The New Yorker

All-Star Marvel: Audax Mundus Novus - Season 1 (Completed)

Somewhere between Connecticut and Rhode Island September 8th, 2012 3:23 AM

Remy sped down the i 95 at blistering speeds. The dirt kicked up from the supped up Harley Davidson tittered the chrome muffler and trailed behind him like a comet’s tail. A matte black helmet covered Remy’s face as he sat hunched over on the speeding bike. The dossier for this assignment, Fence was really big on dossiers, informed Remy of a trade happening between Trask industries, and, who some may consider, henchmen for the infamous Kingpin. All in all, it was bad guys giving gifts to other bad guys. The data-logs for caches like this always read out as military equipment, so says one of Fence’s stooges. In particular, Remy was tasked with finding prototype all-in-one night-vision goggles. Trask industries recently boasted about this new invention and how it would change the lives of hundreds of thousands of military personnel. Some units may actually make it to the US military, most would find it's way to paramilitary organizations, those without a congress to reign it in. This is exactly the sort of thing Remy would need for his infiltration into Trask HQ. So, rather than letting Trask bolster his friends and allies on the streets, Fence suggested that the cache be liberated. A nearly microscopic tracker was placed in the truck before it left the HQ by Fence’s inside man. Remy got lost in thought for a moment as he recapped all this information in his head. He was caught on that last thought, who was this inside man? Could he be trusted? Would he come through when Remy really needed him, on the inside? Unfortunately, these were the unknowable questions, the kinds which espionage types had to let rot in their brains until truth was eventually revealed, and only as a matter of course. Remy was suddenly pelted with different questions, however. Questions which could be answered. Like, for example: Was that the delivery truck ahead, it’s bulbous form silhouetted by the crimson glow of it’s break lights? Was the road clear? Was this the ideal opportunity for the ambush? All the questions received a resounding yes from Remy’s instincts, and he kicked into overdrive. The motorcycle came right up beside the front wheel of the armored truck. The man in the passenger seat was reaching for his coffee cup in the holster when he noticed the pink glow from his peripheral vision. His reaction, to unholster his pistol, was too late. The glow had disappeared underneath the truck and the motorcycle next to him sped off in front. There was always a delay after Remy threw his corrupted items. It mostly depended on the size of the object, and Remy’s focus on said object before and after release. Since his cards were balanced, and he’d been playing with the things all of his life, he had a pretty good handle on how to control them, and so would always use them for situations like this. Just as Remy was sufficiently in front of the truck the card exploded, taking with it a section of the wheel, and parts of the radiator. The driver clearly lost control and the vehicle slid to it’s left before skitting to it’s side and toppling over, sliding only a few more feet until stopping. The wreck sent all sorts of shattered debris into the air. The truck seemed in rather good condition as Gambit strode up to it, however; in that, it was not on fire. Startled coughs came from the cab as smoke plumed from the crashed passenger side window. Remy held in one hand a pry bar, a lock-pick set in the other. The motorcycle was haphazardly parked in the middle of the highway, it’s lights illuminating the far off woods. Intercepting the truck half way through New York and Rhode Island wasn’t the hard part, getting out unseen and unknown was the difficulty. Within moments Remy had the storage compartment lock picked. He pried it open, ending with a satisfying click which sent the rest of the door sliding open. Boxes and crates laid along the slanted truck in disarray. Remy noticed the small black crate, perfect for goggles, laying atop another, longer crate. Remy could tell that the smaller box contained exactly what he’d come here for, so he put it aside and opened the one underneath. A modified Scar-H laid in the cushioned crate, it’s ACOG scope glintning in the moonlight. Remy quickly tucked the things onto the cargo compartment of the sturdy bike and covered them with a black blanket. Remy heard noise behind him, feet crunching on glass after a fall. He whirled around with only one thought, his CZ SP-01 held dangerously in his grasp. The goon had an uzi in his hand, didn’t seem to have noticed Remy. The Cajun took his chance, laid one into the man’s arm, another in the knee. The goon drooped the gun and fell to his back in pain, yelling and holding his knee. The driver climbed up from the cab as well, a shotgun held carelessly before him. He immediately saw the Cajun and took aim. Remy had no choice, he capped the guy, spraying blood on the inside of the truck cab. Remy dropped the pistol to his side and leaned against the motorcycle in relief. The man on the floor could hardly get a grip on where he was, much less where his gun was. Remy hostered the pistol in his leg holster and straddled the bike, chuckling with a violent anxiety. As the goon screamed in the coastal air Remy placed the helmet on his head and revved the engine. He sped down the way he came, the FUBAR scene behind him. “Damn it!” he whispered to himself, “damn it!”

Sewers under 59th St., New York 7:40 AM

Remy was exhausted as he made his way back to his little closet among the muck. After dropping the equipment and bike back at Fence’s, Remy had to take the train back home. He wasn’t even able to sleep because of the crowded rush-hour traffic. As Remy turned the corner to his alley he noticed some huddled figures under the green light. He pulled his pistol and slid along the wall, being as quiet as he could manage. The figures seemed less and less imposing as Gambit neared, their small and cracking voices becoming clearer and clearer. “No, you’re gonna break it!” “Am not, I’m the one…” Remy cocked back the hammer of his pistol, “Don’t move” he said, “and don’t run, I’m faster than you.” The figures immediately stopped moving, immediately shut up. After a few moments of dread coursed through them, Remy put his gun down. “Turn around.” When they did, Remy felt like he ought to reel, but he couldn’t. One had the snout of a pig, the other the beak of a bird, with feathers to match. Both of them, undoubtedly, were children. The feathered one carried a bent bobby pin and a screw driver, the other seemed to have a game boy attached to some computing system. It didn’t take Remy long to see what was happening here. These little urchins were trying to break into his room, and they were locals. These were the legendary Morlocks, those "freaks" written about in the tabloid journals and confidential files alike. Remy was starting to have those lines blurred for him. “Back away.” The children parted with his words, like the Red Sea. He input his password and opened the door with his thumbprint. “You boys are lucky I found you. If you'd managed to open that circuit breaker and rewire it, you probably would'a received a neural shock. Don’t try it again, and I promise to teach you a thing or two.” Gambit Sauntered into the room, dropping his coat on the cot, leaving the door open behind him. He checked the mini-fridge and retrieved a couple of items. He placed the palm-sized plastic cups on his dining table, to be viewed freely. “You boys like pudding?” The deformed boys eyed each other incredulously, smiled with salivating mouths. They passed through the threshold to receive their unforeseen reward.

All-Star Marvel: Audax Mundus Novus - Season 1 (Completed)

That's a really good CS, @Kal-El. I was particularly interested in the part where you mentioned that the CIA would be after Jimmy. I don'y know if you've noticed, but Remy is currently going through some things with the Agency as well. I got a really interesting glimpse into a future little arch involving Gambit and Jimmy. If you're interested, say so and I'll PM you with what I had in mind. If you're not interested in getting involved in a collaboration, that's fine, too! It's just nice to see an influx of new characters, really.

All-Star Marvel: Audax Mundus Novus - Season 1 (Completed)

Summer, 2012 Late Morning Manhattan, New York

Matthew stepped from the dusty cab seat into the humid, buzzing atmosphere of 35th street. His walking stick collapsed from his hand and clacked against the sidewalk. Matthew drew a bill from his back pocket, a bill which he knew was a twenty, and offered it through the open passenger window. “Thanks” he said softly, stepping back from the curb and against a mailbox. He could tell it was a mailbox because of it’s bulkiness, the hard rusted metal which he’d seen all his life. Matt reached up to his chest to make sure his tie was straight, then lined up his lapels. He’d dressed himself this morning, sent a nearly unusable selfie to Karen in order to make sure he matched. The magic of smart phones was something that made being blind a little easier. Matthew lifted his head into the smoggy air and basked in the beaming sunlight. He removed his red tinted glasses, used to protect his still sensitive eyes, and felt the warmth cover him completely. He felt a sense of oneness then, a transcendental, numinous experience; one which could not be described or recommissioned. Just then he felt a tug on his slender wrist. The delicate fingers traced the pit above his thumb and ran over his veins, finally grabbing at the palm. He clasped back when he realized who it was. The delicate and deliberate movements of Karen could never be forgotten to him, no matter how many senses he lost. Her lips met his and he struggled to anticipate the kiss. Almost a quarter of a year after the accident and he was still playing catch-up. “Come on.” She said quietly, leading him through the jumbled crowd. He realized that people were parting for him and Karen. He pulled his hand away to relieve himself of the spectacle. Karen glanced back with worry, but settled into embarrassment when she realized what she’d been doing. He was like a child trailing behind her. Matt collapsed his walking stick and continued behind her, making sure to keep her arm sleeve within arms reach for confirmation. He made it all the way through the block and up the stairs without bumping into anyone or tripping on anything. Something he thought he should take pride in, and yet he couldn’t bring himself to. Quietly in and up the elevator for a long while until Matt could hear the door slide open and Karen’s heels click against the floor. Once again, vague, undefined outlines blur somewhere in Matt’s mind and he could see a faint approximation of the room. There was no color or definition, but he could “see” it. And then it was gone. Matt stood in the elevator for just a moment, trying to take it all in. “This is the floor.” Karen said, stopping the door from closing. “You don’t have to be nervous. I told you, Mr. Nelson knows exactly who you are. He wants you.” Matt feigned consolation, smirked before crossing the threshold into the air-conditioned corridor. “Of course.” The Nelson & Son law firm was a small group of liberal lawyers from Chicago, some of which were related. Karen had just begun work as a paralegal there only a few months ago. It provided the perfect entre for Matt. He sat carefully in the comfortable chair, 5 paces from the door. He crossed his legs in front of him, opened his portfolio case, and let his walking stick lean against his chair. The door opened behind him and a man walked in, his half inch heels slightly scuffing against the tile. He smelled like a New Yorker despite being the eldest member of the firm, Ronald Nelson (the father), and raised primarily in Illinois. He grunted as he sat but the chair didn’t, he scooted forward silently; he was a thin man, roughly 6’2. Matthew could tell this from only his most mild observations. “A pleasure to meet you, Matthew” Ronald said pleasantly. “Quite a pleasure to be here, Mr. Nelson. I couldn’t turn down meeting a former state attorney, with at least the chance of working for him.” Matt said clearly, confidently, whilst rubbing the hard leather of his binder. Ronald Nelson scoffed, probably waved his hands. “That’s all in the past, young man. You’ll find that I’m not as sharp as that man was.” He chuckled. Matt could hear the click of glasses unfolding. “So, I have your resume here. I’d be liable if I just said ‘impressive’.” Matt smiled at that. “Bronx Science, Leehman honor student. We have one of those here working for us.” Ronald noted off-handedly. “I know,” Matt said shyly with a smile. The rest of the interview continued along informal, affable lines. They ended with a warm hug, and Matt receiving a set of keys in his breast pocket. “See you Wednesday. Do you need a layout of the building?” Matt shook his head, collapsed his walking stick. “I have an excellent scout.” He said with a smile. He walked the 5 paces back to the door, stopped to carefully open it, and traveled the remaining 20 paces to the elevator, missing the button narrowly by an inch on his first try. “Almost got it” he whispered to himself as he made his descent.

All-Star Marvel: Audax Mundus Novus - Season 1 (Completed)

The new Daredevil series looks really good. I'm excited for it.

All-Star Marvel: Audax Mundus Novus - Season 1 (Completed)

I made a Blackbolt CS for the first iteration of this I was in. I decided to scrap it because I felt he was too esoteric of a character for me to make work. Seeing this Karnak CS is making me wonder if I should bring that back. 4 characters (including Baron Zemo) may be too many, though. Of course, if you'd just rather I not, Eru, that would squash the issue entirely.

@The New Yorker

I was careful to not name any other the other royal family members in the application, because I thought if I introduced some and wrote about them, someone might want to apply as them and not like the way I did it. Black Bolt I agree would be tough to write as, that's the exact reason I didn't do him and did Karnak instead. I wouldn't advise Black Bolt due to his limitations as a character, but maybe one of the other Inhumans? Gorgon or Medusa, etc. I was thinking of a cool arc for Triton because if nobody wants him I am going to use him as a secondary character for Karnak - directly tying into whole 'mother's mysterious death' arc.

@Eru Iluvatar

Eh, he he, no. If I decide to do Blackbolt it will be because of his character limitations, not in spite of them. The only thing that's stopping me is how many characters I already have and plan to have. The only thing stopping me in the past was that there was no other player-character I could see him interacting with. I might end up doing it, I just need to see how hard it is to write for DD. Speaking of, I'd like to have a DD post up within the week.

All-Star Marvel: Audax Mundus Novus - Season 1 (Completed)

I made a Blackbolt CS for the first iteration of this I was in. I decided to scrap it because I felt he was too esoteric of a character for me to make work. Seeing this Karnak CS is making me wonder if I should bring that back. 4 characters (including Baron Zemo) may be too many, though. Of course, if you'd just rather I not, Eru, that would squash the issue entirely.

The Prophecy

It might be better if Verdis' character went on without me. Even I'm a little confused as to when I'll be fully available.

All-Star Marvel: Audax Mundus Novus - Season 1 (Completed)

Where the hell are people getting the titles for their characters and how can I get one? I want a Loki one...

[@Bright_Ops]

Google images, man.

All-Star Marvel: Audax Mundus Novus - Season 1 (Completed)

I'm ruminating on a Baron Zemo character at the moment. Once DD reaches that third post I'll start outlining the CS.

All-Star Marvel: Audax Mundus Novus - Season 1 (Completed)

Player Name: The New Yorker Character Name: Matthew Miyahara Moral Alignment: Walking the Line Affiliation: NYPD (briefly with IA during recruitment), Columbia Law School, Lehman University Character Origin & Backstory Matthew Miyahara was born to a brilliant scientist and a former Japanese Special Forces Commander, Beth and Hideo respectively. The married couple moved to the United States after a frightful encounter with Yakuza members in their home. In reality, Hideo was forced to move, for the sake of his family and his honor on the force, it was an order. When they came to America they did not have a child. In 1989 Hideo was 37 and Beth was 31. As soon as they landed on the rainy shores of Seattle they conceived Matthew. So they hit the road and headed east. Beth already had a job lined up at the blooming Fisk Industries*, and Hideo had family in New York anyway. They moved into a quiet brownstone in Riverdale and began creating a home for a toddler. Matthew was born in 1990 May, 27th in that brownstone’s living-room surrounded by family. And so he was raised in this family of three in the Bronx and so he was nurtured by his brilliant mother and strict father. Hideo was stern, certainly, but also very loving of his family. He thought of them, almost, as art, something he helped create with his blood, sweat, tears. And it was in his blood, sweat, and tears that he was forever snuffed from this world, taking with him a portion of the art that was his family. He was followed shortly after by his wife, some suggest she killed herself, Matthew holds that it was foul play, though no body has ever been found. By ’98 Matthew was orphaned and his grandfather and grandmother became his legal guardians, they were his father’s parents. Matts Grandfather Daisuke, known locally as Stick, was one of the first and only heroes operating in the Bronx in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. He prowled the rooftops in light armor refitted with armor plating from a Samurai suit. The history of Daisuke is long and fantastic but very few know of it, and Daisuke never speaks of it. Matthew only learned of his grandfather’s alter ego through researching into the most obscure newspaper articles and tabloid headlines in order to barely scratch the surface. After understanding the greatness of the man he called “pop-pop” at the age of 13 Matthew was proud, he reeled, asked his Grandfather to teach him the intricacies of the Japanese martial arts. Matt was never old enough for his father to teach him anything and he was, shamefully, disinterested at the time. Matt felt like this would help him better remember his father, by consuming something his father held so dear. And so Daisuke taught his grandson the art of Jujutsu, Kenjutsu, Ninjutsu, and Aikido. By 14 Matt is enrolled in the prestigious Bronx Science, one of the best High schools in New York. By 16 Matthew graduates. Matthew was home schooled by his mother while she was alive, she imparted great wisdom onto him and fostered a feverish interest in knowledge in the young man. That most likely led to his successful academic career. At 16 Matt wanted to enter the police academy, he is turned down and is told to go to college instead, he does so. A full scholarship sweeps 16 year old Matthew Miyahara out of the Bronx and into Columbia Law School under incredibly special circumstances, he is to take supplementary classes at Lehman, near where he lived. For 4 whole years Matt devotes himself to his simultaneous BA in Political science, and Doctorate in Criminal pathology. At 20 years old Matthew Miyahara is a well-trained, Pathologist with the skills of a samurai. He gets a fast-track through the NYPD and passes through the academy with flying colors. During his internship in the Academy he works with Internal Affairs in order to help take down two crooked instructors, they ran a drug scam with some of the students. At 21 Matt is on the force and is not too well liked, he finds a dead rat in his locker at the end of his first month. Matt is enjoying his time on the force, almost a year in, despite his co-workers attempt at the opposite. Matthew responds to a call of shots fired at the midtown docks, a call that will change the rest of his life. Powers and Abilities -Genius level intellect: Matthew is incredibly perceptive, and not just in a strictly sensory way. He knows when things don’t fit, he can tell when something doesn’t make sense, and how the dots connect. He also has a huge wealth of information and knowledge regarding legal, political, and scientific matters. Beside all of that, Matthew is an excellent learner and listener. -Acrobatic dexterity: Matthew’s training with his grandfather has made him lithe and agile. He is able to make huge leaps, climb over vertical surfaces with ease, and perform acrobatic tricks. -Martial arts: Matthew is skilled in joint-locking, “soft skill” force indirection, stealth, swordsmanship, and all the other tiny skills involved therein. -Radar senses: Once Matthew is blind he gains the ability to perceive things around him by the use of an electromagnetic pulse radar which mutated in his brain. He isn’t seeing anything, just receiving feedback from this mutated electromagnetic pulse mechanism which projects images in his consciousness. Heightened senses: The radiation also allowed for dramatic acceleration of Matthew's other senses with the loss of his sight. Weaknesses -Blind: Despite his extrasensory mutant abilities, Matthew is still blind. He doesn't receive constant feedback from this sort of echo location, so someone moving quickly and stealthily could elude Matthew quite well. -Emotional: Despite being a logical and rational thinker, Matthew can sometimes loose control of himself, allowing his emotions to run amok on his thinking. Revenge is currently an overriding element. Sample archs: -Building the Man: Matthew needs to regain his confidence, reassure himself of his abilities and place in the world. Getting a job as a lawyer should do the trick. Here he starts understanding more about his radioactively induced mutations as well. -Building the Machine: Matthew begins his proper work as the Daredevil, setting out on a course of vengence to find the truth behind the killing of his family. -Building the Legend: With the hunt for the Kingpin behind him, Matthew and the Daredevil venture even further into the darkness in order to spread light. The man without fear becomes a Marvel Knight.

Sample Post

The muffled, tinny voice from the radio crackles the atmosphere of the interior of the Police car as Matthew drives down 53rd and 6th. The crimson glow from the taillight speeds along the black road behind the white and blue steel beauty as it hovers past closed restaurants, and a doctor’s office, and a Starbucks. Matt’s bony hands clutch the steering wheel until his knuckles are white and his fingers are red. He quickly lifts the radio receiver to his mouth and clicks the button on the side. “10-4, I’ve got that, Stace” Matt turned into 47th and let the car glide down the little road without any extra speed. Matthews’s partner held onto the dashboard like he was afraid he might go crashing through the window pane. He was a portly man who looked to still be capable in a fight. His white mustache crossed his upper lip like a badge itself. “Ease up there, cowboy.” Terry McGillan said quietly, not wanting to instigate. “It’s an emergency, Terry.” Matt said, smile on his face. He turned up into 8th and around another corner toward the docks. The two boys in blue exited the vehicle in proper police protocol when dealing with a shooting call, guns drawn. They eased up to the chain-link gate and tested it, it didn’t open. “Ah, damnit, don’t tell me I gotta hop this goddamn fence.” Terry blurted, holding his gun to his side like some kind of play thing. Matt holstered his gun, and without saying a word, mounted the fence. He flopped onto the other side unscathed and went to retrieve the keys that were likely in the guard house a few feet away. He wasn’t even near it before he heard a single gun-shot, then another. A white flash illuminated the far off dock and Matt could see some standing figures etched in the distance. He sprinted down the concrete road to the dock and the gunshots. “Hey! Hey, hold it! Wait for back up, boy!” Terry screamed behind Matt as he dashed down the pavement. “Son of a bitch—“ he whispered to himself, half-running to the radio in the car. He called in back-up in rushed, yet professional tones. Matthew’s sprint was even and fast as all hell. His pistol was in his hand, his index finger readily extended near the trigger. Now that he was closer Matt could see two standing figures, drenched in the shadows of the sepia colored lamplight. One tossed a body into the river and the other held what looked to be a bat. On the ground were three bodies, laid out like dolls, a woman kneeled like an angel under the bat-wielders shadow. Matt quickly stopped in place, no more than 25 feet from the scene and pointed his gun forward. He was sweating a little and his vision shook but his hand was gratefully steady. The barrel lined up with the chest of the man holding the bat. The man lifted the bat behind his head and twisted his body. “Freeze! Right now! Police!” Matt’s voice was load, clear, commanding. He felt a rush of adrenaline, the confidence gleamed from his badge and gun. He felt good about himself. The man with the bat let his bodyweight take over then, the bat swung around his body like a comet to a planet and crashed into the head of the woman kneeling. Her body slumped to the floor and Matt was certain he saw a piece of her skull skitter across the concrete. The man who was previously dumping a body wheeled around and his hand lifted from his coat. Matt shifted his weight and brought the pistol’s barrel to the left, his hand went a little too far and so he brought it back and fired. The man to the left twitched and almost fell to the ground, his gun hand dropped to his side and he fell to one knee. The man to the right, holding the bat, sprinted off down the dock lane. Matt fell to one knee and took better aim, just as the man with the gun, who remained near the bodies, tried to do. Matt fired two more shots, the second capped the man. Matt rose and sprinted toward the bodies. What he found there was a heart-splitting disaster. Two men and two women dead, all beaten and shot. Matt looked at the latest victim, most of her head was leaking onto the floor. He was drawn in by the gruesome display. It called to him, not just in desperation, as dead bodies do, but aesthetically as well. That single thought made Matt shiver, and he glanced down the lane to make sure he wasn’t being aimed at. But just as he turned away he saw something in her cold, pale face. She had familiar almond eyes. Matt searched her nametag only to be struck with utter shock. Miyahara was her last name, Janice Miyahara. His heart was pounding through his shirt and his could feel the pulsing of his chest. Matt stood, he was wrapped in his blues, the badge on his chest gleamed dangerously in the lamplight. Two more cop cars wailed at the entrance, the red and blue lights breaching the darkness. Matt sprinted down the dock lane like he’d never sprinted before, he was propelled by the thirst for knowledge, just as he’d always been. This time is was deep, it was emotional, and it was for his family. A figure just disappeared behind a truck, seemingly a gas truck, it’s metal cylindrical train shining. Matt approached it quietly, yet quickly. He turned the corner that was the truck only to receive a personal greeting from a bat. It swung in the air trying to hit is head, knocking the gun from his hands as he recoiled backwards. The bat swung into the trucks train instead. A big dent formed around where it was struck. Matt drew his billie club and blocked another attack. The man wore a leather jacket, corduroy pants. Matt smacked the guy in the stomach with his club and tried for the head. The man ducked and hit Matt in the ribs, then he grabbed the cop by his collar and threw him against the back of the truck, knocking the air out of his lungs. Matt thought about his grandfather’s training, it was always about presence. About maintaining a consciousness even when you should not have one, a presence. Matt maintained consciousness and so blocked the incoming, lethal bat attack. He lifted his club over his head and knocked the bat into the train once more, this time directly at the point where it’d already been hit. A small rupture expelled gas and then whatever incredibly dangerous toxic waste the train was housing. The waste completely covered Matt’s assailant, knocking him to the ground and drowning him in the stuff. Matt was able to get away with only a spray on his face. However, when he got the goop from his eyes, and it wasn’t painful to try opening them any longer, he did so only to find darkness. “I’m… oh, hrmm… I can’t see anything.” Matthew sobbed as Terry ran up to him, crouched on the floor. Both of their voices cracked with shock and despair. “You’re going to be alright, kid.” “Fuck, Terry… No, no, no, no, no!” He screamed loud enough for every cop and pedestrian in the area to hear him. He yelled and no tears streamed from his white eyes though he felt like crying until he was dead. Spittle fell to the floor as he writhed and sobbed in Terry’s grasp. He knew right then that he’d never see again. Terry felt like he’d lost his son all over again, and so he cried when the boy could not.

*** Three months after the accident***

Laudanum is a tincture of opium and alcohol, and is often used, recreationally, with hard liquor. It is an incredibly addictive reddish brown liquid, and some of the stuff sat in a snuff glass on Matt's nightstand. His head was hunched over his bare curved body. Some scars laced his back from days gone past, and the most recent scar was ever present, as it always would be. Matt lifted his head into the smokey air, his face bore the burned stains of a splash mark, splayed across his nose and eyes; they were a cold white, inattentive to the world. He grasped the glass of liquid dreams, and brought it to his lips. He tilted his head back and some of it dripped into his mouth when the door of his room was opened. Matt took the glass from his mouth and set it back on the nightstand. Karen Page stood in the doorway, her hands placed firmly on her hips. Her blue eyes pierced through the smoky darkness. Karen walked into the room and opened the window blinds, releasing the bright, mid-day sunlight into the room. Matt could feel the heat of the sun on his forearms and across his collar bone. He quietly sat as Karen walked around the room, picking up bottles of liquor, loose clothes, and dishes. She took them from the room, purposefully ignoring Matt, and into the living room. Matt grabbed the Laudanum from the night table and sipped it. He was flushed with euphoria, then relief, then memories, then sadness, then shame, and finally anger. He smashed the glass on the nightstand next to him, breaking it utterly. His hand was immediately cut up, some rogue shards managed to cut is forearm slightly as well. Matt could feel the warm, sticky, liquid on his hand and arm, and was thrown back into sadness. He could sense the long corrupted tendrils of insanity creep up beside him as Karen entered the room again, annoyed. She looked at Matt’s hand in shock, completely confused about what’d happened, she quickly left the room. Matt stood, mostly naked, and began on his way to the bathroom. Karen bumped into him as he tried to leave his room, medical supplies flying from her hands; she allowed a small scream of shock to escape her mouth. “Get back in bed.” Karen said, after picking the medical supplies from the floor. Matt stood in the doorway, his eyes blankly staring at the space above her head. “I can take care of it.” He said softly. “There’s fucking glass in the cuts, just let me help you!” she almost yelled but managed to keep her voice down. Karen pushed Matt back into the room. She led him to the bed and sat him down. He was silent, tears welled in his eyes and he wasn’t sure why. Karen began removing the glass from Matt’s cut up hand, then cleaning it. He was able to keep the tears from falling. “I could have handled this on my own.” “You can’t even handle getting high on that antiquated shit alone.” She began applying the bandage. “You should really slow down on that stuff.” Matt didn’t respond. “I come in here in the morning and you’ve already had a glass…” “Why do you come here?” Karen stopped what she was doing, stared into the almond shaped orbs of white. She didn’t quite know what to make of the statement. After Matt was released from the hospital Karen started dropping in to clean up after Matt, feed him, clean him, and most importantly, love him. The two had been going out for about three months prior to Matt losing his sight. Karen stepped up to the plate with magnificent grace and dignity. So, when Matt asked her the question, she made an insult of it. She stood, letting the bandage unravel at her feet. “What are you talking about? I come here because I want to help you.” She said, before walking to the door and turning on her heels. “You goddamn asshole. If you think I come here so you can just insult me, then fuck me like some street corner slut you have another thing coming!” Matt stood quickly, furry in his blind eyes, “I never said that, Karen.” “It’s the shit you don’t say that’s more fucked up.” This time she yelled “I’m sorry.” Is all he could manage. “Oh, yeah. So you just apologize and what? Am I supposed to feel sorry for you? Take all your shit then brush it off?” Matt remained quiet. “You just want to me fall into your arms?” Karen walked forward to push Matt on the bed, anger streaming from her cold, blue eyes. Matt suddenly saw the outline of what he knew Karen to look like. He smiled for a moment, caught one of Karen’s flailing hands. She looked up at him, her bright blues reflecting the beating sun, scowled, and started slapping Matt in the head. “You cocky bastard.” The thoughts in Matt’s head raced a mile a minute. What was that? Was it a flashback? A hallucination? Can the blind sometimes catch glimpses of the world? Whatever the case, he would have to do plenty of research. Matt grabbed Karen’s other hand from the air and wrapped her arms around him. Her pallid cheek met Matt’s hard chest and for a while she was still angry. Then she noticed that their heartbeats were in-synch, then she wasn’t so angry. Matt fell to the bed hugging Karen, they sat there for a few moments. Karen stared at the slowly setting sun, Matt couldn’t help but continue running the questions in his head. Soon Karen and Matt were kissing, then they were laying down, passion overtaking them.