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DivineSaturn Vice Captain
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 Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:23 pm
Karan just closed his eyes, not knowing where it was safe to look. He'd been such an idiot... and Demare talking about Neko only made him feel worse. DS had told him about that some time ago, and he's been purposely trying to dodge the topic. As much as DS got on his nerves, he wasn't sure what he'd do if anything happened to her.
Then the words "cat plush toys" reached his ears, and his eyes flickered open. "You were WHAT?" he asked, trying to hold back a giggle. He'd never heard about that! It sounded unbelievable, but he knew that it had to be true. Still... "Toys? Really? Why?"
Imagining it made Karan want to laugh more- not mockingly, but just from sheer amusement at the idea. But he knew that wouldn't help anything, so he fought to keep a straight face. It was easier with what came next. "I... heard. I'm sorry." What else was there to say?
"I think birthdays mean different things to different people," he speculated aloud. "I mean, I guess they'd be sort of important to parents. And kids like them for presents and parties. But otherwise, what's the point?" Saying that might be harsh, but really, birthdays were just excuses these days.
Sighing, Karan closed his eyes again- and was promptly pulled onto the couch and into a pseudo-hug. Gasping in surprise, he looked up and blinked, feeling his cheeks turn red. "Me?" he asked, his voice squeaking a bit. "I hope not. I mean, if I'm the best thing, then we need to get you out more."
It wasn't that Karan disliked himself, just that he knew there was nothing special about him. Unless you counted occasional hallucinations, which he didn't. Demare was special though, which meant that he needed something special in return.
"But you know," he added, "it's kind of nice to hear someone say that." Even if I know it's silly, he added silently. He didn't move away, instead leaning back against the couch cushions. It felt good to relax like this, to just hang out with a friend. At that moment, he had no idea why he hadn't come by ages ago.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:55 pm
The halfling silently snorted, smirking a bit as he looked down at Karan through the corner of his eyes. He didn't need anyone else... He didn't even need that stupid angel. All he needed was...
"I don't need to go anywhere," he assured him. "If I could show you how my life had been, and how it is now... it might be easier to understand."
Demian wasn't lonely. Clare had Mayu, and that was fine. But it was high time that HE had someone to spend time with that wouldn't make you rip all of your hair out. He cleared his throat a little bit, still blushing.
"But... er... yeah." He had to get the topic off this sappy stuff. It was NOT manly behavior. "I never told anyone about that little incident with the stuffed animals. In fact, I don't think Clare's even told Mayu, so... you're the first!"
He wiggled his left wrist a little bit, which was still draped over the boy's shoulder. The three charms around the bracelet clinked together slightly, the one Karan had given him a long time ago standing out against the other two gold ones.
"Remember those pendants that Chandra gave us?" the legend questioned, finally turning his head to look at Karan. He reached his right hand over to lift up the item in question, rubbing his thumb over the cracked red gem. "There was something IN mine... Over time, the soul had managed to push Clare and me out of the body, and the closest objects happened to be the cat toys Neko had given us for our birthday. It took her about 2 months to find a way to excorsize that brat and to put us back safely."
Demare frowned slightly, remembering some of the events of that time. He'd forgotten about how weak he'd gotten while in the black cat... Neko had told him it probably had a lot to due with the fact that he was only half a soul.
"Let me tell you. That was probably the worst experience of this life, next to being partially kidnapped."
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DivineSaturn Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:39 pm
Shrugging, Karan decided to let it go. Demare would realize soon enough. And if he didn't... well, he wouldn't complain.
His mind drifted a bit, as he thought back to the words that turned him into a tomato. You're probably the first good thing that's ever happened to me. Not a trouble, or bother, or just another person stacked up among the masses. But something important, exceptional. He'd never thought of himself that way, and he'd never known anyone else who thought of him like that. At least, no one who didn't want to use him for something. Surprisingly, he didn't have any suspicions or underlying paranoia at all about this. They'd already been through a lot, maybe it came with the territory.
Ignoring the mention of a certain flowery female, Karan nodded. He still had that pendant attached to his belt, next to the other charm, and as the conversation was steered that way he fingered it. That changed when the story progressed, and when he heard of the spirit he nearly yanked it off. "It did THAT?" he asked, horrified. "Jeesh... maybe I should lock mine up or something. It hasn't done anything bad yet, but still..."
Was everything he owned hazardous? His mirror had been crackling with weird energy lately, and he'd almost cut his hand on the coins of his belt the other day. This was just the icing on the cake. That, and being kidnapped.
"Prana told me about that," he said darkly, remembering his own experiences. "I'm glad she was with someone she knew, at least. And you too. I was stuck with a couple of girls, and they had floodlights blinding us. I couldn't see anything all night!" Or for several days after, but Demare didn't need to know that. It was embarrassing.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:00 pm
Demare quirked a brow at him. He didn't have to act so shocked... but perhaps it wasn't a good idea to mention that, now that he thought about it.
"I don't know if they're both... possessed," he explained, releasing the charm as he glanced at the silver one Karan had. "If nothing's happened, I'm sure yours was fine. Chandra was a bit surprised when I told her, actually... If something does happen, though, just let me know. Domonic has a bunch of books on that stuff, so we could do something about it." Maybe.
He blinked a few times, wondering what Karan was talking about. How would Prana have known about Shadow's stupid little stunt that... OH! Right... that thing that had happened to Clare around New Year's. The angel HAD mentioned something about seeing the bear... He decided to let the boy think that THAT was the kidnapping he was referring to.
"I don't... fully remember what had happened during that," he partially lied. "You got taken too? I guess it wasn't just a selective thing, then. I wonder what that was all about, anyway..."
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DivineSaturn Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:13 pm
"I guess," Karan said uncertainly. In his experience, just because something hadn't acted up didn't mean it wouldn't. But if it did, he'd rather have it there than find out later. After a moment he realized he hadn't said anything else, and shrugged. "We'll see." Maybe everything would work out.
His mind flashed back to the "kidnapping" incident, and he winced unintentionally, recalling the bump he'd had when he woke up afterwards. "I'm not really surprised. The only reason I remember what I do is 'cause the whole thing was burned into me." Almost literally, what with the blinding light he'd had to deal with.
"As for what it's about..." Karan shrugged again, trying to look nonchalant. "I don't know, and as long as they don't try a stunt like that again, I don't really care." He was happy enough to have gotten out before the psychos who took them did... whatever psychos did to unsuspecting kids. Though if he ever found out who was behind it all, he'd probably take a swing at them, for all the pain they'd put everyone through.
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Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 1:42 am
At the mention of the ordeal being "burned" into him, Demare's eyes narrowed a little bit into the constant glare he used to have as a child. His arm shifted as he tensed up as well, as if trying to protect the boy from the supposedly horrible memory.
"You weren't... hurt, were you?" the question escaped the halfling's lips, hushed from instant worry. Demian had rarely felt this way about anything or anyone. Not since Shadow tried to kidnap Manny that last time, over a year ago. Without thinking, his voice continued, "If they ever show up again..." ...I'll kill them with my own bare hands.
Demare shook his head a little bit, relaxing his muscles. There was no use getting worked up over something that had already happened, especially if nothing could be done about it now. The past was just that; the past. It couldn't be changed... no matter how much he wanted to alter it.
"It's kinda strange how trouble just seems to follow us around," he said with a sigh. "Sometimes it's nice, but... other times it's pretty irritating. I used to think it was just me, but I guess my life isn't the only one full of suprises, huh?"
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DivineSaturn Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:28 am
Thinking about it, Karan wondered what qualified as "hurt." The bump on his head he had when he woke up was annoying, but not seriously painful. Not nearly as much as the light, in any event. "Not really," he said, trying to brush it off. "Nothing I couldn't handle, anyway."
There. That sounded manly enough. And it was true, mostly.
"Besides, if they ever show up again, I'll take care of them," he added with a hint of defiance. That part was definitely true. If the maniacs who took them ever came around again, even if it was with an apology, Karan would have to do something about it. Somehow. He'd work out the details later.
The subject changed, sort of- something Karan was relieved about, for a moment. Then he frowned, and his hand tightened around his backpack strap. "I guess so. I never really thought about it like that." Then he laughed, or tried to. "Maybe we should let someone else have the fun once in a while."
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Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:47 am
Demare couldn't help but let out a chuckled, but it died out rather quickly as he thought about that. No... despite how he acted outwardly, he knew now that he wouldn't be able to bare anything happening to the other people in his so called family. Clare was right... he was getting soft, and idly he wondered if that would really be okay in the end. Or would it actually be better if he didn't love at all...?
"Oh, but where's the fun in that?" he said sarcastically with a grin. "We're MEN. We can handle it."
Yeah. Macho. None of this "feelings" crap. His eyes wandered to the clock for a moment, and he frowned slightly. Time always went by faster when one didn't want it to... If he actually wanted to be on time for the gathering or whatever, the halfling would have to get ready soon. Though, with Karan there, he really didn't want to leave.
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DivineSaturn Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:19 am
For Karan, it was less a worry about others. He blinked in surprise, startled to realize how few people he genuinely cared about. Prana, of course, and Xue. Maybe some of his other friends, like Guin and Alun. Obviously Demare, and maybe DS or Eriol to a degree... but he knew lots more people, and wasn't really concerned with them. But maybe that made the ones who did matter all the more important.
"I guess," he said slowly, then nodded with more conviction. "I mean, yeah! Nothing's gonna mess with us. And if it does, it'll be sorry."
As he spoke, Karan found the words a bit silly, but the sentiment was there, so he didn't worry too much. Instead he looked up and tilted his head, confused. "Something wrong?" Smirking, he added "too much 'fun' for you?"
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Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:33 am
Demare gave him a toothy but sly grin.
"There's no such thing as too much fun for a demon," he replied, turning his attention back to the boy. "In fact... there's no such thing as too much fun for MEN!"
That's right. NOTHING was too much for them. NOTHING could not be handled. Fun? Pssh. They were the LIFE OF THE PARTY.
...Party of... two. But life of the party nonetheless.
"We LAUGH in the face of danger! We strike FEAR in the enemy's very soul! We are TWICE the men of regular men because we're different and PROUD of it! We are INVINCIBLE."
And probably invisible to most other people, but that was besides the point.
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DivineSaturn Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:51 am
"Well, that's a relief." Karan answered back, folding his arms. "I was scared you might've gone soft or something." But apparently not. It was too soon to quit, since they had just gotten started. Started with what, he wasn't exactly sure. But it was fun. And manly. What could be better?
"That's right!" he chimed in. "Mortals cower in fear of our power! We are strong, we are... invincible, yeah!" That sounded good, but what else? "We, um... are men!"
A small giggle escaped, but Karan worked to hold onto his straight face. Even if some of the stuff sounded ridiculous, it was all true. Sort of.
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Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:04 am
"MANLY men!" Demian cheered, thumping his fist against his chest. He was started to have a hard time not busting out laughing at this point. "What we wear isn't JEWELRY. Why, they aren't girly at all! What we wear are..."
He thought about it for a moment. "WEAPONS!" Yes. It was PERFECT.
"No GIRLY man would wear a MURDEROUS belt such as yours! And these charms? I bet they could slice through ANYTHING."
The halfling finally moved his arm from around Karan as he stood, placing his fists against his waist.
"Long hair? That's not girly. BIKERS have long hair, and they're badass. Therefore, IT IS MANLY."
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