Letter Bee

Re: Zero: The High Council

Ashton Andrews

Ashton Andrews

Artwork Originally of Jason Levasseur from Moonlight Apparition, a webcomic made by one Darkhalo4321; all credit given to her.

16 | Male | 148 | 5'6
Yang_Jiwald | Non-Native | Human

Description

Ashton Andrews is a young man whose deceptively mild and bright appearance conceals optimistic ambitions that might lead to success or disaster, the latter if not tempered with patience. He is your typical Anime fan who nevertheless has other priorities than the shows he watches, and has a plan for his life and his future. He also has a pet pigeon and a family that he loves dearly.

Appearance Description (optional)

Ashton Andrews is a brown-haired boy who prefers clothes that match his hair; browns, blues, and dark greens. When it is no longer winter on his end, he prefers an ordinary T-Shirt, jeans, and sneakers when going out. His eyes are bright green and his build is lean, but athletic and reasonably muscled, although it is mostly hidden by his clothes.

Personality

Ashton is kind and tries to project an image of mildness. For the most part, this image is true, as on Earth, Ashton is genuinely content with what he has, with only the briefest of musings as to what could be. But at the same time, this image hides a facet of himself who tries to think and plan for every known occasion, a facet that emerges only when in genuine danger (which was rare where he lived). Due to this, he is driven, but can be tempted to ignore the interests of the group, especially when the other members have different goals. He recognizes this as a flaw in himself and tries to fix it before it grows into an inability to accept things that don't go his way.

He also has a boyfriend; he's bisexual.

Class

Ashton wants to be the diplomatic 'Face' of the party, and he thinks he is good at being both adorable and unobtrusive. He can also administer first aid, which is a skill that can be made redundant by merely having a Water Magic user around. If given time to plan out his further specializations, he plans to be a Rogue with buffing spells and a melee focus; he's not interested in sneaking around or stealing like a regular thief, but rather in agility and speed and being able to avoid hits.

Bio

Ashton was born in a medium-sized city in New England, to an ordinary, loving family. He was smart, prenaturally so for his age, and the praise he was given by his parents and teachers would have sowed seeds of pride in him, if not for an incident that made him think deeper - he found a wounded pigeon in his backyard.

Carrying it inside, crying, he asked his parents if they can help it; make it better. And although his parents were not veterinarians, they did their best to clean the bird's wounds and bandage its broken wing. The pigeon survived the night, and Ashton made it his pet. He was six then.

He had found his goal in life - to be a veterinarian one day. And he had his pigeon to thank for that.

As Ashton grew up, he had a moderate interest in Anime, mostly ones involving 'Mons and Giant Robots. In time, however, he would encounter the 'Isekai' genre, in which protagonists were transported to another world to live out their power fantasies. Cringing at each Light Novel he read, yet not able to stop, Ashton thought to himself; what if he were transported to another world? Would he panic, or would he do better? Would he die a horrible death, or would he proceed to introduce a technological revolution? Either way, most Iskeai stories were a waste of potential.

Best to continue on with his studies in animal (and just in case he wanted to branch out, human) medicine, especially when his pigeon was reaching the end of its lifespan.

When Ashton's pigeon died, the boy, then twelve years old, was sorrowful and sullen but quickly recovered. He was not going to dishonor his pet's memory by giving up! And so the young man threw himself to his studies more, but couldn't quite escape the urge to watch Anime (all genres) from time to time. He also began reading books of science and technology, economics and history, in order to compose, in his leisure time, an essay titled, 'Why Isekai Stories Don't Work'. Just something to amuse himself with while waiting for formal studies with animal medicine.

(Basically, said essay criticized Isekai stories for wish fulfillment and overpowered characters who were given everything and paid no cost for it. The text also posited that an actual 'transported to another world' story would have the protagonist either dying alone or be stuck in the lowest rung of the social ladder. Ashton also wrote that even with powerful magic and a helpful mentor, one would still have to pay a cost for success, even if it is the inability to function without help from other people in that world.)

And at present, he was happy, his essay had been written, and to cap it all, he had a new pet pigeon, Pidgey II. Life was good and he was not going to exchange it for the world.

As for his boyfriend, well, he has his own biography.

Magic

Life energy: C (Now raised to A)

Flow: C

Regular Magic

Abstract Magic

Divine Protection of Ideal Self: Ashton can transform into his "ideal self," which looks and sounds different enough from his true self that people will not recognize him unless he transforms in front of them. He also gains a boost to his physical prowess, and he is always in perfect condition. If his ideal self is wounded, he immediately reverts to his real self, and takes the blow.

Return by Death

Extra

youtube.com/watch?v=fRqlduTrCus

Ashton carries his essay on his person, as well as a smartphone.

Abberant Dawn - A BeeNCQuest Mecha RP

@Letter Bee
Oh man, that's not cool. Would getting an influx of new players encourage you to try and start it up again?

@Instigator

Yes, actually, but I'll need at least 5 players.

Abberant Dawn - A BeeNCQuest Mecha RP

@Letter Bee
I've read the setup and the general information and I am kind of interested. Are you still accepting players?

@Instigator

Game is dead, sadly.

Re: Zero: The High Council

Flame Brooks

Artwork Originally of Lark Meadows from Moonlight Apparition, a webcomic made by one Darkhalo4321; all credit given to her.

16 | Male | 148 | 5'6
Fire_Goa | Non-Native | Human

Description

Gay kid with a dark past who's finally found love and family...but has it taken away from him by the events of the RP.

Appearance Description (optional)

Optional.

Personality

Flame Brooks is a firm believer that most people are ignorant at best, mean-spirited at worst, and although his relationship with Ashton and his family have softened this belief, he still tends to view other people with suspicion, especially if they appear to threaten those he holds dear. Though not entirely anti-social, he prefers to hang back and let strangers reveal information about themselves that he can use to safeguard the party, and eventually, help him find Ashton. Though concious of the prospect of betrayal, he will prove a true friend if his loyalty is earned through both actions and words. Nevertheless, he is slow to forgive those who do betray the group...

Class

Flame wants to be a Mage, pure and simple. He sees himself wielding his namesake element as a means of attack at all ranges, and even besting other, more experienced magic users in battle eventually. But for now, he prefers to be the group's 'analyzer' and 'vetter', scrutinizing individuals for threats and acting behind the scenes to ensure that group dynamics work out for his group's safety, or even success. He is also an amateur botanist, which allows him to survive in an area with lots of plants that resemble Earth's...

Bio

Flame had a relatively normal childhood, with a father that loved hunting in the woods outside the small town he lived in, and a mother who kept the house while homeschooling him. He played with the neighbors' children when he had the time, celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with good food and music, and listened to stories about God and Man and the latter's duty to obey him. Then, at the age of 10, he found out he liked boys and only boys, and everything changed when his parents inevitably found out too.

The law would penalize them for throwing him out, but they can freeze him out of their family, make it clear that they would only do the minimum for him. No more bedtime stories, no more hunting trips, no more play dates with the other children. And he would be 'sent away' to a normal public school in order to keep him out of their hair. To someone who had been taught that normal public schools were places of sin and violence, Flame saw this as judgement on a sinful soul.

And indeed, for the first few months, public school was bad, due to culture shock at how different the subjects were from what his Mother had taught him, and of course, bullies. A further shock was that many of those bullies were his former playmates; he lived in a small town, after all. Then Flame adapted, learned to stand up for himself, and managed to make friends. He also discovered his adeptness in Botany, a subject that became dear to his heart as in his own words: 'Flowers cannot betray people'.

Then his parents were killed in a car accident when he was 13, and while his feelings about them were mixed now, the fact was that he had to be put into Foster Care in the 'Big City', Bangor, Maine.

The first household he was in was made up of people who, though outwardly accepting of his sexuality, expected him to be eternally grateful for their acceptance. They made a big deal of how accepting they were to all who came near, whether friends and relatives, even as in private, they treated him more as their servant than their child. He had to clean, he had to cook, he had to sew and clear the snow, all as 'payment' for their allowing him to share their home.

At least he still had school, where the most handsome student he had ever seen, Ashton Andrews, lived. Ashton, well, he was kind, smart, and knew what to do with his life. Flame admired him a lot, and always sought ways to be close to him. And it appeared Ashton felt the same way, because the latter said to him one day,"Want to get together?"

Flame accepted.

But when his foster parents found out, they were only outwardly glad. Oh, sure, they boasted about how 'open-minded' they were, but now they shortened the hours Flame had to himself, made his meals smaller, and denied him sleep. It was when Flame caught a fever when things reached a head.

On his sickbed, Ashton went to Flame's house to give him a 'get well soon' present... And found the foster parents complaining about how 'the f*g' had the gall to get sick' and how 'he was more trouble than he was worth'. Thinking quickly, the boy took out his smartphone and recorded the entire conversation, before forwarding it to all of his contacts. Then, he confronted Flame's foster parents, who had been having their loud conversation in the kitchenette.

The next thing Flame knew Ashton was in his room, saying: "We'll take care of you now, Flame; I and my parents talked it over with your fake guardians and they say we're responsible for you now."

And with that, the redhead knew he was home.

Life with the Andrews household was serene, if not idyllic; compared to his previous homes, it was halcyon. He and Ashton split the chores, studied together, and occasionally went out on a date. Ashton's parents were also genuinely kind people whom not even his new cynicism could accuse of ulterior motives. They were kind to him, he was grateful to them, and all was good.

It was such a shame that all would be taken away...

Magic

Life energy: B

Flow: C

Regular Magic

Abstract Magic

Nothing yet, but I will have Flame attain a Magical Boy form along with Ashton if needed.

Extra

youtube.com/watch?v=KiJIsMyXF4o

Flame has his own smartphone.

Re: Zero: The High Council

Ashton Andrews

Artwork Originally of Jason Levasseur from Moonlight Apparition, a webcomic made by one Darkhalo4321; all credit given to her.

16 | Male | 148 | 5'6
Yang_Jiwald | Non-Native | Human

Description

Ashton Andrews is a young man whose deceptively mild and bright appearance conceals optimistic ambitions that might lead to success or disaster, the latter if not tempered with patience. He is your typical Anime fan who nevertheless has other priorities than the shows he watches, and has a plan for his life and his future. He also has a pet pigeon and a family that he loves dearly.

Appearance Description (optional)

Ashton Andrews is a brown-haired boy who prefers clothes that match his hair; browns, blues, and dark greens. When it is no longer winter on his end, he prefers an ordinary T-Shirt, jeans, and sneakers when going out. His eyes are bright green and his build is lean, but athletic and reasonably muscled, although it is mostly hidden by his clothes.

Personality

Ashton is kind and tries to project an image of mildness. For the most part, this image is true, as on Earth, Ashton is genuinely content with what he has, with only the briefest of musings as to what could be. But at the same time, this image hides a facet of himself who tries to think and plan for every known occasion, a facet that emerges only when in genuine danger (which was rare where he lived). Due to this, he is driven, but can be tempted to ignore the interests of the group, especially when the other members have different goals. He recognizes this as a flaw in himself and tries to fix it before it grows into an inability to accept things that don't go his way.

He also has a boyfriend; he's bisexual.

Class

Ashton wants to be the diplomatic 'Face' of the party, and he thinks he is good at being both adorable and unobtrusive. He can also administer first aid, which is a skill that can be made redundant by merely having a Water Magic user around. If given time to plan out his further specializations, he plans to be a Rogue with buffing spells and a melee focus; he's not interested in sneaking around or stealing like a regular thief, but rather in agility and speed and being able to avoid hits.

Bio

Ashton was born in a medium-sized city in New England, to an ordinary, loving family. He was smart, prenaturally so for his age, and the praise he was given by his parents and teachers would have sowed seeds of pride in him, if not for an incident that made him think deeper - he found a wounded pigeon in his backyard.

Carrying it inside, crying, he asked his parents if they can help it; make it better. And although his parents were not veterinarians, they did their best to clean the bird's wounds and bandage its broken wing. The pigeon survived the night, and Ashton made it his pet. He was six then.

He had found his goal in life - to be a veterinarian one day. And he had his pigeon to thank for that.

As Ashton grew up, he had a moderate interest in Anime, mostly ones involving 'Mons and Giant Robots. In time, however, he would encounter the 'Isekai' genre, in which protagonists were transported to another world to live out their power fantasies. Cringing at each Light Novel he read, yet not able to stop, Ashton thought to himself; what if he were transported to another world? Would he panic, or would he do better? Would he die a horrible death, or would he proceed to introduce a technological revolution? Either way, most Iskeai stories were a waste of potential.

Best to continue on with his studies in animal (and just in case he wanted to branch out, human) medicine, especially when his pigeon was reaching the end of its lifespan.

When Ashton's pigeon died, the boy, then twelve years old, was sorrowful and sullen but quickly recovered. He was not going to dishonor his pet's memory by giving up! And so the young man threw himself to his studies more, but couldn't quite escape the urge to watch Anime (all genres) from time to time. He also began reading books of science and technology, economics and history, in order to compose, in his leisure time, an essay titled, 'Why Isekai Stories Don't Work'. Just something to amuse himself with while waiting for formal studies with animal medicine.

(Basically, said essay criticized Isekai stories for wish fulfillment and overpowered characters who were given everything and paid no cost for it. The text also posited that an actual 'transported to another world' story would have the protagonist either dying alone or be stuck in the lowest rung of the social ladder. Ashton also wrote that even with powerful magic and a helpful mentor, one would still have to pay a cost for success, even if it is the inability to function without help from other people in that world.)

And at present, he was happy, his essay had been written, and to cap it all, he had a new pet pigeon, Pidgey II. Life was good and he was not going to exchange it for the world.

As for his boyfriend, well, he has his own biography.

Magic

Life energy: C

Flow: C

Regular Magic

Abstract Magic

Nothing Yet, but I am shooting for a Magical Boy form later. Probably.

Extra

youtube.com/watch?v=fRqlduTrCus

Ashton carries his essay on his person, as well as a smartphone.

Royal Rumble!

((Collab, Part 4.))

Oh. Were William's next thoughts as anger and loathing faded, only to be replaced with a deep sadness. So that's his motivation.

He blurted out: "So there are more sufferings I cannot embrace?! So there are more troubles I cannot fix?! More stories that can only end in tragedy, that _have_ ended in tragedy?! What are you all telling me?!"

A silent plea to the Gods.

Tears fell. Then more and more and more. "WHY?!"

A bump would be heard behind William. "No need to scream." A semi-jolly voice said, followed by a beeping sound. Behind him stood a average height tall doll clad in colorful clothes and with facial paint, he fit precisely into the jesterlike drawing in the former book. "But why? Why that's a perfect question! Why are you here? Oho? Are you crying?" The doll circled around a pale doll hanging by it's strings from the ceiling, trailing his somewhat feminine looking hands along it's form.

Ascot turns towards the doll, saying: "Go now! Go away! I don't want to play any further role in this Cycle of Revenge!"

Burning self-loathing coursed through the boy, even as he faced the Jester. "My feud isn't with you..."

Nevertheless, William prepared to use yet another of his imitated powers, even as one hand took the photograph and the book.

"We all have roles we are meant to play! But do we have to play them?" Fegin snickered slightly. "Oh you see, I cannot really leave? Well yes, I could. But you see... my masterino would be awfully unhappy in seeing me letting a burglar get away with... whatever you have taken. What to do?" The doll tapped his cheek in apparant thought. "Oh! How about you stay until he returns, boy he does seem to love surprises!"

William turns to Fegin, and says, "Actually tempting. But I'm not handing myself over so that Galbrek can kill or enslave those whom I love. Nor am I going to try appealing to the better nature he once had; he'll see it as condescending. He's not Vittorio, or if those two share anything in common, it's not listening to people who, for all their faults, want to help."

"Vittorio? Whose that?" Fegin tilted his head from side to side. "Oh who cares! Do you? What does matter however is that you are breaking the law you do goody two shoes you! You want to help yourself of all people! You don't care about anyone else really? As long as you get that awfully good warm feeling inside righties? You just love ruining peoples lives don't you?" Fegin tapped his hollow chest, causing it to make a peculiar sound as he leaned on his hula hoop ring. "How many peoples lives have you affected with your own way of living up to this point, my little burglarizing friend?"

His words to Celine thrown back at him. William replied then: "Andras, Wolf, Vera, and maybe even Aram. My mother, my brother."

And my niece, but I'm not telling you of her existence!

"But what do you suggest I do? Ruin more people's lives by giving up? By changing for the worse? Die and wreak even more damage to people's lives?!" William's lips tightened. "Everything you say is true, but it won't stop me from wishing that I was someone better. And that wish...ought to be enough."

Even as he cradled his stolen books, diary, and photograph into his arms, Ascot drew an imitated card.

Dead Weight - Bind this puppet's hands and feet; allow me to get away!

Royal Rumble!

((Collab, Part 3))

William would, after making sure that no one was watching, begin to read or skim the first book, then the other.

The first book contained designs of dolls, William could recognize several ones of them from those whom he met at the midnight tournament. There was also others, which you imagined where those who were not successfully assembled. The last two pages of the book had the designs of three. One being Eve, before her encounter with Andras and Vera. The second being a jester-like individual. Then the final was depicting Galbrek himself. Under the label. "Perfect creation. Work in progress. Need to get the girl or the boy as soon as possible."

The second book had names written up in it. It appeared to almost be a register of people, aswell as some notes here and there. "The soul is easier to put in if it has recently departed from it's origin."

Adam Alzarez, Bertrand de Valeé, Celine Joseria, Darla Duman....

William was shocked at that. So that's what Celine meant by 'we were all once human'. It seems I was wrong.

They had a date of birth aswell as a date of death written up in the book. It would appear that Galbrek in fact had some way to bring the dead back into life in a twisted, artificial way. Giving them a second chance at life but with a duty they must fulfill.

He had made his own note regarding it. "In order to make a more spectacular scene one needs actors, those who are willing to play out the roles given to them. Even if they die, the story must go on until the curtain falls."

Several of the pages bear a creepy repetition of writings over it. "I am not alone. I am not alone. I am not alone."

Each of his designs has however been made with outmost detail and alot of time spent on perfecting them. As if he genuinely cared for each of his creations. Even if their souls were never his to toy with.

"Adam is grateful for the life he has been given. I have become a god of creation, someone who can take and restore life."

William used his smartphone to take pictures of the scene and of select pages, and then took the books, before doing the smart thing and texting Alexander.

Then, he would begin to rummage through Galbrek's objects, all the while trying to resist breaking down.

A creaking sound could be heard behind him, was it the wind blowing through a gap in one of the windows or was it just the mind playing tricks? The boy quickly turned around.

Rummaging through the things in the room, William finds a photograph of Galbrek alongside a blonde in short hair aswell as another person between them.

A young boy with long red hair holding his arms around both of their shoulders. Oddly enough all three of them look somewhat alike, whomever the other two people were they must have meant something to the half-demon at some point in time.

Then there was also an old dusty small book with a broken lock on it, as if the person who owned the book had accidently lost the key and forced it open in a rage. An old diary. "I made them today, I went by the alphabet when chosing who to pick. I feel alone. So alone. They will never replace you though, they never could. None ever could. Why did it have to be you? It could have been either one of us. It's all the humans fault, they are the source of all our pain and why we need to hide. Someday I will open the gate of all gates and flood this world in the darkness and let it consume them all for your death."

Royal Rumble!

((Collab, Part 2))

Timeskip

William checked his back for the mundane sword still strapped there. After giving up the Spear of Heloid, he would have to rely on it as well as his imitations of Wolf's 'emotion weapons' to fight...

When finally coming within sight of the building he had been directed to, the first thing meeting William's sight would be the barred wooden planks before the windows, and the old wooden steps up to the wooden door, along the outside railing stood potted plants which had been dead for gods know how long. The key which would allow him entry into the den of the sinner would likely be hidden under one of them.

William would, without flourish, check the bottom of each potted plant for the key.

The door stood there in front of him, which would in turn lead into a hallway. Not as rugged nor dusty as the outer parts of the building appeared to be. A fine red carpet leading forwards, with stone busts lined up on one side of the hallways, depicting said half-demon. Then the massive portrait on the opposing wall depicting Galbrek with a red rose. Then on a small circular table, which was likely made for holding a vase laid a couple of crayons of various colors. The box which was next to them read 'Darla'. In the end of the hallway was a double door, leading to another room.

That room in question had a long table and a fireplace, aswell as smaller wall decorations, the room was adjacent to a bedchamber and another door which was locked. What in the gods name could be behind it? The owner of the building was not at home or so it would appear, it was eerily quiet.

Ascot decided to see if the key given to him would open this door as well. If it didn't, he would try to kick it down or slice it with his mundane sword.

The door was sturdy, but gave way on a slice from his sword. Making a long creaking sound as it slid open, magical light beginning to become lit up ahead, not too brightly but enough to get a look around and possibly not fall on something. The room in question had it's floor covered in parts, arms, legs, heads and torn cloth pieces. Piles of what appeared to be parts of dolls, then in the ceiling and on the sides hung naked white dolls, some almost intact, others just the arms and torso with the expressionless faces on them.

This was his workshop. At least one of them. This is where Galbrek created those dolls of his. The place was dusty, creepy and dark apart from the light being lit, with spiderwebs and the ocassional spider crawling by. There were also several mannequin's standing in a corner with various attires, and furthest away was a desk with tools aswell as several books. Aswell as a drawing which depicted Galbrek himself surrounded by his four first dolls, Adam, Bertrand, Celine and Darla. He seemed way younger on the drawing than he had appeared when you first met.

Two of the books on the desk appeared to be of particular design, what kind of devilry could be contained within?

Royal Rumble!

((Collab between Dezuel and Letter B))

Part One of Many

Celine had walked for quite awhile through the various streets of the city, away from the direction of the trouble her fellow dolls had rushed into. They may have expected her to return to her master, Galbrek, alongside the other wounded doll Eve. But Celine had other plans, she couldn't seek refuge with Celestine nor Vittorio, neither could she stay with her creator. She had to find another ally, and that ally was.... now right in front of her on that very street. "I've been looking for you..."

William was arriving home from the trip to the laboratory; he was also contemplating how...selfish he was starting to become. Or probably always was. Despite how he saw or pitched himself, he now knew he had an ego problem, an ego problem that would lead to consequences down the line.

Upon finding Celine confronting him with another wounded doll in tow, the boy briefly wondered whether this was one of those consequences, before he blurted out: "People don't normally come for violence with wounded friends and allies in tow. Good."

A pause. "My father has woodworking equipment and my mother has a Grail of Corruption. If you come to me for help, then would you two trust me to come to my home?"

"What are you doing....?" Eve looked with narrowed eyes up at Celine who carried her. "Grail of corruption? Woodworking? What do you think we are? I saw what my master put out about you, I don't want to talk with you inside a building of all things." Celine stepped abit closer. "I do have something for you, but I want something in return. It is the least I could ask after you people had two of my friends die."

"I could show you to one of my master's bases where he may very likely be at, and give you a lead to who aided him against you." Celine looked around with a nervous expression. "What I ask in return will however be steep."

William nodded at that. "Either Galbrek's death or a way to become human, although I am only guessing at the latter."

He looked at her. "I am directly responsible for the death of two of your family - relative innocents created by your master to die." A sigh. "I can refuse you nothing."

William really couldn't; despite the immense burdens he was acquiring, honor and the defense of Rhea demanded more.

"I want you and your friend. The girl Andras to empower my body and arm me with tools that will allow me to be on par with your kind. That is my only chance at surviving in this world in the long run." Celine set her eyes at William. "We have all been human at one point. But let us speak more of this over... there." She pointed to a nearby park.

William nodded, and walked over to said park and a nearby bench, before saying, "I am not Andras' master, and after your people attacked her, she might not want to help. However, empowerment and tools I can provide by myself."

A pause. "As I said, I can refuse you nothing."

He stretched out his hand, as if grasping a spear sideways, and from both 'poles' of empty air extended the Spear of Heloid, imitated from Andras' recent draw.

"The Spear of Heloid," Ascot explained, "An artifact that increases attack and defense, and inflicts reciprocal damage on those who damage you. And now it is yours'."

Eve gritted her teeth. "Traitor! You are bartering with the enemy to betray master Galbrek." The heavily damaged doll spoke out, trying to get out of Celine's grasp, which she did but fellto the ground, lifting her form up as good as she could using one arm. Celine looked to Eve and then to William, her gaze ultimatelly falling on the spear William was offering. She attempted to take hold of it.

A rat would perk up in one of Celine's pockets, if William would look her over carefully.

William would let go of the spear as Celine grasped it; the imitation was powered by the God of Stories - that alone might be enough to alter its workings just in case 'Perfect Alexandria' didn't allow transmission of artifacts to other wielders.

The boy noticed the rat, before turning to Eve and saying, "A master has his own obligations to his servants; a creator making sapient beings has their own obligation to their created."

Then back to Celine. "If the imitated Artifact works, can you take the courtesy of hearing me out first? Recent news - including the news of your attack - has made me realize things about myself that I would have rejected in other days."

Celine nodded after gripping the spear in hand. Eve was on the ground, trying to get up on a nearby bench, crawling over there. She was obviously not enjoying her state of being or the company the slightest, but chose to remain quiet for now.

William smiled faintly, and said, "Thank you.

"As for what I want to vent, it's this plain and simple fact: I loathe myself, and call it selflessness. I have a small but fragile ego, and call it heroism. Self-loathing and a small and fragile ego; they make me a fraud that strives to be a hero regardless. Don't get me wrong, I still want to help people. I still want to help Vittorio as he's suffered more than anyone in Rhea, and I want to defend this city as well.

"But the fact remains, I am still a fraud. A fraud masquerading as an altruist." A sigh before new resolution glinted in Ascot's eyes. "But as Uncle Shirou once said, why can't I selfishly pursue selflessness?"

A light chuckle. "So, time for negotiations?"

Celine blinked her artificial eyes. "A hero. Why do you want to defend this city? And from who? And help Vittorio? None can help him.." Celine shook her head. "He's a soul without a body, even worse than us."

"Do you know what we are, William?" She looked the boy over.

"Maybe you should go to hideout charlie and find out..." She said in a low voice, attaching the spear on her back before reaching into her pockets. "Building sixty-six, on Luciel's street in the eastern district. The key is under a vase. Tread carefully."

"Our master was not alone." Celine fetched the number which Celestine had left her. "This number will call the masked one. That one is as broken as my creator. Broken in the head, beyond any repair." She stretched the number out to William.

Eve struggled and let out a angry rant. "Bastard! You are betraying master Galbrek! And you call yourself a doll... damn you... damn you... after all he gave you!"

Eve stretched out and attempted to grapple Celine with her remaining arm, but missed and fell faceplant into the ground, where she slammed her fist into it in anger.

William took the number and copied it onto his smartphone, before handing it back to Celine, before saying, "You might need this in the future, in the end. By the way, I haven't caught your name; what is it?"

Turning to Eve, the young man continued, "Your master gave you nothing good that he wasn't already obligated to give."

William then got up and said to Celine once more, "Well, I'll be going to 'Hideout Charlie', then. Thank you."

"My name was Celine. It still is." Celine said without looking at William, she instead looked ahead and thought of someplace good she could hide alongside the unwilling Eve. She did take the number back which Celestine had given to her. It is dangerous but at this rate they may kill each other off and that will free me from it all. She thought to herself, even as she felt a twinge of guilt using William in such a manner. But the feeling dullened as she remembered that Bertrand and Darla both died to him and his companions. They had to be avenged.

Eve was beginning to try reply to William but was struggling too much to raise her body up to provide a suitable answer.

William nodded as Celine took back the number, tempted to whisper something along the lines of, I'm not blind.

For he wasn't. The lives of Celine's family could not be repaid with mere trinkets, nor can Andras bring them back like she could bring back Vittorio's family and friends. Walking in the direction of 'hideout Charlie', he turned back one last time, tempted to get back the last word, and spoke, "You're not the only one who should hate me, Ms. Celine."

And then he ran off.

Star Wars: Lawless Galaxy Mk. II - Thanks Sep!

youtube.com/watch?v=Y6WcmKRvHpk

So... This just fucking happened...

@mattmanganon

That is so awesome!