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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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 Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 7:24 pm
She was his goddess, of course. The being that resonated with him the most. Despite the noises in the box, he gleefully grabbed the scissors, keeping tight to his chest the empty bag, and entered. Missed from that rose colored view was the wry smile and ominous words she had imparted upon him.
His task was simple: Go in, get a heart, and go out! He could do this easily and she would be happy. That would lead him, one step at a time, closer to become a God himself.
Once inside the world, things looked and felt much different. In front of Tiek were three larges doors. He turned his attention upon each. One had a smiling jack-o-lantern, the middle had an odd curve covered in gauze.
Finally there was the furthest door. It's branches seemed to reach out and grab something deep inside Tiekash. Malice and Terror. With a yelp, he jerked backwards and flung his arms over his face, the scissors and bag flying across the room in different directions.
For a long time he stayed that way, curled upon the floor with his arms protectively shielding his face. Finally, with a heart beating a hundred miles per hour, Tiek peeked out between spread fingers at the gate with the tree. It still gave the same vibe, but this time he was more prepared.
Malice.... Terror... Emotions from so long ago, emotions that didn't even feel like his, floated to the surface. It hurt, it hurt, it hurt! He pinched his eyes shut, wanting to turn around and quit.
Then her words returned. Placing a hand where his yellow core resided, Tiekash remembered his AEGIS. A new heart, she said, and the past that was no more. Even if this terrible gate with the wicked branches recalled bad, painful things, she would be there to help him. She always would be.
Gathering the scissors and bag once more, Tiek edged to the door. Last Chance, he reminded himself. There was no response, other than a deep hunger to know why, of all the doors this one made him feel these odd things. Taking a deep, steadying breath, he shoved open the door and stepped inside.
The door swallowed the intruder soundlessly, awaiting fresh prey.
AN ADVENTURE BEGINS
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Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 8:07 pm
Howls of delight filled the black room. In those endless moments, the hate and rage consumed him. He tore and tore at the squishy substance. So many obstacles. Deeper and deeper the scissors drove. Something hot, wet, and slightly stick spewed out and painted his hands and the weapon. It was becoming harder to get a good grip.
Eventually though that sharp blades hit the right spot, and with a triumphant howl Tiek started stabbing and slashing with renewed vigor. A maniac's grin spread over his face.
"TAKESHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
The figure in the box screamed a name that made his head hurt so bad. It cut short the bloodlust, rage, and hate. The broken howl echoed through the black room as a jagged memory played:
Takeshi's Faded Memory A memory of a tiny puppy, curled up with his sister. They were about the same size. The male puppy, who was called TAKESHI, had a body colored like a toasted sesame seed. Each fuzzy hair ended in a rich, chocolate brown and began with a light brown. Underneath was the creamy coat of Urajiro. The curled tail of his breed was proudly on display. A shiba-inu with his litter. Mother lay to the side, her milk filled teets exposed so the pups could eat.
Outside their den, a large human male was talking to his Alpha female. If Takeshi hadn't just drank his fill of mother's milk, he might have sauntered forward to sniff or bark at the intruder. Alpha Female didn't seem worried, though. She was talking happily back and forth. Sometimes her hands would motion to him. Takeshi closed his eyes and settled in for a snooze.
Someone decided to pick him up moments later. With a yelp, he growled, wiggled, and barked, trying to sink his sharp teeth into skin. The scent was definitely not Alpha Female. Let alone would she never interrupt his sleep. She was talking rapidly, and her tone was mixed with worry and anger.
This upset Takeshi even more. His hackles rose. The Human Male was the one to pick him up. He was talking, rapidly back to Alpha Female, but his eyes never left Takeshi. Righteous anger poured through his teeny frame. While there was quite a huge size difference, there was no way he would let this giant talk badly to Alpha Female!
Suddenly the male giant spoke, LOUDLY. Takeshi's sensitive ears burned and he whined in pain, trying to still wiggle from the monster's hands.
Then, with an unusual gentleness The Male Human said,
"Takeshi." It was warm and inviting, and not nearly as worrisome. The Pup opened his eyes. Those hands that had squeezed him tight were now scratching and petting him. Happy words came out of the male's mouth. "Takeshi. Takeshi flkjfnwqihog Dog. Good Dog."
When the memory ended, he was scratched up and the bloody heart rested in one hand, the other hand clutching gore covered scissors. The figure in the box was the man who had bought him as a puppy, his owner. His Alpha Male.
Slowly he put the heart in the bag and started climbing out of the crate. None of his limbs wanted to work. They were too heavy and cumbersome. Halfway out, his toe caught the edge of the box and Take spilled out onto the ground. Turning onto his hands and knees he began to puke, and then dry heave.
Master.
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 9:03 pm
Struggle.... Life was leaving him behind. Darkness reached out its greedy tendrils, trying to sink him deeper. He was going to die here, in this dark room, drowned.
STRUGGLE! Thrash as he might, those hands that held him under were strong. Under the water, the voice was muffled but Tiek could hear it. Those words that had chased him from the box to here. Give me back my heart.
Your heart. Tiek noticed the gray eyes, lifeless and staring, boring into him. They did no't care, either way, what happened to him. Another memory came back:
Takeshi's Faded Memory
His muzzle was so close to the food. He strained, and strained. Screamed, howled, snarled, whined, begged... Anything for that piece of food. Hunger gnawed holes deeper than hell in his stomach. He was wasting away. Sometimes when Master showed up, he would bark and snarl. THE HUNGER would be too much to handle. He needed that FOOD. Needed it so badly! It didn't matter that Master was Master. The Male Human was meat and Takeshi needed food.
Every time he lost that much more of his control, he howled sadly and sought forgiveness of his Master. He was so sorry. Please, just feed me, he would silently plead. Feed me, Master, give me water. Give me food. Feed me. Master, whatever I did wrong, forgive me!
Master stared at him so angrily and would leave. Time lost all meaning. In its place was THE HUNGER. It consumed everything. First his voice, then his strength, and slowly, piece by piece, his sanity.
Master came back. He was mad. "Why do you have to be such a good Dog, Takeshi?" He asked angrily, so upset. "Why can't you just break? You're not a good Dog! You're a bad Dog. A bad, bad dog."
Bending down, Master picked the food bowl up and moved it closer to Takeshi. Joy rushed through the Shiba-Inu. He whined softly and tried feebly to move his head forward.
"You want this, don't you, Takeshi?" Master bent down know. His eyes were wet. "You'll never have it."
Master threw the bowl away, and with it the last shreds of Takeshi's sanity.
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Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 9:20 pm
Staring up into the now lifeless gray eyes of MASTER, Tiek realized that it was them or him.
Memories of the kindness from pup hood circled back. Master. Warm, loving. Then the last memory. Master. Cruel. Unjust. They fought with each other, trying to balance one another out, but it was a one sided battle.
You already killed me once. Tiek thought as he gathered up the last shred of his strength. Slowly he raised the scissors from the water and plunged them into MASTER.
I won't let you kill me again.
With an unearthly shriek, the monster disappeared, drawing with it the water. Tiek was left on his side, coughing up what had gotten into his system. With shaky limbs and a heavy conscious, he pushed himself from the ground.
A door appeared a few steps away, bathing only a fraction of the area in light. Tiek shielded himself and stepped closer, one hand still clutching the scissors, the other heavy with the bagged heart.
As he stepped through the door something compelled him to take a glance back. There, standing on the edge of the lights reach, was Master. He was holding an empty bag with a look in his eyes that said:
I killed you once.
Tiek turned and left the room behind.
I won't kill you again... You're my good Dog, Takeshi.
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 8:41 pm
[A NEW DAY RISES]
task two
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:03 pm
Tiekash opened his eyes and experienced something new: White. Everywhere was white. Harsh and different than the gray and black hues tempered with red, blue, and yellow of the world, the white sliced deep into his eyes, forcing him to pinch them shut. After a moment of rest, both eyes seemed to tolerate the white better.
Where exactly was he? White had never been a part of the three worlds. A new word appeared: Sterile. Not even pristine could touch this perfect level of white cleanliness. Sterile, bleached and baked. Not even the air seemed to have been touched before. Florescent lights bathed the room in an uncomfortable blue white light. A dissonant buzz and flicker kept Tiekash from believing they were some sort of bright white glowing monster.
Rolling off the slab of metal on which he had lain, Tiek stood on the cool linoleum floor. What was this place? He tracked his memories as step by step the only door and presumably the exit came closer.
Outside of the room, the hall stretched infinitely in both directions. Taking a few steps from the door, a huge thunk came from behind. Surprised, Tiek turned around... Nothing was there.
Heading down the hall in a decidedly random direction, a door loomed in the distance. Pleased, he doubled his pace. Once more, from behind, was a large, hollow, THUD.
A sinking feeling of being watched and followed came over Tiek. He began to walk faster.
THUD.
Louder this time. CLOSER.
They carried in one hand a pair of rusted scissors that shrieked against the ground as they walked. Terror swallowed him whole.
Tiekash ran.
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:21 pm
He ran. He ran. He ran. Every step led him further from the shadowy figure that was shriek thudding closer. Ahead was a door, a potential escape.
Tiekash slammed into the door and grabbed at the handle, jerking it roughly. It didn't budge. Growling in anger, Tiekash finally noticed the words.
PASSCODE REQUIRED
Behind him the figure grew even closer...
[FEET LEFT || 40]
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Magician Arcana rolled 1 4-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-4)
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:24 pm
A panicked howl ripped from Tiek's throat as he tossed his glance this way and that, trying to find the way to open the door. It had to open!
From behind, the figure called out a foreign name. "Takeshi."
Takeshi's Faded Memory It was so cold outside, the snow piling up all around. Such bright white flurries. Takeshi leaped into a pile. Powdery flakes blew out on either side of him, like a wave of water. Barking happily, he clambered from the whole and prepared for a new pounce. Alpha male opened the backdoor of the Den and called his name. "Takeshi! It's getting cold. Come on it, my good boy." Takeshi barked a few times and bound over to the warmth. A rough hand rumpled his ears gently. "What a good boy you are, Takeshi."
Tiekash snapped from the odd memory. From behind the figure's voice carried to him. "Cold boy good getting. Takeshi. Good it."
He needed to get out of here.
[FEET LEFT || 35]
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Magician Arcana rolled 1 4-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-4)
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:34 pm
It's him. Panic settled in even deeper. Tiekash howled and tried to rip the door handle off with brute strength.
From behind the ghost says a foreign word, but it spikes a memory deeply inside Tiekash.
Takeshi's Faded Memory Master stares at the small pile of wood. In one hand is a clear zippo lighter, half full of fluid. In the other is a picture and a piece of paper. With a few unsuccessful flicks, the zippo finally alights. Burning the paper first, Master used it to start the wood pile next. With slow, methodical patience, he got the fire burning well with a few white hot coals. Next came the picture. Smoke curled up, black an acrid, as the photo burnt. "Takeshi, this woman is Chiyo Nakamura. Take over her body. Make her remove her clothes. Mutilate her, Takeshi, and eat her soul. She will die by hanging."Takeshi's long, spiraled white inu-gami form hung beside his master, tasting the cursed smoke and knowing his master's intent. Eating the soul would help THE HUNGER.
"Naka... Chi.... Mura... Yo.... Body. Mutilate. Hanging. Eat. Clothes." The words stumbled out, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. All of them distorted.
[FEET LEFT || 30]
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Magician Arcana rolled 1 4-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-4)
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:54 pm
Taking a steadying breath, Tiek casted a glance around the door, slower this time. To the left was a piece of paper, stained red with the the following information:
It made no sense. The figure grew closer.
[FEET LEFT || 25]
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Magician Arcana rolled 1 4-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-4)
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:15 pm
Tiekash grew closer to escaping. Adrenalin and confidence coursed through him. Sensing the change, the shadow figure spoke another foreign word. It had been speaking them during the other times, more than likely, but this one struck a chord with Tiek.
Takeshi's Faded Memory It is dark outside. Takeshi laid beside Master. They both watched as fireworks colored the sky with massive booms. It was the summer festival.
[FEET LEFT || 20]
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Magician Arcana rolled 1 4-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-4)
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:23 pm
He needed to escape. The memories made him sick and afraid. He wanted to crumple and cry. To give up completely.
"T a k e s h s h s h s h s h s h s h i i i i i i i i"
Takeshi's Faded Memory Master was yelling at him, one finger pointed at the spot on the carpet. Takeshi whimpered and curled up, trying to make himself even smaller. He had tried, so hrd, to not go. Master was gone so so so long and he had to go so so so bad. Later Master gave him a bone and a pet. "I'm sorry for hitting you, Takeshi."
"HIT. Hit. hhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITttttttttt. HIT. hit. hit. SOOOOOOOOR. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUR. SOUUUUUUUUUUUREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee."
[FEET LEFT || 15]
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Magician Arcana rolled 1 4-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-4)
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:24 pm
Each step the scissors shrieked sharper, hurting his head. God, he was so tired and upset and just wanted to run. Run. Run.
"takeshi" The shadow whispered.
Takeshi's Faded Memory It is the height of summer. Cicadas chirp everywhere. Takeshi slept most of the day and was up in the later evening, chasing down the noisy bugs. Master sat in the shade, watching him. Beside him stood an odd Female. They held hands. "Chiyo, I wonder if maybe I should just keep him. Takeshi's such a good dog."
"gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood. dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooog. go-o-o-d. d-o-o-og."
[FEET LEFT || 10]
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Magician Arcana rolled 1 4-sided dice:
3
Total: 3 (1-4)
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:25 pm
CLOSER. IT WAS SO CLOSE NOW. Terror sunk deep into his stomach. Grabbing onto the door he bagged and howled.
"Remember how you struggled to get free from the whole? How you strained for the food? No matter how close you were, Takeshi, you never got out. You were just a stupid dog stuck in a hole. You were so pathetic. What a failure. You couldn't even save yourself!
The words had no meaning, but they felt like icy daggers slamming into his stomach and heart.
[FEET LEFT || 05]
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Magician Arcana rolled 1 4-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-4)
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:26 pm
It was over. All over. Tiekash couldn't escape and the monster, that ugly shadow beast, kept getting closer, and closer. Exhausted and terrified, he howled again, a pitiful sound.
Then it caught his eyes. Another slip of red paper.
It took a moment to connect. Frantically Tiekash punched the numbers into the keypad.
A split second came and went.
The door swung out and Tiekash rushed through, throwing it closed behind him on the shadow monster.
He had barely made it, but he was out. He ran as far as he could from the door.
[FINAL ROLL]
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