LadyRunic

~Nyte Bloods~

Alice shook her head, her eyes a confused mix of fury and sorrow. The former was for the bad hand life had dealt her in the last weeks. The latter, for her own weakness and ineptitude. Oh, if this was a political situation Alice would skirt about the borders with ease and little issue. The events of the ball had shown her it was not merely words, but knives and blood. Both things she had never had to dealt with. "A small town or something." Alice admitted, fully aware of the folly. "Some place where I would hear about strangers and be able to leave before they found me?" Her plan was absolute garbage. For Alice's knowledge came from books, her real world experience was limited to her career, shop and the human life she had lived.

Using the heel of her hand to knock tears to the side, the woman sighed heavily. Liza was correct, the woman could very well take care of herself. It was Alice who was the weak link and thus a liability. "He was able to take on two vampires, and escape. Albeit I did aid him unintentionally." Her words were not meant to doubt the woman's abilities, but rather to warn of exactly what Liam was capable of. "And I would never ask you to leave your life for me. You've already offered me so much already!" Her eyes sparked with indignation at the very mention of such a thing.

But it made sense, Alice thought. That Dalton was a werewolf. Running a hand through her hair Alice forced herself to focus on the facts before her. As if they were some obscure design. "I'm terribly sorry I'm such a mess right now." The tailor shot Liza a apologetic and slightly calculating look. A look she had worn when designing a piece of clothing when something was just not fitting right. It bordered on frustration, but there was a patient calmness to it. "There's just too many questions. Too little answers. Why does my blood attract Liam so? What does Strumgeist want with that bastard? When can I possible return to my shop or even move about freely again! Not to mention what else is out there aside from werewolves and vampires and their hunters?! How did Liam escape from a balcony so high up?"

Standing the woman paced her heels clacking on the floor with sharp and decisive steps. Not loud enough to bother a neighbor but they underlined the woman's mood. Solid and sharp. Not the light pattering that would often be heard about the Timeless Tailor. The riled irritation of that matter brought Alice's slight edge to the fore. "And where do I send the bill to that Aleera for the ruination of my gown! Though it was not one of my better works, there were better ways to gain my attention or participation than spilling wine!" Typical of the tailor her riled temper was not for herself but rather the clothes she worked so hard to make. Green eyes locked onto Liza as she gave a very potent snarl. "You tell Dalton is he does not want to become a muff, he ought to tell Aleera I expect payment for that grievous crime, if you would please. Wine! Red wine at that!" The dark haired woman shook her head in disgust. "If they had been reasonable when they approached me and had not stopped me form leaving, they could have had the bastard and good for them! They only have themselves to blame!" The younger vampire pointed out, her hand flickering up to wipe away tears that still seeped from the stress, sorrow and rage. She needed to stop crying, for when did tears fix anything? "Oh, I despise that woman!" Alice did not swear as a general rule, but Aleera seemed to test the tailor as the word woman could be easily replaced for the actual way Alice's tone describe the sinful wench! For there was no greater crime than the destruction of clothes- especially those of her make!

Ancient Piracy

Ryssa did not wait for the captain to give the order or to heed it. She acted before the words could finish leaving Amen's lips. As he gave the opening, Ryssa was on to the burly giant. Her last knife stabbing deep into the unprotected armpit and piercing the heart. Yanking the blade out to plunge it back in several times to make sure of death, Rys gave a snarled as the man became a burdensome dead weight. Shoving him to the deck, Ryssa reached to retrieve the knife that had been in the giant's leg. The blade was slightly bent, and the handle was cracked, but it would still serve for this fight.

Moving across the deck towards the brothers who were struggling against the archers, Ryssa skirted pools of blood, water, and bodies alike. Weapons too littered the ground in treacherous traps. Coils of rope from the average day's sailing. Tripping across one of such hazards, Ryssa slammed 'his' shoulder into one archer who was about to lunged for the brother. The wooden planks were hard beneath her as she rolled from the archer. Her knives driven into his leg as her hand seized upon his sword and drew it. Glancing to the side she noted the edge was far too close, and the bastard was still alive. Struggling to her feet to deliver a death blow to the bastard, the Egyptian-Roman swore a delectable list of curses in both languages.

~Nyte Bloods~

Alice flinched at the word 'weak', her eyes dropping as she did not deny that fact. She had always run away from her problems. Her family for one example. Liam for another. "I'm not like you. Not like the other vampires." The tailor said in a quiet voice, her dark tresses falling about her too pale face. "I can't fight, and killing... It is abhorrent to me. I understand why it was necessary to kill the man in the ally." Her reference to when Liza had first taken the newly made vampiress under her wing. "But I don't have to like it observe it." Her voice never rose nor wavered. "When Aleera moved to kill Liam- yes, they could have- I declared I would have nothing to do with it."

Her shoulders hunched inwards on herself, as she regretted those words. Would they put Liza in danger now? "I said things that struck Dalton to the quick and distracted Aleera and Thomas- though that was not my intention. I merely wanted to be away. Something all three were against and Dalton was enforcing." There, the truth of it was out. Her green eyes grew damp as a old rage burned behind the angry tears. "Aleera spilled wine on my dress to try and get me to take my mask off. She offered vengence."

"I accepted. Merely asking for aid the return of my old life. To making people beautiful in my own way once more." Alice's voice sounded bitter to her own ears. "So I lured him to a balcony with the scent of my blood." Her sharp laughter was hard and very brief. "As if he could refuse. My blood is to him a lodestone. His desire for me drove him against two inquisitors, and now against two vampires and Dalton-? Is he a vampire or some other sort of 'Nightborn'?" Her gaze flickered sadly. "Yes, that is what the cruel bitch Aleera called us. Nightborn. I despise her. She ruined my dress instead of merely asking or taking a bargain. She shares my feelings for myself I believe." The woman admitted, her hands still wringing nervously. "The rest of my story is as I told you. Liam escaped... Much to my displeasure. Dalton was a friend whom I stung with barbed words I thought I had left with my family. And Now some Strumgeist loyal vampires are seeking Liam and I am all but caught in the middle!"

Alice dropped her face into her hands, unable to bear the strain any longer. "I am no fighter, nor killer. I was born to a political and industrial family. Who sought prestige in business. So when my fashion choices became so odd... They gave the ultimatum of conformity or disownment. If I could not make it on my own in this world I would have to bend to their wills. But I did it. I made it. Only to have some mad vampire seeking me for bed and blood!" Alice gave a soft sob. "I run, I do not fight. For that is not my way! If I do not leave this city? What if Liam should come to you? Or you get pulled into the middle of this feud?!" Her dark hair flew as the tailor shook her head in the negative. "I could not bring such a fate upon you, when you have done naught but aid me. I would bear this guilt until the stars ceased or my life- or death- ended."

Darke Magyk - Concluded

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Richard Laine

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Location: The Palace

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Giving the supposed 'Queen' a hard look that could only be called aggravated, the newly christened Lord Laine let out a breathe of hot air in a irritated hiss. These trivial matters were holding them up, and he was not about to let them continue. Restraining his quickly rising temper, Richard longed for a stiff glass of bourbon. "While I am sure it is a honor. Might I note that it is also an honor to remain alive." The words were not said overly loud, but there was a edge to his voice.

It was Arya's suggestion that the knighting of their guide be put off, so they might be reunited with their child that held the man back from more words. It was a different lad with blood dripping from his nose whose scream had the deadly killer shoving Thalia behind his larger form while stepping in front of the woman and a long bladed knife in his hand. The blade drawn from a sheath that was lashed tight to his back, for Richard lived by the rule of always maintain a blade- or preferably several- upon your person at all times. "By all means, lead on." While his snake eyes focused on Myrus, his head and voice were meant for Lyra.

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Rhys Asher

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Location: Port Witch Covern

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Rhys cursed the ghost of his mentor along side the currenty ExtraOrdinary Wizards and those future and past! Muttering the reverse to free himself of the blasted charm that insane little woman had caught him in, Rhys had debating going for her. A interesting fight it would be, but the escape off the Cradle-Snatched convinced him otherwise. The Princess was more important here. A larger piece in the game against the Castle and the Wizards. With the sounds of the battle, he could only assume the Port Witches were in trouble. If securing the girl got him out of it? All the better.

So he had launched himself after her. Believing himself infallible as he sailed through the window. After all, how many times had he done this exact thing previously? Only then he had been leaving assassinated targets, burglarized homes, and lovers whose husbands had returned home. The latter and this situation had something in common at times, but the Rogue Wizard was not in the mood to be amused by the fact he was now stuck and hanging from the window. Really! One would thing Fleur would keep the place up! Spells to bounce had failed and climbing had failed. So he was stuck unless he wanted to crack his head on the pavement.

Oh, he was going to need to make someone scream for this. The man's current mood was possibly sour and enraged enough that he was a hanging beacon of misery and ill wishing to any who walked by.

~Nyte Bloods~

Green eyes blinked in alarm as Lisa stumbled into a chair, relieved the woman was sitting. Though the relief was sh9rt lived as a concerned look flickered across the woman's face. Alice stiffened, alert and wary of what could possibly coming. For surely Lisa would see that she indeed need to leave New York, the city at least!

But as Lisa explained exactly who this Strumgeist was, Alice found herself sharing her mentor's worry. Why did such a vampire as Liam anger Strumgeist? Was it anger? They had said they were returning him to this powerful being. Not that they were killing him exactly. Too many questions flickered through the tailor's mind. Answers were a precious commodity and she desired more than the meager train she was receiving. "Dalton seemed to know them, and desire Liam's death as well." Alice admitted, her hands twisting about each other in fright. "But, Lisa I need to leave this city. I came here to beg for one last day's rest then I was going to flee. I don't want Liam to get the idea to hurt you." The younger vampiress admitted, her cheeks flaming as she looked down in shame. "I don't want to be his blood doll, or his lover. Her would seek that from me in trade for your well being."

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Richard Laine

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Location Stark Tower

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Richard reminded himself to have a talk with Marygold before Ayita was given the order to attack by Allison. While he did have a close tie to his sister that was being rebuilt after years apart. The girl- woman, he reminded himself- was utterly loyal to the younger girl. Puffing out another acidic cloud of smoke, the Adder considered his options. Remain here, or see what the minions were up to? Minions being Charlie, Allison and his bird-brained sister. Though in all honesty, Ayita reminded him of the raptors from Jurassic Park. Keen, deadly, and very, very intelligent about how to corner prey.

Though, listening to Dean the Adder found himself nodding along. "Looks like you don't need to don the red shirt yet, boyo." The assassin muttered about the cigarette. His eyes narrowed in thought. "Though if we need to warn mutants- some of them might not been keen on others of their kind or humans. For that... I'm going to suggest sending Ayita. While she may not like humans, or mutants. She thinks like an outsider and has remained among you, when she could have very easily slipped away." Giving a shurg, the man puffed out another stream of smoke.

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Ayita Dyrkin

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Location Stark Tower

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She had seen many things in her life. The blood of another 'human' being was on her hands. More however, Ayita had weathered hard winters in the north with little to eat for years. She was not some pup who was learning that water could not be walked upon! Her brother had been training her in the art of fighting- and Cassandra had been a willing aid in this en devour. Yet when a unknown voice entered the room and some delightfully, horrendous, inaccurate show popped up upon the ungodly sized screen the woman did the only thing which she did not think to live down later.

Ayita gave a terrified yelp of surprise. Her nerves had already been shot through for the day and some disembodied, spying voice was now invading with a terrible show that she was tempted to rip to shreds. Her body had jumped literally from her seat in shock as she blinked at the screen with a glower that spoke volumes. Shifting uneasily, the woman snarled at the stupid bears before sitting once more. This time, putting both Charlie and Allison between her and whatever horror was playing across the screen. "I don't know what those are... But they are in no way 'bears'. They don't deserve the name. I would say 'teddie' is more accurate. Or even 'garbage'. Why couldn't it have been about something useful!?" The woman muttered unhappily before turning her attention to Charlie's suggestion. "I can do secret though Richard will need to know. He won't say anything to the others." The younger Laine admitted. Knowing her brother if he did know it would be better in the long run. Less of him in a panic over her being taken as a prisoner by this mad man.

~Nyte Bloods~

Alice braced herself for the demand that she leave. That she was putting the woman in even more danger. Which in a sense she very much was! Guilt gnawed at the tailor's soul- or lack thereof- as she twisted her hands about one another. So when Liza asked her questions, Alice was grateful. They were easy to answer though it made her heart ache for the thought of Dalton. "Liam... Desires me, my blood, greatly." Alice admitted, fear creeping into her voice. "I'm afraid he might come after you, or hurt you to get to me. He is certainly capable."

For all that Alice wish she could bypass the questions Liza was posing to her. She did owe the waitress and elder vampire a great deal. For Liza had opened her home and her blood-pantry to the newly turned Alice. A debt that Alice would do anything to repay. Though Alice would gladly do most anything for Liza in sight that she had been so helpful and had become a solid cornerstone to Alice's new life. "Aleera and Thomas. They spoke of something called Strum... Strumhold? Strumghost? Strumghiest?" Alice shook her head. "Something along the lines of that." The woman admitted with an apologetic look. "I was rather more concerned with making my escape."

Her breathe caught as Liza asked of Dalton and Alice felt a look of sheer guilt cross over her face. "He was with Thomas when I ran into Enduro- Liam." The tailor stated honestly, unable and unwilling to lie to the woman. "They were chatting about something, though he did stop Liam from getting to me." And had stopped her from leaving when they had been done using her as bait, but that was beside the point. Liza did not need to know the theory Alice had concocted on her way back to the small apartment.

Ancient Piracy

Ryssa did not spare time for anything more than a brief nod of gratitude towards the strange Neriad. Twisting about with the quickness of an eel, the supposed man dove into the fray with the warrior. Her hand grasping one of the men's shoulders and jerking him back, even as her knife slashed upwards and then drove down. Stabbing deep into his throat and spraying the ruby drops into the surf below. Jerking the knife free with some trouble, Ryssa let the body clatter over the side. There was no reason to stop it and burden herself in the middle of a fight after all.

Now that Neriad was facing a more even fight, the woman whirled in search of a new opponent. The brothers were cutting down the archers, and she highly suspected that Neriad was more than a match for the one he faced. Leaving the Captain and his bruiser of a opponent. Her eyes gleamed with contempt as she rushed the heavily armored fool's back. Darting low, Ryssa stabbed upwards with the dagger, the blade sinking in behind the giant's knee as the 'man' danced backwards. The knife stuck in the flesh still.

Ancient Piracy

@RabidAnubisSo sorry! Reply is coming right now! Please @mention me if I go so long missing your post!

Blood's Jewels (Closed)

@nohbdies

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