Aries

What is my real name?
Tobias Wever. But you wouldn’t know that. To you, I’m Aries.

Age?
I’m 26 years old.

What would you see looking at me?
Well… Pretty generic looks. Slightly feminine features. Quite tall, but don’t ask me to be specific, me and Dusk have been away from any tape measures for quite some time now. Taller than most men I encounter anyway. Not that there are many….
I have brown eyes and dark auburn hair that is usually messy. I don’t care much about mirrors, with my abilities what I end up seeing there isn’t always pleasant anyway. Cuts, bruises and a ghastly pale skin… No, thank you. I’m not fond of my looks and that’s why I don’t care about clothes either. A t-shirt and a jacket or shirt is my usual attire (shirts are good for covering scars and for stopping any bleeding. Win-win.)

What is my ability?
I can heal people. Simple as that.
Well… almost. The wounds get transferred to me. I can then heal myself, given that I have enough energy. I’m used to doing it by now and I have a pretty high pain threshold as I have the compulsion to help (I blame Dusk). But needless to say it’s not entirely pleasant. Also, the bigger the wound, the more energy I need so it can be troublesome.

The Voice?
Yeah, of course I have it, we all do. But I’d rather not talk about it.

Where did I come from, and how long have I been looking for Elvarren?
Netherlands. Too long.

How did I end up here?
Very good question. One more thing I can blame Dusk for. Well, I would like to anyway. Though things would have probably ended up the same anyway, even if his abilities hadn’t awoken before mine. But that’s beside the point. The point is that we went to school together, and we were in the same class. Not exactly “friends” until he started losing his grasp on reality. And I’ve been following him since. I’d trust him with my life… even if I don’t always trust him to take care of his own.

Anything else you want to get off your chest?
Dusk is a dumbass.
….
Thank you, that felt good.

The voice in my head has some questions about you. No, I am not crazy.
….Okay. That’s a good start…

What is your real name?
Catherine St.Clair.

Make sure no one learns it. So, have you thought of a good alias for yourself?
Haha, don’t worry, it wasn’t my real name anyway.
Alias, huh? Hmm… Well, I like trinkets and I’m very pretty and colourful. How about Jay?

How old are you, anyway?
Let’s say… 20?

How would you describe your own appearance? Height, hair, clothes, whatever.
I was born with good looks – something I’m still conflicted how I feel about. That’s why I dye my hair green – it seems most guys don’t have the balls to approach someone with green hair, and whoever does is usually nerdy enough and easy to get rid of. …or very bored and up for a challenge.
Yet, I can’t help myself and strive to look good. I can’t wear baggy or ripped or stained things. Well, unless that’s the point of them. See, clothes set the mood so you have to wear what’s appropriate for the occasion. I mostly manage. Though not so much this time.
When I put this dress on, the intention was to go to the club and have some fun. Originally it wasn’t so ripped and stained and stinky either, believe me. But I didn’t expect to end up in the fucking city dump… Man, I bet I look like a joke right now. This is embarrassing. Can I borrow some clothes?

Recently all of us are afflicted with these impossibly unreal abilities. Like Mystics. What is your ability?
My power… I don’t usually discuss that with strangers but given how you quite literally saved my life…
I never really bothered thinking up a name for it… “Transfer”? “Fake”? “Appropriate”? In any case, it’s quite straight-forward – I can temporarily “steal” the quality a certain item or material possesses. Say a feather can drift in the wind currents and so can I. A fish can breathe under water and so can I. I can make my skin tough as a tree bark and my nails sharp as talons… If I’m lucky enough to have a cat around, I could steal its reflexes… it only works with solid things, though. I can’t turn my body to liquid or anything near as powerful as becoming transparent. I can only gain the properties for a short while – up to a few minutes and it can be quite dangerous… what do I do after I take off the ground and am already too high to just drop? I try not to think about that.

When it comes to people, unfortunately I can’t steal other people’s and power users’ abilities, though I’m working on achieving that. Occasionally it works in my dreams, when I use it on those creatures, but I still find it hard to be able to touch those creatures and not get hurt myself…

Yeah, that is the catch. I need to touch the things I want to copy from. That’s why so far it only works with items. I’ve tried using my ability on humans. Unfortunately, they have passed out before I could acquire any of their qualities… But once I got to touch a power user… and nothing happened! I didn’t steal their power, but I felt it… unfortunately I had to back off before anything bad happened – I wouldn’t like to risk my life just for an experiment. Though I’m quite eager to try that again…

But otherwise it’s useful. I can also assign the property to another item – make water colder than it was and even make a rock as light as a leaf. But… that comes at a big cost. I can use my ability on myself easily, but when I try to transfer a quality to something else it makes me very tired… and hungry. I try to generally avoid doing that but there’s been more than one case when it’s come extremely useful.

Did I mention I’m a pretty decent fighter? I’m not a shoalin or anything that spectacular but so far I’ve managed to survive. I can take on men and even soldiers on the odd occasion. Of course, it might have to do with the fact that I play dirty. Quite dirty...

What is your voice like? Has he told you anything aside to search for Elvarren?
I don’t know much about it actually. He/she isn’t very talkative. I get a sense that she knows more than she’s telling me and I can’t tell if she is incapable or reluctant to tell me. Either way, she’s not much help with anything. Very occasionally she’ll warn me about something but it’s so quiet that I can’t tell whether it’s real or I’ve imagined it. Given how you yourself have that voice in your head, it’s probably real.

Where did you come from, and how long have you been looking for Elvarren?
L.A. Well, that’s where I grew up. Since I turned 13 I’ve been on the road though, so I couldn’t really call any place home. I started looking for Elvarren when I was 16.

How did you end up here?
Well… you know, right?
How did you find me anyway? After a week on that dump I thought I would die there. You and Aries turning up was like a small miracle. Well, not a small one. I am really indebted to you guys. I hope I can repay you. Thank you for taking care of my injuries too. That gang… they really meant business, didn’t they?

Anything else you want to get off your chest?
I can’t think of anything right now. Thank you for asking.

It is good to meet you, friend. You’ll be safe here – for the time being…
Good to meet you too. Really good.

What is your real name?

Mikah, Mikah Writling. Though Mikah is just fine for your needs.

Make sure no one learns it. So, have you thought of a good alias for yourself?

Ishalan, though people usually call me Mike.

How old are you, anyway?

Does it matter? Twenty-Eight if someone's counting. Guess that means I am.

How would you describe your own appearance? Height, hair, clothes, whatever.

Five ten, white male, hundred seventy pounds, dark hair, lets be honest I dress like I stepped off a 2008 cop show. I do grey well, button ups, dark calf length over coat coat. Though I do like my steel toe boots. Black leather preferably.

Recently all of us are afflicted with these impossibly unreal abilities. Like Mystics. What is your ability?

I put things under pressure. I’m uncomfortable to be in the same room with for too long if I don’t like you. Or if I smell your fear. I also have a thing for water, dark water, deep water, cold and unforgiving. The kind of stuff you fall in, something reaches out, grabs you and pulls you right down into the cold dark depths. I can control it, summon it, bend it to my will, it’s quite interesting really.

Beyond that there are...other things. I don’t need to breath underwater, and sometimes I get the feeling that this isn't the form I’m suppose to be wearing. Though I’m probably crazy.

What is your voice like? Has he told you anything aside to search for Elvarren?

It. There is no way it’s a person. And yes. It directs me to feed, if you can even call it that. Sapping the life from the foolish. Risk takers, it really likes risk takers. Teaches them to not be so foolish. Of course it usually just kills them...now that I think about it there are very few who survive the lessons...best not to think about that.

Where did you come from, and how long have you been looking for Elvarren?

The coast of Washington, it's been a long walk trust me. I left when I was twenty, west coast, small town. Not much to tell beyond the fact that it was too small to keep hiding the feeds. Stupid highschool kids. You can only jump off the sea cliffs so many times before you run the risk of just being sucked down into the water never to be seen again. So one day I had to leave, funny enough I never really had to worry about the water beneath the cliffs they always seemed to…like me.

How did you end up here?

I walked. Alot. I mean I walked a lot, stole a few cars, though the first time the greymen came after me I thought it was because I’d stolen the car. Fancy that? When they came for me in North Dakota I realized they were after me because I had these abilities. A gift of sorts, they grew stronger along the way. After the last run in I started doing my best to learn what I could. Crossed the border finally, I figured that they might be US suits. We all no that’s not true and when they came for me again on the other side of the lakes in Michigan we had it out again. More death. One day I just ended up here. That all?

Anything else you want to get off your chest?

You feel that? Is it just me or is the air getting kind of thin in here? You tolerate pressure well?

It is good to meet you, friend. You’ll be safe here – for the time being…

What is your real name?
Gideon Lotts

Make sure no one learns it. So, have you thought of a good alias for yourself?
Mirage seems fitting

How old are you, anyway?
Twenty Seven..no, Twenty Eight

How would you describe your own appearance? Height, hair, clothes, whatever.
Standing at 6'2, built and muscular. I'll wear whatever is available, makes no difference to me, they are just clothes. I've got tattoos on both arms, moving from the shoulders and down the arms to the wrist. My hair is black with a bit of white running through in to give it a grey look, and i usually wear it long, my most distinguishing feature is the scar that runs down the left side of my face, from forehead to chin.. Very nearly lost my eye.

Recently all of us are afflicted with these impossibly unreal abilities. Like Mystics. What is your ability?
to Create Illusions, but so much more. They can be simple shadows at the edge of your vision to fully realized creations that reach so deep into the minds of those that see them, they are as real as anything else.. at least that is what i get they can be.. not quite there yet.

What is your voice like? Has he told you anything aside to search for Elvarren?
The voice. *sighs* a Siren calling from the darkness. Its voice like a whisper in the ear, tempting me, guiding me, but never revealing anything more then a sliver of information.

Where did you come from, and how long have you been looking for Elvarren?
Was born in the Bahamas. Sun, Sand, and Women! come on what more could you ask for right? as for looking for Elvarren well for as long as the darkness and weakness began, but that one bit of hope remained, that one word.

How did you end up here?
Walking, Hitchhiking, ore Walking, and Boats.

Anything else you want to get off your chest?
Don't eat Yellow Snow!!

Character sheet

The voice in my head has some questions about you. No, I am not crazy.

Can't really call you crazy when my voice has questions too.

What is your real name?

Freya Mathews. My parents had a fondness for norse mythology.

Make sure no one learns it. So, have you thought of a good alias for yourself?

Puppeteer. Pup if you prefer. She glances away, talking to someone else. I'm not going to tell them tha-no, it's stupid, ugh, fine. She returns her attention. The voice, P, wishes to inform you of it's nickname for me. 'The Creator.'

How old are you, anyway?

25.

How would you describe your own appearance? Height, hair, clothes, whatever.

I'm terrible at this. I'm about five foot seven inches with a little longer than shoulder lenght brown hair that has a streak of white in the front. Natural, I promise. I have murky green eyes and I typically dress in clothing that is half formal half work. Brown, thigh high, lace up boots with dark blue jeans. A green long sleeve button up shirt, a brown leather vest over that, and brown leather gloves. Here's a picture for a better idea.



Recently all of us are afflicted with these impossibly unreal abilities. Like Mystics. What is your ability?

I'm good at making and fixing things. Really good. If I have the proper tools I can create or fix basically anything I need or want to with a speed that would boggle the minds of most people. I don't even need to be taught how to use a tool, or what a machine is. I just grab them or lay a hand on them and know how to use tools and how machines work and how to fix them. Depending on how much I go 'in the zone' I could make something that should take years in a day. Though god am I tired after that. Sometimes I don't even need the tools, just the materials. Though that left me in a coma for a week, so I try to take it slow.

I can exert my will over machines and tools. Make pieces of a car engine stop working, draw a hammer to my hand, jam a gun, mostly little stuff like that. Though I have to be under two feet away or touching them for it to work.

I can also kinda, uh, give life to things. I'm not sure how far it goes, P assures me that it's only permanent things I've created myself, but that's how this little guy got here. She whistles, and a bronze mechanical dragon flies to her shoulder I call him Fafnir. Yes I can understand him. He's about as big as I can go for permanent, at least so far, life. Made me pass out and wake up in a hospital bed three days later.

Which, now that I think of it, was the beginning of the end. On the temporary side of things I can have a hammer or another tool do something by itself for a couple minutes, or have a bunch of tiny things like chess pieces move of their own volition for a game. It seems that their 'purpose' is whatever I deem it to be upon the 'blessing of life that I bestow'. P is very dramatic.

Fire and heat don't bother me. At all. I could stick my hand in a fire and be totally fine. I think I can't even get burned. I actually really enjoy blisteringly hot days of 100 degrees without breaking a sweat. It's why I hate this place, it's so cold. I think I can manipulate it too. Fire, that is. Like that guy from the Xmen movies you know, the one with the lighters. For example, fire reacts to my emotions some times. Flaring when I'm angry, dying out when I'm sad. From what I've gleaned from P, eventually I'll be able manipulate open flames to grow larger, burn hotter, or simply be snuffed out. It assures me that I can't actually create flames. Just manipulate them. So if you douse a flame, I can't make it spring back to life. Like I said, very similar to the guy from the X-men films. I think the whole affinity for fire thing has to do with the fact that my 'powers' are older than P likes to admit. From a time when all creating was done with fire, iron, and the strength of arm.

She hesitates

There's one more thing. Whenever I'm making things I get these...feelings I guess. They're like sensations of elements, or other supernatural traits like invincibility, breathing underwater, or never going dull, on the edge of consciousness. I think I could grab them and put them into whatever I'm making. Whenever I tried though, I passed out (I do that a lot when messing around with my powers don't I?) for a few hours and woke up with a killer headache. P insists that as long as I grow in power I could eventually do it.

What is your voice like? Has he told you anything aside to search for Elvarren?

P? Its current choice of voice is that of a woman right now. I think it just likes that sound for itself, since it tried male and small child of both genders in an attempt to cajole me. P rarely makes me do things, since I mostly prefer to stand frozen in place, locked in an internal struggle, rather than listen to what it tells me to do. It generally approves when I'm making things though.

Where did you come from, and how long have you been looking for Elvarren?

Rural Missouri. There were always things that needed to be made or fixed, so I was a blessing around the household. My parents told me to take it easy on hot summer days after I went into a coma for a week. The doctors and nurses, all looking noticeably more exhausted after I woke up, had said that was the problem. P convinced me that it was better to go along than it was too try to convince them that I had powers and a voice.

I left after P made me drain my mother dry.

Wandered around for a few years, eventually setting up in an autoshop. We became quite popular for fast, really good, service. I had taken to my current style of clothing, trying to keep as little skin to skin contact with people as possible. I only fed off of wildlife or idiots in clubs, gently drifting by until they were tired and had to leave. It was around that time that I made Fafnir. My coworkers found me and took me to the hospital. I woke up a few minutes before the Greys showed up. P screamed at me to run, and for the first time in a long, long time I complied immediately.

Raced back home, got dressed, grabbed everything I thought I'd need (yes, that includes this toolbelt) and I've been running ever since.

How did you end up here?

P said head north. North ended up here.

Anything else you want to get off your chest?

I'll get this ran down piece of crap liveable, ideally before the Greys show up. I hate half-finished products. Also, don't touch the toolbelt without asking.

It is good to meet you, friend. You’ll be safe here – for the time being…

Chuckles. Someone likes being ominous.

Misc. Details

Contents of Pup's Backpack:

-25 Weather proof matches, with a water-proof container

-A dozen small shampoos stolen from hotels

-A hatchet

-A 27x52in towel

-A sewing kit

-A dozen bars of soap

-Hydration pack and hose

-A sleeping bag

-Spare clothing (two extra button up shirts, one made of thick wool, one made of flannel. An extra pair of pants. Two pairs of thick wool socks. An extra pair of brown leather work gloves. A scarf.)

-First aid kit

-A 14x16 foot tarp

On Pup's person and in her Toolbelt:

-Claw Hammer (toolbelt)

-Multitool (toolbelt)

-Two dozen nails (toolbelt)

-Swiss Army knife(person)

-Knife (tucked into boot)

-Compass (person)

-Lighter (person)

What is your real name?

Well people say you shouldn’t give your real name out to strangers… But you seem pretty nice, I guess… Its Kacey. Kasey Stone.

Make sure no one learns it. So, have you thought of a good alias for yourself?

Uh, I don’t think so… What about Quiet? Well my brother used to make fun of me since I have a habit of talking a lot but, it was light-hearted and I always kinda liked- Oh, sorry I’m doing it again…

How old are you, anyway?

I’m… How old am I? Well if I was born… and then I was two years younger than James… So I’m 18! Well almost 19, but you know, still 18 for the moment.

How would you describe your own appearance? Height, hair, clothes, whatever.

Huh? Oh, well pretty normal I guess? I’m shorter than a lot of guys my age, a fair bit thinner too. I have sort of blondish, brownish hair. I like to wear more baggy clothes, usually a hoodie and some jeans but I don’t care too much about fashion. As long as I am warm and comfy, I don’t really care what I look like. My face is pretty normal too, and I have hazel eyes. My brother always used to say they were just green, but I know they are hazel! He was just jealous since his eyes were brown like Dad’s.

Recently all of us are afflicted with these impossibly unreal abilities. Like Mystics. What is your ability?

Oh… Well apart from the… you know… touching thing… I can also do something else. It’s kinda hard to explain, and it took me a long time figure out what it did. But, I can hear rhythm. I can hear the rhythm of someone’s breathing, I can sense the rhythm in their footsteps. And if I match the rhythm, like if I tap with my finger or something, I can make the sound a lot quieter. I used to make my footsteps quiet so I could sneak up on my brother. I have tried making sounds louder, but that’s a lot harder to do. And I can only do it on one thing at a time, if I try to do more than one I end up just getting confused. Plus, It requires a lot of concentration. But it was really useful for sneaking around at night.

What is your voice like? Has he told you anything aside to search for Elvarren?

Oh, the voice! Well she doesn’t talk a lot but whenever she does, it always makes me feel a little better. She is nice, and helps me out sometimes! Sometimes she says some pretty creepy stuff, but she just wants what is best for me. She helped me find my way here, so she can’t be all bad. But she tells me to touch people… And I don’t want to do that anymore. But she says I need to feed, so sometimes I will find a mouse or like a cat or something… I always feel bad after that…

Where did you come from, and how long have you been looking for Elvarren?

Well I was born and raised in Toronto. I lived with my Dad and my brother James. My mum died giving birth to me, so I never got to know her. Oh, but I was really happy with James and Dad. We didn’t have a lot of money since Dad took care of both of us, but we had a roof over our head and food on the table. It was a lot of fun… But I… Well one day I had to go. And that’s when I started looking for Elvarren.

How did you end up here?

A few months ago something happened and I decided I had to leave. I would rather not talk about it… But that’s when the voice started giving me directions, and I started following and eventually I made my way here. I walked most of the way, occasionally hitchhiked. The voice told me it was a bad idea, but I didn’t see an issue with it. I met some really nice people, like one guy who was driving a truck through town gave me a lift, and we listened to old songs on his radio. He was kinda - Oh, sorry, I’m rambling again…

Anything else you want to get off your chest?

Well… Do you know if someone can get... Actually never mind, it’s not too important…

It is good to meet you, friend. You’ll be safe here – for the time being…

Thanks, it's good to meet you too!

What is your real name?
Amon....Amon Deus

Make sure no one learns it. So, have you thought of a good alias for yourself?
You don't have to tell me that. Horus, like the God of sky and light.

How old are you, anyway?
21 this year.

How would you describe your own appearance? Height, hair, clothes, whatever.
Average height, standing at about 181 cm and weighing at approx 70 kg. My hair is jet black with hints of gray hair, "raven black" as my mum would call it since there were a lot of ravens hanging out at the tree in front of the house. I keep it short. My eyes are sharp and the color of gold with eye circles beneath. Too many restless nights as of late. Other from these, my face is clean shaven and with no other noticeable features. As for what I wear, anything normal to blend in, though I never change my black hoodie, no symbols on it, just simple black. Right now I'm wearing dark gray hunting boots with baggy military camouflage dark grey jeans. Another thing that I always carry is a silver necklace, memento of the past.

Recently all of us are afflicted with these impossibly unreal abilities. Like Mystics. What is your ability?
As I've experimented a lot with my ability, I have gotten an overall grasp of its current limitations and effects. In few words I can control light...in a way. I can gather it somewhere making a sort of highly illuminated object or even creating a sphere. Or I can make something absorb the photons giving it the true color black, no color at all since light doesn't escape from it. Basically I can trap light. Another thing I've been experimenting on is to bend the waves of light in order to render an object invisible. The most I can manage at the moment is my hand or objects of that size.

What is your voice like? Has he told you anything aside to search for Elvarren?
Th..the voice? Which one? I mean..yes I will find Elvarren...

Where did you come from, and how long have you been looking for Elvarren?
I come from..not there..not from there also..That's not even the right continent!..hhh I come from the far North of here.

How did you end up here?
Tchk, if I went by your decision I would've been dead by now, you don't know ANYTHING more than I do so shut..- Yeah, right, so I've been traveling a lot lately, mostly by foot by I hitchhiked whenever I could.

Anything else you want to get off your chest?
I have been..the people that took me along on their ride..well I made sure no one who met me could tell..anyway who are YOU to judge ME!?
WHAT ARE YOU ANYWAY!?

It is good to meet you, friend. You’ll be safe here – for the time being…

The voice in my head has some questions about you. No, I am not crazy.
"I know, I don't doubt you. I hear one too... but maybe I'm the crazy one."

What is your real name?
"Katrina. I'd prefer not to mention my surname. It's. A long story."

Make sure no one learns it. So, have you thought of a good alias for yourself?
"--Wait what? But I just told you-- ah. Well. I haven't-- Do I need to make one now? How about..."
A nearly two minute silence passes.
"Fuchsia? It's my favorite color."

How old are you, anyway?
"Twenty two, just recently. My birthday was-- ah. I guess I shouldn't tell you that either? You didn't ask. I uh. Wow. Sorry."

How would you describe your own appearance? Height, hair, clothes, whatever.
"I'm... okay looking. Oh. But I'm sure you mean more in depth? Well. I'm only five-four, my skin is dark brown, and my hair is wavy though, I like straightening it every now and then. Uh. My eyes a light-brown. I don't work out or anything but, I'm still sort of small-ish. My ears are pierced and I love wearing jewelry. I dress lightly because-- well you-- I-- uh. I don't need to layer up. Er--Anymore that is. And summer clothes are nicer. And all I have anymore."
She holds up a sketch of herself then says, "A friend drew this of me."


Recently all of us are afflicted with these impossibly unreal abilities. Like Mystics. What is your ability?
"I... remember when I said I didn't need to layer? Well. I don't feel the cold anymore. I don't feel the heat anymore either-- un-unless I have to or want to. I mean. There's like a. A field around me, you, everyone and everything. I can see it most of the time-- they have different colors too. I can. I can make mine so that it keeps me warm or cool so-- so it's. I. Reached out once and-- I mean. It explains why lights sometimes stop working when I'm in the same room. The energy in everything-- I can feel and grab it-- shape it. But it's. Hard and it makes me exhausted. Especially when it's not just my own. Or if I use my own to do something. Always-- you know lightning looks similar to what happens when I grab it? I can also charge batteries-- uh. I'm not making any sense, am I? Auras! That's what He called them. Some people get sad or tired and then it dims down-- I can make it bigger for them-- but I have to use some other energy. It's not good to use my own. It. Makes me tired."
She pauses.
"And I don't know if it's part of it but-- I mean. I've always known how people are feeling but now? It's like I super know what they're feeling-- emotionally I mean. I can't read minds or anything but-- I know when someone's feeling sad or angry-- if they're being deceptive or hiding what they feel. If they're good at hiding it's harder to tell but, well, I can see their Aura thingy so maybe that can tell me something? I don't know."

What is your voice like? Has he told you anything aside to search for Elvarren?
"You don't understand I--I don't want to hurt anyone bu-but it. Look. It just wants me to-- to do really. I just. I don't even like-- I wouldn't harm a fly, honestly. If I could go years without stepping on ants I would! I--I just. Why me? Why does it--why does it want me to-- d-do such things? He says I need to fulfill my role. That-- that I'm not meant for kindness-- meant to follow the orders of. Of. The Lords and Gods?! That I'm a--" She takes a shuddering breath in, "I'm sorry. I. I didn't mean to yell. It's just that-- it wants me to weaken them. Like. A hammer or drill-- not destroy-- just weaken. Cripple. Whittle them down until the cracks show. Push their limits-- make them answer and confess--uh. Wh-what were we talking about?"

Where did you come from, and how long have you been looking for Elvarren?
"I settled in Reno. Nevada. Reno Nevada but-- I don't think. I wasn't born there. Doesn't matter. I lived paycheck to paycheck. Barely scraping by. I was alone and... Hungry a lot of the times, but kind of happy. Reno was the best I'd found. And. I had to leave but I didn't-- they shouldn't have been so rough-- I. I woke up and. The car was on fire. They were dying. I-I-I had to escape. Those. They were just doing their job! I was wrong. I was stealing. I was... I was hungry and I had gone for days. I. I just wanted food and now I've murdered cops and I can't go back there-- I'm wanted. Then those men-- the weird men-- they came for me too. I had. And-- and he told me that if I searched for Elvarren I'd be safe-- I'd fulfill my purpose. I was desperate. I felt I couldn't... I can't. Refuse. I don't want to refuse. I have... nothing else now. It's a few months since I started looking, but it feels like years. I'm. I'm so tired."

How did you end up here?
"I drove my friend's car around-- she uh. She's. Well... she passed away-- not my fault I promise! I had to abandon it in Oregon. Took empty railcars and walked the rest of the way because, I don't want to hurt anyone, no matter what the voice says. I just want to. Find Elvarren. That's all-- I don't even. Necessarily. Want to be here-- I'm sorry. That's not nice to say but, well, transparency is good. Isn't it? That's how you know I'm being honest."

Anything else you want to get off your chest?
"No. I don't think so. I. I just. I'm very tired. I need rest and food. That's all. And to... find Elvarren. Maybe-- do you think it could make me normal again? Do you?"

It is good to meet you, friend. You’ll be safe here – for the time being…
"F-Friend? I... I guess. It'd be nice to have some friends, I think. I don't like being alone, even if I think I should be-- especially now that I. I'm. This."

The voice in my head has some questions about you. No, I am not crazy.

Why are these questions important?
-Silence-

What is your real name?

Never mind, arguing with you is pointless. If I can remember I think it was Troy S... something, Smith maybe.

Make sure no one learns it. So, have you thought of a good alias for yourself?

What is an alias? You mean nick name? Uhh I think I have over heard some villagers call me... Bear yes that sounds right. Bear.

How old are you, anyway?

Old? Oh right, I have survived 26 winters.

How would you describe your own appearance? Height, hair, clothes, whatever.

I still do not understand why this is important. I would say I'm as tall as a three winters old spruce tree (6' feet) and as heavy as an adult reindeer (264 lbs.). My hair is as black as night and rests on my shoulders, my beard is as neat as I can get it... it can get in the way. I do wear wool clothes that are plain and tan, but mostly what I wear is my furs and I really like the brown grizzly bear fur. Other than that I have an old canvas backpack.



Recently all of us are afflicted with these impossibly unreal abilities. Like Mystics. What is your ability?

Strange questions get stranger answers. I suppose you’re talking about what I can do that others can’t, the thing that quite possibly got my life givers killed? Hmm taking the souls of the animals and people I touch would be well enough on its own yet the great mother decided I needed something more. She gifted me with the ability to control her children, to dominate wildlife, to be an alpha. It does not seem to matter if they are tame or wild. When it comes to how difficult it is one animal is well enough on its own when it’s calm but put multiple animals in or angry animals that’s when it gets to the point where I tend to pass out or get weaker.

Yet when I do these things I can feel something, something more than what I am now. I feel like I can be stronger, that I can be faster, that my senses and reflexes can be keener. That in the end I can be one with these animals and nature.

What is your voice like? Has he told you anything aside to search for Elvarren?

The voice what voice… oh you mean Steve? Steve is ok but gets upset when I call him that. He tells me or gives me a feeling of what to do or where to go. Like a compass, he’s not always around but lately he has been telling me to find “the time before sunset” and “others” with the random “feed” or “survive” thrown in. then he also whispers a word or maybe a name, I do not understand it. All he says is Elvarren.

Where did you come from, and how long have you been looking for Elvarren?

My Life givers lived in a small cabin deep within the Alaskan wilderness, what I have heard some call a home stead. I have been without them for 16 winters, they were good teachers, taught me how to talk, how to count, and how to survive. It has been 8 winters since the voice really started talking to me and when the hunger grew, 8 winters since I boarded up that cabin and set out to the east following Steve’s subtle directions, it doesn’t help that neither of us are good at talking.

How did you end up here?

Hiking through the mountains with vague directions is difficult, especially when one must worry about supplies, animals, and those weird people that try to follow you. Steve says they are dangerous so I avoid them and hide. I'm good at hiding and avoiding them, they don’t seem to have as much fun as I do in the forest though.

Anything else you want to get off your chest?

The first animal I befriended was a mama bear, I brought her home but she didn’t like my life givers and killed them then left with some berry jam. That was a weird day, oh I almost forgot they never taught me how to read or write, I’ve learned enough to get by by myself but not much.

It is good to meet you, friend. You’ll be safe here – for the time being…

No place is safe forever.

What is your real name?
...Elizabeth St. John.

Make sure no one learns it. So, have you thought of a good alias for yourself?

Alias. I suppose I need one, now, don't I... Pity. I liked being Eliza.

...but call me Stheno.

How old are you, anyway?

Old enough to know better. Pre-thirty, and thanks so much for that little rose, Kyle...

...but I'm twenty nine.

How would you describe your own appearance? Height, hair, clothes, whatever.

I hate talking about myself. You know those people who hate talking about themselves? I'm one of them. I'm pretty, and slim, and I dye my hair more than I'd like but less than you think. I'm not tall. I've grey eyes, bleached white hair and...well, no figure...

...but if you must know, I like my collar bones.

Recently all of us are afflicted with these impossibly unreal abilities. Like Mystics. What is your ability?

'Ability', it says. What, you mean this little talent of mine? The one that means I shouldn't see my son again? Or husband? Or feel normal? This isn't a bloody comic book, you know, this is my life and it's ending in what might as well be bloody Siberia for God's sake. So yes, I suppose, I can take people's essence. Or life, or energy, or...whatever. Whatever it is, I take something from them, and if they're very lucky it comes back. Sometimes it doesn't. Is that what you want me to say?

No. No, of course it's not, because that's not enough, is it. There has to be more, there's always more. Trouble comes in threes, they say, so if you must know I'm... I suppose you could say 'strong', but let me stop you there. When I say that, you're thinking bodybuilders, weights at the gym, Arnold Schwarzenegger, but that's not on. Not quite, at least. I'm... more than that.

Swing-a-telephone-pole-like-a-baseball-bat more than that.

Toss-your-car-over-my-shoulder more than that.

And, while we're at it, my skin is strong too, and my bones. They must be, because that's the only bloody explanation I can think of as to why they don't rip or break or cut like normal. I mean sometimes, sure, but not like they ought to. I've put my hand through a car door without a bloody scratch, I mean, can you believe it? I don't know. I just don't know, sometimes.

...but they told me I was strong, and tough, so there you are then.

What is your voice like? Has he told you anything aside to search for Elvarren?

Oh yes, and thanks so much for that little chestnut. Going on about Elvarren, as if that isn't some made up word. I'd say I've gone mad, but apparently I'm not the only one. Mass hysteria is real, you know, I've read about it on the telly, and maybe that's what this is...

...but it's kind, kinder than I'd like. It tells me it's not my fault.

Where did you come from, and how long have you been looking for Elvarren?

Gloucester. I say 'England' and you all think London, like there isn't a whole rest of the country out there.

...but yes, I'm from Gloucester. I miss it. It was warmer there, though I'll give you not by much.

How did you end up here?

Well I flew, didn't I? I certainly didn't swim! London to Montreal to Saskatchewan to a rental car that I never took back...it ran out of petrol a ways back, and I suppose I...well, walked from there. At least I brought flats.

...but yes, I flew. What would you have done?

Anything else you want to get off your chest?

I miss them. God, I miss them so much. Kyle and...and Charlie. I'm so sorry, Charlie, honey, mommy's so sorry...

...but I had to go, didn't I.

It is good to meet you, friend. You’ll be safe here – for the time being…

Oh yes, I'm sure. Of course I will.

...but will you?