The Jest

Persona in Wonderland: A Persona RP.

Butter Daisy Forest

Even from the distance they were at by this point and afterwards, Adam, Alice, and the White Rabbit could still feel the heat. Alice looked back at the inferno engulfing the area they were originally standing in, noticing the last faint silhouette of one of the boys who failed to adhere to the Rabbit and everyone else' warnings to run, before it faded in the flames and turned to dust. Alice honestly wanted to stop running and just fall to her knees, horrified at what happened; that boy didn't even have time to scream out in pain as he was burned alive, and while this could still just be a dream, a nightmare she wanted to wake up from, there was something in her gut as she viewed the embers behind them, that told her that she needed to run, that her life depended on it... and that this should never be allowed to happen again. Even if these people were just figments of her own imagination, she never wanted to see like this happen again.

Adam was about the same level of "done" that Hector was in the moment that he spotted Guiren consumed by what he could only describe as Hellfire, only continuing to run to ensure that he and anyone else here wasn't going to be fried along with him. The thoughts Hector had on what the Rabbit said to them was the same ones running in his own head as well, that this rabbit summoned them here, despite the now-obvious dangers, and that he was going to make a stew out of this rabbit if it's for anything less than somehow effecting United Kingdom, or the world...and either one seems frankly unlikely.

The White Rabbit took a moment, if only a moment, to look back at the inferno as well. The boy must have thought that this was only a dream, that he had nothing to fear if he stood around and let the flames hit...Not a difficult conclusion for any of them to reach by this point, which is why he had hoped he had a little more time to properly explain the situation to them. Now he has to explain to them that the incinerated boy is never going to wake up from his sleep, not a very easy task to think about when it's clear at least one or two of them are clearly effected by this.

But of course, he would not have had the time to think even about how sad the situation was, or how these people are taking it, had it not been for the ones who arrived to save their collective asses. He could not doubt that at the very least Chase, one of the last of the humans to begin running, would not have escaped in time, were it for the Mad Hatter protecting them. He saw the Dorm Mouse now taking the lead of these people, and the White Rabbit followed suit, as did Alice and Adam because, frankly, what other choice was there at the moment.

"Your timing is impeccable as ever, Dorm." The White Rabbit said to her as they ran. They were farther away from her, but he knew she'd be able to hear him say this. He then heard Hector demanding an explanation, only for the youngest human to tell them to keep it together, despite how difficult it was seeming for him to talk and run at the same time.

"Less pep-talking, more running!" Adam said to Snow, clearly noticing how exhausted he was getting, before turning towards the Rabbit again.

"Oi Rabbit, an ETA would be nice right about now!" Adam said to him.

"What in the world is an ETA?"

"You can't be serious... How long until we're safe to stop!?" Adam asked. The White Rabbit looked around and the further in front of him until he spotted something in the distance.

"...There!" The Rabbit said, pointing forward towards what appeared to be a perfectly circular hole in the ground, just large enough a radius for the rabbit, dorm mouse, and any humans to be able to enter.

"...Oh, you've got to be kidding me. Is this...a rabbit hole!?" Adam said to the rabbit, as they stopped around the hole, clearly perplexed at the implication that they have to drop into a hole in order to get to safety.

"The Hatter won't keep the Black Rabbit at bay for much longer, so hurry and get down there." The Rabbit said to them all.

"But it's a hole underground, how is that any safer than right now?" Adam asked.

"Grrr...Listen, this is a world of dreams; the physics of your world do not apply to this one. The holes we make do not just go 'underground' like I'm sure it does there. Besides, it's either dropping down there, or staying here and continuing to run from that." The White Rabbit said, pointing towards the inferno still lit up like an orange beacon behind them. Without another word, The White Rabbit jumped into the hole. While somewhat hesitant, Adam jumped in after him. Alice looked down the hole, then towards everyone else.

"Well...Let's hope for the best." Alice said to them, trying to put on a smile despite looking somewhat ready to cry before jumping into the hole herself.

------------------------

Hatter's Sanctuary

Last Sanctuary

As soon as they reached the other side, they were no longer falling, but rather were shot upwards out of another Rabbit hole, much akin to how cartoons depict drilling through one side of the earth simply to come out the other.

The moment they would be popped out of this rabbit hole, however, they would be met with an unusual, fantastic sight before them as they land on the ground around the hole they came out of.They were now in what appeared to be a giant botanical garden, laced to the brim with steampunk-like contraption and machinery all around them, some of them fencing out the people from entering more green-filled areas of the garden, while others seemingly were nonsensical, seemingly unpractical, and outright impossible contraptions of a rough design seemingly assisting in someway to the well-being of its plant life. The whole of the area was also surrounded by a beautiful frame of bronze and copper of a Victorian design, walling in the garden like a cage. At the center of this garden laid a large rectangular table of refined, ebony-painted wood a large white sheet over the table top and an assortment of tea pots, tea cups, and plates all neatly organized for every chair around it, the at the far ends of each other having a more artistic, rich design to them, as oppose to the smaller chairs that line up on the table's sides, each one inconsistently designed, and some one could argue aren't really chairs at all, just small tables that are being used as chairs. There were hints of other life around, both natural and unnatural, the chirping of birds echoing through the plant life, merged with the sound of steps and the banging of metal.

"Here we are, you can rest now, humans. There are no shadows here but ones who offer you peace and sanctuary from the wonderland outside." The White Rabbit said as he hopped towards the large table in the center.

"Shadows...?" Alice asked.

"More importantly, where is here? We went down a rabbit hole, just to pop out of another one? are we on the other side of this world?" Adam then asked him.

"I already told you, this world does not function by the physics of your own, ...at least I don't think they do. I've never actually been physically to your world, so it's hard for me to accurately say that for certain." The White Rabbit responded, his back turned from the group as he seemed to be fiddling with something out of the humans' eyesight, before then revealing a golden pocket watch with a lid that he placed on the table...followed by a second one...and then a third one.

"As for where this place is, well it seems some of you are more aware of this world than I originally thought, so surely you would already know. This here is the garden of the Mad Hatter, a Sanctuary for rebel shadows like us. ...Oh dear." The White Rabbit said, the last comment seemingly not directed at the humans as more pocket watches were placed on the table. Interestingly, they were all quite large for someone like him to carry individuals, yet it seems as if he's had a number of these pocket watches on him...despite that they would have clearly been seen earlier by the humans if he had that many large pocket watches on him, but clearly it looked as if he had nothing of the sort when they first met him.

"Dorm, I'm going to need to borrow a few of yours. It seems I've overburdened myself a bit..." he said to the Bowler hat wearing mouse-eared human, who he assumed went down the hole before the other humans, given her orders from the Hatter.

"There's that word again, shadows. ...What are you talking about exactly?" Alice asked him.

"Oh...umm, It's probably for the best I let the Mad Hatter return before I get to explaining things, It may be difficult for you to comprehend where exactly you are and what we are by association." The White Rabbit said to them, his back still turned, which further irritated Adam.

"That's not how this is going to work, Rabbit. You said you were the one who threw us in here, you're the one who brought us into this without warning, and we just saw someone get burned alive, apparently just for being associated with you. We're not going to wait on this any longer, we demand an explanation for thi-" Adam said, although he sounded calm, it was easy to hear the seething venom with every word as he walked towards the White Rabbit and grabbed him, turning him towards the group. But he could not finish his sentence as he saw the Rabbit's front, his eyes widened as he drops him and steps back, tripping and falling accidentally, allowing everyone else to see what he sees.

The "White Rabbit" was now partly deformed in areas of his body, the white fur and parts of his coat now seemingly covered in an inky-black oil-like substance and seemingly began to melt off of him, before crawling back into itself. A part of his face was also like this, specifically the top left portion and the lower part of his ear, his left eye now a small glowing yellow orb as oppose to the blue eye his right one still was.

It was undoubtedly a horrifying look for him, something truly out of a nightmare or some kind of wonderland-inspired horror story, and yet he used his arms, or rather what's left of them, dust off what's left of his red coat as if this was a normal situation he was in, being careful that the black goop doesn't spread out as he did. Needless to say, Adam and Alice were both horrified at what they were seeing.

"Hmph! This was just the kind of reactions I did not wish to be bothered with, but I suppose it was inevitable to happen sooner or later." The rabbit said. While his voice was heard and movement could be seen in the inky goop of his face, his actual face didn't seem to move whatsoever, as if it wasn't real face at all, as if it was a mask despite realistic movements it showed before this happened.

"What...What in the world are you?" Alice asked him.

"Well I'll first state the obvious; I'm not exactly a White Rabbit as I appear to be...It is hard to accurately explain in detail, but to summarize, I am what you would call, a Shadow, as was the Black Rabbit and our allies out there, as are the people you will see here, and everywhere in this world, one that exists in correlation with your own." The White Rabbit said, casually explaining himself as if this was a normal conversation they were having right now, as he tries to reform himself. The black goop seemed to merge and take the shapes of his missing parts before the white fur, blue eye, and red coat reformed itself. The White Rabbit's face, now reformed, started moving again naturally as he opened and closed his jaws and eyes as if testing them out.

"Ah, There we go." The Rabbit then said, seemingly satisfied with his body's reformation.

@rebthewriter @CronicCrystalis @Crimmy @Petulant @Letter Bee @Duoya @Etranger @Avant @Suku @Windstormugly @CriticalHit @EchoicChamber

KHR! | The Eleventh Hour

Cloud Guardian: Akira Komaeda

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Akira Komaeda, 17

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"...Akira Komaeda, ...My name. That's all you need to know for the moment."

Ten Years Later

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P E R S O N A L I A

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"Crimes have tried to be justified by their perpetrators since the dawn of time. Robin hood steals from the rich just so he could give it to the poor, vigilantes beats down and even kills others they claim to be criminals without any due process to prove them right. Even something as simple as stealing bread from a shop, as complicated as stealing money from a bank, can be justified as being for better causes than themselves. Maybe they did, have to take a innocent person's hard-earned money from them so that they could give their family food, cause God knows its easier than earning that money for yourself. ...Should we just allow these crimes to exist, these syndicates to exist, because their misfortune on some might benefit others? Should a bunch of ink-marked barbarians and murderers continue to run this country from the shadows because they benefit those supposedly beneath them? Mafias like them, organized crime syndicates like Vongola and other mafias like it, controls the world; above laws, above governments, above people, and they can do that because they can justify their actions...kill a cop, kill a detective, just because he got in the way of a crime I'm sure they can justify as beneficial as well. ...Let me be blunt with you. If I was given the choice, I would gladly take every mafia family, every Yakuza clan, every syndicate that has ever taken the easy way out by going above and below the laws, and without distinction, burn them all to ashes. I made it my goal to do just that, but I intend to do it the hard way, through the laws and rules of the world...That, is how I will justify my actions."

// P E R S O N A L I T Y

Much like the previous guardian of the Cloud, Akira is a cold, silent man with a tendency to stay isolated and away from groups of people. But it's not necessarily due to a hatred for being around others, but more because he prefers to train his mind with investigating mysteries in peace. He may act cold and insensitive around others, but beneath the icey exterior is a kind and loyal man of the people. When someone needs his help for whatever reason, he would be quick to try and solve their problems without much resistance. He would often point out that he usually requires payment for these actions, but he never enforced that notion nor reminded them to pay him for his service, practically confessing it was a joke without actually saying it.

He believes in the righteousness of the country's laws, laws made not by singular people atop ivory towers, but by the common people below that makes up the bulk of a country's civilization. No one is above, nor beneath the law, and no crime is beneath due process and fair trials. He is aware of its potential corruption, as well as its many faults and the unyielding difficulty that they create for justice, but feels it is the right way to do things, the way that causes the least harm to others, and is willing to walk that path regardless of the many failures it could bring. When he sees crimes being done, or committed, without a word, he would jump on solving it and bringing the criminal in question to justice.

Because of this and a past incident, Akira has a deep-seeded loathing of criminal organizations such as mafias, drug or slave cartels and Yakuza clans. To him, they are all an army of low-lives and barbarians, who could not find their worth in society the hard way, so instead they take the easy way at the expense of others well-being and possibly lives. Even if a particular family or clan or cartel is less malicious than others, they are still committing crimes that endangers others so that they might help people in need. Even Vigilantism, while not as unforgivable to him as its usually for a justified cause, is still committing brutality and death of someone without any trial or evidence to prove their claims. To see other children like himself be a part of these criminal organizations, such as someone being the heir to a Yakuza clan and possibly being in the same school as them, is a personal conundrum for him. While he would likely be very...bitter towards their family, silent and ignorant for the most part of them especially, at the same time, if they are truly in dire need of help...he simply cannot bring himself to tell them off or ignore those troubles. They are still students after all, and it's not as if they could choose who their parents are. That said, he would likely immediately go back to ignoring them once those troubles are gone.

Speaking of Parents, while his is still alive, he has essentially disowned them after the incident. In his mind, his mother sold her soul for personal gain and his father was a monster from the very start. he does not quite know the full story of what happened, or why his mother abandoned their heritage like she did, but he doesn't care either. The very mention of his parents serves as a major source of discomfort, prying into the matter will only serve to earn you his scorn.

It should also be noted that Akira is actually a Pyrophobic, traumatized after the Komaeda Estate burned down with him and his Grandfather still inside. Things like a lighter or someone activating DW flames won't cause too much of a reaction save for wanting to look away from it, and prefers to keep away from particularly hot places, but if there is a massive fire anywhere near him, he'll practically burst out of character, curling up in a ball and panicking.

// B A C K G R O U N D

The Komaeda Family has been around for many generations in the past As a family of private detectives of a particularly excellent quality, so much so that they managed to keep off the radar of federal authorities until recently, serving as Private Detectives with an unknown past and future, using their skills as a detective to find and capture criminals of the underworld.

The third latest generation, Naoto Komaeda, Akira's grandfather, decided in his early days to step the family out of the shadows so that they may help, not just because he felt it was the right thing to do, but because he felt it was the natural evolutionary step forward for a family like them. Akira's mother and Naoto's daughter, felt ultimately that the detective family business was unfit for someone like her and her child, her husband wanting her use those smarts she had with him for the sake of business opportunities.

Akira, on the other hand, loved his grandfather, was fascinated with the stories her mother told of him, and the stories he himself told of their ancestors. From childhood, Akira has always idolized his grandfather, and much to his parents' dismay, aspired to be a great Detective like him and the rest of his family, going as far as to live with him rather than his parents.

However, things did not go quite well for him as it were. As it turned out, the 'business' his father associated with was being a former Yakuza turned member of Vongola's CEDEF branch, working as an affiliated liaison between Vongola and multiple Yakuza clans. While he indeed had good intentions, trying to keep the Yakuza in line in exchange for favors with Vongola, it was still seen by his grandfather as an utter betrayal, not that his mother cared.

However, The Yakuza found out who his father was married to, and wasn't too keen on trusting a woman whose father lived for the sole purpose of screwing them over, and from a family with a reputation of being a pain in the asses of organized crime everywhere. At the same time, they couldn't just kill her and make an enemy of something as powerful as Vongola. So instead, some of them took matters into their own hands to make an example be demonstrated to her.

This was the cause of the incident that froze Akira's heart shut.

That fateful night, A group of Yakuza henchmen, disguised as psychotic arsonists, snuck in and burned down the Komaeda estate with Akira and Naoto still inside. Naoto managed to use what strength he had in his olden body to grab Akira and escape in tow, the burning unbreathable air engraved in the boy's memory. That should have been the end of it right there. They didn't kill Naoto in the fire, but it would at least set an example to him. However, one of the henchmen broke orders after noticing he was still alive, and began to panic. Though they tried to stop him as he pulled out a gun to shoot them both, in the end, he pulled the trigger, and Naoto, noticing quickly that his grandson and himself was being aimed at, used himself to cover Akira, taking the bullet square in the back of his neck, and dying right in front of Akira's eyes. The other Yakuza grabbed the one that killed Naoto, and dragging him back to their headquarters for his punishment for screwing up, but Akira only saw them running off as the police finally came.

He must have cried for hours, his mind unable to process everything that happened, traumatized by his beloved Grandfather dying like that. The bright, dreaming, and optimistic boy died along with his grandfather that day, officially so when he found out about his parents' "job" for the Mafia, though he was unaware, and uncaring as to which mafia.

Seeking revenge and justice for his Grandfather, He strives to become a detective just like him, and vowed to take down all organized crime, one by one, his parents included.

Cut to the present, and he is now a second-year in High-School, A practical honor roll student, exercising his skills as a detective by helping fellow students privately, just as his ancestors did before. With each day, he's a step closer to becoming a true detective, and a step closer to having the power to take down any mafia who'd dare stand in the way of the law.

Little did he know that he was about to be unwittingly a part of the very thing he despised, as a Guardian of one of the most powerful Mafias in the world...and as it happens, the exact same one his parents are affiliated with.

...Fate truly does have a sense of Humor.

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P A R A M E T E R S

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"I should warn you: I'm not the type to stand down."

// F L A M E

Cloud

// A B I L I T I E S

Detective level intellect - While he is still in high school, Akira was training to be a detective like the previous generations of his family since childhood. As such, by the time he has reached high school, he managed to gain enough deductions skill to go beyond his current grade level. While he's not exactly a genius per se, even he feels he still has a ways to go before he can call himself worthy of being a detective, he is more than capable of figuring out things that may pass by the heads of others around him. He is quick-minded and perceptive enough to see through lies, deceit, and most traps, though there are times where he can let his guard down if his opponent is intelligent enough to keep him focused on one thing while they make a move somewhere else.

Skilled combatant - Combat was another thing he was trained since childhood to learn. As a detective, it would be all but inevitable to wind up in a fight with a criminal. Much like the previous guardian, Akira has a gift for being particularly strong and agile in a fight, and take down most opponents that come his way as a result, and in addition, he applies his own brains into the fights, creating strategies against particular opponents he can't just fight normally. But it should be stressed that he is by no means a master. He has no real discipline of note, mostly being self-taught as advised by his grandparents, and as such, can likely be defeated by those with the skill and mentality to use his physical gifts against him.

// E Q U I P M E N T

The Komaeda Cane - A very special cane passed down from generations of the Komaeda family lineage since the 19th century. As a Komaeda is always diving into danger of the underworld, this cane was made to combat its criminal dwellers there. While it looks like a normal cane, the stalk is metal and fragmented with a bladed edge, connected to a cord of tough nylon, making it capable of turning into a bladed whip of sorts, as well as a blunt instrument to hit people with. Eventually, the powers of the cloud flames shall allow the nylon and blades on the whip to multiply considerably, making it capable of wrapping around enemies with.

// T H E M E

"Citizen Soldier" ~ 3 Doors Down

The Circus King/The Jest

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Johnathan Falcon, 45

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"You can pretend the theatrical end and imagine your world as the best, or you can break the seal in what you believe is real, and realize your reality's a jest."

Ten Years Later

"What did you expect? I'm already covered head to toe and have a mask on; I could have plastic surgery right now and you'd never know. Why think I'll change that in a decade?"

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P E R S O N A L I A

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"I'm not a lover, nor a fighter, but something far more useful to myself and the whole of society...an Entertainer! Come one, come all, and I shall show you a world of fantasy, wonder, and laughs beyond your wildest dreams!"

// P E R S O N A L I T Y

If Johnathan had to be summed up in one word, it would have to be "Eccentric".

Johnathan is often seen as an optimistic and energetic fellow as the ringmaster of his circus, both inside and outside of his job. He sometimes speaks in a rather high-pitched tone, likely to purposely be annoy others or make the general impression that he's about as much of a clown as his mask seems to indicate. He does often use a more normal, gentlemanly tone under more normal circumstances, genuinely using the high-pitched tone and laughter whenever he feels comedic at the time, and often when he does feel in the mood for that, it's hard to snap him out of his ball of comedic energy.

If there's one thing he always show in anything he does, it is just how much he absolutely loves his job, as if it's a dream come true for him. He has a great love and respect for all of his audience, and wishes only for them to be entertained by the acts he and his men performs for them. He shows himself off as a very theatrical man with a flare for the drama and comedy alike, even sometimes changing his mask to fit whatever mood he's suppose to be for the act, or whatever colors or patterns fits at the time. Everything he does, he goes all the way with; he shows throughout any show that he's having the time of his life and wants nothing more than to just keeping doing this.

There are two things that the Jest values above all else. The first is the care, amusement, and well-being of his audience. Despite the arrogance in a title such as the "Circus King", Johnathan is honestly anything but prideful. To him, it is nothing less than an honor to please and respect the crowds who were kind enough to come to his show, usually making damn sure to keep them safe and sound before any performance, especially after a particular incident years ago. Without the people coming to watch him, he is nothing more than a lonely clown and he knows and admits it. In his mind, they are the reason he exists.

The second is the care and well-being of the performers under him. This circus is a family, of which he sees himself the patriarch of, and he cares for each of his performers as if they are his own children. Ask any of them and they will tell you how much of a father figure the masked man has been to them. He never talked down to any of them, never treated anyone without at least a shred of disrespect, and has never picked any particular favorites. If they did something right, they got praised for it. If they did something wrong, they were disciplined.

However, behind all of this happy-go-lucky nature lays a darker and more sinister side of Johnathan, one he hides behind his smiling mask. His tone often turning deeper and more solemn when he goes into more darker aspects of his life, his jokes and comedic, upbeat attitude becoming dark and sarcastic. He is, after all, the head of a large Drug Cartel distributing illegal drugs throughout Europe and even overseas to the Americas. Most of the performers are not only aware, but assist in these activities whenever possible, and when failure comes around when it comes to this, he can be reasonably less tolerant of it than he would with circus activities. He is well-aware, after all, that what he is doing in the shadows of his circus is undoubtedly criminal in nature, and he has no excuse or defense that says otherwise. If you tell him that it's wrong to be doing this, he'd agree with you in an instant. It is why he hides it away from his audience, wrapping it in a veil of lies and deceit, and any activity that reveals this to the audience, or trying to make the audience 'customers' of the product, are met with harsh punishment.

Despite this Cartel and how serious he is with it, it seems he does hold a high moral standard when it comes to these drugs. It's been mentioned by other more powerful Cartels that his "pussified guidelines", as they dis-respectively call them, are the main reason why Johnathan's Cartel is weak and inferior to their own, that if he didn't let a moral conscience get in the way, he'd be among the most powerful kingpins in the world. Johnathan knows that the drugs he gives out is highly addictive in nature, and as such, he does not allow for any of the audience, nor any of the performers themselves, to touch nor sample the merchandise, that it cannot be given to anyone younger than 21, and that it should only be distributed to those who they feel need his drug, including hospitals and the like. Anyone who breaks these guidelines will be punished severely, even more so than revealing outright.

It's likely because of these moral standards that Johnathan often allies himself with the Vongola Famiglia, as they share a similar sense of conscience that he does. He is respectful and loyal to Tsunayoshi Sawada, though insists that he and his circus stands alone, away from the mafia, much like a Cloud Guardian would.

Either way, the fact that he always hides his face under a mask gives way to the possibility that none of these emotions he has are "real". Not helped is that when the trouble comes a knocking on Vongola's doorstep, Johnathan can be quite unpredictable in how he and his circus responds to it, giving credence to the potential he has to betraying them. Even within the circus, kind as he makes himself out to be, no one can say for certain what he's truly thinking, or what his plans truly are, an enigma in nature as a wielder of the Mist should be. He uses illusions and lies to entertain the masses, while hiding the truth of his darker side from them, undergoing a philosophy that lies and deceit can be a necessary evil for a good cause, when used in the right hands.

// B A C K G R O U N D

It's not entirely known what this guy's past was like, as he's very tight-lipped about who he was before becoming the Circus King. What is known so far is that Johnathan apparently was the son of a master illusionist, whom he learned all his tricks from, as well as gained his signature cane from, and started his journey by gathering gifted performers during the days when Vongola Nono was still the Boss, which means any time between 20 years ago, to during his childhood. During his travels, he found a collection of freaks and gifted but unpopular performers and took them in as his own, while also discovering the Croceoscura Hell Ring. It was also during these travels he discovered "Misty Eyes", a unique psycho-tropic drug created from mist en-coated plant life, capable of the anesthetic numbing of a user's body and mind, and further enhancing mist flame induced illusions. It came in the form of a powder, much like Cocaine, but can be melted into a liquid and injected through the bloodstream. Like all narcotics before it, it can cause damage and threaten one's own life if Overdosed, and the mist-enforced nature may be too much of a high for younger people to use, and could result in death by shock.

Upon discovering these plants, Johnathan made it a point to completely monopolize and manufacture this drug as a way to financially back his supposed dream job of becoming a Circus Ringleader, or "Ringmaster" as he calls it. However, for reasons unknown, it seemed he developed a conscience during the reproduction and distribution of the drug, making it a point to restrict the distribution to only those of ages 21 or older, and only to those who are in dire need of it for medicinal value, such as mental patients and hospitals. Next thing anyone knows, Johnathan essentially became the Kingpin of a Drug Cartel, small compared to others due to the minimalistic of his customer selection, but still valuable due to the exclusive nature of his drug. Meanwhile, the illegal income created through the drug trafficking combined with hard and legal work from everyone involved, gave him enough money to create his Circus.

Due to the talent of his performers, combined with his own mastery of illusions and the Mist Flames of his cane, made his show a spectacular success with each viewing. His Jest by day, Kingpin by night way of life earned him the title of "Circus King", and a high reputation from audiences as well as a low reputation from fellow Cartels.

However, not all was sunshine and rainbows back then. 10 years ago, there was an incident that occurred during one of his circus performances. The Misty Eye Drug was leaked, unknowingly, to both an audience of thousands, and the other performers, by which to say, it was unknowingly given to them beyond anyone's knowing. The Influence of the drug caused chaos in the tent and bedlam outside of it, as people were put in a state of delirium as a result of the drug's effect. Most performers and circus visitors were hospitalized under urgent care due to the higher-than-nominal intake of the drug, but there were many casualties from this, most of which were children who could not handle the drug at all. This incident, that came be known as the "Bloody Tear Massacre" lived in infamy and scarred Johnathan's Reputation, as well as, as they say, his soul. He shut down his Circus and placed himself under arrest as the perpetrator of this incident, the truth of the matter being unknown to everyone...

That is...Everyone but the Vongola Famiglia.

While they do not know the details or who is responsible for it, an investigation was carried out into the incident and it was concluded that whatever it was that happened, Johnathan was not as guilty of it as he made people believe he was. They ensured his release from prison, and once the performers were healed, of which they helped, they worked together to cover up the incident so that Johnathan can get back to doing what he wanted to do: entertain.

Because of this act of mercy and their saving of his family and circus, Johnathan feels he owes the Vongola his life, and is willing to do whatever they ask of him...Although keeping up a facade that says otherwise.

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P A R A M E T E R S

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"That's what's always been wrong with you people...you lack Imagination."

// F L A M E

Mist

// A B I L I T I E S

Master Illusionist - Even before having a ring for his mist flames, he had a gift for creative parlor tricks and magical acts, using illusions and farces to entertain the masses around him, ever since he was a child. Combine the experiences of creating illusions on the fly with the powers of the Mist Flames an A-rank ring to harness it, and his own creative mind, and now he can create rooms filled with wonders implausible to the basic human comprehension and lands of fantasy within a circus tent. Often uses his mastered crafy to mystify a crowd, or to confuse, trick, and horrify his enemies. While he has used it for numerous tricks and illusions, one of his personal favorite is a classic disguise, in which he covers himself head-to-toe in mist flames and essentially become someone else, regardless of gender or age.

While usually they are just illusions conjured by the mist flames, focusing hard enough on those illusions can allow the mist flames to materialize them with actual physical elements, granting a realistic touch to them.

Mastermind Extraordinaire - The real gift of any excellent mist flame user comes not from the strength of his illusions, but the strength and quality of his mind. Despite not acting like it most of the time, Johnathan has the intelligence, street smarts, and tactical prowess befitting a criminal mastermind. Most of his circus' criminal activity was saved by his improvisations and wit, and has made him renown as an orchestrater of criminal renaissance. He prepares for just about any occasion he can possibly factor into a plan, creating backup plans and gambits to ensure the successes of whatever plans he makes. He may not be physically strong enough to fight with brute force alone, but much like Verde, he doesn't need to fight directly either, letting his men and his "magical" illusions do the work for him instead.

// E Q U I P M E N T

Ringmaster's Cane - The signature cane of the Circus King that he can't be without. Unlike Akira Komaeda's cane, it can't normally change its form for a battle, (Although with the mist flames such a thing could be possible) it is, however, made of a sturdy enough metal that it can be used as a durable weapon in combat. That being said, the real charm of this cane is the large jewel on its tip. While it looks like a blue diamond, it can actually change colors depending on Johnathan's emotions at the time like a glorified mood ring. Inside this gem however, unbeknownst to all, lies an A-Rank Mist Jewel through which he can channel his wave energy into Mist Flames, technically making the Cane itself his "ring". Using this cane as the medium for the Mist, he can use it like a wand of sorts, conjuring his illusions.

Of course, because of it being a cane as oppose to a ring, it can never be on his person forever like a ring, and so can be stolen, lost, or even destroyed if enough pressure is applied. In the unlikely event of this, he has a number of low-level mist rings in his pocket instead.

Croceoscrura Ring - One of the legendary Six Hell Rings. The Croceoscura (Dark Cross) Ring was said to be forged from the metal of the holy lance wielded by Saint Longinus and modeled after the crown of thorns worn by Christ when he was crucified upon the cross. Its main ability is to generate a near infinite amount of vines upon any illusions within a 10 meter radius of the user, taking complete domination of illusions, both real and otherwise, that they're wrapped in. But like all Hell Rings, there is a cost to this ability, for every vine the user wraps an illusion around, thorny vines wraps around the user's body, piercing and constantly twisting at his body until control is lifted or the illusion itself vanishes. A clever user of the ring and one who is able to truly bear the constant agony would be able to use his own thorny vines as improvisational whips against his enemies in addition.

Of course, like all of the Hell Rings, The Croceoscura has a "War Potential Doubling" ability, but Johnathan, who considers just using this ring as an act of desperation on his own part, has never actually been desperate enough to use his in particular, so he has no idea what'll happen if it came to that. This lack of knowledge as to the situation has led him to essentially deem this ability a Last Resort.

// T H E M E

"The Greatest Show" ~ The Greatest Showman cast

Alexandria Vigilian

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ALEXANDRIA "ALEX" VIGILIAN, 16

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"Ciaooo, People! Fun times are here again!"

Ten Years Later

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P E R S O N A L I A

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"Alright, Let's get psyched, people, then we can go all out on a buffet afterwards!"

// P E R S O N A L I T Y

The best way to describe Alex is that she is a little ball of pure energy.

Alex is often upbeat and energetic to the point of hyperactive, and potentially annoying as all hell. When she strives to do something, she goes all the way with it stubbornly until its done or backfires on her.

Said energetic nature gives way to her Optimism, confidence, and an absolute love for just about any food near her since she can often tire herself out like a kid on a sugar high. Ever the social and active type, she loves nothing more than hanging around her friends, ...and teasing Luca when the opportunity arrives.

Dig past the energy, and what you get is someone with a gentle heart of gold. If someone's hurt in one way or another, she always steps in to try and help. If someone down in the dumps, she's there for them. She may not be able to fight alongside the others, but she can at least be there for them when they need her.

// B A C K G R O U N D

There's not much to say of much significance in regards of her origins. She was orphaned since she was 2 years old, separated from her sisters at the time, and sent from one foster family to another for years until now. Besides said story, she's a normal girl who transferred to Trevenno not that long ago as a Sophomore at the high school the Vongola guardians and boss just so happens to be in, working at the restaurant owned by Enrico's family as a part-timer, and was quick to make friends with anyone who wanted to be friends with her. Of all of them though, she was particularly interested in one Luca Palladino, an underclassman who seemed to hide his frankly cute feminine looks with a cool "manly" facade. As such, she has attempted to befriend him, not knowing what he's about to inherit.

---

P A R A M E T E R S

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"I'm here for you, even if everyone else goes against you guys, I'll put my faith in the lot of you, so don't you dare give up on yourselves!"

// F L A M E

Unknown, as she never tried a ring before.

// A B I L I T I E S

Intelligence - While no genius by any stretch of the imagination, Alexandria is sharper and smarter than most people make her out to be. She passes all of her exams, studies hard, and even helps out other students with their respective work. Even if she doesn't understand how any of this flame stuff works, if explained, she'd be able to comprehend it more than others.

Morale Booster - As she hasn't a ring of her own, there is little she can to physically assist them in their battles against whatever forces want to take them down. However, she is highly supportive, and combined with her smart mind, often knows what to say or do to keep people from falling apart completely, even if she has to be a little mean or blunt to light a proverbial fire in them.

Knowledgeable in Martial Arts - While she's not exactly a fighter, this is a dangerous world they live in. As such, she has apparently taken lessons on how to fight for the sake of self-defense. Not exactly a black belt, and against the kind of people her friends have to fight, she may not stand much of a chance, but against more normal folks, she'd be able to hold her own.

// E Q U I P M E N T

None, really.

Persona in Wonderland: A Persona RP.

Butter Daisy Forest

Oh no...

This was the only thing running through the White Rabbit's head the moment he heard the arrival of the mass of black. He knew exactly what it was; his eyes closed as he sighed before turning to face this giant behemoth of a man.

"...Black Rabbit." He simply said, as if trying to inform the others quickly as to what this...thing was. It was honestly not surprising that this monstrosity would come in so fast, but he hoped he had at least a minute more of time before he arrived. But now he has arrived, talking down to the White Rabbit for bringing the humans here, as a parent would to a troublesome child. The White Rabbit, trying to stand his ground while on shaky legs, simply said nothing, reaching his arms out to the sides of him as if prompting the humans to get behind him, trying - and failing - to look towards those yellow eyes he feared. As soon as this giant asked his question towards the Rabbit, that the rabbit immediately responded.

"Now's the time for running, everyone, Get going!" He said to the humans. At the very least, it seemed most of them finally believes him now, and fortunately enough, already began to retreat before he could say his order. He knew what the giant saw - but of course he would - so he had to get them all out of the giant's sight as quickly as he could, he himself hopping in the same direction once everyone else did so as well, not even giving the giant an answer to his question - not that he'd listen to a word he'd have to say about in his defense anyways.

Adam looked at this giant with considerable awe, he didn't need much more than this guy's appearance, this intimidating aura he displays by simply standing there and talking to the actual rabbit. The rabbit's affiliation with this one was something of note, and it seemed the kid figured that part out as well, but clearly, this wasn't the time for 20 questions.

"Don't have to tell me twice." Adam said to Rhys, as he made a run for deeper into the forest.

Alice was petrified with fear, she really wanted to wake up now, yet couldn't find any of the normal mental means of doing so working for her. This was getting too crazy for her to comprehend even as a dream; if this was truly a dream, why does this ominous feeling of dread this...thing give off, feel so real? Before she could even hear the Rabbit give his order, she felt the boy tug at her right arm, disorientating her for a second before getting back to her feet and running as soon as everyone else did so as well. It should be noted, she noticed the boy talking about protecting her, but she had no clue why this interest in her safety all of a sudden.

"Any idea if we can out-chase that thing!?" Adam asked the White Rabbit as he ran.

"Losing him is difficult even for us, let alone humans like you. The moment he comes running, he won't stop." The WR responded.

"What? Then what the hell are we suppose to do!?" Adam yelled back...For him, this really was like a dream, a nightmare of being chased by something that would eventually catch up, only for some reason, there's no feeling he'll wake up just before that happens.

"Don't worry, I did not make the effort of summoning the looking glass for such a long time to bring you all here without a plan for this situation. But until it can be sprung, just keep running." The rabbit said, not just to Adam but to everyone else as well.

@rebthewriter @CronicCrystalis @Crimmy @Petulant @Letter Bee @Duoya @Etranger @Avant @Suku @Windstormugly @CriticalHit @EchoicChamber

KHR! | The Eleventh Hour

I will be showing off the first antagonist organization, as soon as I'm finished completing them. Until then, @Vongola_Hasayo, Here's my Cloud Guardian.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Akira Komaeda, 17

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"...Akira Komaeda, ...My name. That's all you need to know for the moment."

Ten Years Later

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P E R S O N A L I A

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"Crimes have tried to be justified by their perpetrators since the dawn of time. Robin hood steals from the rich just so he could give it to the poor, vigilantes beats down and even kills others they claim to be criminals without any due process to prove them right. Even something as simple as stealing bread from a shop, as complicated as stealing money from a bank, can be justified as being for better causes than themselves. Maybe they did, have to take a innocent person's hard-earned money from them so that they could give their family food, cause God knows its easier than earning that money for yourself. ...Should we just allow these crimes to exist, these syndicates to exist, because their misfortune on some might benefit others? Should a bunch of ink-marked barbarians and murderers continue to run this country from the shadows because they benefit those supposedly beneath them? Mafias like them, organized crime syndicates like Vongola and other mafias like it, controls the world; above laws, above governments, above people, and they can do that because they can justify their actions...kill a cop, kill a detective, just because he got in the way of a crime I'm sure they can justify as beneificial as well. ...Let me be blunt with you. If I was given the choice, I would gladly take every mafia family, every Yakuza clan, every syndicate that has ever taken the easy way out by going above and below the laws, and without distinction, burn them all to ashes. I made it my goal to do just that, but I intend to do it the hard way, through the laws and rules of the world...That, is how I will justify my actions."

// P E R S O N A L I T Y

Much like the previous guardian of the Cloud, Akira is a cold, silent man with a tendency to stay isolated and away from groups of people. But it's not necessarily due to a hatred for being around others, but more because he prefers to train his mind with investigating mysteries in peace. He may act cold and insensitive around others, but beneath the icey exterior is a kind and loyal man of the people. When someone needs his help for whatever reason, he would be quick to try and solve their problems without much resistance. He would often point out that he usually requires payment for these actions, but he never enforced that notion nor reminded them to pay him for his service, practically confessing it was a joke without actually saying it.

He believes in the righteousness of the country's laws, laws made not by singular people atop ivory towers, but by the common people below that makes up the bulk of a country's civilization. No one is above, nor beneath the law, and no crime is beneath due process and fair trials. He is aware of its potential corruption, as well as its many faults and the unyielding difficulty that they create for justice, but feels it is the right way to do things, the way that causes the least harm to others, and is willing to walk that path regardless of the many failures it could bring. When he sees crimes being done, or committed, without a word, he would jump on solving it and bringing the criminal in question to justice.

Because of this and a past incident, Akira has a deep-seeded loathing of criminal organizations such as mafias, drug or slave cartels and Yakuza clans. To him, they are all an army of low-lifes and barbarians, who could not find their worth in society the hard way, so instead they take the easy way at the expense of others well-being and possibly lives. Even if a particular family or clan or cartel is less malicious than others, they are still committing crimes that endangers others so that they might help people in need. Even Vigilantism, while not as unforgivable to him as its usually for a justified cause, is still commiting brutality and death of someone without any trial or evidence to prove their claims. To see other children like himself be a part of these criminal organizations, such as someone being the heir to a Yakuza clan and possibly being in the same school as them, is a personal conundrum for him. While he would likely be very...bitter towards their family, silent and ignorant for the most part of them especially, at the same time, if they are truly in dire need of help...he simply cannot bring himself to tell them off or ignore those troubles. They are still students after all, and it's not as if they could choose who their parents are. That said, he would likely immediately go back to ignoring them once those troubles are gone.

Speaking of Parents, while his is still alive, he has essentially disowned them after the incident. In his mind, his mother sold her soul for personal gain and his father was a monster from the very start. he does not quite know the full story of what happened, or why his mother abandoned their heritage like she did, but he doesn't care either. The very mention of his parents serves as a major source of discomfort, prying into the matter will only serve to earn you his scorn.

It should also be noted that Akira is actually a Pyrophobic, traumatized after the Komaeda Estate burned down with him and his Grandfather still inside. Things like a lighter or someone activating DW flames won't cause too much of a reaction save for wanting to look away from it, and prefers to keep away from particularly hot places, but if there is a massive fire anywhere near him, he'll practically burst out of character, curling up in a ball and panicking.

// B A C K G R O U N D

The Komaeda Family has been around for many generations in the past As a family of private detectives of a particularly excellent quality, so much so that they managed to keep off the radar of federal authorities until recently, serving as Private Detectives with an unknown past and future, using their skills as a detective to find and capture criminals of the underworld.

The third latest generation, Naoto Komaeda, Akira's grandfather, decided in his early days to step the family out of the shadows so that they may help, not just because he felt it was the right thing to do, but because he felt it was the natural evolutionary step forward for a family like them. Akira's mother and Naoto's daughter, felt ultimately that the detective family business was unfit for someone like her and her child, her husband wanting her use those smarts she had with him for the sake of business opportunities.

Akira, on the other hand, loved his grandfather, was fascinated with the stories her mother told of him, and the stories he himself told of their ancestors. From childhood, Akira has always idolized his grandfather, and much to his parents' dismay, aspired to be a great Detective like him and the rest of his family, going as far as to live with him rather than his parents.

However, things did not go quite well for him as it were. As it turned out, the 'business' his father associated with was being a former Yakuza turned member of Vongola's CEDEF branch, working as an affiliated laison between Vongola and multiple Yakuza clans. While he indeed had good intentions, trying to keep the Yakuza in line in exchange for favors with Vongola, it was still seen by his grandfather as an utter betrayal, not that his mother cared.

However, The Yakuza found out who his father was married to, and wasn't too keen on trusting a woman whose father lived for the sole purpose of screwing them over, and from a family with a reputation of being a pain in the asses of organized crime everywhere. At the same time, they couldn't just kill her and make an enemy of something as powerful as Vongola. So instead, some of them took matters into their own hands to make an example be demonstrated to her.

This was the cause of the incident that froze Akira's heart shut.

That fateful night, A group of Yakuza henchmen, disguised as psychotic arsonists, snuck in and burned down the Komaeda estate with Akira and Naoto still inside. Naoto managed to use what strength he had in his olden body to grab Akira and escape in tow, the burning unbreathable air engraved in the boy's memory. That should have been the end of it right there. They didn't kill Naoto in the fire, but it would at least set an example to him. However, one of the henchmen broke orders after noticing he was still alive, and began to panic. Though they tried to stop him as he pulled out a gun to shoot them both, in the end, he pulled the trigger, and Naoto, noticing quickly that his grandson and himself was being aimed at, used himself to cover Akira, taking the bullet square in the back of his neck, and dying right in front of Akira's eyes. The other Yakuza grabbed the one that killed Naoto, and dragging him back to their headquarters for his punishment for screwing up, but Akira only saw them running off as the police finally came.

He must have cried for hours, his mind unable to process everything that happened, traumatized by his beloved Grandfather dying like that. The bright, dreaming, and optimistic boy died along with his grandfather that day, officially so when he found out about his parents' "job" for the Mafia, though he was unaware, and uncaring as to which mafia.

Seeking revenge and justice for his Grandfather, He strived to become a detective just like him, and vowed to take down all organized crime, one by one, his parents included.

Cut to the present, and he is now a second-year in High-School, A practical honor roll student, exercising his skills as a detective by helping fellow students privately, just as his ancestors did before. With each day, he's a step closer to becoming a true detective, and a step closer to having the power to take down any mafia who'd dare stand in the way of the law.

Little did he know that he was about to be unwittingly a part of the very thing he despised, as a Guardian of one of the most powerful Mafias in the world...and as it happens, the exact same one his parents are affiliated with.

...Fate truly does have a sense of Humor.

---

P A R A M E T E R S

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"I should warn you: I'm not the type to stand down."

// F L A M E

Cloud

// A B I L I T I E S

Detective level intellect - While he is still in high school, Akira was training to be a detective like the previous generations of his family since childhood. As such, by the time he has reached high school, he managed to gain enough deductional skill to go beyond his current grade level. While he's not exactly a genius per se, even he feels he still has a ways to go before he can call himself worthy of being a detective, he is more than capable of figuring out things that may pass by the heads of others around him. He is quick-minded and perceptive enough to see through lies, deceit, and most traps, though there are times where he can let his guard down if his opponent is intelligent enough to keep him focused on one thing while they make a move somewhere else.

Skilled combatant - Combat was another thing he was trained since childhood to learn. As a detective, it would be all but inevitable to wind up in a fight with a criminal. Much like the previous guardian, Akira has a gift for being particularly strong and agile in a fight, and take down most opponents that come his way as a result, and in addition, he applies his own brains into the fights, creating strategies against particular opponents he can't just fight normally. But it should be stressed that he is by no means a master. He has no real discipline of note, mostly being self-taught as advised by his grandparents, and as such, can likely be defeated by those with the skill and mentality to use his physical gifts against him.

// E Q U I P M E N T

The Komaeda Cane - A very special cane passed down from generations of the Komaeda family lineage since the 19th century. As a Komaeda is always diving into danger of the underworld, this cane was made to combat its criminal dwellers there. While it looks like a normal cane, the stalk is metal and fragmented with a bladed edge, connected to a cord of tough nylon, making it capable of turning into a bladed whip of sorts, as well as a blunt instrument to hit people with. Eventually, the powers of the cloud flames shall allow the nylon and blades on the whip to multiply considerably, making it capable of wrapping around enemies with.

Katekyo Hitman Reborn! RP

I can offer up Lightning and take Sun if that widens the search parameters. Or someone can double.

@Grey

Appreciated, but I don't think changing one open spot for another may help.

That said, if @Vongola_Hasayo does not want to take Sun, I suppose I will double up and use Sun as well.

Katekyo Hitman Reborn! RP

@Grey Tell him to get Discord when he has the chance.

Also, sadly, my one guy declined, and the other guy I think I might have stretched thin as is, now that I think on it.

So, @Vongola_Hasayo, Shall we give you the Sun as well, or would you like me to find someone else who'll take that spot?

Katekyo Hitman Reborn! RP

I would love it to be Jake, but I haven't been able to contact him for a while, likely due to essentially dropping Skype. X_X @Grey

It's another friend, likely never been on here before. Again, though, not a 100% deal yet.

@suku So that just leaves the sun. That's perfect...Then I know of someone else who can have them in case my friend doesn't.

Katekyo Hitman Reborn! RP

Looks like that’s five.

@Grey

Since I still intend on using Cloud, We still need a Sun and a Rain. So there's your choice @Suku.

And we may need one more. Fortunately, I think I might have somebody who can fill that last spot. Though, it's still something I'll need to check up on and isn't a 100% deal at the moment.

@Vongola_Hasayo I'll be PMing you soon, but I was not aware we could choose mentors as well. In that case, if you don't mind, I would like to take Reborn.

But I understand Reborn is usually for the GM and he/she alone, so if that is a no-go, I suppose I'll have a Mentor for Mist. (Since Mist Guardian was taken I may as well go for the next possible thing. XD)

Katekyo Hitman Reborn! RP

Eh, I've been craving this. Count me in.

Probably gonna rep Lightning since nobody ever chooses Lightning, poor guy. If we're doubling, I'll aim for either Rain or Sun in addition to that.

EDIT: I'll go ahead and vouch for @The Jest being your coGM. He's been the coGM for the vast majority of the KHR RPs I've been involved in, and he's got good plot ideas.

@Grey

Much appreciated, mate. ^_^

Katekyo Hitman Reborn! RP

@Vongola_Hasayo

It has been some time since I've been in one of these RPs. But if you still need a Co-GM for it, I'll be happy to help you out. ^_^

As for which guardian spot I'll be taking...Since one of them have already taken Mist, my personal favorite, I suppose I'll settle with the Cloud.