Post by Sugimoto Kuromori on Jun 6, 2018 16:18:04 GMT -8
Name: Your Event
Requirements: Approved Character
Job: An event has happened to your character alone. What happened? Write a story about some big event that just happened to your character. This event can be done once a month.
Bonus: Receive an injury that lasts 3 threads.
Payout: +3 exp, +$250
It was just another day. Sugar had just gotten to the teachers building and pulled her lunch off of the fire pit when her phone rang. It was her mom. Sugar smiled and picked up the phone.
“Hello Mother!”
The smile faded from her face as her mother’s hysterical tone drifted over the line. Sugar sat down in the chair not even realizing the plate was beginning to turn her fingers red.
“When? How long?”
Her mother’s voice abruptly stopped and she heard sobs chocking off her words. It was a new blood disease spreading through the northern hemisphere. This one just so happened to cause the host’s emotions to be extremely volatile. Ranging from ‘super happy, to extremely depressed, to dangerously angry and meverything in between. If that wasn’t bad enough, the disease would soon turn it’s battle inward. The host itself would be targeted, much like how lukemia creates an over abundance of white blood cells and attacks the body.
Sugar had informed Mr Asiv immediately and left the school. She was headed to the doctor to speak with him directly. It took her a little more than three hours to get to his office, but sugar never took her eyes off the road or stopped. She finally entered the office and sat down with a Doctor Serabi Nojandi. She politely sat down and stared him down.
“I’d like to discuss my mother now, if you don’t mind.”
In the next hour and a half, the doctor told Sugar all of the information about her mother’s rare blood condition. There was less than a 5% survival rate. Almost everyone who got this disease does from it, especially now-a-days. Insanely enough, it was more fatal than Ebola. Sugar pulled at a tissue in her pocket, blew her nose in it, and raked her brain for ANY other possibility. There had to be hope somewhere. There had to be SOMETHING she could do. Nothing. There was nothing. All she could do was make her mother as comfortable as possible. Sugar stood and thanked the Doctor and left his office. She would find something, she had to.
The doctor walked her and her mother out, apologizing for the very unfortunate circumstances. He had offered to send her information about nursing homes near where she lived, but Sugar couldn’t accept them. If she did, it would be accepting defeat. Her mom sat quietly in the car seat next to her. She silently thanked Zack for letting her borrow one of their vehicles.
”Honey, I know you are doing everything you can. Sometimes, you just can’t fix everything. I just need you to know that I-“
Sugar cut her off. “Don’t say that. Dont even think it. No goodbyes until the end. There is still hope. I’ll fix this.”
Sugars mother nodded but her lips were pressed tight. She didn’t believe the was a cure. But her daughter did. Always the hopeful one. She reached over and ran her fingers through Sugar’s hair.
”I am so proud of you.”
The tears in her eyes glistening with the words. Sugar looked back at her mother with tears filling her own eyes.
“I know mom. I love you too. Just try to hold on, okay?”
She nodded and put the vehicle in drive. Back to Cabal. Maybe there was something there.
“I’m taking you home with me. You’ll live at my house until we find something.”
She wasn’t looking for clarity, she was just stating facts.
“I might know of someone I can talk to.”
**********To Cabal**********
Sugar had heard of a people that prayed to their Gods, but there was a big difference, their Gods answered. Luckily Asiv had given her the week off to look after her mother. There was a lot to do in such a short time. The young man stared at her over his glasses.
“Must be a big party down there. Lots of people driving into Pregresso, Mexico this month. Have a great one, ladies.”
After they arrived in Progresso, Sugar stopped and requested directions and they left for the Mayan Ruins. Sugar was was surprised to see bustling activity in the ruins. There were people all around. Walking into and out of the pyramids, delivering wood to a large area, painting each other with white and red paint. One small group of people noticed them and shouted an alert. Several men and women came running at then with staves. They yelled things neither female could understand in their native tongue. The women held still and sugar put her hands up to signal they meant no harm.
One much older woman made her way toward them, gently pushing the warriors aside to make her way. She walked directly to Sugar and looked her up and down. A small frown rested on her face. She didn’t seem to interested in her, but then her eyes drifted to her mom and her eyes widened. She said something softly to the warriors and they lowered their staves. The old woman lifted her hand and gestures at the ladies to follow. She then led the way to the pyre, once there she’d turn and gesture to the mom and then at the fire.
”MY... MOTHER... SICK... NEED... HELP” Sugar said slowly and a bit louder than necessary while making over exaggerated motions. The old woman stared at her, face unchanged.
”I speak your language. There is no need to shout. Though, I am the only one here who does. You are lucky I arrived when I did. But you...” She looked to the mom. “You are not so lucky. You are very sick.”
”Wait. How can you tell she’s sick? She isn’t showing any visible symptoms.”
”The great spirits are with me. I hear their whispers. Mother Earth has cursed you a great sickness, white woman. You need to seek forgiveness with Mother Earth. She may yet hear your prayer and lift your curse. Be warned, White Woman, if you do not come with an open heart you will not be healed.”
Her words seemed like a far fetched idea, but Sugar was willing to try anything.
“Come on mom, this might save you. You have to believe and be pure. He’ll help you.”
Her mom nodded and turned to the woman. “Ok.” The old woman took her hand and led her away. About half an hour later, after the sun had gone down and the stars started to come out, Sugars mother emerged covered in paint and wearing something resembling a bird. The bonfire had been lit and the people had begun chanting and dancing around the fire. Occasionally someone would throw something into the fire and it would crackle and spit and fireflies would shoot up toward the sky. Sugar watched from10 yards away or so. Finally the chanting grew to such a level and the fire shot up by itself. A part in the fire separated, almost like a door was created in the fire. The ‘door’ opened and a man walked out. Sugar gasped and leaned forward watching the scene unfold with wide eyes. The man looked around the area seeming to make eye contact with everyone there. His gaze rested upon Sugars mom and he took slow deliberate steps toward her. Once he was directly in front of her, he would take up her hands in his own and pull her close. Her mother’s gaze was tied up in his. The mans head lowered and their lips met. Her mother’s body went rigid and then relaxed almost instantly. After what felt like hours later, they separated, her mother breathing rapidly. The man took a step back and dropped her hands. The people started chanting louder. The word hit her ears like a drum.
”Patecatl.”
They repeated the word over and over. Then it happened. Her mother’s body went rigid and dropped to the ground, convulsing. Sugar leapt to her feet to race to her mother’s aid, but the old woman held her arm. She hadn’t even noticed the woman till then. Her face was grave.
”Your mother’s life is in her own hands. If she cannot pass this one test, she will die. Leave her be.”
”How long?”
The woman shrugged. “An hour. A day. A month. Each persons battle is their own. We cannot change it.”
Sugar tore her gaze from her mother to the woman.
“But I have to help her.”
“It is your choice. But if you help her, you will likely kill her.”
Sugar weighed her words. They had been through everything together. She wanted to listen to the woman, but she couldn’t. She HAD to help her mother. Her mother had always been there for her. She had always known when Sugar had needed her. She slowly walked into the circle. The people began toward her, but the old woman shouted something and they stopped. The man turned his gaze toward her.
“Do you wish to intervene?” Sugar nodded, tentatively. “Even with warnings? Then come, child.” He opened his arms, awaiting her to grasp his hands as her mother had just done. Sugar took the three steps to where her mother had been moments before. She gazed up at the man and raised her hands to his.
“Who are you?” She choked out a whisper above her hysteria. The man smiled small and responded in just as low a whisper before crushing his lips to hers.
“Patecatl.”
As soon as her lips touched his, her body too went rigid. The power that surged from his lips was like fire. She wanted to pull away but within the fire was almost a sweet taste. His tongue entangled hers and she felt herself melt into him. Her hands slipped from his and encircled his waist. Her breathing became raspy breaths as the passion behind his kiss elevated. Her entire body was hot now. From the tips of her hair all the way to the souls of her feet burned. She started to get uncomfortable in the heat and tried to pull away but Patecatl’s arms entwined themselves in her hair and held her fast. She tried to move her hands to push on his shoulders, but as soon as her hands moved she felt his teeth come down on her lip spilling blood. She thought she heard him say something, but that was impossible because he was still kissing her right? His mouth was still against hers. How could he be speaking?
“Her soul lies with me, foolish child.”
Her eyes flashed open as her body was released and she dropped to the ground. Looking up, she saw her mother had stopped convulsing. She jumped to her feet and raced to her. She pushed on her shoulder and turned her mother over. She covered her mouth to stop the scream from escaping. Her mother’s lifeless eyes stared up blankly at the sky. She reached forward with her hand and turned the face toward her. Her mother’s cheek was cold. Sugar dropped her hand and began to cry.
“WHAT HAPPENED? I WAS HELPING HER!”
Behind her, the fire all but died out sending chills up her spine.
“I told you child, you needn’t have bothered.” The old woman touched her shoulder. “It was her battle to fight. By interfering, you sentenced her to death.”
“I was helping her. That man. God. Pat-Kettle. He said I was helping.”
“He did not. He asked if you wanted to intervene. You killed her. She died because of you. If not for your interference she may have still been alive and well.”
“I did this to her?” Sugars voice was quiet. Like that if a child. “But she can still-“ She looked up to see the man, but he was gone. “Where is he? Where is the God?!”
“Patecatl has taken her soul. You gave it to him.”
“He can bring it back. He has to.”
“Gods don’t work like that. Neither does the ritual you ruined. Do not return here.”
There was another flash of light and the site grew dark. Sugar looked about and saw nothing. Just empty pyramids. There wasn’t even burned wood at the site of the pyre. Sugar let her head fall into her hands and rocked herself. Opening her eyes, she saw that her mother’s body was gone as well.
She lifted her head to the skies and screamed. Her grip on reality began to slowly slip away.
**********BACK TO CABAL**********
The kid behind the counter barely looked at Sugar when she handed him her papers stating that she belonged to territory 259. He nodded and shoved the papers back. Her vehicle was waved through and she returned to Cabal. Upon reentering the building, she received a notice asking her too report immediately to Zack Asiv. Sugar took a deep breath and reported to his office. Before she made it even that far, a Cabal Lieutenant stopped her.
"Ma'am, you are needed at the training grounds."
"I have been directed to Asiv's office."
"Ma'am, if I may, that was in regards to the issue taking place in the training field. You will need to report there immediately."
Sugar stared at him. His nose began to bleed a little. "I do NOT take orders from the likes of you. Get out of my way." Sugimoto pushed past him and he crumpled to the ground in a groan of pain. She shoved the door open and briskly walked to the training field. Upon arriving she was confronted by another officer. This one held more brass than the last.
"Welcome back, Miss Kuromori. We have your next assignment here. I must warn you that this information is strictly confidential and cannot leave this area. I trust I don't need to tell you what happens if the information is leaked out side?" He smiled but she hears the veiled threat.
"I understand. Thank you sir."
Upon opening the folder, Sugar finds that there are approximately 80 experiments. She begins to review the folder and finds that they each need to be examined and then each must be given a series of shots. She glanced over the list of shots. each one was completely normal although most were for immunizations. The first shot was a sedative. She nodded to herself. All of these made sense. Most of these people were saved from an underground village. They wouldn't really do so well with everything the Cabal soldiers and nurses had to administer. Sugar made her way to the first tent, men. The next, Women. The third, Elderly. Lastly, Children and infants.
Sugar made her way through each of these. Each of the patients made a line into the tent she was placed in. One patient entered the tent at a time. Two cabal soldiers stood within the tent with her and carried out said patients when the physical was complete.First greeting and calming. Next, she would check blood pressure, temperature, weight, dental, skin abrasions and general well being. Finally she would apply the sedative and then begin the series of shots once the patient was effectively sedated. The soldiers would then carry the sleeping patient back to their empty tent to sleep. The first of the males was Kirin. It seemed to Sugar that he was not concerned with any of the physical she was performing for him. He did ask that he not be sedated. Sugar shook her head gently.
"I am sorry, but I have specific orders. Besides, I hear all of you have had quite the ordeal. A nice long rest would do the lot of you some good."
The man asked no more questions and sat down on the cot for her to administer his medications. Soon the males were complete. Sugar seed to go in and check on the sleeping patients, but the soldiers strongly urged her to complete what she was tasked. She didn't quite like it, but she did as she was told. After all, the first tent didn't take longer than half an hour. The females were more jumpy than the males. Sugar did her best to keep them calm. For some, she had to give them the sedatives early. She still decided to give the other shots last. One particular woman, by the name of Sil, was a little more bothersome than the rest. Sugar had to incorporate the help of the soldiers to hold her down for her shot. She wasn't really all that surprised to see that Sil's blood pressure and temperature were both rather high. Once the women were done, she moved on to the elderly. They didn't really seem to be bothered too much by what was going on. Sugar supposed that for them, this was a nice calm encounter. May of them welcomed the sedatives. Just as before, the soldiers carried out the sleeping patients. Sugar didn't even mind not being able to check on the patients. Before too awful long, it was time for the children. This was by far Sugimoto's favorite part. She was able to hold many of the smaller children and ask the a few things. Many of them were just as happy to see her. One child she really enjoyed. This little girl was all hands and giggles. Sugar gave the precious baby several hugs and played with her a bit more than the other children. She eventually finished with the other children and started to leave for the tents again.
"I'm sorry Miss. No civilians beyond this point. Commanders orders."
Sugar glared up at him. "Do I look like a civilian? I am the head nurse. Move now. I need to check on my patients."
"Sorry, I have orders. No one goes in."
Sugar glared for a while longer. She was about to say something rather inappropriate when the same gentleman came up behind her.
"Miss Kuromori. We need your report on the subjects right away."
Sugar sighed and turned around. "I have it all here. Why am I not allowed to see my patients?"
"The subjects have been detained and euthanized. They aren't your concern any longer. Return to your office, Nurse."
Sugar froze.
Sugimoto slowly turned around.
“What. Did. You. Say?”
The man would smile.
“The subjects have been neutralized. The threat is no longer an issue. You are relieved from you duty station today. Go and rest it off. I’ll let your attitude pass for today.”
Sugimoto was shaking with anger. She lifted her hand toward the man. Her hand began to glow.
“You will pay fo-“
She was cut off by a sharp pain to the back of her head and then a bright light. Someone had knocked her out from behind. She woke up later in the infirmary strapped to the bed. Tears streamed down her face as she remembers what happened.
“They’re dead. They’re all dead and it’s my fault.”
