notice that he seemed to be stuck in some kind of deep dream and it didn't seem like a pleasant one. His body would shift every few moments or so as if he were uncomfortable, and his eye would be moving around wildly behind his eye lid. Though other than that he would show no signs of discomfort or movement, he must be sleeping soundly enough. After Amara finished her work on Rai it wouldn't appear like he was anywhere near waking up soon, probably for a cacophony of reason the major of which being that it had been some time since Rai had even closed his eyes to rest, and then there was whatever the hell he was dreaming about...

[Deleted]

Amara continued cleaning and dressing whatever wounds he had obtained with great calm and ease. Seemingly utterly unfazed. It not fearless. Not that there was anything to fear. There was no true immediate danger presented by the sleeping stranger; at least not yet. There was no clear determination as to whether he was friend or foe. With that thought the question in the wind would be why did she so willing help him? Why take that risk? Maybe when he finally woke those inquires would be given an answer. For now she watched as he seemed to twitch within his sleep. There was no doubting he was actively dreaming about something. Something that was causing a physical reaction but yet it didn't seem intense enough that his body thrashed in anyway.

Exhaling gently, placing the cloth in the bowl of water and removing it from the room she would return again this time with a small dish with sand in the bottom and a dried up lavender stalk protruding from it. Setting the dish upon the same night stand near him she struck a match lighting the stalk. Once lit she'd blow out the flame but the lavender would still burn through over time. Lavender was a good natural calming agent. Promoting sleep, relaxation and a feel of stress relief.

"This will help put you at ease."

She knew he couldn't truly hear her in his state but still she spoke. He no longer was wrapped in the cloth from previous but laid in the bed with the sheets over him. And there he would continue to lay as the sound of motorcycle engines caught her attention. She knew exactly who it was. Guess he must've assumed either she had something to do with the carter or she took what caused it. His assumption would be half right. Pulling a gun she had in the nightstand draw, Amara clicked off the safety and with determination walked outside her house. The neighing of Artax only solidified her thoughts as she stood next to him petting him just as they rode up. Their engines cutting off as they came to a full stop.

"Ty."

"Amara."

[Raikotsu Sudeki]

Rai would hazily wake up at this point. Looking around not quite sure about what was going on. Then he would hear the sound of a horse neighing in the background, and something that sounded like... A motorcycle? The only person he knew with one of those was Marcus. But... Wait where was he. He didn't recognize this place...

Thats when it all came back to him. The fight on the battle field the random teleporter and then a big explosion waking up to some woman helping him.

Thats right... but where is she?

It was then that he would hear her voice, as well as a voice of a man. Rai didn't know what was going on but for some reason he felt really uncomfortable. Seeing some clothes laid out beside him he quickly dressed himself. He would then look about for something anything that he could use if things got out of hand and he needed to defend himself. But otherwise he would stay as quiet as possible and listen as best as he could to what was happening outside.

[Deleted]

If the stranger happened to truly look around the room a bit more with care rather than frantically he would notice a pair of vambraces upon the dresser. His vambraces to be exact. Weapons that she did own she didn't particularly keep most of them in the plainest of sights normally. Then again the kitchen was always a good place to find a last minute weapon no? Meanwhile outside the humble home Amara stood before a group of 6 including the leader whom she first addressed as Ty. He was relatively a tall guy standing about 6'2" once he got off his bike. He seemed a bit into the theatrics when it came to his attire. His form for the most part covered saved for his piercing, haunting light bright blue orbs. They were more haunting than her own as his for some reason seemed to have a glow to it. Maybe not so unnaturally literal but the attire and the shadow of the hood certainly gave the effect. The others got off their respective bikes and stood in place near them as Ty, or rather Talon as his nickname was, strolled a bit forwards towards Amara.

"Heh, you're still the only one I let that name slip off their tongue and not remove it."

A rather rich tone seeped through the confines of his mask as he stood a few safe feet from the girl.

"And I still feel oh so honored."

"Heh, always the cute one Amare aren't you?"

"What do you want Ty?"

"I know you. You have this huge sense of curiosity and this constant need to help. There's no way you ignored that. And let's not try to play the 'I don't know what you're talking about' game cause there was no hiding the hoof prints."

"I wasn't going to."

Talon seemed to smile behind that mask but one couldn't tell unless they could read his eyes well. He shifted his head looking about until his eyes locked onto her gun.

"Of course. Already with such hostility? Come on now Amara, you know I never mean you any harm."

He spoke so smoothly as he began a slow approach. Amara quickly pointed the gun at him as the others drew a gun on her. Talon just merely placed his hands up.

"Now now let's all take it easy. You don't wanna do that Amara."

"No I practically don't you're right but it won't stop me from doing it if I have to. You know I'm a good shot Ty."

"That you are. You'd probably somehow survive their onslaught as they're aim sucks. But I know you don't want Artax hurt he's a bigger target than you. I'm sure they'll hit him."

"You know better than to threaten me. All I need is to take you out they won't really defend your honor I've told you this before. You aren't a hydra that regrows a head when one falls. They are a bunch of cowards. I've always thought you would've surrounded yourself with better."

A few of the men seemed to murmur in frustration at her down playing them. Talon began to snicker as he made a single for them to lower their weapons. The men seemed confused and upset as they did what they were told.

"You're usually feisty but you seem quite the overly protective den mother today. What are you hiding from me Amara, hmm?"

[Raikotsu Sudeki]

Rai would search calmly knowing that if he let himself go with the search they would hear him outside, and for the time being it seemed that keeping his presence here was best kept secret. Finding the vambraces Rai raised an eyebrow, they seemed familiar but he couldn't place it. He shook the feeling and quickly put them on. Once on he would feel strange but he couldn't explain the feeling...

Next he would need a weapon, he wasn't quite so worried about that as he could just form one with his blood. Disgusting maybe, but damn its useful. Rai looked at his hand and attempted to form a blood knife into his hand.

But nothing happened. He could definetly feel the blood there but it wasn't doing what he wanted it to do. The hell?! Whats going on? Rai would continue trying and continue at failing. Then he would here things beginning to escalate outside. Something about men having bad aim. This peaked Rai's interested and he took a slight peak through the window to see men with guns. Guns?! I thought they didn't work anymore... Rai pondered for a moment but it was entirely possible for someone to have saved a few or hell maybe figure out a different way to make them, or make 'em work, whatever the case things were serious.

Unable to use his blood for some reason Rai would search for weapons again. He also figured the kitchen would be a good place to find a decent weapon as he started sorting though trying to find a knife or knives that would be useful enough for combat. If he found what he was looking for he would go sit beside the door and listen to what might be happening outside. He couldn't just leave his savior not if she was in danger because of him. But at the same time there was no need for him to hop outside and start a gun fight best to sit back and wait to see what might happen...

[Deleted]

"Anything from over there you know belongs to me. Just like you have your area, though you seem to constantly reach into others, I have mines. I tend to respect yours don't I?"

Amara remained ever vigilant of Talon. She knew him well enough to know when to place a pinch of trust in him and when to throw that completely out the window. Talon wasn't a man that it was easy to get a beat on unless you knew him well enough and even with that caution was a necessity. She was a quickdraw so her decision to lower her gun just enough wasn't quite detrimental.

"On the occasion."

She spoke rather dryly in tone. In contrast he simply chuckled.

"Well in the interest that sharing is caring, what are you hiding dollface?"

"Thought I told you to stop calling me that."

"Only every time."

Behind that mask he smirked. Amused with himself naturally. He always enjoyed their banter.

"So.."

He spoke now standing within arms reach of her.

"Are we really going to do this all day Amara?"

His voice a little low in tone. Almost caring. Amara simply stared at him and then to his men while holding a firm grip on her weapon. Artax had long positioned himself behind his rider. Protective to no end. Dragging this on could or would result into something she rather not currently get into. Though revealing a truth could result in the same or not. It was a 50/50 chance. One she was actually beginning to draw the will to take. Amara was a mixture of caution and risk taking. She picked her moments ever so carefully though.

"We could, but I don't have time for useless bantering with you. Whatever caused the explosion I don't know. If it was some kind of bomb, which no doubt it was, there were no remnants I could find but then again I didn't stay long as a found a wounded wolf thanks to it. Maybe you can find something."

The men blinked and looked at one another, scoffing in disbelief. Talon stared at her with those haunting hues of his and she never flinched. Knowing how she was with animals it wasn't really hard to believe yet he held some reserve about it.

"Really Amara? You're getting all fussy for the sake of hiding an injured wolf from me? Heh, come on now you really expect me to believe that? I mean I know how you are with animals but.."

"Not from you. From the sadist you have in your crew that likes torturing them."

She pointed to the man who had been fiddling with his knife the entire time, nonchalantly. The man merely smirked at her. She looked back at Talon with a serious expression. Unwavering. Almost on cue a wolf limped from around the side of the house stopping near the edge with a small whimper before it saw the men and let out a low growl. Talon glanced as well did Amara. She didn't expect the wolf to hobble out of where she placed him but he made her story all the more true. The knife wielder stared and Amara pointed her gun in his direction. With no words she gave him a warning. No a promise. The knife wielder smiled and began stepping forward till Talon spoke up.

"Don't be an idiot. Enough."

-"But boss.."-

Another spoke up. Talon turned around slowly those seemingly glowing eyes piercing towards the man.

"The lesson about questioning me seems to be something consistently forgotten. Maybe I should do some reminding. I said enough. Leave. Go see what you find at the site."

Without further questioning they returned to their bikes and took off. Talon turned back to Amara.

"You know you cause more trouble for yourself than necessary."

"Actually you bring the trouble I try to remedy it."

"Heh always the cute one."

He attempted to raise a hand to her cheek, but she simply stepped back just out of his reach. Smirking again he began to walk back to his bike.

"Later dollface."

Starting the engine he revved it a bit before he took off. Artax snouted as Talon disappeared. Amara patted the horse on his side before she clipped the safety on her gun on. She walked and placed it on the porch before moving to the wounded wolf and kneeling before him. Petting him gently and smiled.

"Heh. You have amazing timing. But you didn't have to. Then again you're probably just hungry or annoyed their bikes disturbed your sleep huh."

[Raikotsu Sudeki]

Rai breathed out a sigh of relief thankful, hopeful, that a small show down had been averted but the day was still young. But his worry ended as he saw that the woman had apparently got comfortable enough to lower her guard... well, that is she looked as though she lowered her guard, but Rai had a feeling that wasn't the case. Hmmmm... I wonder. Rai would would out of the cabin as she was talking to the injured wolf and walk over to them.

"Well glad thats over."

If she turned around and was on the offensive Rai would just raise his hands above his head to show he meant no harm.

"Though I suppose I should be the one apologizing for this little incident you almost had a nasty brawl on your hands hiding me there. Thanks for that."

Rai smiled at her with his typical innocent, seemingly carefree, smile.

[Deleted]

The wolf remained at ease at her touch. She had such a way with animals it was a bit uncanny. Talon might not have said it at the time but one of his names for her was Snow White, for obvious reasons. Seemingly enough he clearly didn't want to overly rile her up cause she hated it. Hearing the door open and Artax neigh lowly was a single that their guest was awake and obviously walking about. If Artax's sound was more alarming then she would've reacted in a more defensive manner. Steadily she stood from the wolf and turned to face the stranger she 'saved'. She wasted no time in gracing him with an answer. Though her tone seemed a bit dismissive at the start.

"Thanking me is unnecessary. Apologizing is even more so. I doubt you asked for whatever happened. I only did what I normally would do."

Nonchalantly she walked passed him without so much of a glance as she stopped near where she put the gun down, picking it back up with no ill intent.

"As for Talon, I can handle him. Been doing it for awhile. It's really nothing to get sentimental about. Glad to see your up I thought you would've been out for much longer."

From the interaction it was clear there was something there with Talon. Something there as an unexplained relationship between them. It seemed like they respected each other, yet at the same time willing to uphold any threat towards one another. She glanced back at the stranger again taking in his form to her memory.

"You should be resting."

[Raikotsu Sudeki]

Rai noted that there was more behind her words about the man than she was letting out, but that was her own personal business and Rai wasn't going to pry into her life.

"Well for one you didn't have to take care of me as you have, and from the looks of things..."

As Rai stared off at the trail the men came and left from.

"I could have been a lot worse off as far as saviors go."

He would turn his attention back to her.

"As for resting I feel fine. I mean a little dinged up maybe but, other than that..."

Rai looked down at his hands still wondering about his Qi.

"Other than that I think I'm ok, not exactly a hundred percent but... I think I'll be ok."

Then Rai would look around the area a bit and notice something he hadn't before. He had no idea where the hell they were.

"Uhm... Where are we?"