If the days were longer. (Open, 1 other only.)

[valekin]

Valekin would be found at a hot spot for teens. He doubted his quarry was so stupid as to come here and tan. But he had to try. If he didn't, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself for not looking amongst the sand and surf. She had to be in this part of California, it's where the trail ends. Valekin had never doubted his abilities on any given day. The only thing he ever doubted was people. People were never constant, always changing. Like himself. He used to be a great human being, hardened by war, but with a soft spot.

Now he knew only vengeance. It nearly obsessed him.

There will be other days Falcon. Don't give up just yet.

I'll never give up Klaus...she'll die before I do..

And then you'll see her in Hell...

That's the plan...

He stood on the beach's sand. It was grey out today. Overcast. Not many people were at the beach on this day, it looked like rain. He watched the waves roll onto the beach, then roll out. They were constant, unlike himself. He was more like the sky, ever changing. But a little predictable. The Serb wished for piece of mind and heart. But he lost his religion, his purpose, his happiness. Revenge had driven him mad. If he strayed but a little he would be no different than a Malkavian. He had spent his whole life killing, fighting, and slaughtering. The son of genocide.

Baron Kaluskov XII.

Was he even worthy of being noble? Doubt once again. His actions in the past had been far from noble. He had always been the wayward son, no longer welcome in God's house. Because now he was aware of his sins. They drove him to revenge, and to madness. He fights to live, and lives to fight. Now he had to fight for something entirely different. Not some cause, not for purity, but for his own sanity, and personal integrity.

He had betrayed his friends in New York. He left them there to pursue Nicholai. Revenge had carried him from New York to Japan, then to Russia, then back to New York. Now it carried him to California. The land of sun and surf. His trench coat billowed in the ocean breeze. He had never before seen the ocean.

It looked bleak today, like his future. Could he change it? Could he make things better for himself? Not with the madness that possessed him. The obsessive revenge that drove him. What would he have if that was taken from him? He was born to fight, to kill. It's all he knew.

That wasn't true...

He knew love once. Or a form of it.

Now he felt guilty. He left her behind as well. Revenge had torn him from that place, and from her. He wondered if she even remembered him. Remembered the time she brought his crown back to him, the time they hung out in his apartment when it rained, the birthday party. He would never know, these questions would go unanswered for the time being. If only someone would pull his ass out of the fire.

Yuri always pulled his ass out of the fire, good old Yuri.

But Yuri wasn't around anymore. He was back in New York, and Valekin was all alone on the other side of the continent. Without a friend, or constant ally. He didn't even pity himself. It was justice for all he had done to everyone he knew. To all the unknowns that he had killed, and all the friends and family he abandoned. It wasn't pity.

It was disgust.

[Aureus]

It was the first time Aureus had been to the beach since he and Chi had broken up. Wait, was that even the right word for it? No, it was more like they had been separated. Cut off from each other by Karel's existence and Chi's guilt. It was hard for the schizo to relax now, and when he did it only lasted short periods of time. During a particularly challenging fight, laying on the roof doing nothing but staring at the clouds, or whenever he played guitar. Being on Brimstone helped, to a degree, but he was also beginning to feel the addiction take it's hold. Very subtly it infected him. It was completely against his nature to do such a thing, but it was for her, and he would do anything for her.

In a bag slung over his shoulder were his shoes, which he had ditched in favor of the sensation of the sand beneath his feet. It was easy to forget how amazing the ocean was when you lived so close to it, but today Aureus really enjoyed it. The melodic sound of the waves crashing and sweeping back out to sea, the sound of the gulls, the smell of the water's salt, very enveloping.

For about five minutes he had trudged forward, not really paying attention to where he was going, and he really didn't have to. There weren't that many people around, because of the less than sunny weather, not to mention it was kinda hard to fall off course whilst walking on a beach.

...like the sand misses the sun, he thought the half completed sentence, looking up at the sky. From there his gaze shifted to a figure standing not too far from his current position. It was a curious sight, someone with hair that long and a trench coat on. Bored of the social confinement he had put himself in all day, the dark haired teen approached the figure.

"You're not from around here, are you?" He asked bluntly, but with a friendly undertone.

[valekin]

"I'm vrom a vorld avay. No, you guezzed right ztranger. But my origin izn't important. I'm Valekin." The Serb said without changing his mental tone. He glanced over the boy and wondered why he took the time out of this lovely day and weather to speak to him. It didn't even make sense.

He was still watching the waves roll in, though it might have seemed rude, he didn't turn to face the boy at all. He was so in his head at the time that the interaction that had taken place wasn't enough to draw him away from his own thoughts. Pain and suffering could have been what someone would see on his face. But that wasn't it at all. It was hatred, and frustration.

He was frustrated with himself, and he hated himself to a degree. His steel plated boots sunk a little into the sand, they were quite heavy, yet he was used to them. He wore models like them practically all his life. Nothing was much of a stretch anymore. He didn't even place himself in the same category with the same limits as your average human being.

[Aureus]

Hmm, what accent is that? Sounds northern European. Yeah. the schizo thought, his suspicions confirmed in the foreigner's answer. After a quick look at him, the boy went back to watching the ocean. Stepping to the side, Aureus examined him closely. There was a cold, somewhat subtle anger that came from him that the Pillar could identify with. This guy's serious. I wonder what his story is.

"Well then, what brings you to Long Beach, if you don't mind my asking?"

[valekin]

He was actually South Eastern European. But that didn't matter much. A smirk touched his pale lips and formed an opalescent smile. The kid wanted to know what his story was. Valekin hoped his audience was patient, and capable of understanding. It was a long, and complicated story. For this, Valekin knew he would want to sit down before it was over, so he sat on the sand, leaning back on his elbows, and watching the waves roll in. He was taking an enormous risk telling the other about his experiences.

But maybe, just maybe, his testimony might save the other youth from following in Valekin's footsteps.

"I don't mind. Maybe you'll learn zometheeng, or identify." Valekin started. He took a breath, and began to lay it all out for the youth. From beginning, to end.

`~Valekin was ordered to take up a sniper point in a building of his choosing, in the ruined city of Besra. Imagine looking down the sniper scope with three or four other guys around you watching your back. They’re armed with Kalashnikovs, also known as the Soviet Alma-Ata Kalashnikov. Valekin knew these men, and he trusted them to watch his ass as he looked down the scope into the ruined city. He was viewing the middle of a rebel camp. Those rebelling against the Serbian army were one of two types of people in the eyes of the government and army, heretics, or radical muslims. As it was said amongst his allies and friends, amongst his country and government. Kill the heretic, and the radical in the name of God.`

`He was going to do just that. Bracing the SVD 7.62mm Soviet sniper rifle against his shoulder, he peered down the scope as a thirteen year old boy, in the middle of a war. A panzer tank rolled in, then out of view. It looked like the rebels were on the move, he didn’t have long to finish off as many as he could. That was his mission, kill as many as possible. During the war, no one knew who was the leader of any rebel cell. The orders were to kill everyone. Always.`

Hail Mary..


`He cycled the bolt, and slammed the clip into the slot. Then cycled the bolt again. Now, peering down the scope of the rifle he took aim, the back of the man’s head. He looked rather important, ordering other men and women around. Valekin twisted the knobs on the scope, compensating for wind and sway. Then, slowly he removed his right index finger from the trigger guard and placed it on the trigger itself.`

Full of grace...


`Crack! Head shot, pink mist was seen, then the exit wound showed itself. He cycled the bolt, discarding the spent round, then cycled it back into place. Click, slik, slik, click. Next, there was only slight shock when the man’s brains were blown out, many ducked, others began arming themselves. Some even began looking for him. He picked another target, someone that was looking right at him. He could see their face.`

The lord is with you...


`Crack! Head shot, pink mist followed and the target went down. A single tear welled up in both of Valekin’s eyes. He cycled the bolt, and then cycled it back into place. Click, slik, slik, click. Next, a target with an RPG. Rocket propelled grenades were dangerous, he had to take that out. He aimed for the man’s head, then chest... he couldn’t handle directly killing someone else so soon. He aimed for the RPG round itself.`

Blessed art thou amongst women...


`Crack! KABOOM! Chaos erupted as the round exploded, blowing the man and several others to pieces. Several crates full of ammunition caught fire and exploded soon after. As the smoke began to clear, he watched the rebels, now almost fully armed, get up. They were in shell shock. An affliction that renders people unconcious, blind, deaf, in a state of shock, or dead. Everything but deaf was temporary. He cycled the bolt. Four 7.62mm rounds left. Click, slik. Slik, click. Next target, a rebel soldier getting up.`

And Blessed is the fruit of thy womb..


“Jesus...”
`He whispered to himself.`

`Crack! Chest shot, pink mist and he crumpled to the ground. The round went right through both lungs thanks to the angle. Valekin blinked, getting the tears out of his now clouded vision. Cycling the bolt he cleared the round and reloaded it. Click, slik. Slik, Click. Next target, another rebel getting up, he was unfortunate enough to have a fifty caliber machine gun with him. Yuri was with him, and placed a consoling hand on Valekin’s shoulder. He silently thanked him, and aimed while the other members of the squad left the room and began their descent towards the streets.`

Holy Mary, Mother of God...


`Crack! Head shot, pink mist followed. Valekin began to think more coldly towards what he was doing, the slaughter was something he was getting used to. Cycling the bolt he sobbed once, and never again during the mission. Cleared, two rounds left. What bloody work a boy must do in the name of God. Only.. He didn’t know that was heresy in itself.`

Pray for us sinners...


`Crack! Torso shot. The exit wound had to have been about the size of a tangerine. Valekin had from that day foreward believed there was always blood on his hands, physically. He’d wash them even when they are clean. Trying to wash away what he had done, what had traumatized him so. One round left. And there were three targets in his sight. He picked one, the rebel that was now hefting an RPG, and pointing it at his squadmates who were moving towards the camp.`

Now and at the hour of our death...


`Crack! Head shot, the velocity of the round sent the man on his ass. He was already dead, but it was almost comical the way he fell. The weight of the RPG had pushed him down when his body went limp after the bullet ripped out his brains, making him almost sit, then lay down. He cycled the bolt, and the final casing flew out, as well as the metal plate for loading. He was empty.` “Come on Valekin, let’s go!” Yuri told him. Grabbing the young man by the shoulder, and pulling him to his feet. Kalashnikov fire was heard as his squad mowed down the rest of the rebels.` “Amen..” Valekin said finally.`

~~~~

"Zhat vas only zhe zecond time I 'ad killed, I vaz thirteen. Een a var torn Europe." Valekin finished that part of his story. By that point the sun was setting. It was getting much darker out. It most certainly wasn't the end of it. The end was a long way off. That was, if it ever ended.

[Aureus]

Seeing his current company sit down, Aureus wondered if that was his way of consenting to speak. Maybe it was a long story too, who knew? Either way, he was in the mood to listen to a good tale. A simple nod was his only response to the other's first statement before dropping down onto the sand and folding his legs. Inhaling a large gulp of the sea air, the schizo focused all of his attention on the dark haired boy.

Serbian, eh? Guess I was off a little. Aren't you supposed to be the smart one though? I guess... The teen thought to himself while listening to the story. It was a lot more than he had been expecting. A soldier? That explains a lot. Aureus mentally consented. It was odd, how something like war could be so exciting and appealing, yet at the same time monstrous. But that's how humans are. Full of contradictions, always lying to themselves for comfort. But what could you do? It was up to everyone how to live their life.

Once he had finished, the Pillar replied with a thoughtful expression plastered across his face. "Wow, that's one hell of a story. It's hard to imagine something like that, never experiencing it first hand, but I think I can see how it would affect a person," Aureus said, stretching out a little before throwing a glance at the horizon, the sun bleeding it's last rays into the water. It would be dark soon.

[valekin]

"Now you zee 'ow I veel at timez. But zhat's not zhe 'hole ztory. Eef you vant, you can 'ear zhe rezt at anozzur time. I'm zick of talkeeng about myzelv." Valekin said, picking up a handful of sand and letting it drain between his fingers. He contemplated the boy's reaction, and figured that he had a story of his own to tell. However, one that was much much different than his own. A story like his would be hard to come by.

"I vas Thirteen vhen I killed for zhe virst time.. Imagine 'ow zhat velt.." He mumbled. Did he regret it at all? Not in the least, because it made him who he was today. He hoped things would all turn out for the better, maybe even get near perfect. But a future that was perfect would be hard for him to obtain. His hands were weighted down and slickened by so many gallons of sinful oil that it would be nearly impossible for him to hold onto anything for very long. Happiness would slip right out of his fingers, like an over sized ring on a small finger.

[Aureus]

The Pillar understood perfectly how the boy felt, well about not wanting to keep talking about himself at least. It was a real pain, focusing so much on things that you'd rather forget, but they were a part of you no matter what you did. Taking away them took away from you. It was an odd concept really, but it was the reality of things.

"Yeah, that's alright. Save it for some other time," Aureus said thoughtfully. "Well, now that you've told me a little bit about you, I guess I owe you the same. Not like my current situation's much of a secret anyway," the teen explained, tracing his hand across the sand before clearing his throat. At first he hadn't been sure what to talk about, but it kinda came out by itself.

"Well, the girl I love more than life itself can't stand to be around me because she can't forgive herself from making a few mistakes. Telling her I forgive her, that I don't mind, none of it helps. She just keeps pushing me away. So now she's stuck playing the role of some bastard's play thing. He raped her and tapped into her more repressed side, I'm guessing anyway. So now my one focus is to become strong enough to enact revenge on him and set things right. Even if I can't convince her to let herself love me again...I'm going to tear him limb from limb for destroying the one thing I care about."

By the time he had finished speaking, the Pillar felt just a little bit better. It helped, actually saying all that out loud. He wasn't even really saying it to the dark haired boy in front of him, he just happened to be there.

[valekin]

"zhat's a vorthy cause. She's got zometheeng a little zcrewed too looze een 'er 'ead. But zhat'z not 'er fault. Do vhat you veel you 'ave to do. Ve are zo much more powervul vhen geeven zometheeng gut to vight for. But don't fall eento zhe 'abit of takeeng revenge for everyzhing. I'm ztuck een zhat downvard zpiral, and eet's driving me a little mad." The Serb had said. He spoke from experience, the whole reason why he was even in California was because of revenge. Revenge for his family, and for himself.

Killing was no longer something that made him choke up. Now he enjoyed it, because it made him feel like he was one step closer to his goal. He had tracked the Black Hand to California from New York. Now he was going to wipe them out. To cleanse them from the Earth.

It's funny how plans always tend to go sour though. That was his plan when he was in Japan. And he met local Black hand there as well. Maybe the Black Hand was every where. Maybe there wasn't only one unit, but many. He had been tracking the Hunter Unit. Which had renamed themselves the Knights of Gehenna. Why? He didn't know, but it made them a little easier to track. Being as there weren't many things called Knights of Gehenna. Not as many as things called the Black hand anyway.

[Aureus]

"Don't we all..." Aureus muttered quietly in response to the Serb's comment about Chi having a screw loose. It was funny, for him to think of anyone as crazy when there was so much wrong with him. Things had been looking up just until a month ago, and now they were breaking apart piece by piece. It can't last for too much longer...you'll be fine in the end. You will...You will... he repeated to himself mentally, making a good attempt to convince himself. Nothing could stay bad for long; nothing could stay anything for long, it was just the way of the chaotic world in which he lived.

The dark haired male's advice was something the Pillar was keenly aware of, though it was hard not to get swept up in revenge when it's all you have to hold on to. His mental condition was relapsing, and he just wanted to fix everything as quickly as possible, before he lost his new self completely.

"I don't think it will become a habit. There aren't many things I care about this much. When it's finally over, I'll be able to relax. I'm getting tired though, everything looks so hopeless, ya know?"

[valekin]

"I know vhat you mean. I 'ope eet dozent become an obzezzion veeth you. Thingz could get ugly eef eet did. I veesh you good luck, maybe we'll run eento one anuzzher zoon, eh?" The Serb said with a smile as he got up. He dusted the sand off of his ass, and spun on his heel. His boots sunk an inch into sand due to their weight. He put up his right hand, then two fingers, over his shoulder. He waved them back at his single serving friend.

Tucking stray locks of sable hair, he sighed to himself. He wondered to himself what his future held. Exactly where would his vengeance lead him? The Serb hoped it would end here in California, of course that wasn't a guarantee. Things hardly ever go as planned, but if there was a star out at the present moment. As the day sank from dusk to night. He would have wished upon a star.

Wished with all of his might, that he would break the cycle of revenge right here. In California. He'd wish and wish and wish. And if the star didn't grant his wish, then he'd hope that God would.

God. He abandoned God. All the blood he had shed, all the horror that he had been through, made him think that God really wasn't there. That's understandable. If everyone in your blood family had been taken from you before you had even reached legal American age, you would question God's existence.

[Aureus]

"Thanks, yeah I wish you good luck as well," Aureus said, twisting his body to watch Valekin walk off. that had been a nice little chat, though it hadn't really helped bolster his moral. You're just not alone. There a buncha other people dealing with stuff like this. You'll pull through, alright? You will, and you'll be stronger for it. the dark haired boy told himself, eventually turning back to face the ocean.

It was practically night now, and the moon was gently sliding into the sky, it's reflecting mimicking it's every moment in the ocean. Falling onto his back, Aureus' thought immediatly swept to Chi. He had come to associate the beach with her, what with it being her favorite spot. Closing his eyes, the schizo let himself fall headlong into sleep.