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[hider=Chapter VI: Denial]
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[color=9e0039][img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img][hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟚𝟟, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕀𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   𝕋𝕠𝕨𝕟   / /  𝟙𝟘𝟘𝟘[/color][hr][/color]
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It was Sunday… yet another boring Sunday. Strange, how the last day of the weekend seemed to always be the most calm for the students of Unit B. Then again, with all the action happening around here and them, the students deserved peace and quiet for at least one day, Angélique figured.
 
This Sunday felt however like any other day of the week ever since Angel had arrived on this island. In the morning, she woke up and grabbed a very quick breakfast before heading outside the estate for a lengthy morning jog. By now, she had grown accustomed to the path she was taking for her two hours of jogging exercises. She usually circled around the mansion for a lap or two before taking the path towards the beach, jogging along the way until she would decide to take the main road and go for a few miles before eventually returning to her lodging. She’d take a quick shower, change into more comfortable clothing (or at least what she considered confortable); a cropped shoulderless shirt with leather pants, all black in color, adorned with belts, chains, rings and bracelets, without forgetting about her precious shades and leather choker, one hiding her eyes to the harmful rays of the sun while the other concealed her X mark away from the prying eyes of the public, even from her own classmates’. There was always a certain reluctancy of wearing this collar anymore, feeling that its use had no longer any purpose now that she was known to be an Aberration. But deep inside, something kept compelling her to wear it. Maybe the pressure on her neck was a better reminder that she was shackled, both to the government, and to the mark of her throat.
 
For the past week, Angélique had always tried to dodge human interactions, leaving the mansion for morning joggings and taking the car to get further away as well. But no matter what, she always seemed to have been finding herself talking to one person or the others. Maybe she wasn’t so alone as she thought she was, even if that still didn’t forgive her from the sins she committed herself to by losing control back in Washington. However, those short discussions with the others had done great benefit to Angel for the most part. She didn’t need to forgive herself for what she did, nor the others had any reason to, but she needed to learn from this mistake and make sure it didn’t happen again. For the others’ sake, for Allison’s. Having realized it, Angel slowly began to break free from the cocoon she had spun around herself. She was more willing to speak to others now, interact with them, help if she could even. 
 
Today, however, Angélique felt like taking a step back and look at the overview of her situation. She wanted to think about what the others had told her, summarize what she could muster for her own and strengthen her will out of what had been discussed, out of the second chances she had been given by the others. And there was also the fact that the raven-haired Siren would like to know about this whole place. It had been told this was Zhang’s estate, but why was it only maintained by Subnaturals, namely Arbiters, isolated from the world’s prying eyes and far away from USARILN? Angel didn’t feel like asking the main folk concerned yet, she wanted to know about the general layout of the area before doing so, as to trying to figure out what she should be expecting if she were to ever try and talk to one of the Arbiters serving the estate.
 
As such, Angélique decided to go to town to find out more about this peculiar island. Maybe people over there knew a bit of what happened around here. There was a pang of anxiety, to actually go out and seek Regulars to talk to. She hadn’t had been trying to talk to anyone outside the Institute and her classmates ever since she came to USARILN. Ironic, for a girl whose previous life was to sing and talk to the people. 
 
Packing her usual gear for going on a trip - bikini, cooler with sandwich ingredients inside, spare clothes, guitar, notebook and minor accessories – Angélique went to the garage and took one of the two cars for a spin, as per usual. This time, however, her destination wasn’t some unknown place for sightseeing on the island. She would go to town, a few miles away from the estate.

[hr]

It didn’t take long for the raven-haired driver to reach the small village. Figuring out a place to safely park the Dodge Charger at, Angel would make sure the car was locked and placed the keys inside the pocket of her pants before heading into the village. Her heart began racing at the thought she was just willingly walking into a public space and looking for strangers to speak with while she was exploring the desolate-looking town.
 
She had parked in a public lot beside a run-down gas station, the paint and plaster chipped and peeling so badly the station's original name had long been lost to the ages. Her entrance in the classy, distinctive car had spooked the nearby townspeople and the immediate area was entirely deserted. Had a tumbleweed blown by, she could almost be in a movie set. The road beside the station was cracked and uneven, years of zero maintenance showing it was hardly safe to drive on. The street ran down into a deserted distance, the small houses and tiny shops along the sidewalk looking just as uncared for. Street lights sported cracks and old street signs dangled precariously beside several traffic lights, ready to drop at any second. Some buildings had been dusted over with disuse, the interior completely caked in a thick layer of debris. Others looked slightly better, with some makeshift repairs on several windows and a teal door outside a small barbershop that was a little too small for the frame, but had been grafted onto the building anyway.

A chill ran down Angélique’s spine. Shit, this felt like a real ghost town. She was sure she had seen people earlier when she entered the town. It couldn’t have been her imagination, wasn’t it? The people at the estate had mentioned something about an inhabited town a few miles away from where they were staying. Plus, surely the staff personnel had to get supplies from somewhere? Furthermore, there were signs of people having slightly renovated some parts of this town. What exactly happened here?
 
Taking further steps into the town, Angélique explored the area, finding herself standing in front of a barber shop with a strange teal-painted door. This kind of place was usually a village’s meeting point, where the locals would meet and gossip about anything happening. Perhaps this place was still open? She could go in and pretend to want a haircut. Her hair had grown considerably longer after a whole month, she could use a few inches off her hair.
 
[color=9e0039]“Hello? Anybody here?”[/color] The young woman asked as she pushed onto the door.

The interior of the shop looked very clearly lived in, with fresh potted plants decorating the main--but empty--counter and several sheets of paper with grocery lists and appointment notes jotted down in neat handwriting. Only three of the four chairs in the small place were serviceable, the fourth leaning heavily to one side where the pneumatics in the main stand had failed and the inner pole itself had bent. Hair clippings and barbicide rested on one of the tables in front of the chairs, but there was a distinct lack of personnel around. Yet there had to be people, because despite the mess around one chair the rest of the barbershop was clean and attempts to liven up the place shone through in cracked, framed paintings of hair models and hairstyles, the pictures torn from magazines and posters. The mirrors as well shone clean and clear despite several cracks in the corners. Whoever was here, they did care about the place.

Angel noted everything that pointed to the presence of someone living in the area, but failed to see if people were actively in hiding or if they somehow were away. The whole setting intrigued the young Aberration woman. There had to be someone around these parts who could tell her the story of this island. She would not give up, she’ll wait if need be to see if anyone would return and move about in town.
 
The groceries lists made it clear that despite looking abandoned, this village should have a place that supplied food to whoever lived here. Taking this into consideration, Angélique left the barber shop, for the moment. Instead, she would turn her attention to the shops or any building that would be big enough to suggest a food-storing unit.

Down the street, at the far end, was a slightly taller building than the rest and just as Angel walked out, the door to it closed quickly, like someone had been peeking out. If there was anyone hiding in there, it was hard to tell beyond the sudden movement of the door, though the storefront revealed the location to be the closest thing to a grocery store the island had. Most of the shelves were empty and the refrigeration units held a paltry supply of vegetables, fruits, and dairy products, but it was clearly still functioning. Attempts at wall decor to cover the flaking wallpaper had resulted in a sort of messy mosaic of Sharpie and markers, but the span of it across the walls hinted at months of continuous work, turning the store into something of an experiment in amatuer interior design as well.

Creepy. Terribly so. Angel felt like she was being watched as she made her way to the building. Unseen people clearly knew she was here, but were quick to disappear as she came into sight. Was is that obvious she was a stranger here? If so, did they knew about her? It was uncomfortable to think she was inquiring about the area if people already associated with the murderer she was perceived as from her last concert’s incident.
 
It was clear to her now that people were using this place as a grocery store, seeing how fresh the products seemed despite how rundown the area was, without mentioning all the makeshifts decorations. Taking an apple from one of the refrigerators offering an assortment of fruits and vegetables, she made her way to what could’ve have been a cashier counter, waiting for someone to show up and charge her for the apple.

A clattering of boxes from behind her announced where the store's keeper had been hiding as he fell over onto all fours, tucked as he had been behind the maybe empty cardboard containers that had delivered their supplies. He looked young, no later than his mid-twenties, with a scattering of freckles across his pale shoulders and arms, a white sweater with the sleeves rolled up and some marker stains on its front revealing what he had been doing before the sudden need to hide. His brown hair was a mess and his glasses had been duct-taped in more than one location, desperately in need of repairs. He looked at Angel in a panic, large green eyes wide open as he scrabbled backwards, fixating on the collar that hid her mark.

[color f7976a]"Who are you?"[/color] he shouted, grabbing a bag of oven-baked chips nearby like he was going to throw it at her.

Angel took a step forward in surprised as she heard boxed falling behind her, slightly startled that someone had been hiding so close to without her noticing. Yeah, people clearly had been avoiding her, now she could see it. But while she sported a faint annoyed expression, she sighed softly, maintaining her bearing.
 
[color=9e0039]“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. I’m one of the students that arrived on this island a week ago, residing at the estate.”[/color] Angélique explained, trying to be as polite and courteous as she could. 

[color f7976a]"At the estate?!"[/color] he shouted, scooting back further. [color f7976a]"So you--you're one of the Director's cronies!"[/color] He did end up throwing the bag of sea salt and vinegar chips at Angel, standing up and holding his hands out like he was ready to lunge at her. [color f7976a]"We told you already we don't want none of your help! Even this--"[/color] he jerked his head at the shelves [color f7976a]"--is just temporary! Stop asking us if we want more! We can do just fine without you!"[/color]

Seeing, the bag of chips coming her way, Angélique reflexively held a hand up and grabbed the snacks before it reached her face. Damn, no matter where she went, people were really being jackasses to her. But she remembered the promise she made to the others. No lashing out at them. Those people didn’t deserve it. They were simply scared, and she needed to dispel that feeling.
 
[color=9e0039]“Help? I… I don’t know what you are talking about. We’ve just arrived, nobody told us anything about this island. Hell, I don’t even know what we are doing here instead of returning at the institute.”[/color] Angélique explained her situation, calmly setting the bag of bitter-flavored chips onto the counter.  Couldn’t he have tossed her a BBQ one instead? She hated salt and vinegar…
 
[color=9e0039]“Zhang… wants to help you? THE director Zhang? Are we speaking of the same person here?”[/color] Angel inquired, suddenly feeling curious about the whole situation with that recent development.

The young man seemed taken aback by her confusion as well and he lowered his hands, watching her cautiously. [color f7976a]"You don't know nothing? Really?"[/color]

The fallen rockstar shook her head [color=9e0039]“No. I mean, I was told there was a town here, so I thought I’d come to visit this place. I… didn’t expect any of this. In fact, I came here to know more about the island. I wanted to know what people knew of the estate.”[/color]
 
Angel leaned her back against the counter, trying to look as relaxed as possible. If she could ease up the tension with the young man, perhaps he would be more open to talk about what was happening around here. [color=9e0039]“Look, whatever you think I came here for, I assure you that I have no clue to what’s happening around here. Can… we sit and talk? I’m curious as to what’s happening here.”[/color]

[color f7976a]"Not interested. If you don't know, then you ain't meant to know, simple as that. If she didn't send you here, then go back. Or hang around if you want, but I doubt people'll talk to you. Cuffed sorts don't really get how things work. They just think breaking free will fix everything and end up making our lives harder. Go on, get out of here."[/color] He crossed his arms, glaring at her relaxed look against his counter.

Well, this was frustrating. Again met with the cold steely glares. No matter where they went, Subnaturals weren’t quite welcomed, wasn’t it? But Angel tried not hold it against the man. He was right at some point, they did make their lives harder, but he wasn’t completely in the right either. There was a reason Subnaturals were difficult to deal with.
 
[color=9e0039]“Whatever you mean, you’re probably right. Subnaturals do make life a difficulty to deal with, especially us,”[/color] Angel straightened her back, no longer leaning against the counter as she pointed her mark hidden underneath her collar [color=9e0039]“but it is partly because of those words that we are being a problem. We never asked for these marks. They just… happened on us. How can you expect all these kids to not be troubled when they all get rejected by their family and friends? And then hounded by the government, tracked until they are imprisoned and turned into combat slaves as if they were criminals. Those kids didn’t inherently changed, the world’s view did.”[/color]
 
Angel walked up to the man, remaining a bit farther than at two arms’ reach. She lifted her arm, handing the apple she was thinking of buying to the shop owner. [color=9e0039]“Things are never going to change for the better if people keep hating only for the reason of hating. Help isn’t something that is handed out so easily in this world nowadays. Consider it before rejecting it. You never know, you might just contribute to making this world a better place.”[/color]

[color f7976a]"Nice speech. Now get out of here,"[/color] a voice from behind one of the refrigeration units was followed by a young woman, her age roughly the same as the man, though her blonde hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail and her clean, pressed dress shirt and pleated skirt along with a bit of light makeup gave her a more refined air. What differed most, however, was the white Arbiter mark under her right eye, the characteristic streak marking her as a subnatural on full display. She leveled gray eyes at Angel, a cold look on her face.

The black-haired Aberration was surprised as she caught sight of the Arbiter that had come out of hiding as well, looking however more refined. So even Subnaturals were hating on each other now? This was something entirely new to Angel. It begged the question if it was really because of who she was that people in this town actively avoided her. Not her reputation, but her mark, since the man asked her who she was earlier.
 
[color=9e0039]“Fine… I thought you of all people would understand.”[/color] Angel replied as she turned to the counter, setting the apple on it before leaving the shop, not wanting to antagonize on the people inside by making herself imposing. God knows she wouldn’t be getting anywhere being so insistent.

The streets were just as deserted when she exited the grocery store, the isolation intended from the inhabitants. Whatever else she was, at the very least one thing was clear: talking would not get through to them, not when a cuff remained on her ankle and the collar hid what was obviously on her neck. X-marks were dangerous--that much was no secret, but here in this town it was almost entirely rejected by both humans and subnaturals alike. There was no use for dogs of war there.

Not longer feeling welcomed around here, Angélique walked back to the car waiting for her in the abandoned parking lot she had left the vehicle in. She had no longer any purpose in here, but she felt like exploring a bit more. It was the point to her road trips, after all. Explore, see new things, get inspired, distract her mind from the hungering stigma, sate it somewhere remote if need be.  
 
Grabbing her guitar case and a notebook from the trunk of the car, Angélique swung the strap over her shoulder as she returned inside the village, no longer minding the inhabitants avoiding her, but taking in the surroundings instead; The general state of things, how rundown everything had been, see if some buildings were beyond repair, what establishments could have been used for. If one place looked abandoned, she would take a peek inside. All of her findings would be noted inside her book.

Most of the buildings had lost enough of their original equipment to make discerning the past employment there impossible, and several others had been converted to a storage shed for miscellaneous supplies, planks and timbers loaded into one empty building while unused furniture filled up another. The town spread out sparsely around the motel in the center, with most of the buildings left to decay on their own. The nearby pier was free of any docked boats and the lighthouse a ways outside of town seemed to remain persistently on, even when there was no need. More rubble and half-ransacked locations peppered the broken asphalt and uneven sidewalks around the town and towards the outskirts less stable buildings had simply collapsed into a mound of broken walls and rooftops. The only multi-story edifice throughout the entire location, barring the towering lighthouse, was the two-story building that took up a large portion of the town's center, doubling as both a motel above and shops on the ground floor. It was a newer site from the construction detail, with more modern architecture and conveniences.

Eventually getting around town and finishing exploring anything noteworthy around the area, Angélique figured it was time to settle down for a little bit and try to ease her mind. This whole trip in town had done no good on her spirits. While it was interesting to visit new places, meeting different people with yet the same old mentality was not doing so good on her morale. 
 
The Aberration young woman had told Allison, Brent and Zoe that she would do everything to protect everyone, be them Regulars or Subnaturals. But it was hard to keep that resolve, after continuously meeting people that didn’t care for her nor her classmates. Truly, this duty she tried to force upon herself was an ingrate task. 
 
[color f7976a][i]Unworthy. Useless. Trash…[/i][/color]
 
Feeling a bit down and prone to emotions, Angélique left town and headed next to the lighthouse, sitting next to the ocean. Thinking it was a bit more secluded over there, the USARILN student took her guitar out of its case and began playing, her voice joining along into what would be ballads fit for soft rock and country music. But as time went by, her mind was filled with negativity as the voices in her head only sang along twisted lyrics of her songs, which eventually led to Angel’s voice starting to increase in volume, the tempo accelerating into something more frenetic, until it reached a dark and moody melody only fit on the recent death metal album she was supposed to be releasing a month back, at the same date she had given her last concert in Montréal.
 
[color f7976a][i]THIS WORLD DOESN’T DESERVE MERCY![/i][/color]
 
In what would be the climax of her song, Angélique screamed, releasing a powerful wave of forceful sonic energy onto the water’s surface, effectively splitting the watery surface in two as the sound wave forced liquid aside in a forty-meters cone. 

Several seconds after the screech, dead fish floated to the water's surface, most of them stunned and then slaughtered by the Aberration's power. Dozens bobbed up and down around her, their scales glimmering in the light.

Angel’s hands immediately were brought up to her mouth after realizing what she had done. 
 
[color=9e0039][i]W-What did I just do?[/i][/color]
 
It was not a question of how her power managed to do that. She knew full well the deathly  effects her ability wrought. It was more of realizing she had lost control, or at least thought it was safe to just scream like that at bodies of water. What if someone was actually swimming in there? 
 
Dread gripped Angélique as she turned her head away from the scene, gathering up all of her stuff and leaving the lighthouse’s side. No matter where she went, death followed in the wake of her screams. And what was the most twisted thing about it?
 
She felt relieved, sated even, after snuffing out those small insignificant lives. 
 
Throwing her stuff at the backseat of the car, Angel slammed the door shut beside her and ignited the engine, driving off away quickly, as if she tried to lose an invisible manifestation of Death.

As she drove off in her hurry, the girl didn't notice the few Arbiters who came out of the lighthouse soon afterwards, scooping up the fish in an old, worn-down net and staring after her car.

[hr]

It took a while for Angélique to return to the mansion. For all that her Stigma was sated, she felt horrible again. Would it be so easy to uphold her will to help people if she kept accidentally killing whatever was caught in her path of destruction?
 
The Aberration took a few hours to return, secluding herself somewhere on the island and making sure she’d come back more stable before facing the others. This day wasn’t meant to be this emotionally charged. Why did it had to be this way? What was her problem exactly?
 
Rejection. For all of her life, she was used to being loved and surrounded by people, even if their admiration was only superficial. After losing it all, it just felt more difficult to be rejected by all those new people she was trying to create bonds with. Maybe she didn’t know it, but it was more probable that she didn’t want to acknowledge the fact that she was indeed yearning for attention. For people to be kind and compliment her.
 
She felt sick, just thinking about it, but it was a reality that she had yet to accept. 
 
Finally returning at the mansion, Angel quickly parked the car inside the garage and returned to her room with all of her stuff, shutting herself in. Back inside her lodgings, she sat down and thought about what she had found out today about her trip to town. The X-marked didn’t quite feel like it, but she needed to know what was going on in there. And so, even if she disliked the idea, Angel pulled on the silver chain, calling for a maid.

One of the butlers came in instead, black hair slicked back against his head and brown eyes kind despite the stern angles of his face. He looked in his early twenties--most of the staff on the estate did--and he bowed as he entered.

[color f7976a]"At your service, ma'am."[/color]

[color=9e0039]“Oh, hello.”[/color]
 
There was quite an impersonnal tension Angélique felt on herself as she looked at the butler. Just a bit older than she was, being a Subnatural himself without however bearing the same mark. Was it because he was serving under infamous Director Zhang’s extravagant name? Shackled by a cuff or not, Angel felt like their situations may not so much differ, but there was something unnerving behind their uptight manners.
 
[color=9e0039]“Please, Angel will do just fine.”[/color] The younger Aberration tried to relax, obviously uncomfortable around the presence of a butler.  [color=9e0039]“I went to town earlier, and I spoke only for a few minutes to some of them. Could you… tell me the story about this place? Or is there someone else who would be more knowledgeable about this subject?”[/color]

[color f7976a]"The story?"[/color] he looked surprised at the question, like the answer was obvious, before regaining his composure. [color f7976a]"There's not much to say. We volunteered to stay here, but between the ones in this household and the ones in town...well, there are some differences in philosophy, so to speak. They aren't fond of us, but we do what we can to help. It's not right to just let them starve when supplies are low."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"I see… that’s why they thought I was there for. They thought I was sent to offer help on Zhang’s behalf.”[/color] Angel half-explained, more like musing to herself. There was definitively some good philosophy going behind that explanation, but it didn’t explain exactly the distrust between those two groups, or the origin of why those people were here instead of at the Institute instead.
 
[color=9e0039]“But aren’t you all Mages on this island? What did create this division? This philosophy you have been talking about? Can you tell me more about your difference in opinions?”[/color] Angélique let loose a wave of questions, one answer that managed to only create more questions.

The butler seemed taken aback by the sudden barrage of questions, raising an eyebrow at the concern. [color f7976a]"Apologies if I seem...uncouth, ma'am, but this isn't a...sort of amusing story for general curiosity. Why are you interested, might I ask?"[/color]

There was clearly a hint of disappointment on Angel’s face as the butler dodged her question and instead inquired why she wanted to know. There was some sort of clear hesitation whether she should push the subject if it wasn’t something that was easy to tell, but it was a story she wanted to know nonetheless. Not out of amusement, but simply because it would just feel right to learn about this world she was introduced violently in.
 
[color=9e0039]“It’s just… I want to understand this world I’m living in. There are just so much things I don’t know about our situation. The Rogues, the Institute, this island. We’re all in the same boat, and yet we are just so… divided? It feels like the pieces are scattered everywhere. I can’t grasp any of it.”[/color] Angel fell silent for a pause.
 
[color=9e0039]“I… I know we are supposed to be some sort of combat slaves, but why all of this extravagant treatment? Who are you guys?  You live secluded from USARILN on this island, yet known to Zhang? It just doesn’t make sense to me. At least… I’m ignorant to it all, and that’s what scares me. To not know anything. How can I help people if I have no idea of the bigger picture? As it stands, I’m just a pawn playing soldier on a game of war against monsters. This… isn’t what I want. I just want to help everyone.”
 
“Please, can you help me understand?![/color]

The butler sighed, but remained resolute. He knew this narrow-minded type--he had [i]been[/i] this type some years ago.

[color f7976a]"As much as I appreciate the idealism, ma'am...I think you're a bit misguided. Not everyone needs your help, so pardon me once more, but that's...quite arrogant of you. If that's all you'd like of me, I'll politely decline this line of questioning. Is there anything [i]else[/i] I can help with, ma'am?"[/color]

Perhaps not everyone, but if she wasn’t willing to help, should she just leave it to the others? What if the others weren’t willing either? If everyone, the whole world, were thinking that way, then where was the good in the world? Maybe that’s the answer she was looking for all along. This world was doing bad, not only because of the monsters, but because only a handful of souls were willing to help. What would have happened if every single Mages;  Precursors, Animi, Ardor, Arbiters and Aberrations banded together to repel the monsters? Would they see an end to this plague one day? It was wishful thinking, but at this point, this really was the only solution Angel could believe in right now.
 
[color=9e0039]“Will the world even recover if we're just not willing to help? It’s dreams and ideals that keep hope alive, even as deluded it is.”[/color] Angel replied, clearly unhappy at the butler that refused to indulge in her understanding. [color=9e0039]“No, you can leave. I’m just being foolish, apparently. Have a good day.”[/color]

[color f7976a]"You as well, ma'am."[/color] He left with another bow, leaving as quietly as he had arrived.

Shortly after the butler left her room, a pillow came flying straight at the door, making a thumping noise as it hit the wooden frame hard. Angélique only felt frustration rising. Why was everyone refusing to understanding her feelings? Was the world just dead cynic, or was she the one who was stupidly blind to it all?
 
She didn’t want to believe that her role in this world was to be a combat slave for the rest of her life until death came knocing at her door. There are to be something else she could do, right? She was given these powers that she did not want. She was part of a minority of Mages that would be considered special, as Ernest once remarked. She was part of a group that was claimed to be the next Precursors. Surely fate, or Dreamcatcher even, had destined her classmates and herself a different path in life.
 
If only she could be strong than an Animus. Than a Precursor. Than anything in the world.
 
[color f7976a][i]Scream and shatter this world.[/i][/color]
[/hider]

[hider=Chapter VII: Shackles]
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[img]http://i.imgur.com/OiIXHEg.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/0M1Q5tj.png[/img]
[h2][color=9e0039]Angélique[/color] | [color=fff79a]Hazel[/color][/h2]
[color=9e0039][img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img][hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟚𝟠, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕀𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   ℤ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘'𝕤 𝔼𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕖   / /  𝟚𝟘𝟘𝟘[/color][hr][/color]
[sub] Collab with [@GreenGoat][/sub]
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Another day was nearing the end. After spending yet another day on the road and getting herself something to eat after her trip, Angélique went to finish what little scraps of her meal was remaining into the music room. She had heard the mention of this part of the estate a while ago, but with everything that happened last week, the controverted rockstar never had the opportunity to visit the room, whether it was because she lacked the will to play music, meeting with other classmates or simply because she wanted to avoid everyone. 
 
However, this week, Angel felt her spirits regaining its composure. While there had been a lot of moments of weakness in the past week, she also had meaningful discussions, some of which that actually helped in finding back a bit of her resolve and will. Today, the raven-haired singer felt somewhat good considering what happened, a rare occurrence ever since a month ago. While she was feeling this high-spirited, Angel took this opportunity to finally see what this music room was like.
 
It was far from what she had seen in Washington’s penthouse. Much less luxurious, but that trait only appealed the young musician more. While the whole estate setting was a bit too extravagant to her taste, the size of the room seemed just perfect to be left alone and play peacefully. Finishing her plate of food, Angel inspected the place, finding it a bit disconcerting to see pretty much the same fancy items, with none of the instruments she was so used to playing. Of course rich people didn’t care for such rustic sounds. Rock, country and metal were considered mostly barbaric styles by the high society. IT was unlikely to see instruments that could produce such music in such ludicrous homes.
 
And yet, her expectations were not completely true as, behind a bookshelf, there laid the silhouette of a black solid case shaped appropriately for a guitar. It was dusty, ancient even, suggesting it hadn’t been used, if not forgotten, for quite some time. Pulling the case out of its hiding place, the music adept blew over the dusty thing, sending a cloud of dirt floating in the air and emancipating a few sneezes and coughs from the curious Aberration.
 
Opening the case, Angel found quite the treasure. It was quite an old model of acoustic guitar, yet the brand that Angel recognized immediately suggested that the instrument was of superior quality, in fact quite valued despite its aged and even prized by collectors. Truly, Zhang was keeping quite the treasures into her manor, wasn’t she? It was a shame to not have this thing on display, instead of letting it decrepify behind some musical books.
 
Strumming the strings, Angel confirmed that the guitar hadn’t been used in quite some time, as the thing sounded quite wrong. It required some time to fine tune, playing with the strings and using her sharp musical ear to bring a correct harmonic back to the instrument.
 
After a while, Angélique was done tuning the strings, giving the guitar a test run as she strummed the strings into a melody. And as she kept playing and found herself satisfied with the sound of the wooden instrument, the singer added her golden voice to the smooth rhythm of the guitar.
 
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiCATotIPeE]“Ti~me, is the reason why we fight to stay ali~ve…”[/url]

Music.

Music that caught Hazel's ears. This time with a sweet voice that drew her in. Were she a bit more well read, a siren's call would be what she would describe it as. As it was, it was nothing but that sounds that grabbed her by her ears, a music with hands that pulled her towards that room. It was, unsurprisingly Angel. Smoothing down the black maid's outfit she had grabbed, she sat down and listened, observing the way Angel's fingers seemingly glide across the guitar, producing sweet melody.

Angel seemed to have lost herself into her music, as she paid no attention to the figure that had entered the room and sat beside her, or rather didn't see her coming in. As she finished, her sense of awareness seemed to have return as she caught the shadow of a silhouette in the corner of her sight, jumping in surprise as she realized a maid had been sitting next to her.
 
[color=9e0039]"Oh, sorry, was I being too loud?"[/color] came the question without much thought behind it, more like a discussion sparker.
 
But the maid wasn't any kind of maid. At least, for as far as the maids of the estate were concern.
 
[color=9e0039]"H-Hazel? What are you doing in that outfit?"[/color]

[color=fff79a]"I am sitting down, listening to you."[/color] Came the prompt answer.

Seeing as Angel had stopped singing, Hazel stood up and started examining the other instruments. There was one that was a smaller version of the instrument Angel was holding, but with an odd sweeping design on its thinner part and a stick with a string on it. Grabbing it by the thin part, where she assumed the handle was, and ran the stick across the length of the strings. It produced the most peculiar sounds she had ever heard, like a gutted cat wailling and screeching its last.
 
[color=9e0039]"I-I meant why are you wearing that."[/color]
 
Angel looked at the girl that had gone up to inspect the other instruments. She took questions quite literally, Angelique figured. She was soon cut out from her thoughts as the screeching made the actual musician in the room jump out of her skin, her ears not taking kindly to the abuse that they were going through. God, that sound only belonged to the deepest parts of hell.
 
[color=9e0039]"Hazel, wait!"[/color] Angel called out with a hand reaching for the bow. [color=9e0039]"That's not how you are supposed to play a violin. Want me to show it to you?"[/color]

Hazel nodded, before thinking back to Angel's previous question.

Why was she wearing these clothes? Was there something wrong with them? Did she have something else for Hazel, or did she just not like the outfit itself?

[color=fff79a]"I see. Is my outfit not to your liking? Then..."[/color]

She left no mistake as to what she was going to do, as she started to unbutton her top.

Oh god... was she going to start stripping just like that in front of Angel? In front of grown soldier dudes that kept following her around all-day long? Angelique hurried onto Hazel's robes, fastening the buttons back.
 
[color=9e0039]"Nononono, I didn't mean that either. I just thought it was weird on you, since you're not a servant in here and all."[/color] The raven-haired singer paused, glancing over the general appearance of her exhibitionist classmate. Frankly enough, the maid's outfit looked surprisingly good on her. Then again, the brown-haired girl always wore robes, which at this point made her sort of like the class' reference for this kind of clothing. Seeing something similar to her style yet different from her usual brown garments was refreshing, to say the least.
 
[color=9e0039]"Actually, quite the opposite. It looks good on you."[/color] Angelique sighed, glancing back at the girl's face and trying to make out the eyes in hiding behind those bangs. [color=9e0039]"You shouldn't remove your clothes as soon as somebody tells you they don't like it though. At least, return to your room to change clothes if it happens, alright? Not that you should care anyway. If you like what you wear, screw the others' opinion. Just wear what you feel you want to wear."[/color]

[color=fff79a]"I see."[/color] Hazel paused for a moment, pondering what she said. [color=fff79a]"Then, please continue to play the biolin."[/color]

Opinions... For a moment there, there was a small spark of surprise and warmth, when Angel complimented her. What it was, and why that was was far beyond her understanding for a moment. All she knew was that it felt good.

She picked up a second violin, though she still held it in a vice grip along with the bow.

[color=9e0039]"Violin, with a 'Vee'"[/color] Angelique corrected her fellow Aberration. [color=9e0039]"Alright, for starters, you have to know how to hold the instrument. Here, let me show you."[/color]
 
Having watched Lilianna playing in Washington, and experimented a few times in the music room with the various high-class instruments back there, Angel assumed the appropriate stance to play the violin; back straightened, the handle gripped lightly from underneath, cello brought to her neck and bow elegantly brought to the strings of the wooden instrument. The musician Mage kept that stance, waiting for Hazel to imitate her as she gave her a glance.

Wordlessly Hazel took up the same pose as well, though her grip on the instruments remained tight. She looked expectantly back at Angel. Was this some sort of procedure for making the same music that drew her in to this room? Already she was impatient to continue, her fingers twitching in anticipation of sawing vigorously across the strings.

[color=9e0039]"Relax..."[/color] Angel sighed, taking notice of Hazel's crisped figure. [color=9e0039]"Slide the bow along the strings. It doesn't need to be done so forcefully. Only a slight touch can make a good enough note, like this."[/color]
 
Angel's hand moved the bow across the strings of the violin, emancipating a low-pitched but precise note. [color=9e0039]"The slower you draw the bow on the string, the longer your keep the note. Change the position of the bow to touch different strings to make different notes. Same for your fingers holding the violin's head."[/color] The young virtuoso put emphasis on the holding part, leaning towards Hazel to show her fingers had been holding down a few strings. To show what she meant, Angel played haphazardly a few notes, of different pitch and different lengths. The music came out as a random mess, as Angel never truly played a violin all that much, but the notes were somewhat precise.

Following Angel's lead, she started sawing on the violin, first a long note, and then several halting ones. Trying to figure out what sort of noises she could make, Hazel methodically started to explore different strokes on different spots. Amidst the cacophony of noises, she turned halfway to Angel.

[color=fff79a]"Are you afraid of me?"[/color]

There was nothing else, but her gaze at Angel's face, even as she continued to saw at the violin.

Angel clearly didn’t expect this sort of question as her violin squeaked a wrong note, sounding very much like what Hazel had been playing. 
 
[color=9e0039]“I… don’t know. Perhaps ‘afraid’ isn’t the right word. ‘Cautious’ or ‘wary’ might describe it better.”[/color]Angélique replied, looking thoughtful as she stopped playing.
 
[color=9e0039]“I mean, The ‘you’ right now is alright. Sure, you are a bit awkward, but really is it any worse than what I am?”[/color] Angélique tried to force a chuckle at her self-derision, aware that she was good at fucking up so perfectly when talking to others. [color=9e0039]“It’s more that I fear the other ‘you’. The one in battle. The one that slapped Emma across the floor as if she was a mere doll, during the game we had a few weeks back at the Institute. The you who attacked and tried to kill Christmas, Ernest and I at Wisford.”[/color]

Angel paused, looking at Hazel. [color=9e0039]“I’m sorry. It’s not that I want to sound mean. It’s just… I can’t figure you out. I don’t know what to expect the next time we’ll be together on the battlefield.”[/color]

[color=fff79a]"I see."[/color] Arranging the notes she found, Hazel started playing them from lowest to highest, over and over again. [color=fff79a]"Marcus is afraid of me as well."[/color]

Concentrating, she started drawing out each note as she went over them. Slower and slower, there was an oddly melancholic quality to it, even if it was just a bunch of note arranged from low to high. 

[color=fff79a]"There is just one of me. And I do not remember attacking Christmas, Ernest or you."[/color] Hazel stopped playing. [color=fff79a]"I see. So that was why I was in that hospital bed."[/color]

Listening to Hazel playing, there was something in there. Whether Hazel knew it or not, she had an ease of understanding music like few ever had at their beginning. “You’re quite a natural at this.” Angel commented at her classmate’s playing. 
 
So she wasn’t the only one who had been discussing with her. It came as no surprise, considering his nature. Knowing him, he had probably been telling her pretty much the same thing as she was saying right now. 
 
[color=9e0039]“Perhaps, but I think there’s more to ourselves than we think. Something we still don’t know about our Stigma. How else could we explain your bout of rage that you can’t remember?  Why does Zoe feel this irresistible urge to kill anyone close to her? Why do I feel this uncontrollable anger that makes me want to tear the world? There’s something… inside of us that wasn’t there before. Something that wants us to destroy without even caring about it. I can’t fathom why we are taking pleasure in doing this…”[/color]
 
Angel paused, remorseful for the things she had done, but also feeling for those who lost their battle to their destructive impulses. Truly, what an unsightly thing that was their mark. 
 
[color=9e0039]“I’m sorry for yelling at you in Wisford. I shouldn’t have said these things to you. Emma told me that you pushed us to protect us from the incoming danger. I was just so… angered that I lost the use of half my gear and having my private parts exposed, it felt sort of humiliating. I let wrath cloud my judgement and I didn’t understand what you were trying to do.”[/color] Angélique chuckled bitterly at the memories, still remembering how the cold breeze felt as it brushed on her ass cheek and inner thigh.

Hazel just remained silent as Angel contemplated their existence. It was far beyond her understanding; she had come to accept it as part of herself, after all  — [color=fff79a][i]it felt good[/i][/color] — it wasn't something she can just cut out and throw away.

[color=fff79a]"Do not worry. I am used to such things."[/color] The memories of that plain white room came to her, odd materials she could not destroy, music playing at designated times of the day, even the experiments she ran through and the exercises they ran her through. And sometimes what would happen if she didn't meet their expectations. [color=fff79a]"... even beatings if it makes you feel better."[/color]

She spoke the last sentence under her breath, with a faraway look. Putting the violin down, she stood up and picked up the guitar, before handing it to Angel. 

[color=fff79a]"Play this?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]“God, Hazel no! Beating someone just doesn’t solve anything, as enticing as it can be.”[/color] Angel replied to the brunette’s last comment. 
 
Really, just what kind of upbringing did this girl come up from? Was she the kind of girl to be disciplined with a rough beating whenever she was displeasing her parents? It sort of infuriated the raven-haired metalhead to think that such people exist, even if she should have known better, considering what was happening everywhere across the world, especially the violence aimed at Subnaturals. 
 
Surprised, Angélique picked up the guitar Hazel brought to her. Did she prefer the way guitar sounded? Well, considering the young musician knew about next to nothing about violins, it was natural the guitar sounded way better when it was one of the instruments she had mastered the most.
 
Angel took the piano’s bench and set it between herself and Hazel, taking one half for sitting on. [color=9e0039]“Still, I’m sorry for what happened. You’re just going to have to accept my words as a proper apology.”[/color] Angel grinned, tuning the guitar once more before strumming the chords for a test play. 
 
[color=9e0039]“Do you have a song in mind? I know a lot, given I used to do requests before.”[/color]

[color=fff79a]"No."[/color] Came the prompt reply. [color=fff79a]"I do not know any music."[/color]

Still, Hazel sat beside Angel, waiting patiently for her to play the guitar again, and perhaps even sing. Her eyes, once again, was locked onto her hands, the way she gripped the guitar, and how it would move across the strings. 

Following after the melancholic style Hazel seemed to have been so naturally proficient at playing, Angel’s fingers moved across the strings of the guitar slowly, sometimes frantic, a mix of the acoustic versions of some rock songs she had taken a liking to play. And as Hazel expected, the singer eventually added her voice the song, making it feel like both went hand in hand and contributed to making the song whole.
 
Eventually, after a while and her song ended, Angel turned to Hazel, looking pensive.
 
[color=9e0039]“Say, Hazel. Is there… anything we can do to help you if you ever lose control again? I mean, you’re our classmates, I don’t want any of us having to resort to injure you to stop you, or have [i]them[/i] shoot you. Surely there’s something that could be done?”[/color]

[color=fff79a]"Help me?"[/color] Hazel tilted her head slightly.

It was quite an odd turn after such a song. How her voice sounded, how she moved, the way she seemed to shine as she sang. A question like this after a show like that caught her off guard, enough that her mind went blank for a moment. The words of one of the employers at the Plant echoed in her minds.

[color=f7976a][i]"She's a clockwork toy, wind her up enough and she takes action with explosive force. But once she winds down, she stops and drops."[/i][/color]

[color=fff79a]"I'm an explosive clock, explode and I stop,"[/color] came her answer. She paused for an uncomfortably long moment before continuing. [color=fff79a]"The collar will automatically shut me down after a time as well."[/color]

A ticking time bomb… 
 
[color=9e0039]“I… see….” [/color]Angel replied to Hazel’s analogy.
 
So there was nothing to do for her? Just wait until she explodes? How many lives could she reap before her collar could zap her out? They had been lucky no civilian stood next to Hazel when she lost it. But then again…
 
[color=f7976a][i]Maybe you should be the one who needs to be collared…[/i][/color]
 
Angélique’s green eyes lowered to Hazel’s collar, her look growing dark as she heard one of its purposes. Was it the fate awaiting all those Aberrations who were considered [i]that[/i] unstable? Collared and put down to sleep whenever they lost control? It was hard to tell if it was any better than the actual suppressing cuff around their ankle.
 
The raven-haired Aberration brought a hand to her neck, suddenly feeling the presence of her leather collar around her throat. [color=9e0039]“Doesn’t it bother you? To be living with that… thing around your neck?”[/color]

[color=fff79a]"It does not. Just as it does not bother me to wear these cuffs."[/color] Tilting her head questioningly, Hazel asked in return. [color=fff79a]"Do you not wear the same thing?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]“N-no. It’s just…”[/color] 
 
For fashion? To hide something?
 
[color=9e0039]“a plain leather one.”[/color]

[color=fff79a]"Then, does it bother you to wear it?"[/color] Hazel moved in closer to Angel, staring directly at her, as if watching for her reaction. 
 
Angel’s eyes evaded Hazel’s, which seemed to try and stare through her smoked shades. She never wore a collar before. This habit only had begun two months ago, when her mark appeared, to hide it to the public. Even though she was revealed as an Aberration, why was it so hard for her to take it off?

[color=9e0039]“I… I don’t know anymore… “[/color]

[color=fff79a]"I see."[/color] Her hands stretched out towards the collar. [color=fff79a]"Then, you won't mind if I take this off?"[/color]

Angélique offered no response, her face frozen in uncertainty as her hand absent-mindedly touched the leathery material of her own shackle.

Hazel's hand felt around the collar, searching for the unlocking mechanism. For a moment, she drew in close, holding both hands behind Angel's neck, trying to work the clasp. With a barely audible click, the leather strap fell onto her hand as she held it up in front of her. 

[color=fff79a]"See?"[/color]

No more suffocating pressure…
 
A weight seemed to be lifted off Angel’s neck as the warmth of the collar left her. She could feel a fresh breeze wash over her throat, the warm touch of her skin on her fingertips as her hand reached out for the now exposed mark. 
 
The black-haired Aberration’s gaze fell onto the collar in Hazel’s hands, then trailed up to Hazel’s face. So innocent, just like a child, like Emma said before. The girl probably didn’t realize the burden she had just removed from Angélique.
 
As if to express her earnest feeling of gratefulness, the emotional Aberration approached Hazel and wrapped her arms around the younger woman for a warm hug. 
 
Angel could feel some tears of relief welling up into her eyes as she whispered a faint [color=9e0039]“Thank you.”[/color] Into the girl’s ear.

[color=fff79a]"Eh?"[/color] Hazel had no idea what to do as Angel enveloped her in a hug. It wasn't a grapple — so she probably shouldn't flip her over — but a simple hug. Slowly she wrapped her arms around Angel, following her example. 

[color=fff79a]"Y..you're welcome,"[/color] was all she could say.
[/hider]

[hider=Chapter VIII: Burdens]
[center]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/OiIXHEg.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/qdJ8I7l.jpg[/img]
[h2][color=9e0039]Angélique[/color] | [color=red]Christopher[/color][/h2]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img][hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟛𝟘, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕀𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   ℤ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘'𝕤 𝔼𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕖   / /  𝟚𝟘𝟘𝟘[hr][/color]
[sub] Collab with [@Dragonmancer][/sub]
[/center]

Another day of blazing the roads that started to become very familiar to the Aberration driver. While the road started to grow ever the more monotonous, there was always room to reflect on her past actions and every new discussion she was having with others. Just like how recently Angélique started to enjoy the cool breeze brushing on her naked neck, now that Hazel had removed the leather collar that used to serve as both a mental shackle and a mean to hide in vain what she was.
 
After reaching the manor quite late today, the raven-haired driver went to cook dinner and eat by herself before heading out to wander in the manor. She had grown fairly accustomed to the layout of the estate, but there were places she hadn’t been using at all so far. One such place was the lounge that served as the billiard room. It had been a while since the last time the ex-rockstar touched a billiard table. She remembered often going to the bar to play a few games with the guys of her band after a good day of work at the recording studios. 
 
Angel didn’t suspect however that there was already someone inside the room as she opened the door to the lounge.

Chris had been in the lounge playing billiards in his spare time. He had made the first shot to break open the formation when Angelique had arrived. [color=red]"Oh..Hey whats up?"[/color]. He did is best to sound 'normal', but there was a hint of emptiness in his voice. The incident with Marcus the other day still had him shaken up, and he had been hoping that his time of lonesome self-pity wouldn't be interupted. Now that Angelique was here, he did his best to hide his guilt and shame, perhaps he could get her to leave soon enough.

[color=red]"What brings you here?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Oh, hello Christopher. Didn't think there was someone here."[/color] Angel replied, closing the door behind her and visibly surprised to see the Dragon Mage already in the room. But maybe it wasn't so bad. They both haven't talked to each other for a while now. Tonight could be a good opportunity to get some news from him.

[color=9e0039]"Nothing much. I was bored, and I haven't checked up this place yet."[/color] The obsidian-haired young woman added as she walked further inside the room, admiring the furniture and especially the billiard table.

[color=9e0039]"How about you?"[/color]

There was a pause before his next shot. Should he tell her. He needed to let someone know at least, the potential danger he could be. [color=red]"Oi, can you promise me something?"[/color] He said with a voice that suddenly turned gravely serious.

Angel leaned against the table, observing Chris' next shot that never came as he took this most serious voice with a foreboding question. This promised to be an eventful evening indeed.

[color=9e0039]"Sorry Chris, but I can't do promises anymore. A lot of those seem to keep being broken recently. But whatever it is, I will try to uphold to it, depending on what you are asking."[/color] The Aberration replied firmly in kind, replacing the shades onto her eyes.

There was a sigh as he debated upon if he should tell her. [color=red]"I just want to know that....If I were to lose control in battle or whatever, you wouldn't hesitate to kill me, right?"[/color] And then, a shot with the cue ball sent two striped balls into the pockets of the table; As if the idea of his own death didn't bother him.

Angélique frowned as she heard this. Losing control? What the hell? Why did even the Arbiters of her class always keep talking about losing control? Weren't they the ones who were supposed to not be fucked up by a Stigma and be more stable? Was there something White Streaks had that nobody else saw before?
 
Sighing, Angel already didn’t like how this discussion was going. Silently, she took a cue from the racks and stepped at the opposite end of the table. [color=9e0039]"Now that's clearly something I won't promise. Whatever you are speaking of, I won't kill anyone in my class. I can try to disable, but not kill. There are other ways to deal with loss of control."[/color]
 
Angel's face was resolute. She had kept talking to everyone about how she was willing to do everything for her friends, even if it she wasn't will to kill any more people deep inside of herself. Killing a classmate was by far something she ever considered.
 
[color=9e0039]"What the hell are you saying that for anyway? Aren't you supposed to be one of those in control?"[/color] Angelique asked, her finger pointing to where the Arbiter's mark could've been on her face if she had one.

She didn't really know the urges he used to have had in his dragon form, primeval instincts that have since been dampened but are still faintly present within him. Moreover she had yet to learn of the incident the other day involving him and Marcus it seemed. [color=red]"I don't just take the appearance of a monster, Angel.."[/color] He paused, as if the very thought of it sent shivers down his spine. [color=red]"There's something...more...about it...Its like I.."[/color] Another pause, the more he spoke the more he started to remember the worst of the instincts he felt. [color=red]"One of those monsters at D.C. Spoke to me."[/color]

Angélique immediately recognized the words, the speech, the way he was voicing those. A monster masquerading as an Arbiter.

[color=9e0039]"The instincts to destroy, right? That urge to kill, to maim, to bring the world on its knees?"[/color] It was less like a question and more like confirmation, a reflection of what she was living with every day. [color=9e0039]"What did it say?"[/color]

He took his shot to knock out another ball, his momentary silence seemed to confirm the first question, even though he didn't audibly admit it. After that pause, he responded. [color=red]"It just said...'Why'...Like...it was confused…or something...Maybe confused isn't the right word...That’s all I heard before I was rendered into an ice sculpture and nearly fell to my death."[/color] He had wanted to forget he had even heard that voice speak to him, he didn't want to tell anyone, not even Siena, of it. The very thought of the possibility that those...things...were sapient only felled him with more terror and uncertainty.

Angel was confused by story. It didn't say much about the whole thing. Hell, she wasn't even there to know what was going on. [color=9e0039]"Are you sure it wasn't a Rogue? Remember how monstrous Factory was, and he was a Mage. Maybe that creature was the same."[/color]

He shook his head. [color=red]"I want to believe that, but...The way it sounded…something just....just felt off.."[/color] He shook his head. [color=red]"Maybe I imagined it...I don't…I don't want to think about that anymore...That’s not the worst of what had happened anyway...The other day I got into a fight with Marcus...At one point I got so angry that I literally roasted his leg...It wasn't as if I planned for him to rewind the wound either, I just...The anger wanted blood."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"You fucking what?"[/color] Again, less like a question, but more like an angered confirmation. [color=9e0039]"What the fuck is wrong with you people? We just came out of this fucking hell, are given time to relax and think about ourselves and what we did. And this is all that you idiots find worthy of doing in the meantime? Punching each other in the face and in the guts on top of roasting body parts?"[/color]

If Angel had no restraint herself and haven't vowed to not harm her classmates, she would have taken the cue and rammed it onto Christopher's chest. But instead she stood there, wrath seething. [color=9e0039]"We're a team and all that keeps happening is everyone fucking backstabbing each other or one-upping them in the face. Why? Why can't we all cooperate? There is so much to try and keep ourselves alive from. We don't need to fucking start worrying about killing each other on top of that." [/color]

He shook his head. [color=red]"I know, it’s easier said and done though with all the bullshit. Believe me when I say the last thing I want to do is kill a fellow student, that’s why I wanted to know if I could rely on you if I fall down that path."[/color] He wasn't fazed by her anger; frankly he was expecting it, given the weight of his actions. 

[color=9e0039]"No, you won't fall down that path. This is not [i]your[/i] path. Learn to calm yourself down, or find alternatives. I'm the worst when it comes to speak about that, because I have trouble dealing with this,"[/color] Angelique pointed to the mark on her neck, now bare to see in plain view now that her choker was no more [color=9e0039]"but if I started to look for alternatives to deal with it, then you should damn well be able to find something for you as well. Fuck, if you need support, I'll be more than happy to give you some. But don't go around asking people to kill you, because I won't accept it. Face it, Chris. No matter what you think, we need you, just as much as you need us."[/color]

There was a pause, perhaps some relief, that he felt needed. It was a feeling foreign to him thus far, so he had trouble hiding a faint smile for the brief moment. [color=red]"...Thanks...Well…I'll try. No, I'll succeed in taming those instincts...Thanks for the advice..."[/color] The cue ball hit ricocheted off of one ball to the next. [color=red]"I can't use that as an excuse though."[/color] He adjusted another shot, which missed its mark. [color=red]"What I did to Marcus is inexcusable. I don't mind if he hates me forever and can't find to accept my apology, he has his full right to do so...but…I need some time alone, maybe I can try to tame my power better in solitude for now."[/color]

[color=9e0039]“You fucked up, true, but at least you know you did wrong, and that’s what separates you from a monster. Monsters don’t have regrets when it comes to eating and killing people.”[/color] Angel tried to put some light into the situation, even as angered as she was about the whole situation. [color=9e0039]“We fucked up, but we shouldn’t seek forgiveness. We have to remember our mistakes, so we can work hard to never repeat those again.”[/color]
 
[color=9e0039]“If that’s how you feel is best, it’s up to you. Personally, I prefer working with someone when it comes to using my power. Finding a way to make things work together for the future, you know.”[/color] She gave the boy a glance with a mischievous smirk [color=9e0039]“Plus, I can’t be called an Angel if I can’t conquer my fear of literal heights.”[/color]

He scoffed a bit at her last remark. [color=red]"And what is a dragon without its pride?"[/color] There was a sense of humor in his voice; the whole conversation had de-escalated his anxieties already. [color=red]"I'll ask for help when I need it, don't you worry."[/color]

[color=9e0039]“And Angels are supposed to be pure, but then look just how far I let myself fall from grace…”[/color] Angélique’s statement however was bitter and sorrowful. [color=9e0039]“Fine. Just... don’t let that ‘pride’ of yours get in the way to your friends. Trust me. I know what it is, and where it leads.” [/color]

He gave a solemn nod at her remark and advice. [color=red]"No one's perfect, anyway."[/color] He didn't bother to finish the game as he hung up his cue stick instead, and walked over to the couch to lie down on.

[color=9e0039]"Being flawed doesn’t excuse me of murdering innocent..."[/color] the Aberration replied, muttering these words to herself as she watched as Christopher just left his cue behind and went to lie down on one of the couches. 

Was he for real? 
 
[color=9e0039]"Hey, Kilgharrah, get back here! I was waiting after you to play a few matches against you. Are you going to forfeit your chance of showing me up?”[/color]

[i]Kilgarrah?[/i] Ah right, that was his 'media' nickname apparently.  [color=red]"Fine fine your 'holiness', I'll play you a few matches."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Can't leave a woman hanging, young man."[/color] Angélique chuckled as she prepared the table for a game. [color=9e0039]"Speaking of girl, how is it going with Siena? Asked her out yet?"[/color]

[color=red]"Well I confessed my feelings."[/color] He went for another strike, but missed and shot the eight ball into a pocket. [color=red]"Damnit."[/color] He muttered. [color=red]"She wasn't...direct. But I can tell at least that her response wasn't a yes. I haven't entirely given up on her, but I'm not going to force something like that into our friendship, things got a bit awkward there already."[/color] There was a bit of silence as he prepared to set up the next game, organizing the balls and straightening them with a triangle. [color=red]"I just wish someone could make her happy at least....I can tell she has a lot of scars, from what exactly I couldn't tell you, but with the past events that happened this week and before it certainly hasn't helped her."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Hmm..."[/color]

Honestly, Angélique would have been disappointed by the outcome of their story, but after what Chris had revealed her, she wasn't sure if Siena needed to deal with the dramatheurge that was Christopher as a lover. But then again, Allison had been willing to give her a second chance and reciprocate her love, so why Chris wouldn’t be given one too? 

[color=9e0039]"Strange, isn't it? The world, hell even the Mages believe we Aberrations have it hard, constantly dealing with our shit. But the more I look at things, the more I see you Arbiters too are dealing with some crap. Yes... I've noticed Siena's behavior. And what happened in her room a tonight kind of gave it away for everyone there."[/color] 

Angel took place next to the table, aligniging her cue to the white ball and smashed it with precision and swiftness, bringing the balls all around the table and pocketing the solid green one. [color=9e0039]"I can't know for sure either... but yeah, I wish she'd find someone to be comfortable with."[/color]

He nodded once. [color=red]"Were all cursed, really. I don't believe any one has it [i]worse[/i] per say, as we all have our own crosses to bear. I'm obviously not too fond of…well…Brent and Marcus, but at the end of the day they are still in my team, they are a part of me. I just have to force myself to get along with them in more casual settings...Like a sibling you don't like, I suppose...I just hope they have the same philosophy."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"They need to. We all need to. Otherwise, we won't last for long in this world. We need to be united to survive."[/color] Angel agreed as she shot the white ball on a stripped one, nearly pocketing another of her balls with a ricochet. [color=9e0039]"Damn... I got rusty."[/color]

Chris knocked a single one of his colors out on his turn, but missed the next shot. [color=red]Knowing my twisted luck, I'll be forced to live while everyone else gets killed off in front of me again."[/color] Chris muttered, mostly to himself, and was barely audible. Despite the low voice, there was a sense of humor to it, as if he was mocking himself out of pity. Between what had happened in D.C., his talk with Siena, and Now Angelique, his inner demons were starting to show again.

[color=9e0039]"I suppose I can't get you to tell me, Chris?"[/color] Angel asked as she took the shot she missed earlier, managing to pocket her ball but also one of Chris'.

There was just pure silence as Chris went for his shot. As if the room had gotten cold, his hands were shaking and trembling despite what he tried to keep as a calm and 'default' expression of his trademark scowl. He completely missed the shot. [color=red][i]Damn[/i][/color] He didn't mean to let that out. [color=red]"Tell you what, now?"[/color] He asked as he stood up straight, trying to play the ignorant card to avoid the question as he awaited for her next play.

Angel was no oblivious to the half-assed shot that seemed to be out of place for a player of his caliber. Walking over to the white ball, she gave the Dragon Mage a look as she placed herself on a good angel. [color=9e0039]"Nevermind. If you don't want to talk about it yet, it's okay. Like you said, we all got our inner demons to deal with. Sooner or later, maybe you'll find yourself comfortable enough around someone to share your story."[/color] 

Opposite to Chris, her shot was straight, unforgiving, violently pocketing one of her own ball.

Chris shook off his anguish with Angelique's comfort, but he still felt a bit uneasy.  [color=red]"Everyone that had their rooms assigned with mine is dead, you know that right?"[/color] He finally choked up. It was just the tip of his turmoil, but he never expected to let anyone know of it. A sign of weakness he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to confess, but perhaps such a conversation could save him from the void a little longer.

[color=9e0039]"Y-yeah, I'm sorry about that..." [/color] Angélique's next shot wavered, her ball bouncing against the edge of the table as expected but never hitting its intended mark. How strange, to have tried to make her resolve stronger with their deaths, but she had started forgetting them so easily. Even Aaron, who had disappeared but was never confirmed dead.

[color=red]"..."[/color] He went for another ball down the whole as everything that had been piled up for a decade now started to poor out like a broken damn. [color=red]"And that’s just when I got here. Before that? I lost my first and only friends up until now when I was little in the woods, almost shat myself from being nearly eaten myself, got this DAMNED mark on my face."[/color] Anger, as he thrusted the cue on the cue ball hard enough to cause its shaft to shatter. [color=red]"I lived in isolation for a while, My family knew but tried to hide it. My neighbors, other close ones, I think they knew too, but kept it...ya know…hushed..."[/color] There was a period of him slowing down as his hands trembled. [color=red]"And then they all died too...every single one of them. I was the only survivor of my town thanks to this...Damned Curse, and the military 'took me in'."[/color] Exhausted, he nearly collapsed as he leaned onto the wall.

[color=9e0039]"Woah, easy!"[/color] Angel rushed to Chris' side as he looked like he would fall to the ground. Swinging his arm over her shoulder, she led him to the couch he was supposed to be laying on earlier. [color=9e0039]"I... I'm sorry, I didn't know..."[/color] 

His experience a real personal tragedy. Not that Angélique didn't know what it felt like to be in the eye of the storm, but her loved ones never died because of her. If they did, the fallen idol didn't know what she would have done with her life. Now this all explained why Chris was so moody all the time and rejected everyone else. 

[color=9e0039]"Hey, you alright? what happened to you?"[/color]

[color=red]"No one was supposed to know...I didn't want to tell.."[/color] A sigh. [color=red]"No...its fine...I'm fine...Just a bit...all those years of keeping that to myself..."[/color] He gripped her shoulder as he stood upright again, having regained some exposure. [color=red]"Don't tell anyone about that, alright?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Don't worry, I'll kept that only for myself, until the day you decide you are ready to share it with others.[/color] She reassured the young man with an apologetic look, taking his hand and placing it down on his lap. [color=red]"Just... rest. We'll get to have more matches sometime else."[/color]

Chris nodded. [color=red]"I just want to be clear, the last thing I need is pity. Don't treat me any differently because you're aware of that."[/color]

[color=9e0039]Chris... it's not pity that I feel. It's understanding."[/color] Angel corrected him with a look meant to defy his harshness.

[color=9e0039]"I don't want you thinking I'm telling you all this so that I compare myself to you, but..."[/color] the raven-haired Aberration swallowed hard. [color=9e0039]"I know what it's like to live a tragedy up close. I... accidentally killed my very own fans during a concert. I wasn't aware of the strength of my powers... and people paid for it with their lives..."[/color]

It was something hard for Angel to tell, her voice sometimes coming out choked as she tried to untangle the knot in her throat. 

He shook his head. [color=red]"Like I said, no one has had it worse than the other, I consider are burdens equals. We live cursed lives Angelique, and you clearly went through the same hardships I have even if different in scale. I'm sure everyone has had that same...anguish...I appreciate that you opened up to me too with that, though. "[/color]

[color=9e0039]"I thought I'd share. It wouldn't be fair of me to know your burdens without letting you know about mine."[/color]

Angel took a seat onto a nearby recliner, relaxing into the comfort of the char. She felt like her body was getting heavier as well, but her mind actually felt lighter as well. Did it really felt that good, to open up her mind to those she could trust? But then again, what if Christopher turned out to be like Ernest and Brent?

[color=9e0039]We've come a long way, huh? Who'd know we'd be sitting in an estate in the middle of the wood and talking about our problems, when only a month ago we'd barely be able to look at each other in the eye while having dinner."[/color] 

The black-haired singer let out a half-hearted chuckle. There was something nostalgic and sorrowful in her tone as she recalled Green Team's dinner. [i]Aaron and Savannah...[/i]

[color=red]"Guess that’s just what war does to ya."[/color] Chris sighed with a smirk himself.

Before long, Angel fell silent in the recliner, and quickly enough returned to her own little personal land of nightmares, tired of all the weeks' events happening, and her own lack of proper sleeping working itself into her body. Too bad that, even in her relaxed state of mind, she will never find peace in her slumber.
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[hider=Chapter ?: A Mountain of Sins]
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[i]It felt different this time, just like back in Washington. However, she wasn’t standing in a corridor, talking with her previous manager about success and profits. She was standing high atop a mountain, at the edge of a gloomy city of ruined manmade spires and cold concrete structures. There was no monsters to haunt her, no overwhelming battles to conquer. Nothing but large groups of individuals banding together at the feet of the mountain.

It was faint, but she could hear shouts. The more intently she listened, the angrier were the voices. She could barely make out what they were saying, but she could somehow understand them all.

[color=f7976a]“…murderer… betrayer… sinner… bitch… insecure… scared… die…”[/color]

As much as she hated them all, she couldn’t bring herself to scream at them. She had already caused to much suffering, she had enough. She just wished to be left alone in peace. She vowed to no longer user her voice to maim the innocents, however judgmental and wrong they were. 

But when they saw she wasn’t moving from her mountainous pedestal and their words could barely reach her, they turned away, facing another group of people.  Even from her viewpoint, she would recognize that second group of people; her friends, her rivals, her nemesis, her classmates. They shone ever so brightly, like a beacon of hope in this bleak world, but darkness was closing in on them. The insurgents that were assaulting her mountain in vain earlier turned their anger towards her friends, assaulting them with those same words as if they were rocks meant to stoning the death-sentenced. For a reason, those unjust words was hurting more than when they were thrown at her earlier. 

With each passing word, the serene look on the girl’s face grew distorted into a darker expression, until hell had no fury like this woman’s scorn. She couldn’t stand hearing those words being uttered to her friends. As to bring order back, she shouted from high above on her mountain. But doing so had doomed them all. The insurgents were swept back from their feet and vanished into thin air, as well as her friends. 

She only screamed more as she realizd what she had done. She had lost them, forever. 

Looking down in shame, her eyes grew wide in horror. The mountain she was standing on, so tall and full of pride, was entirely made of bloodied and battered corpses. And on top of this macabre mound of bodies, the well-known silhouettes of her friends. With utmost horror, she realized that this entire time, she had been stepping directly onto the corpse of a brown-haired girl; her first love. Kneeling, she took the dead girl into her arms and desperately tried to shake her into life. 

She screamed again. The world shattered all-around her.

The feathery wings on her back were stained in so much crimson that they seemed to have turned jet-black.[/i]
[hr]
Angélique screamed herself awake. She was back, lying down underneath a tree, not too far from where she had parked the car and went to relax while watching the scenery. Her napping spot seemed to have grown so much brighter than when she had lied down earlier. Looking up, she now knew why.

Half of the tree’s branches and every single leaves on the tree had snapped from the great oak, draped all around the sleepy Aberration.
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