Vladimira’s eyes likely resembled dinner plates, she couldn’t tell. Had that woman just… >[i]Ah, Fianna “the Gentle”. Great punch, though I think we might need to update the dictionary. Oh also, he’s not paying attention to you right now. Try hitting him or something. That might be fun. Wonder what’d happen if you… nevermind, stupid question. Try punching him in the face again though, seemed to work pretty well, good asshole repellant. Anyway, shouting about Mother Russia is optional, though if you say it enough it could become your catchphrase![/i]< Vladimira shut out Pandora, the Spark’s mumblings were distracting, and distracting was a bad thing at the moment. She coalesced the metal around herself, part of it reforming at her feet into another sheet for her to step onto, the remainder clouded into a wickedly sharp cloud that churned and sliced at the air in front of her. Levitating herself up, she hurtled forward silently, her right arm cocked back for another punch as her left manipulated her metallic tornado into several wicked looking spikes. She neared him, noting with satisfaction that he appeared to be distracted with Fianna/whoever the other woman was… or had been. She didn’t scream, shout, or yell, hoping to keep the element of surprise until she was right in his face. To say that Evelina was surprised at her speed would be a gross understatement. She had thought to be fast before, but the speed she now possessed was in an entirely different league. She didn’t know if it was to be credited to Fianna or not, but she no longer felt fear from Aeshma. In fact, he felt like little more than just another hollow to be defeated. She flexed her fingers, watching the long, claw-like nails extended past their tip, each thick and sharp enough to be considered a weapon. She further studied her new body, noting the small rivulets running along her armour, like tiny veins engraved in it with equally small points of light dotting those veins. She looked up again, her gaze falling upon Aeshma, electricity jumping across his body. With just the tiniest flex of her will, she summoned a small, spherical orb in the palm of one hand shining with a gentle light. She didn’t do anything with it quite yet, resorting to simply observing—watching as the metal-wielding woman went in for another attack. [i]Not a good idea, not a good idea![/i] Her entire body tensed, prepared to react to anything. Aeshma watched his quarry warily, his body tense and ready to react to anything she would throw at him. He was entirely focused on the fight, everything else was of unimportance, though something kept pulling at the back of his thoughts. He was powerful, he was in control, but his host was still fighting him internally. He grit his teeth in irritation, refusing to split his attention away from his prey. He would not entertain the weak minded woman’s consciousness, not yet, she could not take control away from him. He had let himself become distracted, and now the second woman was nearly on top of him. He had let her get far too close, but it was no matter. She was only partially awakened, and he was prepared. Metal spikes hurtled towards him, and for a split second he did nothing but let them come closer. Just before they reached him, he dispersed. His body became a torrent made up of thousands of little energy particles. The spikes crackled as they passed through him, though Aeshma held his form easily against the pull of the conductive surfaces of the metal. He moved forward, a flash of electricity passing through the metal manipulator’s body like a lightning strike. He smashed into the ground in a flash of light, and an expulsion of energy as his body reformed. Without wasting a second, a ball of lightning hurtled towards Evelina, crackling with explosive energy. Vladimira spasmed again as Aeshma turned into lightning, flashing through her. >[i]Your talent for self destruction has not been hindered, it seems. Please don’t get me killed.[/i]< She fell to the ground, muscles tight and not responding to her willing them to move. A moment later and the paralysis had passed. Aeshma was throwing lightning at Evelina, apparently not paying any more attention to her. With as subtle a movement as she could manage she launched the metal spikes at Aeshma again, scrambling for her own metal sheet to get her to a safe distance again. She grasped it and didn’t even bother molding it to her hands, holding on as tightly as she could as she launched the piece of steel forwards, anywhere but right below Aeshma. [i]I’m starting to get tired,[/i] Evelina noted, feeling the beat of her heart getting faster. [i]I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up before it becomes dangerous.[/i] She glanced down at the orb in her palm, noting the power she could feel emanating from it. [i]Soon I should be able to—[/i] [i]:Reflect![/i] Evelina looked up at the mental shout, seeing Aeshma’s hand extended towards her and the subsequent blast of lightning coming from it. She didn’t even thinking twice before obeying, knowing that any time she used replying or thinking would take too long. The lightning bolt came closer and closer as she raised her arm as quickly as she could, a barrier forming in front of her shaped out of the light orb in her palm. The bolt hit in a wild shower of sparks, and the bolt reflected back at Aeshma almost immediately, screaming towards him in a deadly arc. Without wasting even a second more she took off, launching herself towards Aeshma as a collection of invisible light particles. Much like she had done before she materialized just as she was about to him him, only this time she had changed direction to come from behind. Right arm extended, palm pointed at him, she rushed to close the remaining few centimetres between them. Aeshma grinned, watching the other awakened dissolve into the same trick of the eye once again, but this time he was ready for her. She was slower, the effort of her little hat trick was obviously draining, and it would cost her. He grabbed her extended arm, whipping her towards the ground violently. A cloud of dust exploded into the air from the force of the impact. Aeshma's fist swirled with electricity as he brought it down on her back, the resounding crack was audible and loud. He smiled in satisfaction as he hit her again with the opposite hand, equally fueled by his electricity. Tiny webs of lightning exploded into the air as he hit her again, with another loud crack. The metal woman had seemed to of had enough, Aeshma noted, as she was currently fleeing away from him on a piece of metal. He dropped the metal projectile from his talons, letting it hit the earth harmlessly. He would track her down as soon as he was finished here, the thought crossed his mind as he stood above Fianna's form. A dry laugh escaped his twisted maw. Above the clouds of dust swirled, forming a fully fledged dark tempest above. The clouds crackled with the energy they had gathered from the charged air. A bolt of lightning skittered across the underbelly of the clouds, followed by the hollow boom of thunder. A single drop of water departed from the clouds, on a collision course for the earth. This made Aeshma pause, as he noticed the sprinkle of water starting to fall around him. He cursed silently, taking a step back from the woman lying on the ground. A droplet hit him and immediately became engulfed in sparks. Aeshma flinched as an arc of electricity was coerced out of his body, towards the droplets of water. The arc snaked its way through the falling drops, before dissipating. He began to run. He knew very well his weakness, and another crack of thunder spurred him on. But the coming storm was faster than he was, and covered an expansive area. He howled in pain and rage as the torrential downpour of water collided with his body, sucking the energy from it. A hum filled the area as his energy released out into the open air, like the drone of machinery with a high current. The wild arcs of electricity skipped from droplet to droplet, draining him dry. His blackened feet pounded into the quickly moistening earth, but he could feel his strength waning. Another large burst of lightning exploded from his body as the rain continued to short circuit him. It seems his fun was over for now, he could feel himself receding, being drawn back into his host. His form flecked away like pieces of shed skin, drifting into the air and becoming nothing but dust in the wind. Aeshma's control was ripped away as Alex fervently clawed her way back into the forefront of her mind. [color=red]'THIS IS MINE'[/color] She screamed mentally. The thought of a hostile growl answered her, but the other being did not resist. Suddenly she felt in control again, torn away from the blissful nothingness that was the back of her mind. She had watched the entire fight through her own eyes, she had felt the fury and the rage. The pleasure of it. She felt sick. The last bits of blackened form drifted away as Alex fell to her knees, her stomach emptying out bile and acid onto the damp earth. The rain felt cool against her skin. Alex knew what it was, but it had never rained on Dust. It didn't make sense to her, but nothing made sense to her as of late. The humor may have been lost on her, but she let out a chuckle. That chuckle quickly turned into a crazed laughter, the kind of laugh only someone with a deteriorated mental state could emit. For a time she kneeled there, hovering over her bile on all fours, laughing as her soaked hair hung wildly around her face. All things considered, she looked quite insane. [hr] About 3:00pm. Alex looked up at the storm clouds, it had been raining for over an hour straight. The streets of Russel City were quickly turning into tiny rivers of water. People milled about, half of them still standing in awe staring at the clouds, hued in dark grays and black. Some held up buckets, or items of that likeness, to collect it. Some simply stuck their tongues out, letting the moisture gather, trying to taste it. One side of Alex's mouth turned down into a half frown, [color=red]"Goddamn Standards.. stand around and ignore your lives.. it's all going to change soon."[/color] She found herself standing in front of her housing complex, the key to her small home dangling from a metal circle, currently looped around her finger. She watched it idly, as a woman came striding towards her. [color=green]"Listen.. Alex.. I haven't heard-"[/color] Alex held up a hand, mustering the biggest most flattering smile she could manage. [color=red]"I'm about to change your life Missand,"[/color] She said, showing her the key. This caught the other woman's interest, and with a hand on her hip, she quirked an eyebrow to acknowledge that she was interested. [color=red]"I solved the mystery. Tell everybody you know, the Immortals are gathering at Isolone,"[/color] Alex smiled, in fact, considering everything she felt relaxed. She felt more at whole. On the inside she was she shaken, still terrified, still confused. Yet, some part of her felt reborn, at terms with this strange, new life, and determined to see it through to the end. She wasn't going to find a better life, she was going to make it. She was going to make a difference. No, she was going to be the difference. [color=green]"Seriously?"[/color] Missand asked, though it hardly seemed like a question as the tall dark haired woman strode forward and took the key from Alex's hand. She crossed her arms over her ample bussim, momentarily covering the visible cleavage from the low cut shirt. [color=green]"You sure about this Alex?"[/color] [color=red]"As sure as I have ever been,"[/color] She said honestly, [color=red]"Go, take a look. You can have it all, I've already got what I need,"[/color] Alex finished, gesturing towards the backpack she was wearing and the two large duffel bags at her feet. [color=red]"Oh, one more thing. I'm going to need a water truck, and another one carrying nonperishables,"[/color] Alex smiled once more as she said this, as if the request was easily manageable. [color=green]"You have gold in there? That's some request you're making, I hope that leaves me a hefty cut,"[/color] Missand said, doubt heavy in her voice. A moment later and Missand's mouth hung agape, standing at the threshold of the apartment. [color=green]"My god woman, do you throw anything away? Oh my god! Look at this dress! Oh!"[/color] Missand scurried around the apartment, picking up articles of clothing, checking out ancient knick-knacks, and other eye catching items prominent in Alex's treasure trove. [color=green]"There is a lot here.. I've never been one to lie to you Alex, this stuff is worth a lot more than what you're asking.[/color] Alex chuckled, [color=red]"Fine, throw in a new truck, you remember my old one?"[/color] [color=green]"Hell, I could probably get you two,"[/color] Missand replied. They broke down into a fit of giggles at that, though Missand was still possessively clutching a dress to her side. [color=red]"You can have the place too, I'm leaving, I've got a ride set up. There should be enough left over to carry you for about a month, which is a damn good deal for just playing the middleman,"[/color] [color=green]"Aye aye captain!"[/color] Missand half shouted, playfully saluting, [color=green]"Must be some operation going on there, if asked, who should I send these other Immortals too?"[/color] Alex turned, pausing at the doorway melodramatically, [color=red]"Tell them I sent out the call."[/color] Without another word Alex turned and left, feeling confident Missand would uphold her end of the bargain. Afterall, the woman had been good friends with Cassie. [hider=Translations and pronunciations] Чё за галима?! - What the fuck?! - chyo za galima?! Ад - Hell - Ad Дерьмо! - Shit! - Derr’mo! Совкуоплятьшому му дак! - Fucking asshole! - Sovkuoplyatshomu mudak!) [/hider]