No Man's Land (Private)

[WolfumsTheGreat]

Yes, this rp is private and I'd like if you respect that. The only people that can post here are:
WolfumsTheGreat
Muffinsquire

Thank you all,
have a nice day

[WolfumsTheGreat]

In the year 4053, No Man's Land is a bustling city by the sea. Years of hard erosion on the Earth has transformed it like never before. The sea has actually grown smaller and the deepest parts are only about five feet. The city itself is barren, but the rolling hills and rocky mountains that are a little ways off are covered with vegetation and life. No Man's Land is actually used as a seaport, running trains over the water with the new hydro technology. Technology is everything to the city because it is so useless otherwise. But, even after so many years of advanced technology, some of the city-dwellers still prefer to do things the old fashioned way, such as open a bakery with a wood-burning oven, make and dye clothing in the giant dye vats underground, or create furniture by hand from the large, gnarled trees that come from the hillside.

Even with such a long age of understanding, No Man's Land is still on the brink of war with the neighboring country across the sea, Chillian. Allies are flooding into the city to help as reinforcements, to fight Chillian and this brings good business to the city in such a low economic time. Chillian is a much larger, lush city than No Man's Land, but No Man's Land still stand a chance.

[WolfumsTheGreat]

No Man's Land is mainly a seaport with part of the river to the sea running through the city. There isn't any vegetation inside the city, but a lot of different life forms exist. Mostly the basic humans still run the place, but from other lands, different 'species' of humans have come searching for a new home. The city is diverse and houses many different types of beings.

[WolfumsTheGreat]

Seraphim was a tall girl with long, slender limbs and nimble fingers that were stained a shade of grey at the tips. She had Dark blue eyes and some of the blackest hair in all of No Man's Land. In today's world, most people had brown hair because of so much genetic inter-breeding that went on. But Sera's parents both had ebony hair, so she was lucky to end up with it as well. Her hair had been cut short to a cute bob whenever she had accidentally gotten it caught one time at work. Ever since then, she kept it at that length.
Her little sister, or who she claims at her little is Lizzie. Lizzie, like most of the people who work underground at the dye vats was orphaned. The orphans taken off the streets are some of the best workers and are mostly known as gypsies to the people above ground. The term gypsies came from the old name of the people that went from town to town entertaining for money. But the people looked so freakish that no one really wanted anything to do with them. Because the dye workers are cast out orphans, they were rebellious and wanted to be different from the world above. They took the dye and then cut pictures and symbols in their skin, soon letting the dye seep into the cuts. One of the pay-offs of being a gypsy though was that you could have whatever type of clothing you wanted with any color combination you could come up with.
Sera and Lizzie were two of the gypsies, only Sera lived in a small place above the ground with Lizzie. Lizzie was a small girl about eight or nine, for she didn't know her true age. She had brown hair like most of the world with dark brown eyes that appeared black whenever Lizzie was in a foul mood. Lizzie's long hair was normally kept back in a bandana to keep her from the same accident that her older sister had gotten into. Lizzie though, had gotten into the tattooing one night whenever Sera wasn't there to keep her away. In the end, Lizzie got three circles that in a sphere-half shape under her eye, extending from the corner. Sera didn't approve of this, but afterwards, there was nothing she could do about it.

"It's so hot," Lizzie complained while they walked on down the street. "Why do we have to be up here again?"
Sera shook her head with a smirk crossing her lips.
"I figure you'd be used to hot by now," she replied to her. "And I told you that we're out of food at home. I didn't want you staying by yourself with the reinforcement soldiers coming in today. Who knows, they might pillage through people's homes for a place to stay," Sera snorted at the thought. "What are you in the mood to eat anyway?" she asked.
"Mmm... Doughbread and Melphis!" Lizzie remarked happily with a large smile on her face.
"Ick, I seriously don't know how you can eat those Melphis," Sera wrinkled her nose. "They're so slimy..."
"That's what makes them good," Lizzie smiled.

[Muffinsquire]

Danny Dunlap strolled down the road, bag thrown over his shoulder with his robotic dog Brigit and another young man named Bowen who claimed he was the greatest scientist in the world. Danny lived outside of the city, in the lush country land on a large plantation where crops were grown for city dweller use. He was about average height, average appearance, and perhaps a little below average smarts. There was really nothing about him that most anyone would consider special. His eyes were dark, his body tanned and hair bleached from working outside so much. The only thing relatively attractive about him might have been his toned body from work and the pleasant expression he always had on his face, but otherwise he was rather plain. But if there was one thing Danny had it was good manners, something his Momma had always taught him, that the Gods made everyone, and so everyone was equal and 'Nobody should be treated any different from the next person.' Which was why he had kindly picked up a partner during his journey.
Now normally Danny only made a visit to the city four times a year, once at the end of each season to sell their crop, but today the reasons for his escapade were completely different. Actually he was quite sure he might not return home for a long while...if he even returned home at all. There was talk of war going around, even around the country lands and he believed his responsibility as the eldest child of four little brothers and two younger sisters, with no Daddy to fend for them, to fight in this war and see that it was won so his younger syblings might have a better future. Perhaps this hadn't been the smartest decision he had ever made, but once Danny had made up his mind, then he normally didn't go back on his work. He was very stubborn. In fact, he had only decided this just a day or so ago, then finished up a few things on the farm, packed his bag and started off before the sun rose. Of course there was quite a fuss from his Momma. He was still young, only just turned twenty.
On the way his pet and long time friend Brigit had shown up. He had sworn he'd locked her up so she wouldn't follow but she came trouncing up by his side before the day was up. After camping that night and waking the next morning, he had woken to discover a new face sleeping around the smoldering ashes of the fire he had made the night before. Bowen was his name, a smart-looking fellow in all the good ways, eccentric and positive that his inventions would win the war for their country. And so all three of them traveled together, making quite a band of each other.

[WolfumsTheGreat]

It wasn't long before Sera had the things she needed, but she had quite a number of bags. Showing a little leg and flirting with her hair, she soon had a few of the local boys to help her carry them to her home.
Sera more or less used men more than thought of them as any real use. They were there for times of need and that was all that was necessary of them. Perhaps this was one reason why lately, there hadn't been that many boys born and the number of males was dwindling. Sera wasn't sure, but she knew it wasn't good. Everyday new cases popped up in the news on the large screens across the city that talked about another case where the husband was off sleeping with two other women. There were so many women to go around that the men were having a field day.
For this reason, Sera thought them all pigs and didn't want much to do with one relationship-wise.

At the house, Lizzie was tailing by her side.
"What did you get at the last vendor?" the girl asked frantically. "I didn't get to see!"
"You'll see at dessert tonight," Sera assured her. Lizzie just scowled and folded her arms across one another. As Lizzie went down to get one of the last bags, Sera was left up in her home with the three men. A little flirting along with a later promise sent them all away without anyone harmed. A few times Sera hadn't been so lucky, but today she had not been given a choice since she needed so many things.
Money was starting to get tight with the war, so Sera wanted to stock up on things before the prices sky-rocketed.
"Sera," Lizzie remarked as the men left and she brought up the last bag. "Why do you make friends with all the men?" Lizzie asked as she peered up at Sera. Sera was unloading most of the bags.
"I'll tell you when you're older," Sera remarked, then she noticed something and sighed.
"I left a bag back at the market. Lizzie, can you put the things away and I'll be right back. Don't open the door for anyone without our secret password, okay?"
Lizzie nodded and soon Sera was heading back out.

[Muffinsquire]

"Goodness, it's dreadfully hot," Bowen scowled, taking out a handkerchief and wiping his damp forehead.
"It ain't so bad," Danny replied with a shrug. As he did so he shifted the weight of his pack from one shoulder to the other. "The hot season is just gettin' over with, actually. 'Sides, I'm sure if you didn't wear such thick clothin' then you might not be so hot."
"What would I do with them," Bowen snapped. "I don't want to carry them. I have too much to carry already. Are we very near the city yet?"
"Surely," Danny replied with a smile and nod. "It's right over this hill yonder."
"Oh finally. I've been traveling for days!"
Bowen had actually come from the next city farther inland. He had started off with a form of transportation besides walking, but then had been ambushed by bandits and had lost a good bit of his technological merchandise. If he hadn't found Danny the night before and nipped that last bit of meat that had been sitting in the skillet after the owner fell to sleep, Bowen was quite sure he wouldn't have survived.
Another fifteen minutes passed and they were into the city, or at least the outskirts, where most of the outside marketing was done. Honestly this was the only part of the city that Danny was familar with. He had never been any farther inside except maybe once or twice.
"I hope you know where you're goin'," he said to Bowen. "I've never been very far inta the city much. Or maybe we can find someone nice to give us directions."
"Why ask for directions," Bowen inquired. "Just head for the center and that's where most of the important events are bound to be happening!"
Bowen shrugged as he looked around at the familar towering buildings of the suburbs. A lot of the buildings reminded him of his old tinkertoys really, the ones he used to build very rickety multi-colored towers with, which balanced on one enough by just a breath of wait. It seemed as if one small gust of wind might send them tumbling one way or the other, yet they remained steadfast.

[WolfumsTheGreat]

While Lizzie stayed inside, Sera went out making her way back through the winding streets. Her skirt flapped in the breeze as she tried to hurry, for she was trying to be quick, not wanting anyone to have picked up her purchase.
Sera bit her bottom lip in a worried fashion, but as she went, she suddenly ran into someone. She was knocked back onto her back in the dirty street and looked up at who she had bumped into.
The beast scowled and Sera could tell that he wasn't from Earth. New forms of life had started to pop up and investigate Earth on their own time, but Sera didn't care for them much. She couldn't understand their language and most of the time they carried a bad attitude with them that she didn't care for.

He said something in an odd clicking language that she didn't understand and then woddled his wrinkled self away. Sera pulled herself up and dusted off her clothes. She scowled after the creature, unbelieving that he had actually just done that.
She muttered under her breath at him, knowing better than to voice it, for normally they had exceptional hearing and any back-talk from someone sent the alien in a fury.
Sera looked around for her bag, for it had been on her shoulder, but now she didn't see it. Had that alien taken it?
Sera looked about, but didn't see him. For an awkward creature he sure could move. But he apparently had moved away with her bag!

[Muffinsquire]

As they wandered through the streets that were only slightly familar to them both, Danny began looking around for any kind of sign that might lead them to the office that they were supposed to register at.
"I do believe the military office is towards the center of the city," Bowen mused. "I've only been here a couple of times. But do keep your guard up and your valuables close. Lots of pick-pockets around these sorts of places."
Danny nodded, not having thought about it. Brigit, his shaggy collie with a robotic leg kept close, wary of the new sights and sounds. Also she didn't want to get lost in the thickening crowds of people moving as they moved farther inward. Danny was always shocked by the different sorts of people he saw in the city, although they were probably just as surprised to see him. While Bowen appeared to be a normal human, Danny was what most called merely humanoid although he and his ancestors were native to this planet. They had changed gradually over the years, due to their dwelling in the harsh soil and son. Danny's skin was dark, to protect from the sun and it was also very thick, almost scaly. His kind of people were typically known as Rawhides. His hair was long and course, bleached from the sun around the ends, but dark at the roots, trying to stay true to its natural color, and his ears were pointed due to improved hearing over the many years. All of his family and friends looked this way and Rawhides were common in the country, but rare in the city.
From this point, he followed Bowen's lead, hoping his new friend could navigate the crowded streets better than he could.

[WolfumsTheGreat]

Right when Sera was about to take off after the beast, she was stopped by a small old woman who offered her the bag.
"Did you drop this dearie?" the little lady asked. Sera's anger and frustration suddenly dwindled to shame and relief.
"Yes, thank you very much," she said with a small breath while she took her bag back and placed it over her shoulder.
"You should be more careful with your things," the lady warned. Sera nodded her head, understanding, but felt slightly irresponsible in the sense that she was also going to try and find the bag she had left at the market.
She scurried on past the little old lady and made it just in time to see the vendor she had purchased the bag from packing up to leave.
"Thought you might come back," the man grinned as he extended the bag to her.
"Yes, thank you," Sera said as she reached out to take the bag.
The vendor snatched it back toward him and eyed Sera a moment.
"But if you really want it back, then you'll do me a little favor," the man remarked, letting his free hand move his apron a little bit as if he were getting warm.
Sera scowled.
"Depends on the favor," she told him.
"Depends on the size of your mouth," the vendor answered. With that, Sera snorted and turned about. If he was going to be that crude, then he could keep the nasty old wares anyway, Sera didn't want them back. She could find something just as good that wasn't dirtied by such an ugly man's hands.

[Muffinsquire]

Danny may not have been smart but he was observant, and as they passed the many vendors near the outskirts of the city, he noticed how dishonest some of them seemed to be. He watched as one burtish vendor snatched a bag away from a young woman that she seemed to have purchased herself.
"That was rude of him," he muttered, glaring at the man.
Bowen turned his head casually to see what he was talking about. He was a little confused at first before he was abe to assess the situation on what was going on.
"The girl probably left her bag at the vendor," Bowen shrugged. "That's her own fault."
"Some people can't help forgettin' sometimes," Danny argued. "No one's perfect, you know."
He thought about going to help the young lady reclaim her bag, but finally decided against it, supposing it wasn't his place to get involved in a conflict that wasn't his. He didn't go with out passing the vendor another look as they continued on their way, then glancing at the young woman as she stormed off. Such was the way of the city, he supposed and now he was very quickly becoming homesick for people much more hospitable than the ones here.
Meanwhile, Bowen continued to speculate the streets, landmarks and signs in his search for the military office.

[WolfumsTheGreat]

Sera made her way back through the winding streets and then up the many many stairs that led to her home at the top of a shanty pile of homes and apartments that overlooked the river.
By the time she finally made it to the door, Lizzie had already gone to bed. Sera took a deep breath as she ran a hand through her short ebony hair. It seemed that Lizzie had made herself supper and this made Sera feel rather useless. She had been keeping Lizzie for the past two years. The first year they seemed to have bonded so well together, but now... it almost felt as if Lizzie wanted little to do with her. Lizzie enjoyed being with the others and had learned of their carefree nature that differed from Sera's.

Sera stood in Lizzie's doorway for a moment, the warm sun wavering through the open window to bath Lizzie's skin. They only got about three hours of darkness now because of the positioning of the sun and their place on the planet. So everyone went to sleep in light and then woke up in the new light.
Sera sighed, feeling like a worthless mother that didn't know what to do for her child. Perhaps Lizzie did like the other's company, but Sera wanted to keep her safe and have her grow up correctly, not manipulated and led astray by the gypsies. Sera was only a gypsy because it was the only form of work that she could find since that's what her father had enrolled her in before he left.
Sera felt over-whelmed and it wasn't long until she was in the kitchen eating a bowl of black Cartel by herself in the light. She didn't feel like staying in, but felt guilty for leaving Lizzie alone so much already, although the girl would only continue to sleep.

[Muffinsquire]

Eventually the young woman disappeared and Danny returned his attention to their quest. They had quite a time with it, not at all sure of where they were going or where they might end up. Bowen refused to stop and ask for directions and finally Danny stopped and bought a map, despite his companion's protests to see where they might be going.
"It says here that the military office is about..." he studied the map a moment, knowing how to read, but very little and it took him a moment. Education had been important by his mother standards, but it still hadn't been his top priority. "A mile from where we are. That's a little stretch of walk, but it ain't bad." He rolled up the map and stuck it in his back trouser pocked and tightened the straps on his pack so that it was secure on his shoulders. He had turned it around backwards so no pickpockets could easily acess any of the compartments on the front.
"I knew that," Bowen sneered lightly, pushing up the glasses on the edge of his nose.
Bowen was all around smart, in good and bad ways. He had a stylish way of dress, even though his clothes were dirtied and tattered from a rough trip. His long hair was pulled back into a neat pony-tail as opposed to Danny just sloppily putting his back for conveniance. He was an interesting character, not quite one that Danny had ever met before, which made the journey all the more interesting.

[WolfumsTheGreat]

Sera stayed inside for a good while, every now and then going over to Lizzie's room just to watch the girl sleep. If Lizzie would be happier staying with someone else, then maybe Sera should let her pick instead of making her stay with her. She had never given Lizzie a choice and the girl was old enough to make her own decisions.
Whenever it was about an hour from the dark time, Sera went back out, knowing that only the professional vendors would be open this late. Maybe with that notion, she would get what she had already purchased, but had yet to receive from someone else.
It didn't take her long to reach the market since the busy time of the day had ended. The little vendors that were left were all selling different things and were older people that lived their life off their vendings and knew their importance. Sera approached one and bought the things she needed, then approached another.
"Can I get this in a ginger coating?" she asked the older fellow with the hunched back and one eye that ran the place.
"Of course," his weary voice stated as he turned back around and fetched something to her liking. Sera sniffed the root he had given her.
"I like this one," she told her. "May I have it and a slightly larger one?"
The man was happy that Sera approved, so he turned around and began to rummage for a larger one out of his stash.

[Muffinsquire]

Darkness was falling and although it didn't last very long, it was never smart to be out in the busiest part of the city in the dark. Danny stood in front of one of the nicer looking buildings, although they were all rather dingy, staring at the dark door. Bowen groaned loudly out of frustration as he read a sign on the door.
"Closed," he spat. "How could they be closed right now?"
"Everyone has to close at some point," Danny replied with a shrug. "It is getting dark. They might'a closed a couple'o hours ago." He looked around, wondering if maybe any of the people walking by them might come and open it up, but everyone just passed without a second thought, some throwing him strange looks, but he didn't let it bother him. He was a strange sight to see for city dwellers, especially out of season with the crop selling. "Does it have any hours posted? Maybe they'll open back up in a little while."
Bowen sighed.
"They will. I'm just growing impatient. I've been travelling so long!"
"Don't worry about it, friend," Danny insisted. "Let's just find a nice place to stay and rest up, get ourselve a good meal while we're waiting. We can rejuvenate ourselves so we'll be prim n' proper for the milit'ry officers when they open."
He turned and removed his map from his back pocket to mark the military office so he wouldn't forget where it was. Then he replaced in it and began looking around for a good inn in which to lodge and fill their bellies.