Fallenreaper

Greetings! Candy Cane Service!

Thank you to whoever gave me a Candy Cane message, you're awesome and it really gave me a warm, happy feeling for the holidays. It's encouraged me to forward the favor. ^-^

Chrono Asylum: Prelude to Madness

---

Samad waited outside Elsa’s classroom before he headed to lunch. The Iranian’s arms crossed over his chest as he pressed his back against the wall. He appeared completely relaxed as his eyes observed the students file out one by one, their chatter vibrated throughout the corridor. A few caught his glance then averted their heads when his expression hardened. The simple warning glare warned them off. It appeared his last lesson had driven home the importance of not messing with him or Elsa.

He pondered on their ignorance over how lucky they were here. Even with the limits gradually being released, each student held value and were pushed in skills to survive. Far better than simply tossing them into the deep end with nothing. When they became Asylums, it would sink in, and they would wish for these kind days back.

The asylum signed then moved. When his figure shifted his weight back to his feet, he strolled into the classroom. His eyes noted Elsa placed a few books into their cubbies on the shelves then clicked the doors shut. With a quiet click, she locked them up for the lunch hour. Her lithe figure twisted about to face him. A delicate, warming smile on her face greeted him. The ring spun on her finger twice before she slipped it into her desk drawer next to it.

“Read to go?” She looked up to watch him.

Samad nodded. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“It will be fine. Zane and Bella are much better than some pairs we’ve worked with.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I am, I can sense it.” She led the way out of the room with him close behind her.

It didn’t take long for them to reach the cafeteria. Students and staff milled around with trays in hand, their conversations created a dull hum in the air. As Elsa searched for Bella and Zane, Samad went for their food. Upon spotting the earlier pair, she smiled then took a seat across them. Her partner arrived shortly after and slid her tray over. With a grateful nod, she took a moment to enjoy the milkshake.

Any conversation that could’ve bloomed was stopped cold when their uninvited guest arrived.

Their eyes turned in unison to the larger man holding a tray filled with enough sweets for a sugar coma. Both Samad and Elsa struggled not to look surprised. It didn’t stop the tension that rippled through their link as they observed him. They took note of his statement about safe and sound, but made no comment on it. Elsa braved some small talk.

She pointed to ‘meal’. “Don’t they usually bring you food in your cell?”

Chrono Asylum: Prelude to Madness

Next Day

---

Class: Physical Fitness Training
Location: Gymnasium
Time: Morning

Samad's eyes checked the glowing rune on the gymnasium floor. An intricate pattern burned into the floor and coated by specialized lamination. He shifted his eyes above him to note the twenty students who scaled upward. Their goal had been to ring a bell at the top before the wind picked up again. As if on cue, a female student paused at the top and reached for the string. Before she rang it, the industrial, high tech fans automatically triggered.

The student shrieked then clung to her rope. It wiggled and thrashed about like some living thing. More protesting yells joined the first as others were battered about. A few lost their grip then began to free fall downward.

As if expecting it, Samad's alchemy immediately activated. Their fall slowed before they smacked hard into the floor the last foot above it. Meanwhile, those still in the challenge rose to meet it. Some used alchemy to redirect the wind while others just strengthen their grip. After about a minute, the fans died and they continued to climb upward.

Silently, he continued to observe them. His arms crossed over his chest, his feet paced like a restless tiger.

Samad, checking in. You feel rather restless, is everything all right? Did some more students try to attack you again?

He smirked then replied. No. I believe the last batch are still stuck in a speed trap so they are a bit wary of me.

How slow?

It took them a good hour to raise their foot. By now, the effects likely wore off. It still remained to be a lesson to them as they hurriedly to their next class. Some alchemist were more feared than others when a student was late.

Samad fought not to laugh when Elsa mentally face palmed in their link.

At least I didn't do what Zane did. He then added.

Fair.

Again the fans activated and kicked up a level. The highest students immediately slipped down a few feet, their hands rubbed raw from the hemp rope.

How is your class going? He preferred the conversation to babysitting.

It's fun to see the boys shift uncomfortably when you show them how to treat a girl. The girls are more giggling.

He groaned under his breath as he slowed another student's failure. His eyes shifted to check the line and all them stood patiently waiting for their teammates to make it. Some even cheered them on until a look from him silenced them.

So, we still meeting Bella and Zane for lunch?

If they show. Samad replied in a calm tone.

They will. Meet you there.

Samad let out a soft huff and continued to focus on the lesson.

X-Men: The New Era - Avalon Rising

ᴠᴇʀᴏɴɪᴄᴀ "ʀᴏɴɴɪᴇ" ᴍᴀʟᴄᴏʟᴍ

---

_{9 am | Danger Room}

Ronnie rolled her eyes. No one liked hearing the truth. She didn't, but it changed nothing. At least it was said without the sugar coated falseness or pity. Like her, he was another body that limited Daniela's movements and took up space. What good would that do? At least he could just lessen the time it took to complete their goal.

Her arms wrapped themselves about herself like an shield. Deep down, her heart had started to race. It thumped heavily against her ribs while she let herself go cold. She jumped when she felt Jasper's eyes on her, the technopath's glare sent shivers down her spine.

At Jasper's words, Ronnie just bit her tongue and focused on the pain. Her fear and anger swelled up in her heart. In the darkness, she could barely see anything. It was just another dark place in the rest of the world.

What's the point of kindness?

It was just a mask people wear to get what they wanted. These people were no different from Alexander, Yasmin, or Julia. All people she had helped. She pushed them in the same way as she was. The moment Ronnie let go and trusted, they simply abandoned her.

She had no emotional energy to pretend or act perfect today. In her mind, history would only repeat itself.

Ronnie only half listened to Daniela words. For a moment, she was glad for the lack of light. It made the anger and pain easier to hid.

"Chill out? There is no 'try your best'. You either fail or succeed. People only say that when they don't think you're good enough." Ronnie barely managed to keep her voice from cracking on the last statement.

She could hear her mother's tone in it.

Adrenaline poured from her anxiety as she reached her limits. She rooted herself in the spot. A subtle tremble rippled through her body. Ronnie now turned to stare at Daniela, but her vision blurred a bit. Unfocused into colors rather than shapes.

Nearby, paper stirred from her forgotten notebook. The pages tugged with a life of their own. Each time the rustling became stronger and more determined. It synced with her stress.

Riiiip.

Finally, they tore free then darted into the air. The edges sharped than average as they lashed out at everything in the area.

Chrono Asylum: Prelude to Madness

<Snipped quote by xodus>

I would love to but the discord link is invalid again.

@DrRtron

Sent it in a pm.

Chrono Asylum: Prelude to Madness

Is there still spots open? I know it was asked nine days ago, but this seems interesting.

Also, the discord link is expired by the way.

@Kiki is Anxious

Yeah, the rp is still running and has open spots I beelive despite it being a slower pace. If you got a character conception, by all means go for it.

X-Men: The New Era - Avalon Rising

ᴠᴇʀᴏɴɪᴄᴀ "ʀᴏɴɴɪᴇ" ᴍᴀʟᴄᴏʟᴍ

---

_{9 am | Danger Room}

Ronnie’s expression hardened when she spotted the weakness of Heidi’s panic. A sudden anger and fear reared up in her mind, but she crushed it down. She was taught better than to lower herself to that level.

Once taser and numbers rushed in, Ronnie slid the chain around Heidi's tv cord. She pressed in what she hoped to be the right combination into the pad lock. When the creature slammed against the door, Ronnie jumped and stepped back. Her eyes lingered on it before she realized she had been holding her breath in her chest.

With a forced push from her lungs, Ronnie exhaled into the darkness. Her nerves became ice-cold once more, and she caught the others speak. Her arms crossed over her chest when Matt mention her paper notebook had ruffled. He appeared to have blocked the exit door with a table.

"Yeah, well Budha or whoever that is, never lived my life. Fear is weakness, weakness means you're prey, and prey means you'll be eaten alive. I'm no one's prey."

She paused for a moment to glance about. Everything became dimly lit in the faint red light from the exit. The darkness provided little help in their goals to find the flag and win this bullshit game. Ronnie missed the exchange between Jasper and Heidi until she heard the part directed to her. Dark eyes narrowed on the student as Ronnie returned a retort.

"Yes, brilliant. One flaw, it won't be T.W. that gets damaged. I doubt everyone wants to take cover under tables when we're supposed to find the flag." Sass edged squarely into her voice.

Before she could say anything else, Heidi followed with her plan. Ronnie held no confidence in the odds of its success.

"HEY! Take him," she gestured to Matt with her thumb, "with you. He's useless down here, but he can save you time in your search. If Sparks can avoid shocking me, we can likely hold-"

A heavy thump on the level above them silenced Ronnie. Her eyes jerked up and her teeth gritted tightly for several moments. By the time she turned to the others, Heidi and her ally appeared to have hightailed it up the stairs.

"Fuck... now what do we have to deal with?" She glanced at whoever remained in the dark room.

"I don't suppose you have seen Home Alone?"

Chrono Asylum: Prelude to Madness

---

Elsa focused on Bella, her ears deafened to Zane’s counterpoints. The man’s tone and attitude made it clear he held little value in foresight. She wondered if the pair never had a preventable encounter or just had straight forward goals in missions. As she shrugged off the thought, her eyes shifted from Bella to Samad. In an expected fashion, her partner went into his stalking mode. He kept his hands closer to his hip and strolled toward the front. Every few steps, his head casually swept the location.

Well, remind me not to call Zane for help. Samad’s thick accent rippled across her attention.

She inhaled and considered what to say. However, her partner knew her well. He snipped in another comment before she could.

Don’t pretend you didn’t notice the aloof and lazy attitude. If it wasn’t for your friend, he wouldn’t have bothered. Not my first choice for dependable back up.

Elsa mentally sighed.

He’s still capable within a fight. You saw well they worked together. Not all linked pairs are identical in work ethics. We’ve worked with some oddball pairs and their first impressions were far worse.

Maybe, but he will not be my first choice.

She rolled her eyes gently at his decision, but he hoped his opinion would change. Samad took first impressions far too seriously, and she knew it wasn’t a good trait. Judgment was best done over a series of interactions, not dominated by a single one.

When they finally reached their destination, Elsa had memorized the signs Bella showed her. Both her partner and herself watched the bot dip then struggle to rise. A clear indication of the alchemy absence location according to Bella.

“Yeah, it does. Why would an area effect to negate alchemy be out in the open and where anyone could stumble across it?” Elsa thought out loud.

Aside from the distant students locked in an extreme physical education class, she saw no one around. She expected a guard or someone babysitting the location. Especially in an area filled with troublesome students.

Samad took charge next. “All right, this is where you two stay. Elsa and I will be right back. We’re only looking around for an hour.”

He gestured for Elsa to follow them as the two parted from the group.

X-Men: The New Era - Avalon Rising

ᴠᴇʀᴏɴɪᴄᴀ "ʀᴏɴɴɪᴇ" ᴍᴀʟᴄᴏʟᴍ

---

_{9 am | Danger Room}

Listening to nerd girl reveal the two exits, Ronnie made a note of them. It would prove useful if the group had to split up or distract the wolf. She hoped the doors could hold it off, but her confidence in that started to waver. Especially with Heidi’s follow-up observation.

“Have you really looked at that thing? Its face is nearly melted off and it is still ticking. I don’t think we’re supposed to beat it, but avoid it.” Ronnie decided to point out that their current efforts weren’t doing much to beat the creature.

She gritted her teeth as the girl spoke loudly to numbers. Ronnie had managed to slip the chain about the handle and close half of the doors when something came into her peripheral vision. She promptly glanced up then jumped in place. Jasper’s figure stood just within the doorway and continued to focus on the terminator wolf. A soft, subtle growl emitted from Ronnie as she turned back to the padlock. She remembered the combination digits easily, but the order proved to be harder.

Ronnie paused when Heidi asked about her powers.

“Of course you would ask that question.” She snapped.

Her back pressed against the door and held it in place. Ronnie’s expression took on a painful one as she struggled not to choke. Every inner instinct screamed at her to shut up, but she knew lying wouldn’t help the situation. It would be obvious to everyone at some point.

“I’ve only used my powers once and that was before I came here. I haven’t figure out how to activate it, let alone how to control or aim it. So you better have a plan B.” Every word left a sour taste on her tongue after it was voiced.

X-Men: The New Era - Avalon Rising

ᴠᴇʀᴏɴɪᴄᴀ "ʀᴏɴɴɪᴇ" ᴍᴀʟᴄᴏʟᴍ

---

_{9 am | Danger Room}

Before Ronnie made the first move, she spotted someone else step forward. Her attention twisted and viewed Matthew head to the door. He reached a hand out then hesitated. The girl scoffed under her breath at his weakness. Her arms curled into each other while she listened to his statement. The way everyone talked, this class would seriously hurt them. She found it difficult to believe a Professor had the authority to endanger her students to the point of physical injury.

From her observations, Ronnie noticed an unsettling pattern. All the students appeared to know their powers and controlled them to higher levels than herself. A spark of irritation rubbed her wrong. She swallowed down the anger and fear at her weakness.

The dark skinned girl gave Matthew an idle, sideways glance when he finally gathered the courage to touch the door.

Her jaw tightened so not to drop when a woman, someone she guessed to be Professor North, appeared. The Professor leaned over the pad lock as she spoke the combination out loud. Ronnie immediately memorized it with surprising ease.

She took a step forward to enter it, but spotted Matthew place his glove on and do it for her. Exhaustion took him down to the ground with both the pad lock and chain in his hand. A little annoyed by his recklessness, she knew the cautious route had been blown. The doors flew open. Her ears caught the sounds of whirling gears and machinery first. Followed by the heavy clicking of something rushing toward them. Two burning red eyes peered through the darkness of a hallway as a metallic wolf bolted forward.

Ronnie’s breath caught in her throat. This wasn’t real, her logic screamed over and over in her head. She stared at the beast barreling toward them. Any normal girl her age would’ve screamed and ran, but her mind already race past that reckless thought. She fought rather than run. A few pages of her notebook fluttered, but remained fixed to the spiral binding.

As she recover from her shock, things happened faster than she could react. Two students rushed into action. Electrical energy surged from taser-girl’s hands right at the metal wolf barreling down on her. Even if the girl managed to get the mechanical beast to stop, Ronnie doubted momentum would stop. If the girl wasn’t careful, it could crash her.

All the laws of nature seemed to ignore physics. When the lightning directly impacted, the wolf skidded back. The dull, blunt nails scrapped thin lines across the tiles. It twitched then continued its approach.

Meanwhile, nerd girl had gotten to Matthew and began to help him back. If it wasn’t for taser-girl in front, the wolf would’ve mauled them.

From the corner of her vision, green glowed across the last girl’s skin. Ones and zeroes appeared and reminding Ronnie of a computer screen, the type you saw in the movies. The girl rooted herself in place as she narrowed her attention onto the beast. Immediately, Ronnie knew that look. No way in hell she would get the girl to move unless binary wanted to. An action Ronnie thought was insane for obvious reasons.

Ronnie took a cleansing breath. On her release, she let it purge her of all stress and emotion. Don’t think, just do it. She wasn’t weak or helpless, so she needed to stop acting like it. Her hand tightened about her notebook like a shield, even if she didn’t know how to use it. She overheard someone puke then mention the metal doors.

The bot looked like a Terminator version of a wolf. She held doubts about the effectiveness of the doors keeping that thing out. Especially if it had no locks on the inside. With no better solution, Ronnie dashed for the door behind vomit boy and nerd girl.

She timed her run when taser girl zapped her target again. Her attention caught the wolf’s junky movements as it stuttered and twitched. It appeared to be struggling with some unseen force, but Ronnie couldn’t tell where it originated from. She put it out of her mind for now.

When she heard vomit boy state the obvious, she couldn’t help commenting. “No shit, Sherlock. The doors aren’t going to do us much good unless we can lock them.”

Leaving nerd girl to help him, Ronnie took matters in her own hands to reach the door first. She paused long enough to grab the chain from Matt's grasp and scoop up the padlock. Thank god vomit boy didn’t spill his breakfast all over either one. After entering the doorway, she tossed her notebook onto the floor. She struggled to jerk one door closed then wrapped the chain around the handle and prepared the padlock. Her mind scrambled for the numbers in her memory.

“Yo, get your ass in here while taser girl keeps it distracted. Now!” Ronnie didn’t have time to explain the orders she barked.

They either listened or become dog food thanks to their stupidity. As each person came through the door, she assigned more tasks.

“Get the other door ready to shut it. Someone look for all the exits out of this room and find the best one.”