Quote:
Deus Ex Machina Mission Report Form
Name: Julio Perez
Division: Mist
Status: Runic Trainee
Mission ranking:
Part term
Status of mission: Failure. Though set up had gone smoothly, the target had escaped. Half the team was killed in the follow up battle and retreat.
Additional points of extreme importance:
Commendations or warnings:
I agree that by signing this, all information above is accurate and can be used for or against me:

Julio put down the pen, not entirely willing to fill out the rest. Not right now. Closing his eyes, he placed his head into his hands, unable to stop thinking about what went on. The ones who had died were his friends; their lives ripped away within a blink of an eye. Furthermore, he had been thinking of pursuing her. He had enjoyed being around her, and in a way one could say he had developed quite the crush.

It didn't matter any longer. She was gone.

Time went on. More friends were killed in the line of duty, and Julio found himself a bit detached from the world. He didn't want to have to live with this near constant anguish of loss. The constant paranoia that he may not be alive for much longer. That he would end up shredded apart by the monsters that lurked in the dark.

---

Sitting upon the beach, he stared out into the ocean. He had been brooding a fair amount lately, trying to figure out how to cope with all of this. As he sat there, he saw something flutter by the corner of his eyes. A butterfly. And for a moment, he wondered how a creature could just float on about, free. Nature was a nasty beast. Its life could be forfeit at any moment. And then it hit him. Right there. It wasn't that it didn't necessarily didn't know of the danger. It was just... not overly concerned.

Of course, it was just a butterfly so who knew what actually went on in its mind, but that's how Julio interpreted it.

It would turn out that wasn't the only butterfly in Julio's life. Later on, he met Em, his Mariposita. She really was like one, carefree, full of love and life. Her smile could always brighten the room and lift the hearts of men and women all around. He loved being with other women too, and he enjoyed everyone's company for the most part, but there was just something about her that stood out. Like him, she worked to try and help others have a good.. or at least a better time.

In his time with the hunters, it was her he felt the most connected to. And for the longest time, he didn't even quite realize it.

It didn't matter anymore. They were together now; he could see her in the light. And together, they were going to do what they knew best.

Live.