He curled up, burrowed beneath his bed of straw, gentle sobs shaking his dark form.
He cried alone.
He had turned them away, not wanting their friendship. It was warm and wonderful and he was nothing like them.
He wanted to be alone.
He had shared their memories, the taste of them bitterly clinging to his spirit. They taught him about them, implored him for his compassion. But he gave them nothing, only his hatred, and his judgement.
He would rather be alone.
They were all laughing, and smiling. He watched them, his heart heavy.
He had always been alone.
It felt like he cried all the time, for no reason other than he had come to enjoy being sad. It was all he knew.
He liked being alone.
The scissors were cold against his flesh, and they snipped at his heart.
He wished they’d leave him alone.
They didn’t matter. They were insignificant. He had no problem sacrificing them.
It was better to be alone.
The very core of him was a putrid yellow-green, warning any predators to steer clear because he was unpleasant prey.
It was in his nature, to be alone.
How could he compete with Sibyl, how could he ever feel anything less than inadequate next to her smiling face?
Jealousy made him alone.
The darkness coiled around his heart, digging in its fangs. He clung to it as it snaked around the whole of him, wallowing in his misery.
He’d always be alone.
The arrows stung his shoulder, and his stomach, piercing painfully through his skin.
There was nothing he could do, alone.
But he wasn't alone.
He knew that now, and he clung desperately to the memories of the one he loved. He would sacrifice everything to hold onto those memories, to hold onto the hope that there was someone waiting for him after all of this. The hope that he had someone who loved him, and that he had friends who cared for him, and that he didn't have to be alone. Gladly he gave up the triggers of his biggest doubts and fears to Excalibur's plight, cleansing himself of the misery that had held him for so long. It was as though a giant weight had been lifted from his chest, and he in breathed heavily, not sure whether he wanted to laugh or cry.
So he settled for a smile.
Quote:
Efflo's Total: 100 Excalibur: 7430
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:25 pm
“You love me.”
She looked horrified. He took it as confirmation, and before he knew what he was doing, three long strides had him collecting her forcefully in his arms, crushing her against him.
“Robert, stop-”
“You love me.”
“I won’t do this to-”
His lips crushed against hers, and met with no resistance. There was the tiniest of sighs, and her lips parted - oh God, they parted, and let him in. How could he have been so blind? She wanted this as much as he did. All this time, all this wasted-
Roberta pulled away, and slapped him with her tiny hand clear across his right cheek. It left a stinging red mark in the shape of her hand, and his own pressed against it, almost lovingly. He didn’t know whether to laugh, or to cry.
“I think you should leave.” A tiny, shaking voice told him.
He stood his ground.
She pointed at the door.
He snatched the hand out of the air and kissed it.
Her other hand slapped him across the left cheek.
He grabbed the wrist before she could pull away, and held her against him.
“You. Love. Me.”
“Get out, before I call the police.” She was trying so hard to sound strong. Angry. Uncaring. It was precious.
Still holding both of her hands, he leaned in, and she leaned away. There was only so far she could go, and even as she turned her head, his lips pressed against her cheek. They brushed down the jaw. They pressed against her lips once more, and he felt nothing.
Her eyes blazed with fire. It killed all of the fireflies in it‘s wake.
His hands released her, and she stumbled back. She looked from the phone, to him, as if threatening - and that brief moment of happiness he’d finally felt fluttered away.
He felt the shadows closing in on him. He watched them pass her by, coming for him this time. She did nothing to stop them. She didn’t reach out for his hand, they way she once did.
Roberta was leaving him in the dark one final time.
Dear Robert Morris; We are pleased to congratulate you on being accepted into one of the most prestigious-
Juilliard.
He’d gone through several trials and interviews. It had nearly depleted the family petty cash funds just sending him to New York to do them. And now.. that little piece of paper was telling him they wanted him.
Him. Juilliard wanted him to dance for them.
He’d never even dared to hope that he would be accepted. The school was overpriced, and he was just a small town nobody.
..congratulate you on being accepted..
How would he even pay for it? No, there was no question. If it meant working every spare moment and never sleeping again, Robert was determined to find a way to pay for it. This was it. This was everything. This was -
He had to tell Petra. He knew, deep down, that she would get accepted into Cornell. Sure, it meant a little distance - but New York was New York, right? They’d be in the same state - and he’d be well on his way to Broadway. He’d be a ******** star, that’s what.
He hadn’t even called her. He left his car in his driveway, and ran out of his door to run to her house - but she was already there, tying her horse up and flying into his arms.
It wasn’t Cornell. It wasn’t anywhere near New York. And she looked more excited than he’d ever seen her before. She was glowing. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen in his life. He picked her up in his arms, and spun her around until he was dizzy, then he carried her inside, dropping his own letter crumpled in the trashcan on his porch.
Petra would never let him go alone into the dark. So neither would he.
Robert Total: 20 Excalibur Total: 7450
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:31 pm
“What’s his name?”
“Robert!”
Robert stared at the calico kitten in his best friend’s hand, mewling away as it struggled to right itself from the position it was being held in. “You named your kitten after me?” He asked, looking more than a little unhappy about it. “Why’d you go and do that?”
“So I could always have you around, of course!”
Robert looked up at her, and grimaced. “You DO always have me around.” He countered.
“Well,” She hedged, as she brought the kitten to her chest and snuggled it fiercely. “When we move to Arizona, I won’t. So, I needed something to make up for it, you know?”
Robert Morris was thirteen years old the first time Roberta Walker broke his heart.
There was a stunned silence, followed by a hollow, cracked laugh, followed by even more silence. Roberta finally managed to look up at the boy for his reaction, and cringed. His entire face was red, and he looked like he’d been hit by a car.
“You’re LEAVING ME?”
“Oh come on, I don’t have a choice here. Don’t do that. Don’t look at me like I just told you I never want to see you again!”
“But you WON’T see me again!” At this point, Robert looked about as red as a tomato. His eyes were rimmed with color, threatening to let the waterworks fall. They widened in shock when her response was nothing but a laugh.
“I’ll come back and visit. Lots! This isn’t the end of the world, you know.”
He heard the sound of rustling nearby, and his laughter caught in his throat. SAVAGES! They would find him and skin him and eat his heart! He had to run away before-
“Is someone there?”
That was the first time he ever heard her voice. She was a tiny thing, emerging from the weeds with her dress covered in filth from running in the woods, and those big, round eyes looked as though they almost didn’t fit in her face.
Roberta Walker was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in his entire six years of life. And he’d seen some cool stuff.
She took him to one of her hideaways, that night. They heard their family searching for them, but they giggled and ignored the cries. Huddled up underneath a brown tarp, they watched the fireflies flutter through the air, and pointed out every time they were sure one of them was not a firefly at all, but a fairy come to try and steal them away. The shadows turned into pincers, snapping at her dress, and he wrapped his little arms around her and kept her safe the whole night. When the shadows came for him, he felt her tiny hand slide into his, and he knew he could face any fear.
They saw so many things. So many wondrous, unbelievable things. No one would ever believe them, they knew that much. The magic in the shadows was their secret to hold, theirs to treasure. They wouldn’t share it with a soul but each other.
Roberta Walker was Robert’s best friend in the entire world.
Robert Total: 40 Excalibur Total: 7470
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:35 pm
[Diana's Memories]
Major Blessings
It had been a long wait... And yet, now her parents were looking at her with pride. She had been chosen, chosen to be one of the few to go to the academy. She was so happy, it had been hard work but she had made it. Diana smirked. She had won, she had been the best. So what if it had only been a simple match of wits against her cousin? She had been the greater of the two of them. She sighed and looked at the small grave. It had not been long since her first minipet's death and yet she sighed and pulled herself together. She had to be strong, after all it wasn't like anyone would feel pity for her. It was only a pet after all... Grinning she hugged her father. She had just managed to manifest her first fear power and he had been so proud of his gifted daughter. The fact that her fear had to do with her affinity for greed was just a bonus. It was her first day at her new school. Looking at the imposing building from her dorm window caused her to bite her lip. She was hopeful that the other's here wouldn't tease her too much for her little problem... "I said no!" Diana yelled at her aunt. She wasn't backing down this time. It was her decision, it was her choice. She would not hide her 'little problem' from the world just because SHE had said so. Diana stood in front of her favorite pet. She was going to protect it no matter what happened. She was it's owner and it was her responsibility to take care of it and that was what she was going to do.
[70 points]
Minor Blessings
"I did not know you hated me that much" Her aunt said icily. She just glared. "Well I normally don't. However you are being unreasonable." She told the woman back just as coldly. She tucked her young friend into the pantry and told him to be quiet. She wasn't going to let her aunt yell at him for something she did, it just wasn't right.. Diana looked out the window and smiled. She knew today would be great. She just knew it.. She smiled as he grabbed her into a hug and spun her. though he quickly set her down afterwards and acted all snooty she knew her father was happy. She knew that this was risky, yet as she got closer she couldn't bring herself to care. It just looked to fun not to join after all. She growled in frustration. It just was not working. She couldn't figure out why though, she had done everything right... She cuddled the fur close. She did not seem to realize at first that the tail she was holding was attached to someone, nor did she seem to care. She just enjoyed the feeling of soft fluffiness in her hands. The child shrieked in glee upon seeing him. She was grinning as she ran across the room into her father's arms. He grabbed her up and cuddled her close, mindful of his daughter's wings and tail. She nodded, she had just finished unpacking and her pets were happily asleep on her new bed. The room was not as grand as her own but it would do. She had just come back from her first class. Sighing in defeat she flopped down face first into the bed. She had failed. She knew it should have worked and yet nothing happened. She smiled as she placed the plushie into her purse. It was her first festival since she came to the school and yet she was having more fun than she thought she would. It had been a stressful week. So many things had happened, so much craziness. Yet it seemed over for now. It was almost as if life had returned to normal.. Almost.. She smiled as she opened the gift. Her little hands ripping at the pock holed paper as fast as she could. There inside was the fluffiest thing she had ever seen. The five year old grinned. She could hear her parents laughing at her and her pets antics in the background but she did not care. She was having fun and the water felt great. She just wished they would join her. Diana was happy today, she had won that cute item from the booth and she had seen many creatures with fluffy tails. It was too bad that she had to hold herself back, she still wanted to cuddle that fur so much.. "Do you understand? If you want to be a proper lady of our family you must overcome this... 'Little problem'." The woman said to her seriously. She growled softly at her aunt. did the woman think she was stupid? She sighed as she looked at her feet. She was so tired of trying not to show her problem. She loved soft fluffy things.. it was not as if she could help the urge to cuddle them every time she saw them... She knew that she was free, free of her aunt's rules, free of worry that her parents would look at her in disappointment. She was free. She sniffled as the tears ran down her face. She had just wanted to be friends with her and yet she had been fired because she was of higher rank than the kitsune. The girl had been one of her first friends and yet because demons were better, she was not to be seen with her. She smiled happily as she ran through the field. It was her fourth birthday and her parents had promised that they would do what ever their princess wanted to do today. The ten year old fiddled her thumbs as she sat under her aunt's gaze. This was the year the woman would be moving in with them to give her a 'proper education'. She knew that she would end up in a school before long, yet her parents thought this was a good idea and so she would try even if it seemed stupid to her right now. Diana cried out in pain as she fell to the floor. Her head was hurting so much and she knew that there was blood starting to cover one eye. She knew it was nothing more than an accident and that he had not meant to knock the vase over the edge of the balcony above. But it still hurt.. She fought hard against the creature. It had attacked for no reason and she wasn't going down easily.. Striking out with her weapon she felt the rush of adrenaline fill her. It wasn't her first battle, but she knew she could do it. She looked down at herself.. It seemed as if she was nothing more than a grey figure with a yellow heart. It seemed odd and yet... She smiled at him. She had just met him and yet he had helped her name her new mount. She thought it was nice of him to help. She smiled slightly as she helped water her tree. It was growing slowly and she was happy to see her hard work was helping. She listened as he reminded her of her promise. She would work hard to fulfill it. Even if she did not remember it.. She smiled sightly in sadness at knowing she would loose all the memories she had just gotten back again. Yet she knew it would help to save all those she had seen. She would do this..
"You don't get it, kitten." He growled, his dark look narrowing. "It don't work like that."
His batleth slid down her left arm, leaving a trail of red. "Y'see, once we pick up our weapons, giving up ain't an option."
Robert..
"SHUT UP JAZZY." He yelled out loud irrationally, as his batleth slid down Reine's right arm. "We don't give in. We don't stop until one of us is dead."
Robert, stop this. You love her. You can't-
"I CAN, AND I WILL." He brought the scythe down against her torn stomach, bashing the blunt middle against her with a loud grunt of anger.
Robert Total: 50 Excalibur Total: 7608
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:42 pm
So it was time.
He knew he wasn't invited--barred from it personally by her mother, actually. But he had to catch Shaheen's chieftain ceremony somehow. So he crept through the trees as quietly as he could and climb up the tallest, closest one allowed. And between branches and leaves he squinted at the yellow blob that was her hair and snacked on a piece of fruit he'd swiped on his way over, grinning to himself. He was quieter in his footsteps than his father gave him credit for, and if he wanted to do something, well . . . there was no stopping him if he put his mind to it.
"With flaming swords from fluttering Waaaaaaar Death fights with its brethren once moooooreeeee Together we fight, together we stand, together we defeaaaaat We seek to make this sickness retreeeaaaattttt!"
"Maybe I'm just feeling generous tonight," was her only reply, combined with a sly look, one that may have held a little bit of malicious intent. That coupled with her all too usual smirk...yes, Shaheen was leering.
"Generous? You?" He couldn't help but laugh a little, letting his fingers entangle with her hair. "How fortunate for me. So...Shall we? Or are you content to lord over me still?" he asked with a cheeky look.
The mare froze when he mentioned exercise and leaving her be and that was when she shot him with a glare, "I get plenty of exercise whether or not you see it. Thank you. Last I recall you are the one that needed the exercise."
He snickered. "That battle was a stroke of luck," he retorted airily, rolling his shoulders with a pop. "I assure you this would not be the case if we fought now." There was most certainly a challenge behind his words; he didn't even bother hiding it.
And there he was, on stage, dancing to a beat he half-remembered, knives flashing as they were swept into the air, spinning almost in sync to the beat. the gargoyles were mesmerized and cheering, the applause a strange sound he hardly ever heard--praise. Now that was something he could get used to.
The keys jingled outside, a faint sound easily drowned out by the soft swish of the couch against cloth and flesh, and faint murmurs shared between lovers. The unlocking of the door was less of a quiet noise, but it was too quick for action - all at once, the office door swung open, and Robert swiveled his bag off his shoulder, practically throwing it towards Clarice's desk, where it slid on the floor and came to a stop by the leg. He put his keys away, and shut the door behind him, whistling a happy tune. Who could say what song it was? He wouldn't get enough of it out, anyway.
When he turned back towards the office, his body reflexively turned towards the desk, and he could have almost walked right by the three men, mercifully blocking them out. But it wouldn't have mattered - eventually, he would have noticed. And it was sooner, rather than later, that the high note of his whistle turned into a choked sound, and he stared, neck muscles bulging in horror, at the scene on Clarice's couch.
One boy. Two Boys. Three boys shirtless. And..
"Boss." He managed to cough out in one pathetic, whiny noise, which clearly took a turn for the emotional as he looked as though, if anyone moved, he was going to burst into tears at that very moment.
But instead, he grappled for the handle to the door behind him, and let out one surprisingly sad sounding sob before pulling it open and storming right back out.
He was not ready for this.
Robert Total: 60 Excalibur Total: 7668
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:47 pm
Happy, that's what she was. She'd remembered a lot forgot. Mother, father, brothers, sister, all of them were fresher than they'd been since she woke. And yet here she was, staring at the potential end of the world. That was a bit sad, unfortunate really. How was she going to talk to people and have fun if they all died.
She wasn't exactly happy about it, but she had to forget again. Kind of sad, but it was important, so she'd help. She'd promised, and breaking promises was really bad! Besides, she got to be a her this way!
A sharp yelp of surprise escaped her as she felt the touch on her arm. "GOTCHA!" It was her older brother, tagging her before darting off in another direction at full speed. NO NO NO! NOT AGAIN! "YOU ALWAYS CHOOSE ME!" She called, half annoyed, but mostly excited from it all. Afterall, now she got to hunt them down. "I'M THE BIGGEST BOOGIE!" And then they were off again in a flurry of small werefoxes everywhere.
She was grinning, staring down rather cockily at her brother who she'd pinned, he was still struggling trying to get loose. Losing to their tiny little sister wasn't acceptable! He couldn't allow it, but it was too late. No one was better at these tussles than her. If anything she had brute strength on her side as she giggled a bit. "Let ya up for a spookie!" HE merely grunted before nearly throwing her off again as she finally scampered off with a laugh.
She found herself huffing on the ground, panting a bit as she stared up at the older student. She'd been knocked flat on her bum as she looked. He had a guitar, which he demonstrated to be really good at hurting her ears, and then shortly after at healing wounds too. THAT WAS TOO COOL! Couldn't she do that too?
Her eyes were locked on the blank stare of her sister, tail flicking back and forth. "Waaaander..." No reply, she tapped at the table idly, tracing one clawed finger along it silently. "Waaaaaaaaaaaaander." Again just the blank stare, ever blissfully unaware. Honestly, being able to zone out that fully was a talent. She couldn't do that. She.. saw everything and it was always there an- WAS THAT A SCAREFLY?
she was hopping around, happily, cheerily. Going to school going to school, going to schooooool~! "I hope I make friends, and meet new kinds of things, and taste new treats an-" It was pointless to list it all, it just kept going. She was just a bit too excited about it all.
he giggled happily, Taili safely in her hands as she pranced along. She really was an amazing little moon hunter, She spun, tossing the weapon in the air briefly before catching it. "Let's take care of another beast soon!" She chimed, hearing the sigh in her head as she skipped along again. ONWARD!
The truth? The truth was that she did worry, just a bit, that she'd be lonely. That maybe they wouldn't be her friends. That school wouldn't be fun, but dwelling on it was pointless. She's be fine, and she's show thema ll she was the best to be friends with
Quote:
Simply's Total: 70 Excalibur Total: 7738
Raja
Kawaii Shoujo
Offline
Enoh Love
Offline
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:48 pm
Main Blessings
An acceptance letter was held in her trembling backward hands. An acceptance letter. Amityville Academy actually accepted her!
Ghostly hands pressed into the small, rotting corpse in front of her, disappearing through the skin and into the flesh and sinew easier than she imagined it would be. All that she was - the ghostly little grey thing with the blue glow - disappeared into the body. A moment later, the corpse opened her grey eye...
She had to be strong. She had never taken a trance before, at least not on her own free will, and she was admittedly a little prehensile...but for him, the same of a friend, she would do it. She could do it. She was strong.
"Here, I have something for you." Lizzy said, clearly brimming with excitement.
The illusion was breaking. They were free, and yet she was still nervous. What if she failed? What if he never woke up? She clung to the hope that he would be awake and well when she returned.
The grail was brought to her lips, twisting her memories from Halloween into memories made in Deus Ex Machina.
I am weak, and I will always be weak.
She was very careful as she wrapped the glowing tablet into the bloody coat of the dead hunter. This precious thing had to stay here, hidden and safe...it couldn't go back to the Hunters. Ever.
Side Blessings
She was new to this world, and terrified. They hadn't even picked the pumpkin innards off of her yet, and she was already screaming.
Were there anyone as lonely as she was out there? What if she didn't meet anyone, what if she stayed completely alone at school too, just like at home?
He sliced almost clean through her shoulder, her arm forced to hang at an unnatural angle. The strike had been planned - he had disabled her preferred arm, the one she had been leading her attack with the whole time.
Chopper roared to life so fast she flailed to cling onto the Hunchback in front of her, peeking out from under her arm as the scenery flew past.
The building was on fire, and all she could do was huddle in the corner, too terrified to move, or even to close her eyes to protect herself from the terrifying image of flames. Petro grabbed her and held her tight, and as he headed for safety all she could see was Sammy, riding on the back of a Gryphon, battling through the flames as if they didn't affect her.
A strange sensation flowed through her core as she looked out over the garden. All these flowers, just for her...
"Taima, run! Just get out of here!" She was trapped under a heavy net, pressed to the ground and unable to move too much. She did manage to point back towards the way they came, though. "Forget about me, I'll be fine, you just run now, do you understand? Go!"
The little memorial lantern floated out onto the lake, pushed ever-gently by the wind.
She looked down on her new body with a sense of awe, absolutely overjoyed that this beautiful thing would soon be her new vessel. They had all worked so hard on it...
The floor beneath her was searing hot, and yet it looked like a field of flowers. The illusion did its job though, and allowed her to focus on the task-at-hand.
It was late at night, and they were breaking the rules by being outside and in the forest past curfew. An innocent little game of truth or dare that lead to Calder daring her to recite a love poem to LW...
She tapped lightly on the glass, making the little floresce curious enough to swim towards the noise. There were hundreds upon hundreds of fish now, and she loved each and every one of them.
Please wake up. Please please please wake up!
"Long Live the King." The vicious sarcasm dripped from every syllable as she spun on her heel, twisting the target of her attack from the enemy...to her very own King.
Quote:
Main Blessings: 8 (80 pts) Side blessings: 14 (28 pts)
Excalibur Total: 7846
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:51 pm
He had sung a song for her, recorded it and sent it through a file exchange on HIM. There was a bit of nervousness associated with the wait as she got the file and then listened to it.
Her words made him happy. Made him blush. Kettil wasn't sure what to do with these emotions but it was a thrill. When she returned the favor of sending a file of her talking...
"Cut it out with this *** Shiloh, you're too *** old for it now."
"We're leaving your brother in charge. Don't make things difficult for him."
"What's the matter Shybaby," the voice drawled, "Why do you keep hitting yourself?"
"...Please put some pants on."
"You'll be fine, Shiloh, I promise. You can take care of yourself, you don't need me anymore. I know you can do it."
Shiloh wasn't really sure what all he'd offered up, only that he wanted wanted to help and eagerly did so. Once he was finished, he stepped away, humming to himself.
"Excaliburrr, Excaliburrrrr... From United King, I'm looking for him, I'm going to..."
"...Californiaaaa."
Quote:
Efflo's Total: 100 Excalibur: 7916
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 6:10 pm
Pickworth realized. He knew all along what he wanted, what he meant to be. He wasn't right for this place. And his dad, everybody, the world could use a little shaking up. He was going to leave, and it was going to be anarchy, and most importantly it was going to be fun.
And when people asked, he wasn't going to tell them about Pickworth. Not sorry, sad, afraid Pickworth. He needed a new name, all clowns had a name, and that's what did it for them, what made them brave and unafraid of the world.
When people asked, he would tell them his name was Pickles.
Main Blessing: 1 (10 pts) TOTAL: 7926
Toshihiko Two
Sugary Marshmallow
Offline
Pales
Demonic Gatekeeper
Offline
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 6:11 pm
To be able to summon a familiar of his own was a big deal for young Kettil. When he managed it he was blissfully happy for all of the three-to-four seconds the owlet managed to stay in existence. She had looked up at him and let out a sound and then...
She was gone.
Kettil stared at the empty space in his hands and immediately his tears ran down his cheeks. For a child like him it was both the best and worst moment in his life. For a good two hours he was inconsolable.
