Welcome to Gaia! ::

Sometimes the oddest of meetings can be the most welcoming. Something so unexpected but it feels so right. The tension and anger that has built up drifts away in such an event as this. It just feels so right…

Shadi started running at full speed, managing a couple laughs in the process. He had gotten out. That stupid household was so consuming that sometimes it was hard enough just to breathe. At this point, the child did not mind that there was a war, or that his father would indeed punish him for his little excursion from the house.

Like everything was perfect, the male turned into some bushes and pushed past them as he was heading to ‘his’ spot. A place that he only knew about, which was good for when he wanted to run away. Pushing past trees and narrow paths, the cub finally caught glimpse of the water surrounded by the greenery of the area. There were many ways to get here, and yet no one had found it, except for him. Walking to the riverbed the feline sat looking back into the water’s gazing eyes. The anger in him had yet to sift and the weather was still eroding his heart. War did things to people, no doubt but when someone you love, loved, changed into a completely different person -one that the person despised so much- it becomes the hardest thing to live with.

As the hateful memories and thoughts crept into his mind, and clear liquid crept out of his eyes. Before anyone, he wiped the tears from his eyes. “Children do not understand anything of their parent’s wishes” He recalled his father saying. It was not that at all, it was a question of is it worth it.

The stress was building up and something that Shadi did to help ease anything was sing. As if it was a gift from the heavens above his voice was a captivating and beautiful. Licking his lips before he began, the kid sat straight up.

“Free the lover’s,
Whose pain is to be apart,
Give them the satisfaction,
For being smart,

Their blood is a rose,
Meaning no more than love,
Nothing in this world can pose a threat,
That will keep these lovers from their love,

If their pain is increased,
It will soon be plundered,
Nothing will cease,
And all that will happen is wondered,
By this Romeo and Juliet couple,

The world is their boat,
And their love the water,
And not matter how we try, they stay afloat,
Their love is immensurable,
It is what they choose to hold.”

The words seemed to fall from his lips as if they were natural. The kid was interested in passion, so in turn he sang about it. Then from the background, there was clapping. The lion cub jumped around, ready to pounce, to see a girl about his age.

“That was beautiful.” The girl said with a smile. Her voice was like the wind that went through fields of flowers. Not to mention Shadi could not keep his eyes off her. “I am Leto, who are you?” The lioness cub questioned swaying her tail back and forth.

“Shadi, I am Shadi. It is a pleasure.” He said with his upraising at hand.

“Well Shadi, do you want to play a game? I do not want to go home for a while, and well we can kill some time.” The female asked, stealing the words right off the male’s tongue.

“Well, for you I will, but it is an honor.” The lion cub remarked a little high and mighty. With him saying that, Leto pounced on him, and they landed in the water. Then it was a struggle while playing to keep each other on the ground. In the end there was no winner, the soaking cubs sat at the water’s edge, and they were lapping up water and shaking their fur coat dry.

“I still don’t want to go home yet…” Shadi remarked to the girl whom he had just met.

“Neither do I.” Leto agreed.

That day consisted of stalking grasshoppers, pouncing on each other, and other various activities. After they had gotten a tad bit tired, Shadi started to sing, this time about friends, just like his experience today.

Leto smiled and never once took her eyes off the singing boy. When he was done, the girl walked over to him and planted a small kiss on his cheeks, and watched his ears go red. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” The child asked to her new friend as she started to walk away.

“Y-You bet!” The lion remarked back happy then too started to walk back to the dreaded home.

The children met on and off for one year, then the minor war broke records and became such an up-scale and deadly battle. Of the two children were allowed to neither leave their homes nor even think of anything than battle practice. They would hold their families honor.

Nine years later, a memory of a past day crossed Shadi’s mind. He had grown to love Leto and she had said the same. Maybe after this war was over he could find her. However, that was not the problem now. His assembled troops in armor and their razor sharp fangs and claws -even bloodthirsty- were ready to fight.

The tyrants were on the battle lines as well and it was going to get bloody. When the two armies sent death glares at each other, they were ready to fight. Shadi readied himself to attack and when he let out a roar, he and his men did.

It was a horrid sight. Something that he would personally never wanted to do. He just wanted to sing, but no other noblemen such as him would have Okayed it.

The battle lasted four hours and there was nothing less that a massacre. All troops of the other side where gone, and his at least halved. “Let’s go home.” The male replied watching his men leave and staying in his tracks. Giving a sigh and a silent prayer for each of the dead he went to turn around and he saw a female, not one of his warriors, ready to fight. Unleashing a vicious snarl the girl pounced on him and they started a one on one fight. However, sad to say, the winner was Shadi, he was atop looking down at the girl that had tear-covered eyes. But he knew the face from somewhere, and a name popped into his head. “Leto?” He questioned and the girl looked at him.

Crawling out from under him and look at the male the girl cocked her head to the side. “Shadi? Is that you?” The girl asked in curiosity. When she saw his appeased look on his face, the girl gave him a hug. “It wasn’t unsuspected that you were on the other side of the war. But I do not wish to fight you. I can forgive you, but war changes people.” Leto remarked.

“That is something I cannot deny either and I too feel the change of harsh time. Though my love for you have never ceased.” Agreed Shadi. Then looking behind him and back at the girl, he gave her a kiss. “Meet me there tomorrow.” The male told her and started to run off into the distance so none of his guards would catch them there.

Leto woke early that morning, and crept out of the house to get to the treasured spot. The streets everywhere where covered in blood, so thick, that even the rain could not take the color away. She was getting closer and closer to the enemy territory and she had become even more silent with each step. Then there was a noise beyond her and when she turned something pounce on her. A battle had erupted from between her and an enemy guard. Blood, fur where one the street, and pain was a major factor in this situation. It lasted a good five minutes, but Leto had won, though battered and bruised. Ever so quickly, she darted into the forest where she once heard the song.

That was what had brought her there, she was about to go straight to the enemy’s home, but Shadi’s voice made her act on an instinct. Leto noticed she was the first there, and by this time, her wounds were bleeding horribly. Lying by the water’s edge the lioness still waited for her partner and friend.

Shadi had woken to his father, saying there was another battle. At such a time, he would not be able to get to Leto in the morning, though hopefully she would understand. Another bloody battle that he did not want to do, but prepared for it anyways.

After an hour getting there his troops set up in a formation and enemy troops soon came afterwards. With a roar, a feeling of déjà vu erupted. A bloody battle once again appeared. Though this one took longer and was much harder. In the end the only survivor was Shadi, but his body was dripping was blood and one of his eyes closed. Turning around and running, he made a beeline to the forest.

When Shadi got there, he noticed Leto was asleep, and walked over to her and nudged her slightly. When there was no movement from that, he nudged her again. After the third time the lion noticed something he had not seen the scars and blood that covered her body. Tears trailed down his eyes as a bloodthirsty roar emanated from his mouth. It was said that both sides of the territory was able to hear it.

“I’ll sing for you when we meet again.” Shadi remarked and laid by the woman that he loved. Closing his eyes he curled up with her, once licking her face, the two, fell into the cold deep sleep.

“Free the lover’s,
Who’s pain is to be apart,
Give them the satisfaction,
For being smart,

Their blood is a rose,
Meaning no more than love,
Nothing in this world can pose a threat,
That will keep these lovers from their love,

If their pain is increased,
It will soon be plundered,
Nothing will cease,
And all that will happen is wondered,
By this Romeo and Juliet couple,

The world is their boat,
And their love the water,
And not matter how we try, they stay afloat,
Their love is immensurable,
It is what they choose to hold.”

Days came with little sleep, since that was the only good time for her to do so. Mid or later in the day were best if she wanted to come across a ghoul’s trail, or a ghoul itself. It was a very important thing to do, since it had been five very rough months since she had been appointed as a representative of the Paranormal Office of the Evolution. Though her mission was always a game of hide and seek, the girl believed that she had come close to getting her prize this time. Grace, wanted no more than to meet, peacefully, with the leader of the ghouls. Yet whenever she got really close to him, the creature somehow managed to disappear. That made her goal of P.B.E.R, Peace Between Evolutionized Races, very difficult. See, Grace needed to prevent a war from happening, and the best way to get to the Evolutions, was to get to the ghouls first. She could get to the Illithid and the Pox way more easier than it was to track these suckers.

It was another very sleepless day for Grace. Sadly she had grown very used to these and just improvised by looking over her case notes and other information that she had gathered about her days tracking the ghouls. These creatures, she actually had the decency to respect them, only because she knew just how talented they really were. Humans now-a-days wished to believe they were weaker thanks to their pride or hope, which ever it would be. Honestly, these things were like the worlds best hunter.

Grace had started out in New York, then got word from a ghoul that there was a possibility that the king would be in Georgia. Without anything to loose, the city girl flew there and after following trails for about a week, she noticed she was only two days too late, but nonetheless late. Tracking killings to Texas, she found another clue that she had followed correctly but it had moved over seas to Britain. After having to personally put some ghouls in their place and trying to get information, she journeyed to Brazil, where she chased the ghoul king back to California.

Now she currently was in York, Pennsylvania. It was horrible for her to constantly being just a little too late. This time, Grace had an eyewitness account of the ghoul king being here, and she would, under any circumstances get him to sign the peace treaty.

The notes, graphs, statements, and evidence list had gotten old quick, since of course in five months she must have read it over one-hundred times. If you ever wanted to see how well the detective studied, then you just needed to ask her a couple questions from her file. She’d probably be able to tell you the answer and more.

Grabbing a cup of stale water from beside her bed, she went into the kitchen, dressed in pajamas still, and poured it out, then refilled it and took a drink. Her orange hair was currently too fly away for her liking, and had to constantly get it away from her mouth. Grace’s hair was normally really straight, except for in the mornings and on really cold days. The color of her eyes were able to go well with the autumny orange color, a sea green. Other than that she just had fair skin and a couple freckles on her face, mainly around her cheeks and nose area.

It was time to get dressed. Grace decided on a whim that she would search the area that the king had been seen in, since there was only three more hours until it was sporting time. After a lot of time in the field, she found out they liked later in the days, because we humans are more tired and notice less than in the morning and early day. So seven o’clock would be the time that all actions were truly tested.

Dressing in a pair of jeans, and a black t-shirt, the girl was ready to go, after of course, she put on black running shoes. Those came in aid when she was chasing or running away from something, but nothing is ever fool-proof.

With jacket that had some pockets on the inside, that was full of things she used, she was ready to face the winter afternoon. As she popped her fingers she started walking towards the cemetery where the ghoul was last spotted.

Elodie did not seem happy in the least, though was there a reason for her not to be. Grey felt as if he did not need to listen to this, he already knew where his captain stood. He could also tell just how irritated she was about loosing all the materials that they did. As vice-captain, he helped manage the money, and did the stocking, inventory checks, money reports, and finances. That was a major reason why he was hired. Grey looked at the water, his dark skin still was no comparison. They passed the major storm cell, but it still reflected into the way. He was Australian, British, and African. Even so he had a large portion of white in him, he still held onto his traditional African culture. A major reason for working for Elodie, was that he was allowed religious freedom, not to mention no one cared that he was black.

After she told the men what to do, Grey followed his captain to the wheel. “How about in the process of this, we drop one of those nets that we have, and see if we have any luck with fishing up any of the items lost. Grey was wearing his normal blank expression, not trying to prove he was better or anything. If truth be told, he respected her, both sides at that. The two had been friends long before Elodie had become the captain. He got hired as extra work, and from a slave port, and they just got to know each other.

It had always been rough, from the start he was told to watch after her, and he having a new family, was honored to do such a thing. Soon after that, her father and the crew helped him learn a lot of things, to the point where no one could call him stupid anymore. Grey would always and forever be a faithful worker for Captain Elodie.

Grey’s hard features, such as his massive build and bone structure, made him seem scary and unwelcoming, and for the most part it was true. He wasn’t there to take care of anyone else besides his friend, and there was no exception. Rubbing his light brown locks he looked over at the map she was looking at. “Have any plans?” The vice questioned.

-+++-

Wynona took care to listen to her captain. The Spanish girl was an eager learner. She had been on this ship for about a month now, and was still learning the basics of it. It excited her though. All she wanted was to have fun and not be suppressed because she was a women. Her goal was complete here. Since there were few girls here on the ship, and even fewer that actually was into fashion and makeup, it made her feel like she was just one of the guys. Though nonetheless, the girl would do whatever it took to impress the captain.

Wynona was in charge of the pirates who used rapiers. That was her skill point, and due to her shortness, it even proved to be lethal. She was five foot four and kicked and screamed with the same ferocity of any other. The only disadvantage that she had was that she had a really hard time seeing at night, any other part of the day she would be perfectly fine.

The girl rewrapped her black hair up into a tight bun, because during the storm, it had started to fall loose. Her light brown shined when the captain stopped talking. It was time to get to work again, so she, just like the others, went running to their stations. She’d probably start to take care of the bilge at the bottom so the ship could regain speed.

Anger. He let it take hold of him. No other would be able to bring him down, he was a dominant figure, and planned to stay that way for as long as he lived. His life wouldn’t be short either. The male’s mandible was down, showing his jagged dagger-like teeth, and his face was contracting to show facial bones even more and he snarled as much as he could muster.

Territorial rights came with being a Bone-Eater. It was natural like all other canines, and the wolf-creature would kill to make sure all knew this. He was known as Ferris to all humans, but to his kind, his name was swift runner. His age was three-hundred and thirty six full moons. Ferris was still very young to be feared or even known. Though that is what happens a lot with Bone-Eater young, they are rebellious.

The grey-black haired mongrel stood his place, making himself seem firm with his choice to not allow anyone on to his land. The spikes on his were tensing as well, but the other did not want to back down. With one last roar, the male went and tackled the invader, showing no mercy. It would get bloody, like every defensive battle. Teeth and claws were used, and gashes, scratches, and wounds formed.

It was likely that he would win, since the pup was just being spontaneous and bold, not willing to look at the information at hand. The younger Bone-Eater ran off whimpering to himself. The dark grey dog shook his body to let all ripped out hair fall and let himself relax slightly. It was another win for himself. He felt the fresh wounds on his body, but they were all minor, they’d heal soon.

Then there was another scent. Damn creatures all tried to go through here without permission. Whiffing the air he traced started to trace that smell. Ferris could easily tell that it was a humanoid that had come through his land, their smell was just so, so, recognizable.

When he got close to the odor he got up on two feet and looked around until he saw a maiden in his river and walked up close to it. She seemed be take a bath of sorts but it was not known specifically. Watching her for a couple minutes he decided that, first off, she was no harm to him currently and he made a mental note of the red markings on her body.

“What are you doing in my land?” The creature questioned in a harsh tone as she got out of the water. His facial expression seemed to stay in fury-mode.

“I bet he would as well. The man seems to collect and know everything he can, and when the ship gets too busy, he has gone around and gotten information for me from the crew. So I personally know how reliable he is, and if something happens it will be on me. And I think Jessica lives around here, but I do not know if we’d really want to see her apartment, lord knows what is in there…” Summer was saying but stopped when she noticed Taiken acting weird. It was Haiden, she had grown used to his quick whims to change but this was unseen. This, though, had never really happened before, or she had never seen it. Haiden did take over Taiken, so what was going on?

“I-I do not mind waiting to change, but what just happened? Also what kind of threat? Fill me in Taiken.” Gale tried to convince her captain, but instead she was pulled towards him in a piggy-back style. It was later in the evening so it was hard to see what he was fretting over. Then he started to run, of course it was instinct for her to grab onto his shoulders. He was moving fast, so there had to be something wrong, but she did not want to look back and throw of the balance that she already had on his back. She felt Taiken tension a little bit when he stopped, but she did as well, when she could count more than one person running, but no one else was to be seen.

It was like a rollercoaster ride, on Taiken’s back, especially when they had gotten to the dock. What was behind them, that it freaked out him? Maybe he’d tell her on the ship. Though the chance of it could differ depending on what the information was. The only thing she could think of was wild horrid stories, but a gut feeling hinted Wayward. Oh, the lovely adrenaline was pumping through her veins. When she was put down, she wanted to turn and look, at what was going on, but instead, Taiken jumped into the little boat that was to take them back to the ship.

Then she was on top of him, and he told her to stay there, and down, so being a good vice she did. It was a little nerve wrecking not knowing your opponent, but she could deal with it. When Taiken sat up and asked her if she was alright, Summer Gale gave a sigh. “Can you please explain what just happened back there? What made you go into such a rush? And why didn’t Haiden take over, that never happened before.” She said a little confused but calm. That was her best feature. Then on deck she noticed a few others on the deck. It had Wayward written all over it, so of course she turned back to her captain for an explanation. Then another idea popped in her head, how many men would see her in a dress on board the ship?

---

Pearl was in shock at what the man was saying. Was this planned? Did her husband-to-be actually like her? That would be a question soon, after she got past the glaring. “No, I wouldn’t marry the sea. Only people who think they are so powerful wish that, when merely they are arrogant. And yes I may be friends with your enemy, but regardless, it was expected of you to have some self control, which now I know you don’t have. Was this even real, or did you just have extensive planning? This wedding, I mean, is it real?” Pearl questioned, already feeling hurt.

The vice of Wayward, Gray, ignored the wench, she would be taken care of with the others. “I can bring her to you, then keep away Haiden, because I bet you’d love to see the look on his face. Hell, I can’t visualize it, so it will be just that good. Besides, you know, Summer doesn‘t break her promises, and there is going to be an accident at the wedding. Maybe a fire in the boiler room.” The man agreed with a toothy smile.

“Pearl, I do love you, but family does come first. Besides, this will make it all better, because you wouldn’t be able to side with Summer after we got married.” The fiancé told her seeming kind, but had the evil intentions of his cousin. He was so focused on the girls he wasn’t even bothered by his cousin’s had on his shoulder.

“You’re a d**k.” Pearl jeered. Yes, she wouldn’t say anything because she was scared, but she was already saying prayers in her head. Brittney too, tensed up at her threat, and looked at Pearl. It seemed like there were falling apart.

Dustin had been surprised, how often does your father tell you that your family was going to watch someone in witness protection? He couldn’t really say that he minded it, he had four brothers that he dealt with, most younger. His mother, Wilma, on the other hand seemed ecstatic. For some reason, she just got happy over these things, and well, it was a girl coming. Their mom had always wanted a daughter, but stopped trying after having five kids. The girl’s name was Embry and she lived in the city, which almost made Dustin and his older brother laugh out loud, she wouldn’t even survive the first day here. But of course, they were going to be really nice, and not play tricks on her, which they’d have to constantly remind Bobby, the mischievous eight year old. They only had one more day until ‘Embry’ would be there.

The family, after the meeting at breakfast, started to rearrange the house. Dustin and Shane (his older brother) would share a room, and Dustin’s old room was turned into a Barbie-Doll hell. For some reason his mother had hung onto the ugliest of pink curtains, and an even worse bed spread. It wasn’t long until his mom started asking people what they though, Bobby said it was girly, but everyone said it was ugly. William, the fourteen year old said it in such a way that it cracked up all the boys, which left their mom offended, and shooing them off to do their chores.

Even though their mom hadn’t talked to them for the rest of the day, anyone could see that she was excited. They were happy that she would be able to have another girl to keep her company. She stayed up later than usually preparing a list of things to do, and food choices that the girl might like. It was almost, in Dustin’s sense, sad, but he went to sleep wishing that the next day would be alright, and that the new girl would be good to his momma.

Waking up at the normal five-thirty, the house went to the breakfast table and ate their breakfast, cornbread, sausage, bacon, grits, and eggs, with milk or orange juice. It would be a while before the girl showed, so everyone decided that doing their chores before hand would be best. Dustin was the first to get in the shower, and when he got out, he wore a white tank top, a pair of faded out blue jeans, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat to match. His job today was to catch chickens, and also look for eggs; it was normally Bobby’s job, but mom wanted to ‘talk’ with him.

Only three or four hours into his job, and he noticed a sports car coming down the beaten path. Running his hands through his hair, Dustin gave a whistle, that car was a nice one. As he ran over to where the car stopped, his brown hair bobbed up and down. His brown eyes looked at the girl, and it only took a second to notice that she didn’t want to be here. Shane and him were right, she wouldn’t even last two days.

“Hi ya’ I am Dustin, and you must be Embry. Need some help with the luggage?” He asked with a smile, trying to be polite.

It was William who first told their mom that the girl was here, and she started shouting ‘George’ to get their father’s attention, which soon brought Shane and Bobby to where they were standing. If you looked at them, you could all tell they were a family, George, Shane, Dustin and William all had brown hair and eyes, while Wilma and Bobby had blonde hair and blue eyes.

“The family is waiting to meet ya’ your are our honorary guest ya’ know.” Dustin told her, trying not to sound too country (so she could understand what he said).

F-r-e-a-k. A strikingly unusual person, animal, or plant: a person, animal, or plant that is strikingly unusual and appears to be unique or occurs very rarely; a highly unusual or unlikely occurrence, often brought about by a unique or very rare combination of circumstances; or an offensive term for somebody who is thought to behave unconventionally or have unusual tastes or habits. That described him to a sharp and point T. Cyrus wasn’t like all the rest of the people around him, no, he was, and would always be a freak. Throwing the dictionary to the side, the teen looked around and gave a sigh, then with all of his able force he hit his bedroom wall and smashed a hole right through it. He lived in a dump anyways why not make it more like one. His parents would never, not in a million years, dare scold him. No, what if he turned into something and went psycho on their a**? What would they do, everyone they told never believed them, and they got pills from doctors, that his stepfather only seemed to pop to get to a place where it would be better.

Cyrus was tired of it; tired of the way everyone treated him. Because everyone made him out to be this monstrous creature, he turned out to be it. So what if he didn’t have the influence? What if he was free from fear-filled gazes? It would be a lot better. Shooting up from his bed, he noticed his mother at the door. “Dinner will be ready soon.” She told him, and went back to cooking. If anything, she didn’t deserve it. The only reason she was in this mess, was because of his stepfather. If he went down, his philosophy was to bring everything down with him. Cyrus always was determined to pay her back for being the only kind person to him, making taking out the trash on his way out would work.

Going to his closet he searched around until he came upon an empty bookbag. Snatching it up, he threw it on his bed. Going through his closet, he grabbed three pairs of pants, and four or five shirts. After folding them up, he saw he had a lot of room left, which was pleasing. He went into his dresser and pulled out a couple pairs of underwear and socks, then shoved it into the bag. What else would he need, he never though of running away before? Well money was a given, and of course he wouldn’t go anywhere without his pocket knife or Swiss Army knife. He had clothes… he’d want his cell phone, but that was risky. He’d need to get a pay as you go when he left. Food, a blanket, his toothbrush and toothpaste, his mom’s first aid kit and some medicine, a razor, a map, deodorant, a pen, notepad, baby wipes and his favorite picture of his mother was also must. It was scary that his mother kept all those things in the house. After eating dinner, he went around searching for those things, and found a lighter that he would take as well.

Cyrus had left the house once before, grabbing candy, non-expiring food, gum, and water bottles, and took all the money he could from his stepfather’s credit card, which was one-thousand two hundred dollars. That would work for a while. After slipping the credit card back into Dale’s wallet, he went and stuffed his bag. There was only a little space left, which was good, if he went to open it nothing would fly out. Now was it was time for the waiting game.

Looking at his alarm clock, it read one o’clock. This would be the perfect time to leave. He managed to get a little bit of sleep, so he would not be exhausted when he left. Getting up he grabbed a note he had written and walked out of his room. Luckily when he left, his stepfather was sitting there doing whatever a leech does in the living room.

“Whachaa doinn up?” He slurred. He was drunk again, and he had to go to work later. What a sad and pathetic person.

“Dale.” Cyrus said.

“Huh? Whacha want?” He retorted.

Cyrus went over to him, and crouched down so he was eye-level with the sitting man. “I want you to leave. I am serious too. I am going away for a while; I won’t tell you how long. But I swear, if I see you when I get back, I’ll show you what fear is.” He threatened, smiled, and headed for the front door. Poor Dale didn’t even see it coming, he now was a pale sheet in the wind.

Running a little ways, Cyrus made it to a metro station, well an older one that didn’t have trains running through it anymore. Taking a seat on a worn out bench, he sat there thinking of what he could do now. He hoped his mother understood, even more so he hoped all the burdens would be gone by now.

Standing back up after a couple minutes of thinking, Cyrus put his long dark brown hair up into a pony tail and wiped his face with his hand. His skin had always been a ivory color, but if he was going to live in the metro, it would probably be pale. He would seem like an ordinary punk or goth if he did so, because his hair was dark enough to be considered black and his eyes were onyx. It would be like he shape shifted, oh what a pun.