|| End of the __l.i.n.e

[acidgypsy]

Yes, she realized how stupid this probably was. And yes, she knew her wanted posters were plastered up all over the frickin' place. But to tell the truth, Majidah didn't give a rat's ass. She was tired, hungry, sore, irritated, and above all sober. It was long past due to get a good round of liquid courage to drown her hurts in. And damn... it'd better be a fast round too before Rikelus started up with his frustrating "No more drinks for you" routine.

Warily analyzing the environment around her, Maji walked down the streets of Corel-- the thumb of her right hand hooked onto the belt loops at her hip in a casual manner while her hat was pulled down low over her tanned visage. Her free hand, although hanging loosely at her side, occasionally flexed or twisted oddly as if itching to close over the handle of a knife. Her eyes, although veiled by a mix of shadow and ebony hair, flickered uneasily to any sign of motion coming her way.
Even her usual arrogant stride had changed to delicate, mincing steps... almost like the footfalls of a young deer.

It was obvious she didn't at all like the feeling of being the hunted instead of the hunter.

Damn. Where is that tavern? I thought I saw it here a few weeks ago...

With a rustle of paper Maji consulted a small map drawn from her pocket, scratching her nosetip with a forefinger. Blast. She never had been all that skilled with mapwork... you could say she could get lost in the figurative 'telephone booth' due to her sorely lacking navigational senses.
A few seconds later that same map was reduced to a crumpled ball of paper, forefully thrown to the ground between Maji's boots.

"Useless piece of crap."

She took her time grinding her heel on the paper wad; unconciously drawing a knife to toy with as she once again scanned her surroundings for familiar landmarks. Back and forth the knife went between her fingers, end over end in a careless but skillful show of blade control.

Bah. Where was that Deverell when you needed him?

[/size]

[Deleted]

OOC- Umm, is this thread open or is it reserved for someone? Wouldn't want to interfere if so ^^"

[acidgypsy]

ooc|| You're welcome to join, Rain. ;3

[/size]

[Deleted]

(OOC- Yay xD)

Why God, why?! The cry kept going inside Rain's mind. Even though he didn't believe in one, he needed someone to blame, and that's the exact reason of God's existence. The ignorant residents of the world needed someone to blame for all of their troubles, instead of facing the truth, thus the concept of God was created. Of course, Rain has just acted like one of those, but it was a special occasion.

If there is one thing that he had learned through his exploration of the land in his aimless and never-ending journey, it is to stay away from the Gold Saucer, for the place was jam-packed with people, and to make it worse, everyone was even more stupid and more annoying than the other, if that's even possible. However, it may have slipped out of his memory that a miniature version of it was the ropeway station leading into the Gold Saucer itself, which was located at North Corel.

Unaware of his whereabouts and indifferent about his destination, Rain had found himself there, at North Corel, near that wretched station. As he tried to make his way through the crowd, numerous amounts of people bumped into him, while the others were looking at him suspiciously. Naturally, the appearance of him was somewhat frightening and gloomy, hiding behind his black hood, in order to keep unwanted public away, yet apparently, while rushing to the Gold Saucer, all of one's fears vanish.

Barely retaining himself from taking out his katana and make himself a way out, Rain has finally got out of the mass and into the village, not before he caught a sight of a mother keeping her children near her while he passed by them, a thing which prompted a slight smirk to his face.

Sighing, Rain searched the town for a pub or anything of that sort, for the last few minutes were more exhausting than the hours of traveling, and he desired a place in which he could relax. The streets had a few people in them, mostly baggers, who probably could've helped him, but Rain wasn't used to seek the help of others, even in such a trivial thing. He preferred seeking it alone, even if it would take longer.

In one of the streets, he had come across a figure that seemed to be out of place with the other low-life inhabitants. A further inspection revealed that it was a female, approximately his age. Rain could hear her cursing under her breath, however he didn't get the exact words. She threw a piece of paper at her feet and stomped it before moving ahead, playing with a throwing knife between her fingers, much like Rain's own habit. This has intrigued him.

"That should go in the trash, you know" He said with a slender smirk, which couldn't be seen under his hood, his arms crossed on his chest. "This place is already filthy, with all of those worthless humans, you shouldn't make it worse".

[rikelusdeverell]

The azure haired man raised a hand thumbing his index and forefinger through his thin haphazardly strewn hair he seemed like he was somewhat affected by her words and he cleared his throat folding his arms across his chest that smug grin sliding across his expressions as he tilted his head diagonally to look at her before he chuckled, “Well you sort of stole my thunder, so I suppose the same goes to you, don’t do anything crazy like I would that includes dying too.” He spoke reassuringly nodding to her, his voice was somewhat stern, and it seemed that his joking mode drifted out the window when she put a crack in that limestone expression of his earlier.

Commodore Deverell glanced towards the Edge of town shutting his eyes for a moment before responding, “I’ll take the exit, and secure the mountain range. May Lady luck smile on you Majidah.”

I never put much thought into what made Genesis tick until i finally picked up a copy of Loveless and read it myself. Who would try to comprehend the misunderstood better than I? Of course it was several years after Zack defeated him in Banora that i ran across a copy. Anyway, i digressed; but i understand a little as to why Genesis read loveless; he didn’t read it because he believed every single line with absolute conviction. He read it because he understood the true beauty of the simple graphic novel. He understood that Soldiers weren’t capable of being loved or having their souls saved. Albeit what is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil, those pearly white gates were forever closed by ShinRa. As he walked towards the gates he blinked rapidly and the white phantom’s voice drifted into his mind yet once again.

“...You aren’t capable of being beloved Commodore..is that what you truly fear??...” the voice chattered in the back of his head over and over again…..

“..you don't want to understand it...”

“...doubt...”
“...anger...”
“...fear..I understand them all my dear boy...”

“...are you afraid?...”

“…Shut up!” Rikelus Deverell spoke out loud seemingly to nothing before he paused for a moment speaking softly murmuring to himself, “We all seek passage through the darkness, and into the light. From the young to old, distant and fading, to age old ideals and a lofty dream handed down to those who take to the steel. For those who fight, we fight for the stillness of a peaceful requiem in which our hopes and dreams are ushered in by an unlikely tomorrow. Mariner of souls; lost Soldier to the abyss, clinging onto life living in a parallel of both worlds I shall deliver to you a river of souls.”

Rikelus lifted his sword from the back of his sheathe and tapped the side of the cold blade against his forehead and as he lowered it he noticed a couple of Deep Ground soldiers looking at him with their rifles shouldered and ready to fire. “I’ll give you a chance to leave, this town deserves a truly peaceful world wouldn’t you agree?” A slight grin shot across Rikelus’s face and the Deep Ground commander shook his head from side to side cocking his machine gun speaking in an almost robotic voice, “People wouldn’t know what to do with themselves in a truly peaceful world.”

Then in the midst of guns pointing at him, and the dark forces closing in like the cloud cover over the lofty mountain town Rikelus Deverell smiled lowering his head, with his eyes almost shut before a soft chuckle escaped his once locked lips, “You’re wrong..”

I find myself wishing,
That there was nothing but the dream,
And the pursuit of the dream;
None other, but passion,
Awakened me from the nightmare,
much like that day, I met you…
I knew that we were fated…
Bound for destinies core..

--------------------------------------------------
It had been exactly one week three days, fourteen hours, and fifty two seconds since then..since...well..that was another story in it's own..

What had happened that day in that lofty cottage town of Nibleheim had certainly made an impact on Commodore Deverell, did people truly not know what to do with themselves had they achieved peace? That was the question that had been haunting him for quite some time now. His crimson red eyes scanned over the rusted tin it was painful and a depressing view of humanity. Why where they pushed to the edge of the mountains from the lush valleys on the other side now only to look over the barren land that once was. Perhaps it was because ShinRa loved it’s sense of power it could gain from watching normal people scrape together and try to keep their lives going, no matter how futile it seemed.

We’ll all die someday, don’t get me wrong, but if this is the beginning to our lives then what lies at the end?. Death is certain isn’t it? We are all created with the realization that we will one day be ‘un-created’. Will God do it? Or will the devil? Perhaps the mockery is that people delight in drawing near the end of their lives just so they can leave this wretched place and feel innocence again. True innocence, where that has been stripped from them because they were born into a world of sin. A world where we not only killed our planet, and everything we loved; but each other as well..perhaps we didn’t deserve peace after all..

"How can you bear to look at it Deverell?" spoke that voice carried by the north easterly wind floating and entering his earlobe.

He continued to look at the town; perhaps to search for an answer, perhaps to avoid justifying himself. He wasn't entirely sure.exactly.. "It's... interesting." he answered lamely, irritation creeping into his soft voice at the interruption of his idle thoughts.

"Interesting? Watching those poor people trying to survive?" a soft dry laugh stiffened his expressions as he barked back at that voice in his head

He snarled defensively. "I've seen worse…but they’re still people right?”

"They’re nothing more than dumb animals not willing to accept evolution’s rightful cause. You Mr. Deverell have something deep down inside of you that is far worse than any monster I could ever create. I’m just waiting for you to unleash it.” That raspy white phantom’s voice drifted over his senses engulfing him in bitterness before he barked back, “You speak of them as though they were dumb animals."

He could almost see the thin rimmed spectacles around his ghostly white pale face adorned with years of wrinkles from looking under a microscope. "Most of them are. Some of them are worse than animals for the acts they do, This is what they deserve."

"Shut up, you apparition, if you keep bothering me I’m going to start charging you rent.” With that being said all he heard left from the voice was a ghostly laugh that left him frowning as he stepped out from behind a shack garbed in a deep brown cloak, with a tattered piece of cloth wrapped around his mouth where only his eyes were visible. Those deep ruby red crimson eyes that seemed to go on forever.

“She’s bad about that you know.” Rikelus Deverell replied to rain as he knelt down picking up the paper and a couple of grains of sand all in one swoop letting the grains fall back to the ground through his fingers.. “Although I could debate with you on that last part. I don’t think that people necessarily in general are worthless, I think some of the decisions that make could be better. Wouldn’t you agree Majidah?” Upon picking up the piece of paper Rikelus Deverell walked towards her and flicked it in a nearby burning trashcan.

[acidgypsy]

So. 'Worthless human', was she? We'll see about that.

Maji spun on her heel to face Rain, bristling with drawn knives carefully handled by the blades between each finger. Her eyes fairly sparked with that in famous mix of ego and challenge; almost as if daring the world to try beating her down.
The grinding of her boots on the ground underfoot caused a faint dust cloud to rise; making an impressive but rather dramatic background to the Alharad's tense silhouette.

"Care to try your luck on one such human, kid?"

However, as she opened her mouth to let loose a second, even more scathing sarcastic verbal retaliation, a second person appeared-- one she spun to face with an equally furious facial expression.
ARGH. She goes out for one freaking minute to get a drink and already the vultures were closing in...

"“Although I could debate with you on that last part. I don’t think that people necessarily in general are worthless, I think some of the decisions that make could be better. Wouldn’t you agree Majidah?”

Oh. She knew that voice too well.
The space between Maji and Rikelus blurred briefly in a sudden blast of sand, grass, and gravel as her powerful strides closed the distance within seconds. Up went her hand, which curled into a fist, and...

Thump.

"Where the @$%*& have you been?! I've been looking for you everywhere!"

It seemed she had changed her mind a millisecond before impact-- instead of punching, she had shifted into an embrace; one that lasted for about two seconds before she hastily let go.
Only after this somewhat surprising greeting had drawn to a close did she allow a somewhat grudging smirk to alight upon her face. He had his moments, she had to admit.

"Typical, Deverell. Always showing up before I have my fun..."

[/size]

[rikelusdeverell]

A smirk trudged across his light cream colored countenance as she swung at him, he canted his head to the side so she’d hit him on his bad side. Or what he proclaimed to be his bad side which was his right side because it felt alien. That’s part of being left handed everything felt backwards it seemed. He blinked softly opening his eyes when she embraced him a sigh of relief escaped his lips as her face brushed past his ruffling his guise and letting strands of brightly colored azure hair seep out and cascade across her soft skin. “If I were to let you have your fun, what earth would be left for me to protect Eh?”

“I thought you might be here, if anywhere. I lost you in the swarm of Soldiers that Genesis brought. I thought you might’ve headed this direction so I headed southward through Mt. Nibel after we were separated and had a chance to investigate the reactor.” He paused for a second seemingly biting his lip for a moment before he continued, “I didn’t find any specific disturbances; but when I find myself alone I think too much so it’s good to see you.”

If I find myself alone with too much time to think, sometimes I wonder about anything and everything from AVALANCHE and what their crazy motives could possibly be to the hundreds of people living in the broken down city that once was Mideel. Everyone lives out of necessity but some fight for a cause. If a person finds a cause they believe in it’s more powerful than any sword you can swing, and they will go to the lengths that you’d never thought was possible. Sometimes I think Miss Alharad may be my cause.

From time to time, though, I would find myself thinking that, if so many people believed in anything so strongly maybe it so strongly, then maybe there was something to it. As far as I could tell, In Corel there weren’t any wanted posters or anyone who recognized me, although I did make a note of a peculiar man in the area not native to this continent by his accent. “Covered in dinge and dust in North Corel..what a way to spend a Friday night Eh?” Commodore Deverell cocked his head sideways glancing at her quizzically with one of his funny expressions he often presented, truthfully he had a tendency not to know the date when out of the office and it just happened to be Saturday.

[acidgypsy]

Maji, blissfully unaware of this gross error in timing, simply nodded her head in that little way of hers and tapped his nosetip with her gloved forefinger; one sharp canine peeking out from her lips in an angled grin. A few wilder strands of her reddish bangs escaped from under her fedora as she tilted her head slightly to the side; impishly poking poor Rikelus' nose to accentuate her sentence.

"Suppose we remedy that situation by going to the bar...?"

Allowing that slim finger to wander along his jawline, she continued her train of thought with a roguish wink of one emerald eye. No doubt these last few weeks of holding her own against her rival mercs had matured her somewhat for better or for worse. But of course she still intended to be as obnoxious and immature as possible. That was just the way she was.

Heh heh. Poor Mr. Deverell.

"I bet I can down more rounds than you can. Want to test that theory?"

Oh she could probably beat his butt no problem (Or so she constantly told herself)... but still. it would be worth her while to sate her curiosity as to what he might be like when drunk. The singing type, perhaps? As long as it wasn't "angry drunk" like herself, then a drinking game or two wouldn't hurt. As in literally-- Maji had a bad track record of breaking things while heavily intoxicated.
So, tossing her head to get her hair out of her eyes, that same silly grin on her face, she fixed Rikelus with a "I Dare You" expression.

How would this turn out?

[/size]

[rikelusdeverell]

“The sky’s too bleak today, and we are on the run. Bumping elbows and trading drinks wouldn’t be a bad idea.” His crimson red eyes tore themselves from her and shifted towards a well fortified shack about forty yards away placed on top of a hill. A neon light flickered on outside of the halfway-house and Rikelus squirmed his arm out of his pocket and hooked it around hers heading towards that destination taking one last glance at Rain before he shut his mouth exhaling through his nose. “In my hay-day, we practically lived at establishments such as these.”

He shot her a bit of dry sarcasm his lip curling slightly as they made their way up the rocky chaotically strewn path. Potholes, footprints, and tracks littered the path, and he avoided them, walking up and putting the palm of his hand on the door pushing it open. The oak was smooth; but covered in moisture although it felt as if it held a bastion of warmth. Upon entering the tavern, a girl and boy run out past them holding hands running throughout the streets, a dish breaks. A leaky faucet drips, someone shouts, someone laughs, someone throws down a shot. A fly buzzes past him, and he grins, before muttering, “Just like home.” He noticed cheery oak, wodden tables, a piano cluttered in liquor bottles with a man playing along with various people finishing off bits and pieces of sandwiches.

Rikelus Deverell’s grip around her eased as they neared two bar stools and he let her have the first choice and took the other, the bartender leaned forward with his head drooping and his eyes nervously eyeing them, he carefully washed a glass under a hissing steam of hot water which was fogging up his thin golden rimmed spectacles. Before the bartender could reply Rikelus Deverell spoke, “Four shots of Brown Ice.”

The bartender’s face grinned revealing twin dimples and a face full of more wrinkles than stories no doubt. The old man pulled up four tall shot glasses from behind the counter and cracked open a simple brown cylindrical bottle marked ERA 20 and poured four shots over one cube of ice. His moth shifted to a faint fragile smile as he lifted the shot to his mouth drinking it, feeling a slight tingle creep up his back. The brown liquid splattered over his mouth like mud, thick and fulfilling.

[acidgypsy]

Her posture grew somewhat stiff and uneasy during their walk up the street; despite her line of work she had only rarely come in close physical contact with the opposite gender. And even then that contact was usually viciously rebuked with a kick in the pants that would make the toughest war dog wince in sympathy.
However, she grew used to it after the first few near-faceplants and was relaxed by the time the tavern door was pushed open.

Her first taste of this new drink was tentative-- a sip at most to sample the potency. She liked to gauge her odds beforehand and offset the often too real possibility of faking sober to win a round.

"Not bad."

Maji remarked, running the tip of her tongue over her lips.

"Reminds me of the stuff an old friend and I 'confisticated' from a bunch of moonshiners. Of course we got sick after, but that's not the point."

Her chair creaked as it was leaned backwards on it's rear legs, teetering precariously back and forth and yet somehow always keeping perfect balance even when Maji threw an arm over the back of the chair and let it dangle there. Her fingers slowly clenched and relaxed as she surveyed the inside of the building over the shot glass pressed to her bottom lip.
After a slight hesitation, she upended the drink and set it down on the table between her and Rikelus with a dull 'thud'.

Again the creak of straining chair legs sounded as it was again settled on all four points, Maji's weight shifting a bit further forwards as she leaned her elbows on the aged table surface and pressed her fingers together in a steeple before her face.

"Concerning the bounty... things are getting much worse. I've had to deal with several attacks the past few days alone. And they're getting sneakier."

Her voice fairly dripped with contempt as a tightly curled fist hit the table with a smart rapping noise loud enough to make more than a few patrons look over curiously.

"I have no idea who I've pissed off-- but at this point it isn't important. I'm more worried about if they decide to go after you. It's only a matter of time before they figure out we're working together."

Ouch. That was a certain deathblow to her pride right there.

You could almost see the tiny wince at this admission; followed by a stubborn shifting of the shoulders. Neutrality be damned! He had been kind to her when others hadn't. Rikelus, at least, was safe to talk to in this manner.

Pausing to run her palm over her face, she exhaled slowly.

"Look. I know you can handle yourself. But I'm getting the living daylights scared out of me. I can't walk a straight line down a street anymore without flinching at everything. Nor can I sleep. I'm not even sure I can hold up my share of the mission.
Are you sure you still want to work with me in this state? I could get us both killed."

[/size]

[Deleted]

(OOC- A lot has happened while I was gone ><)

Apparently the girl his failed to understand him for he wasn't referring to her in his words. Of course, suppose she was one of those so-called worthless humans, Rain wouldn't have bothered to talk to her at all. He just stood there and did nothing as she faced him with her knives drawn, and he kept on doing the same thing while she and a guy who later arrived at the scene were walking away. He couldn't care less about them or about anything else, his feelings died a while back, alongside his beloved sister…

A few seconds later, Rain had found himself kneeling down, as his thoughts and memories took a hold over him, trying to push him past that last step towards insanity. It has taken almost all of his willpower to stand up again, as he struggled against the haunting past. Then, as quickly as it started, it was all over. The odd couple was only a few steps away than before, their voice can still be heard. Even though it seemed to have last for forever, it appeared that Rain was out for merely a few seconds.

"Suppose we remedy that situation by going to the bar...?"

Upon hearing that, Rain's spirit had risen. They had their use after all. They both were unaware of his presence, as he followed them towards his destination, the bar. Hopefully there, he would be able to relax and drown his sorrow.

Rain entered the place a few minutes after they did, and by the time he got in, they were already chugging their order. He had no intention to communicate with them, since he already got what he wanted, as he slowly made his way towards an empty table.

It seemed that fate wasn't fond of this idea, and Rain had overheard their conversation- a mission, a bounty and a few other things. Could these two possibly be mercenaries? Damn his curiosity, but he wasn't able to let that one slip, as he carefully approached them from behind.

"You may want to keep it down, you may not know who's listening", he said as he lowered his hood, and revealed a pair of gray eyes, a pale skin and a faded grin. Rain took a seat next to the man, whose name he didn't know, and suspended his look over the drink that was next to him. "Apparently we had a slight misunderstanding a few minutes ago, my lady" He continued, his gaze now on the girl, "I wasn't categorizing you with the worthless mob, exactly the opposite". After a short pause, he introduced himself. "I'm Rain, and I must say that you two succeeded in ceasing my curiosity. Don't fail to understand me again- I'm not your foe… Yet. And I'd like it if you keep it that way, for I am in no mood for unneeded swords slashes. Actually, I may even be of help".

[rikelusdeverell]

Rikelus Deverell just displayed that smug smile on his face when he noticed that they had peaked the man’s curiosity, Rikelus lifted up the shot glass in the air speaking rather dryly, “Commodore Rikelus Deverell Director of the Soldier program.” He lifted the liquor to his mouth and let the thick aqueous liquid slid down the back of his throat while he munched on the ice cube glancing over at the man quizzically quirking an eyebrow, “I respect the fact that you seek no quarrel; but even us having casual conversation may set you up as a target comrade we are in desperate times.”

His lightly glowing rune covered hand snaked up from the stained dilapidated-bartop and removed the scarf of thin material he had wrapped around him shaking his shoulder length brightly colored azure hair revealing a rather soft countenance in comparison to his gruff and dry attitudes he had displayed earlier. His eyebrows furrowed slightly and a crunching sound was heard as he chomped the ice into nothingness and awaited the Majidah to order the set of drinks this time. She didn’t know who she was messing with.

“You say you may be of some help, in what way?” Rikelus Deverell’s voice floated loftily across the talkative bar towards Rain, in-fact he was curious how this man hoped to achieve such a goal. He looked as though he may be handy with a sword or perhaps know some intell but looks were deceiving. The main question was if he did, what was he doing in Corel? And what was he doing bumping into them by chance. If fortune was the arbiter of half our actions this seemed awful coincidental. His crimson red eyes glanced over at Maji nodding affirmatively at her as if everything was going to be all right despite the way the odds seemed stacked against them. He made one of those funny expressions of his to her as if wondering what she actually thought about the situation; although, he was pretty sure he’d hear about it in a minute.

[acidgypsy]

Maji gave a violent twitch the second Rain entered the conversation; only with great difficulty prying loose her fingers from the hilt of a skinning knife sheathed at her hip. Apparently the calming effects of the alcohol hadn't yet taken effect... she was still jumpy like nobody's business.
However, that didn't stop her smoothly throwing back her second shot with practised ease before speaking her turn-- carefully enunciated around the ice melting on her tongue. Unlike Rikelus, she happened to value the state of her teeth and refrained from chewing on the cube.

"I highly doubt a bigger group would go unnoticed by the Offices in Edge. But on the other hand there is safety in numbers."

Pausing to consider Rain with frank curiosity, she added wryly,

"That is, of course, assuming buddy boy here can pull his weight. It ain't going to be a walk in the park."

The crowded atmosphere set Majidah a bit on edge; despite the relative friendliness of the barkeeper, servers, and patrons, she had an uneasy feeling they were being watched. But of course she could simply be overly paranoid as usual... best to settle down and keep an eye out for anything suspicious.
And so, keeping a rather placid expression on her face, she politely ordered another round of drinks under her breath the moment a server went by.

"A round of Flaming Russians, please. Easy on the rum."

What could be more fun than shots that were lit on fire? Admittedly, Maji had a bit of a thing for flair shots...

Scooping her hat off her head with a fluid motion of one hand, she wiped a fleck of dust off the brim and hung it of the back of her chair. It was unusual for her to remove her hat... a definate sign she was buckling down for a good drinking bout.
She shook out her hat hair with a good combing with the fingers, and winked at Rikelus while tucking her bangs behind an ear.

"You're going down, Deverell. Prepare for the butt-kicking of your drinking life."

[/size]

[Deleted]

Rain looked silently at Majidah as she gulped down her drink. Suddenly he wasn't in the mood for one, he considered the current situation interesting and needed no reason to blur his mind with alcohol. "A drink contest, huh?" He said after a few moments of silence with a raised eyebrow, "My money's on the lady. Not many women can drink, but those who can do it well".

Covering a yawn with the back of his hand, he looked around the place, for no reason. A trace of disgust appeared on his face due to the fact that the room was packed with many low-lives, most of which probably don't deserve to live. His eyes finally rested on crow that was standing on the edge of the window in the far side of the room. "Please, don't insult me, my lady. If I want to remain unseen, so will be". His eyes kept following the black bird. Aren't birds supposed to be afraid of humans..? Perhaps even the crow understood that its value was higher than most of those who are inside.

Suddenly, Rain turned to look at the other end of the room. A certain cry grabbed his attention, the source of which was a young girl, who worked as a waiter in the bar, and was shoved down by a costumer. It was a middle-aged man, drunk, of course, who now laughed at her misfortune. Rain's eyes filled with rage as scenes from his memory flashed through his mind. The man's hand had risen in order to strike the girl again, but was never brought down. Instead, a roar of pain was heard, as one of Rain's knives was now deep in the hand of the attacker. A quick scan of the room revealed that no one spotted that it was Rain who threw it.

Sighing, Rain turned to look at Rikelus again, as if nothing happened. "I guess that depends on the kind of help that you seek", he replied to the question that was asked a while back as if he had just heard it. "If another hand in battle is your wish", with a sigh he took out another one of his knives and blindly threw it across the room. The cry of the bird confirmed his precision. "If it is help of survival, then you should know that on a regular day, that is what I call breakfast", he added with a grin as he pointed towards the window on which the crow stood a few seconds ago. "As for my motives… Well, you can just say that I'm bored. I've been traveling aimlessly from one place to another for years. An objective would be a pleasant change".

[rikelusdeverell]

“I see,” Rikelus Deverell’s crimson eyes slid shut and he lifted the glass to his mouth letting the liquid sear down his throat and roll around inside his stomach it reminded him of bandersnatch blood mixed with the one fifty one. He clicked his tongue on the top of his throat letting his eyes slide open and watching the man drop. The commodore chuckled slightly grinning holding his tongue for the time being. “Formidable with weapons you may be; but, if you lack the understanding of the preciousness of life, you lack purpose..Therefore I must decline your request at this time sir.”

The azure haired man lifted a finger to push strands of deep sea blue hair from his vivid crimson red eyes a look of calm determination spreading across his face, “We fight valiantly to try and prevent those people who would take life away from others from doing so much damage. I was like you once upon a time believe it or not. My soul burned with revenge and bitterness, I can see it your eyes. Then I decided then that I wanted to do something to help the world, to ensure that people like that people are stopped and lives are saved instead of taken away in vain. I didn’t want to change the way that prosecution was done per say; but, I wanted to change the world.”

Silence lay heavily after Rikelus dropped his few choice words, indeed the crowds seemingly flocked in at night in North Corel. Three seated figures looked at one another, each passing a bewildered expression along to the next. Rikelus leaned forward to the bartender speaking before looking over to Maji with a smug grin on his face ordering a specialty shot, “Finishing touches.” The Bartender nodded and began to mix a concoction that he hadn’t in quite a while.

IT was so infrequently ordered he had to pull out an old stationery book and go through it before finding the proper ingredients and adding it to a bit of Behemoth’s blood. Behemoth’s blood was very sweet tasting thick nectar when refined with the proper machinery. It just so happened that Corel was famous for importing such rare commodities. It’s common bar name was “The-One & Done” because most often after one shot the patron was down for the count. A secretive smirk slid across his expressions as a slight chuckle escaped his lips as the bartender prepared the specialty and slid it across the stained top.

Deep crimson blood stained eyes watched the shot glasses, with whipped cream and a sole cherry on-top zig-zag around a set of bottles and slid across a slippery spot before it finally came to a halt within inches of his rune covered hand.

“Is there something wrong sir?” The bartender spoke leaning forward polishing a glass watching as the first class soldier examined the shot glass lifting it up into the air. “Nothing, and everything.” He replied letting a wry chuckle escape his quizzical features, “Its just the stars are really out tonight, that’s all.”