Welcome to Gaia! ::

From: An anonymous benefactor
Message: "That set was great!" Your biggest fan waits for you backstage, his trademark smirk capped on the end with the hint of a fang. As hard as you try you can't help but give one back as you see the shining adoration in those usually mischievous eyes of his. Topped with feathery white hair, clad in a brown leather jacket, jeans, and boots he looks the part of his profession. He hands you your case as you put the old violin in. After it's put up and the goodbyes to the band are said, the two of you head out the front door of the joint. A walk under the stars tonight perhaps.

As you two round the corner, small talk about the goings on of the Barton Jazz scene and intergalactic trade echo off the sidewalk. You are eager to play like the masters of the night, he wants to fly like an eagle of the void. Talk of Starbound dreams and barside strings come to a halt as you see a familiar sight parked in the lot behind the building you were playing tonight. An older model transport cutter, steely blue with "Lucille" across the nose in sloping font.

"Aw jeepers Til, ya know how old man Charlie gets when ya land that thing there!" You playfully sock him in the arm as he offers his apology with a sheepish pass of his hand through his white hair.
"This time is a, uh, special occasion, dig?" The Deavshi pilot, then grabs on to your hand and starts up a good pace. "We're gonna be late!" A cruise along the stars instead.

Once the you're inside and strapped in to the co-pilots chair, you hear the reassuring first cycle of the engines as the twin reactors start firing. He takes a look at your supports before a thumbs up, you respond in kind. A muffled boom throws the two of you skyward, Til puts his goggles on one handed and yells "GRAVITY AIN"T CATCHIN' US NOW!" Your laughter is carried on steel wings into the black as you, a sleuth-in-training jazz cat from Illinois screams into the ionosphere alongside a roguish alien with a cute smile and a heart of gold.

The stars turned from points of light to lines of brilliance as he throws the engines into full burn. You close your eyes and hold out your free hand. When you feel his warm and slightly calloused hand grasp yours, it doesn't matter where you are, everything is above board here, now.

He brings the ship to a gradual halt outside some planet you have never seen before. It is early morning where you float over its surface in space. Even after being in space before, these kinds of sights will never cease to amaze you.

You watch as the sun, hot blue in this system, crawls over the horizon line. As this happens the unseen nebula around the planet lights up in a spray of luminescent yellows and oranges. The green planet below seems to be engulfed in glowing magical fire, the color blending ad flowing unlike anything you have ever seen before.

He looks over to you and shrugs, "Saw this on a supply run a week ago. Though ya'd think it was swell." He sits back and reaches for a panel on the wall. After removing it, he brings out a little box. "I also picked this up then too."

You take it and the two of you lean in as we leave this scene to play out anther time...

I love you honey. Enjoy.

_____________________________________________________________

Message:
Gaia...

Barton Town...

Night....

A lone figure walked down a rainy street. The streetlights giving any passer-by a fleeting glance of a stranger to this strange world. A normally exuberant and youthful face, now clouded by emotion. Anger. Frustration. Loneliness.

He trudged along,hand in the pockets of his bomber jacket, the rain matting down its fur ruffed collar, much like his once feathery hair, much like his spirits. He was a smuggler by definition, adventurer at heart. However, now his life blood and livelihood was all full of holes. His ship sat, blasted by a bunch of two-bit second rate mercs who had the nerve to shoot up him and his baby. Now without the right parts or the gun-ho attitude this wild child was known for, he sulked in the rain. The dark hours of Barton were little comfort.

He was almost to tears when he heard a smooth tune dance it's way down his ear, caressing him close and calling him to a stop. His savage soul was, for the moment, soothed and he hazarded a look to see where this sweet auditory delight flowed from. A staircase lead down to a door under an awning he almost looked clean over. The door ajar, a warmth glowing within. "To hell with it." He mumbled and made his way inside.

A smoky room and a silky tune his eyes and ears were not unused to. But as he looked around the joint, a dark place of secretive booths and candle lit tables, something opened his oculars wide and set the mind behind them ablaze. A golden haired, long-limbed little number was making her fingers do beautiful things to a worn violin. The soft notes soared in to his heart and stuck him to the spot. The sax and drums opened his spirit up further as the bassist carried it all home. The band with her was so much background fuzz when she strung high though. His eyes left the freckles on her cheeks for a moment when her eyes fluttered open, only to scan the room and lock onto him. His red orbs met her ocean blues and the room was suffused in purple. He stood like that until the set was over and the broke his trance only to take a seat.

After a minute, and the waiter setting a whiskey in front of him did he see her again. She was walking up towards him, taking a seat across from him before he could speak. those lips in black gloss moved and spoke to him a tale of longing, to which he replied, "yes". Smirking gloss now, as she led him by the hand to the front near the stage. His heart raced, but he kept his nerve. She says something to the drummer and he gets the band in gear, a slow work of art that breaks only to be punctuated by the cymbals angel tap.

She looks back at him, nervous too, but too far in to show it now. She takes his hands in hers, callouses on callouses, both work hard at their passions. Her feet urge and compel his feet to move, soon both are in sway to the rhythm and their dance lasts a lifetime in his mind. He asks if she's from around her and she says no. She asks the same and he tells her what he is, his courage increasing when he registers the mischievous glint in that bright ocean. He tells her what he thought of her craft, and how it delivered him from the ashes of the previous week. She blushes and steps in close to avoid having him see her freckles heat up. He feels her slight form and her modest chest as she lays her head aside his. A whiff of her hair; scent like a spring time shower.

An hour passes. It was late before, but now mornings' harsh light threatens the black silence of the night. The two must part, the fires still burn. She is bold and slips him a number alongside a kiss, one such that leaves an imprint of her little teeth in his lip and a surprised giggle escaping her throat. She's not that kind of girl, of course. He leaves her a token from his last shipment and on it a small paper.

"Hey you smooth playin' hellkitten, If you wanna jazz for real, swing by my ship and I'll show you some outta this world stuff, dig? Thanks for the dance mama, I wish the chicks back homeward were more like you. I hope you like this little gift you swanky sheba."

-Tilquaine

Arron the Lythcol Mechanic:



Message:
With everyone helping Gino gain power to seal away Nyx once & for all, you are doing your best to help out. It is going smoothly and the ambition of you & your friends continue to grow. Amidst the chatter, & nervous excitement you find yourself separated from your friends in an alley. You see something glowing softly, on a back stoop. As you get closer you see that it is a relatively tall young man with chestnut hair. He seems to be concentrating on his generating his own ambition. However parts of his clothes and skin have become crystallized somehow in the process. His eyes, now shadowed softly glow an ethereal teal as he stares at you with blush tinted cheeks. You are not the only one who is surprised.
"Wh-What are you doing here?" he asks shying away, "...Th-This isn't g-good... I-I have to go."

Before you could ask, an explosion sounds off in the distance, catching your attention. By the time you look back at the young man, he is gone. However, he left a gift sitting in the same spot he was sitting in, covered in a crystalline dust. It is addressed to you & the tag reads, ''I may not be able to fix my own heart, but I will fix yours.'''

Arron the Lythcol Mechanic

Message:
You arrive at the ball, all dressed to the nines! You dance happily with would-be suitors, mingle with friends & other socialites. A tall figure, with a top hat that makes him to seem even taller, catches your eye as he passes you by quietly. He is dressed in midnight blue. Thinking nothing of it, you go back to the festivities. Later, you go to the balcony for some fresh air; after all, the entire ballroom is quite warm. The same figure from before is out on the balcony when you arrive.
''H-Hello,'' he stutters, ''I -I hope y-you have had fun.'' You nod at him & say yes. He is shy, & you can barely make out his face for the shadows. Yet, you can make out a pair of ethereal teal eyes that almost glow & a few chestnut locks. However from the soft glow of his eyes, you can see very dark circles from underneath them. It is as if he has not had sleep in a very long time. You ask him if he is alright. He smiles & nods.
''J-Just been... w-working l-late is all...'' he says vaguely.
He holds out his gloved hand as a new song floats out from the ballroom.
''C-Care t-t-to dance?'' he asks changing the subject. You nod & take his hand. The young man pulls you into a waltz that is fluid & slow. He is surprisingly good for someone of his stature. Soon the song ends, & you feel him break away, but not after placing a tender & gentle hug around your frame. You look up to see his gone, a crystalline dust floating on the wind. However, a gift is left sitting on the balcony railing. Its tag reads, ''I may not be able to fix my own heart, but I will fix yours.''
Arron the Lythcol Mechanic

Message:
The camp is such great fun! You have enjoyed many activities like hiking, fishing & swimming with your friends. Now after roasting marshmallows & making all sorts of roasted gooey treats, your friends have all gone to sleep in their tents. The fire is dying down to embers. You hear the sound of singing off in the distance. The song is sorrowful sounding as it draws you in. You soon find a clearing lit up by the moonlight as well as other lights. What else is there astounds you. It appears to be, a bunch of metal put together in a hodgepodge sort of fashion, but the design looks similar to a space ship.
You stare in awe at the makings of the machine before you spot a relatively tall young man with goggles resting in his chestnut hair. His eyes, now shadowed softly glow an ethereal teal as he stares at you with blush tinted cheeks. You are not the only one who is surprised.
"TWh-What are you doing here?!" he ask looking back at the unfinished ship before mumbling, "...Th-This isn;t g-good..."

A solitary howl takes your eye off the young man for a few moments. You turn back & he is gone as well as the unfinished ship. However, he left a gift sitting in the same spot he was standing in, covered in a crystalline dust. It is addressed to you & the tag reads, ''I may not be able to fix my own heart, but I will fix yours.''

Arron the Lythcol Mechanic


From: An anonymous benefactor
Message:
It is a time of reminiscing & everyone is having fun making their scrapbooks from the past year. You talk with your friends about the happenings on Gaia, but you see someone is not having fun. You walk over to him & politely ask what is bothering him.
He is a relatively tall young man with goggles resting in his chestnut hair. He seems to be just staring at his necklace with a sad, & lonely expression.
Looking up at you with his softly glowing ethereal teal eyes he mumbles "I-I'm fine... I-I'm just... I-I... am... missing someone... With the Easter Bunny & President Deidrich de-destroying that sp-space ship... I-I'm never getting home to-to her... Unless I-I make... my own..."
The young man seemed to be thinking long & hard about a decision.
Upon seeing his pendant, you notice it is a silver engagement ring with a dark blue stone. You frown slightly before one of your friends calls your name for you to come back to the group. They want to show you something.
You turn back to ask him to join you & your friends, but he is gone. However, he left a gift sitting in the same spot he was sitting in, covered in a crystalline dust. You frown picking it up, & for some strange reason you have a feeling of dread wash over you. It was as if something bad was going to happen soon. The gift is addressed to you & the tag reads, ''I may not be able to fix my own heart, but I will fix yours.''

~Arron the Lythcol Mechanic

Monster:

Message: A rare sight hangs in the sky tonight, a lunar eclipse on the night when the moon is closest to the planet, an occurrence that only happens once every thirty years. So to celebrate the rare occasion, a night of stargazing felt like the perfect way to spend the evening... Except something felt off as you walked. Shadows seemed to stretch and twist unnaturally in the dark of night, and you could have sworn you saw a pair of glowing eyes watching you just out of your gaze. Strange clicking noises entered your ears as you looked back to find you really had seen eyes watching you... the eyes have now become a hoard of shadowy monsters, poised to attack.

Well you weren't going to give them the chance, sprinting off in the other direction as they followed close behind, screeching and clicking behind you when suddenly something large, hairy and blue crashed into the hoard, howling savagely with eyes glowing a deep red like the lunar eclipse hanging above the scene. Watching on in astonishment, the beast hacked, slashed and punched through the monsters, even grabbing two smaller ones in each hand and smashing their bodies together until they disintegrated. Soon the hoards of shadowy creatures were no more, and only the blue beast remained as the victor.

Thankful for this strange savior, you utter your thanks as the creature looks over at you... and snarls, crouching on all fours and making his way over with viscous drool flowing from his jaws. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. You tried to run once again but this thing was far too fast and soon it had you cornered with no options- until it held its head in pain? Its eyes looked less red as you looked up to see the lunar eclipse was beginning to end, the red color slipping from the face of the moon. ...Well it was now or never, so you bolted while the thing was occupied and headed straight home, no stargazing tonight, nope, not with things like what you witnessed roaming around...

----

As you got ready for bed, you heard a noise at your door. Was it those monsters again? Cautiously you very slowly opened your door to find a small present on your doorstep. A trap perhaps? ...But those creatures didn't seem smart enough for that, so you very quickly took the present inside and closed the door again, noting that the eclipse had ended and the moon had returned to normal. On the top of the present was a small tag with a note that seemed preemptively written:

"Sorry for the trouble. -Mister Monster Guy"

Fri July 24, 2015 11:08 pm
Message: Night has fallen at Camp Nimbus and it's time for the scariest story contest! Night after night the stories have been getting more elaborate, so you know you're in for a treat as you casually roast marshmallows over the campfire and listen to tonight's spooky selection of tales. The story of two ordinary hikers getting lost in the woods at night is so vivid you find yourself engulfed in the words, flinching at every rustle of the leaves as the tension builds, almost shouting for the fictional hikers to not go into the clearly haunted cabin they're taking refuge in for the fictional night. The rustling of leaves grows louder as the storyteller doesn't seem to notice a silhouette appear behind them from the bushes, the light of the flames just out of reach to make out what's in the shadows. But then... it springs!

"GROAAAAR!"

HOLY FRICK WHAT IS IT IT'S BLUE WITH CLAWS AND FANGS AND YOU'RE NOT GONNA STICK AROUND TO FIND OUT WHAT IT WANTS! The rest of the campers follow suit, screaming in terror and abandoning the campfire at the speed of sound, even dropping their perfectly roasted marshmallows on the way out. As you're running in the dark though you trip on a rock and curl up, thinking this must be the end... You peek your eyes open after a moment of not being mauled, sitting up and looking back over at the campfire to see the creature sitting at the now vacant campfire and happily devouring the marshmallows before leaving a present on the chairs and running off back into the forest.

...Wait. Was that all a prank? Darn it, there goes your marshmallows! Oh well, you go back to the campfire now that the coast is clear and look at the present, wrapped in blue and red ribbon, with a note that reads:

Thanks for the snack! >:3
-Mister Monster Guy

Sun May 03, 2015 9:26pm
Message: Thisisn'thappeningThisisn'thappeningThisisn'thappeningThisisn'thappening-

GAH! Geez don't sneak up on a Mister Monster Guy like that! ...You were worried about me? Eh heh, what do you mean I'm acting strange and hiding in a corner, you're just imagining things. Yep, the corner we're both sitting in and talking to each other in right now is not real. Nope. So you should, you know. Leave. Like, right now. ...I'm not kidding the moon's gonna come out any second now-

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU SEE IT OUTSIDE THE WINDOW RIGHT NOW?!

Oh this is bad, this is really... r-really bad... ...W-what do you m-mean I'm shaking y-you're the one who's sh-shaking! I-IT'S THE WORLD TH-THAT'S SHAKING NOT ME- Grck!

....Grrrhg......rrg!

......Rrrrr...

...rrRrr..uu...

.....

..

.
______________________________________________________________
Sat Apr 04, 2015 6:27 pm
From: An anonymous benefactor
Message: As night fell over the intergalactic battleground, you noticed a little blue monster resting underneath a tree, though what little rest he was getting seemed to not help, his body trembling heavily and his breathing labored. You were about to see if he was alright, when the bunny aliens seemed to recognize this as an opportunity to take out one of their attackers and swarmed the tree, taunting and jeering the creature as he only seemed to get worse, coughing up a thick foam his mouth was producing at an alarming rate.

"What's the matter, rat? Did we give you rabies?" The rabbits cackled, "Come on, rat, scurry away!" None of the space bunnies noticed the blood moon rising in the sky, but it certainly caught your attention...

"I'm not... a rat..." The blue creature shakily responded, his voice deep and raspy.

One of the rabbits stepped up, twirling a ray gun in his paws. "Oh yeah, what was it you were calling yourself, a hedgehog?" The rabbit smirked and aimed the gun at the creature's forehead. "Roll up and dodge this, then!"

The ray gun went off, but it didn't hit its mark, ohhh no. The creature snatched the rabbit up in his shaking paws... his growing paws... as the ray gun fired off into the top of the tree, some of the onlooking rabbits scattering at the suddenness of it. The creature continued to grow, his eyes glowing as red as the lunar eclipse in the sky, and soon he was towering over the rabbits, even towering over you.

"I'm..." The creature growled and gurgled his words between his labored breathing and the saliva dripping from his enlarged fangs. "...A mon... ster..."

He let out an enraged roar that shook the area before tossing the terrified rabbit a few yards away, the rest of the onlooking bunnies running away screaming in fright as the monster let out a bone-chilling howl and chased after the rabbits...

You felt very lucky to have not been spotted as you witnessed this encounter, walking up to the spot of the events once the coast was clear. You noticed nearby where the monster was sitting, a satchel of themed Easter presents... was that creature one of the anons? Picking up a present, you read the kind message and make out the pen name of the beast...
________________________________________________________________
Fri Apr 03, 2015 7:16 pm
From: An anonymous benefactor
Message: THEY CAME FROM OUTER SPACE! EXTRATERRESTRIAL RABBITS BENT ON THE ERADICATION OF GAIAKIND! WHO CAN STOP THIS BUN BUN MENACE?

IT'S... SPACE MONSTER!

Leaping heroically from asteroid to asteroid, avoiding oddly spaced black holes and jumping over entire freaking suns! He will get to the invading space vessel and damage it for....! One point of damage. ...This might take awhile.

-Happy Easter from Mister Monster Guy!
________________________________________________________________
Thu Mar 05, 2015 6:53 pm
From: An anonymous benefactor
Message: The full moon has risen once again, as it always does, and as you sit in your room in this giant guild of anons, you find your thoughts lingering on your blue furry friend. It sure has been a while since your last encounter with his not-so-pleasant side, not that you're complaining any, but it makes you wonder...

...You hear a sound in the hallway as wondering time comes to a grinding halt, almost out of instinct you start to breath more quietly. After all, even if it isn't Monster, there's more than one werewolf in the anon ranks... With your door cracked open, though, you do see a giant wall of blue slowly pass by, so that answers that question, followed by a string of new questions. How did he get out? Where is he going? Are you going to follow him anyways? ...Well you at least know the answer to one of those questions as you get up and peek out the door and watch the giant werebeast head downstairs. With stealth mode activated, you wait a few seconds before tip-toeing over to the stairs and peeking down, just catching the literal tail end of the werehog as he heads into the kitchen. Typical, even for his were form.

This again causes more questions, however. Why was his first thought the kitchen? Why did he not try and invade someone's room to eat them? Are you still going to follow him downstairs? Answering the obvious question, you quietly make your way downstairs, spying on the werehog in the kitchen as his entire upper half is squished into the fridge. If you had to describe what "extreme nomming" sounds like you would probably use a sound clip of the noises Monster is making right now as food just enters his body like a culinary black hole. ...Also you're pretty sure he just swallowed a carton of milk, cardboard and all, and that is absolutely terrifying.

An apple rolls out from the fridge and begins to roll near your hiding spot... please don't stop, please don't stop little apple please don't- Of course it stops by your feet, of course. You go to pick it up, maybe if you hide it Monster won't notice- ...And Monster is staring at you and the apple. Wonderful. Well you had a good life, you suppose. But as you wait for the assumed ripping of your personage to shredded wheat, nothing happens. He just watches you. ...You move the apple slightly and suddenly Monster opens his mouth. You flinch as you assume now he's decided to strike, but... Nope. He's just standing there with his mouth open. ...Does he want you to...?

You toss the apple into his mouth and he chomps down and swallows it, then goes back to raiding the fridge. ...He didn't even try to attack you. Is Monster... improving? For a moment you're almost proud of the furry lug, when he quickly turns his head towards a window, sees a squirrel outside and charges the door, knocking it off its hinges and running off after it.

...Guess Mister Monster Guy needs more practice.

Acrostic Anon: Mon Mar 09, 2015 9:25 am
From: An anonymous benefactor
Message: S easlug
I n
L ove (with)
E very
N ew
D ay
A head

-- itsaplayofwords --

Qwirkz: Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:17 pm

From: An anonymous benefactor
Message:
As you walk through the field, searching for eggs, you come across a strange girl with blue hair and bright eyes. Bunny ears are perched proudly on her head. She smiles brightly as she sees you. &��Oh, hello!&�� She says brightly. &��I am searching for eggs! I&��ve found so many!&�� You look down at the empty basket in her hand questioningly. She giggles. &��Oh I don&��t like picking them up. Then I can share the fun of discovery with everyone!&�� She throws her basket in the air in pure joy. As it sails, a present falls to the ground. &��Whoops.&�� She says with another giggle. &��Good thing it was for you anyway.&�� She picks up the gift and hands it to you. With another laugh, she skips away.

The note on the present reads,
Qwirkz, The Oddity Anon

The Beast Within:

Message:
You're not sure how long the two of you had been having this staring contest, but your eyes are beginning to burn from the lack of moisture. But you can't blink. If you blink then the owner of those glowing gold eyes would surely make you their dinner. Why did you decide it would be a good idea to go on a midnight stroll on the night of a full moon? The burning is only getting worse and you let out a fear filled whimper when you finally blink, eyes clenching shut as you prepare to feel the sharp teeth of the werewolf to sink into your throat.

But nothing happens.

You wait several long seconds before slowly opening your eyes to see that the werewolf had vanished. You're confused and, against your better judgement, move towards where it had been standing, white fur glowing almost as brightly as it's eyes in the moonlight. But there's nothing, not even a paw print or strands of fur to prove it had been there at all...

Beast Within -Anon-

Thu Mar 05, 2015 5:27 pm
From: An anonymous benefactor
Message:
Traipsing though the woods on the night of a full moon... Nothing could go wrong, right? Or at least you insisted nothing would go wrong when your friends told you not to take this particular short cut home. The sightings of large wolves and werewolves were nothing but the product of skittish people jumping at shadows, right? Right..? I mean, that blood spattered werewolf growling at you as it hunches protectively over that deer carcass is obviously just the moonlight playing tricks on your eyes! Or maybe someone slipped something into your food! Or a dream! A very, very bloody and scary dream. And you totally didn't start running when the werewolf started to stand. Not that it really matters since this is just some kind of nightmare, right? Right..?

Beast Within -Anon-
________________________________________________________________
Wed Oct 08, 2014 8:59 pm
From: An anonymous benefactor
Message:
The full moons shines down on the foggy night, the trees of the forest you walk through nothing more than sinister shadows. You had heard recently on the news that there has been an increase of people being mauled by wild animals lately, but that hadn't kept you from deciding to take a walk during the cool October evening. But now, as the mist grows thicker and you become more and more lost in it's white blankness with only the trees for company, you are regretting that decision. Your panic continues to build as you're sure you're no longer anywhere near the path when you hear growling from beside you. You freeze and slowly turn your head, your brain slowly registering glowing gold eyes and the faint outline of a white wolf like creature. Your brain then registers that there's dark stains around the creatures mouth and you slowly look down, time seeming to come to a near standstill as you take in the corpse of some poor hapless Gaian that had become this monsters meal.

You didn't even have a chance to scream.

Beast Within -Anon-

Velvet Noir: Fri Oct 31, 2014 8:41 am
From: An anonymous benefactor
Message:
What a lovely cat of black and gold
The perfect body for me to hold
With lots of curves for hands to explore
And lips that kisses were made for
Before this Halloween is through,
Have I got some tricks and treats for you
Why not leave yourself in my hands?
You know how a growing passion expands
We'll make some heat on this cool autumn night
You're in for so much more than a fright

~Velvet Noir

Radiant Anon Solsi:

#14) Gamma Meets Alpha


A shadow had descended on the world of Gaia. All was in turmoil. The dark God Nyx was freed and wrecking havoc, threatening the very existence of those who called the land home. In a desperate scramble, the shopkeepers came together to pull their resources and devise a plan. It was decided, with Brennivin's help, they would draw strength from all willing to lend it and project it upon Gino - the only one capable of sealing the deity once again. The towns evacuated, their citizens relocated to focus their ambition in one grand, unifying effort... Among them, your mind empties of all distractions, priming itself on the sole intent of defeating Nyx...and restoring the land to its former glory...

Meanwhile, in the heart of Barton, a worried soul investigates a deep trench of destruction that carved a crooked path through the city. The streets were barren under a gray sky. The girl, better known as Solsi, the Radiant Anon, bent down to study the sweltering chemical burns. They melted the pavement of the streets and sent a toxic odor into the air. Her nose crinkled from the assaulting fumes. The burnt rubber was starting to harden, but she couldn't get too near it. She stood up again and took a long, slow scan of her surroundings. Cars were welded in half, their metal frames curdled in a bulbous fashion around the cleave. The fallen bricks of nearby homes and businesses looked like lumps of wet clay. Something devastating had been here, and recently.

Moving quickly and cautiously she followed the trail of carnage to the city limits where it spread unabashed by any public structure. A cold shudder ran through her body and she hugged her arms, following the winding path with her eyes till it disappeared on the horizon. Blots of hot fire ate away at the still-living grass in the west field. Whatever passed through was strong enough to ignite it. She didn't have much time, but as and where she could she gathered large, flat rocks and smothered the flames as she progressed. Heading north, she suspected the war torn path to lead to the hands of Nyx himself, but as the Great Wall of Gambino rose in the distance, a very different figure came into view...

A man brimming with energy had his back to her. A lump started to form in her throat as she realized who it was. He was back, but he was different. He had grown somehow taller, and his physique was noticeably broader. He didn't appear stronger...more like...swollen. The radiation he emitted flared in short, erratic bursts like a balloon ready to pop. A balloon, or a grenade... He hadn't noticed her. Her eyes flew ahead to his assumed destination. Her heart nearly stopped when her sights settled on the Warp Portal. If he was allowed to reach it...there was no telling what would happen. Summoning her wand into her hand she shot a blast of light between him and the contraption. His feet stopped in the grass, leaving dark scorched prints in his wake. The longer he stood in one place the closer the blades got to becoming flames. There was an ominous pause, and he slowly turned. Solsi could feel the air wobble as he moved to acknowledge her.

"You," he said darkly, the only dark part of the glowing, green giant. His once juvenile voice had deepened and developed an echo it provided itself. Goosebumps formed over the surface of her arms as the reverberation lapped against her several times. Memories instantly flooded her of the time they clashed at NPCon. He'd managed to escape the battle and catch her unawares several weeks later on her way to visit a friend. He had changed then too... Whatever transformation he was undergoing had clearly gotten worse. Phantom sensations warmed her skin painfully. The last time...she'd barely walked away from... To see her now, his expression was unreadable, but she detected a very real sense of fury. "I thought I disposed of you." he said simply, so simply it was terrifying. She swallowed hard. "Think again."



He started toward her. She leapt back, trying to maintain a safe distance. His aura was thick and destructive in a wide perimeter around him. It felt as though she'd disintegrate just by falling in too close a range. She grit her teeth. "You can't stop this," he informed her with force in his words. "All will come into fruition." What was he talking about? Nyx? Some kind of prophesy or plan? No... His eyes told all. It was just the insatiable rantings of a madman convinced of his own jibberish. "You just can't see the big picture." Her feet shuffled backwards, channeling her fear. Part of her wanted to run, run far and run fast...but the rest of her knew, it had to stop here. If it didn't... She didn't want to...she just couldn't think of it.

Suddenly a surge of neon energy parted the air. Instinctively she ducked and rolled out of its way. She could feel a blast of sweltering heat surround her as if she dodged a hit from a flamethrower. Her palms dampened and she fumbled with her wand. Squinting hard she fired back a determined beam of light in his direction. Gamma puffed out his chest and took it head-on without complaint. His breath hitched a moment, but then he laughed. "Is that the best you can do? Pathetic." The Radiant Anon picked herself up. "You wish." Running around him in a wide arc she let loose a rapid fire sequence closing in from nearly every angle. With a careless sweep of his arm he not only did away with the beaming crescent but he unearthed a boulder to come tumbling down in her direction. "Ugh~" She grunted as she sidestepped the rock at the last second. Gamma didn't even try to move. As it barreled toward him next he merely raised a fist and the whole thing crumbled on impact. Despite the momentum, it didn't take more than a tap of pressure. Solsi's eyes widened. She did not want to wind up like that boulder... Without granting herself time to panic, she stormed him directly, building up a protective aura around herself as she ran. The two locked arms. Energies collided, and she could see his face clearly, but everything around was a blur. One eye squeezed shut as she grappled with him across the field, refusing to cave. "I...don't know where you're headed...but I'm not going...to let you near...that portal!" This she vowed. Gamma's casual eyes widened in surprise. "What now? Oh, I'm not going to use the portal..." he corrected with an escalated interest. "I'm going to assimilate it..."

Her heart sank. "What?" Gamma was already grossly unstable...if he was able to somehow merge with a device that traversed space in the blink of an eye, the whole fabric of their world could come undone. And Gaia already had its hands full dealing with Nyx... She had to give Gino a fighting chance, and put a stop to this. His grip tightened drastically. She could feel the light barrier coating her skin begin to weaken. Burns in the shape of his hands began to sizzle across her shoulders... She could feel her resolve evaporating into the air... Just as she was about to collapse, a glistening trail cut through the cloudy sky. The brightest star yet descended valiantly - escorting itself rather than being delivered. Her eyes locked upon it, and her body froze. As it neared, it turned out to be not one, but several. Their combined glow was intercepted by the rocks of the Great Wall. Solsi strained to keep her footing as the cluster landed. They merged to form a figure standing out against the horizon, a man she recognized from her high school mythology class. Perseus the warrior beamed on the ledge, only the faintest hint of his features able to be discerned. In one hand he held a sword, in the other...he held it up. Medusa's severed head. She winced slightly. She was looking right at him, and she knew he saw her. She gazed at him pleadingly and waited for him to spring into action, to relieve her of this burden, each agonizing second stretching out into eternity... But he did not. He offered only the gesture.

It slowly dawned on the magical girl that he was not there to save her. Well, as slow as it can be when time stands still. She blinked, casting her eyes back on Gamma, and in that moment, time and reality caught up with her. Her muscles tightened, and brow turned furious. "You are...bad light!" she cried at the top of her lungs. Drawing from reserves deep within herself, down past the furthest floor she knew her heart capable, Solsi beamed a light so bright it out-shined Gamma himself. His boiling insecurity accelerated. Like a contained explosion each of his molecules burned ruthlessly away in her arms. He tried to retract, but she held him in place, subjecting him to all the torment he willfully cast on others. His body was sent to bubbling - swelling and popping over and over until it finally parted ways altogether...and there was nothing left...but fumes in the wind...

Her light started to fade as it felt comfortable to. The residue of his rampage still littered the ground, but nothing more. He was gone. Like waking from a trance her expression turned from rage to terror. Her knees buckled and suddenly she was sitting on the ground, watching the last of the small fires lap listlessly in the breeze. She'd done the right thing...right? Beat the bad guy? So...why did she feel...so bad...? She'd always read about heroes growing up. She'd done more than that...she rooted for them...she envied them...but, now, those stories became real, and she was faced with the harsh, conflicting reality. Was a hero just a villain...to the villain? Maybe that didn't matter. Perhaps she was over thinking it. Maybe the world just needed her fists, plain and simple. She looked down at them. She...didn't want to hurt anyone...even the bad guys... Was that wrong? Suddenly, a hand placed itself lightly on her back, jolting her from her thoughts. Solsi looked up. The warrior Perseus was standing beside her with a sage, knowing expression. His eyes cradled her gaze with something a lot like sympathy. He didn't breathe a word, but, in a way, he didn't have to.

The townspeople kept their focus on defeating Nyx, drawing strength from all their fondest dreams and most passionate life goals. The way was paved and clear, the future spread out before them, before you, a light shining in each and every citizen.


<3,
Radiant Anon Solsi

Message: #13) Heart and Sol


It is a warm, sunny afternoon and you find yourself alongside friends and neighbors in a line for what is expected to be a very popular new art exhibit in the local gallery. Artists from all over Gaia are debuting stunning portraits, all to be revealed in just a few minutes. What makes it so exciting? All their inspiration comes from people in everyday life, and it is rumored that the subjects don't even know they've been painted. It could be anyone, even you! However it turns out, you agree along with the rest it's worth checking out. You make pleasant chit chat with them and cast your most educated guesses on who the lucky chosen might be. As you steal glances through the window you can see the frosty blur of action, the staff getting ready to unlock the doors at last.

But then, another motion catches your eye. Tuning out the excited voices, you look to see what alerted your peripheral vision. Nothing. Or so it seems at first. The longer you gaze however an abnormal image comes into focus. A brown fog descends on the town, blocking out all light from the sky as it spreads across the road. Concerned, you point it out to the others and murmurs break out through the line. There's never been an issue of smog before, so how could a dense cloud just pop up overnight? As you watch it with a scrutinizing gaze, you're certain it could not. It moves in an almost sentient way, like a serpent weaving through the streets. You shift uncomfortably and keep it in your sight. As it approaches you start to see things change when the fog passes over them, but not in a natural way. Trees turn to textured metals, parking meters become stone, and the walls of buildings fade to a mournful gradient like a gothic butterfly wing. As shadow engulfs a stationary vehicle and morphs it into an oblong form, the masses take notice and start to scatter in fear. An alarm sounds throughout the city and sirens fill the phones, alerting people to stay indoors and avoid the mysterious toxin. You consider it briefly, the words level ten flashing angrily at you from the device's screen, but you hesitate. It doesn't make any sense...

"Fear not, art lovers!" a deep voice yells above the chaos. You look up and see a tall, dark silhouette contrasted against the remaining light. At once everyone seems to stop in their tracks and appreciate the confident figure standing sideways atop the roof, arms crossed and cape billowing. It lasts but a moment and the next thing you know the person flips down and lands in a crouched position on the ground. "Allow me to shed some light on things." Finally! Radiant Anon Solsi is here to - is here to...wait. Where is she? You boggle over the mystery as he points a stern finger at the fog. "You're not fooling anyone! Why don't you show yourself!" The large mass flickers, and a laughter sounds out of no where. "Caught up to me, did you? I'm surprised - but there's more you haven't yet realized." The teasing provokes little reaction from the man. "Just don't breathe it in, you'll be fine." he warns you shortly. You heed his advice, pulling your shirt up over your nose and watching from a distance. The cloud starts to condense in a strong gust of wind, making the man have to hold his hat down. The fog changes colors in a rhythmic sequence until it takes the shape of a person...a man with rust colored hair, and bright blue-green eyes. Draped around him is red-violet robe with black boots and gloves underneath. The man fakes like he's thinking, tapping his chin with his hand. "Oh yes, very impressive. And, let me guess, I suppose that makes you..." The stranger sneers with glee. "You can call me Nebula, you common lout. Making a mark that can never rub out." The hero throws his hands up in the air. "Ah, right. Of course. Of. Freaking. Course." His opponent snickers. "You appear to be irritated, from what I can see. What's wrong? Don't like your new form...Solsi?"

Did he say...Solsi?!

"You wanna know, you spacy beatnik? HERE'S WHAT I THINK OF IT!" emotion_smilies/icon_vein.gif

"Male rage mode, go!" Summoning his staff as he shouts, Solsi, or apparently, Sol, sends a barrage of light to storm the creature. The blasts rain down one after the other after the other, but as the dust settles reveals Nebula completely unaffected...other than laughing an amused chuckle. "Lesson one, I can absorb light, and the shadow I cast is as dark as night." His feet move apart as he takes a fighting stance. "I already know our conclusion, but I won't spoil the ending. Suffice to say it shall be quite mind-bending." Sol clenches his teeth and speeds toward him, clearly losing patience. About halfway he plants his staff on the ground and launches himself airborne trying to land a direct kick. Unfortunately the one called Nebula simply morphs back into his smokey state for him to pass clear through. Landing harshly on the other side, the radiant anon sways dizzily on the ground. After a second he picks himself up and tries again, this time with an onslaught of rapid jabs. "Keep on trying with your incessant barrage, but anything you dish out I can easily dodge." the creature heckles, turning into vapor as needed. Finally he turns whole, and stays that way. He manually avoids a blow to the head, and counters with a solid punch of his own. Sol takes it in the jaw and flies several feet back, landing hard on the ground with a grunt. Seeing an opportunity, you run to help him up. "Man I've heard of people suffering for their art, but this guy's got it backwards..." he hisses painfully. You ask him what's going on, who this person is and why things are changing so much. "Your guess is as good as mine... I was just on my way here when I passed through a thick fog. Once I inhaled it, well, this." He blushes and goes quiet, figuring the rest is obvious. You help him up and offer a few motivational words, assuring him he can make things go back to normal. He seems to calm down listening to what you have to say. "Well I hope so." he replies at last. "All I know is we gotta fix this before I haveta use the restroom!"

Well. That earns a sweatdrop. emotion_smilies/icon_sweatdrop.gif



The newly-inspired hero retrieves his staff, spins it around his body, then points it at the eccentric foe. "Well I hate to break up this party, but I'm afraid you're not on the guest list." Taking another go of it he traces a circle around Nebula and exclaims, "Light relocation!" As soon as the light shines from the weapon, however, it gets absorbed before it can make the portal appear. Eyes widening, Sol turns on a dime and raises it to block the immediate retaliation. "Look," he says faintly, "I don't know what you're doing, but I won't let you destroy things anymore..." It's apparent how much he's struggling as the creature grips the staff and resists him. "Destroy?" he responds smoothly, sounding almost surprised. "No, you've got me all wrong. And the time's not come for my final swan song. I am here to only create - to shape, and reinterpret." It's then it all becomes apparent. Nebula wasn't acting hostile toward the town, no. He was inspired by it. That's why he came to the the art opening, that's why he changed everything along the way - and that's why he transformed Solsi, too.

Finally pulling out of the lock Sol flicks his head to toss the loose strands of hair out of his eyes. "I see, you fancy yourself an artist." he says, realizing at last. "But I can't have you making the world your personal studio." With that, he raises his staff high, and for a moment it seems like nothing is happening, but then, a faint glimmer just barely catches your attention. You look up and see a sparkling orb of light falling to Gaia from the heavens. The next thing you know the two are locked in a skirmish again, but every so often you watch to see what became of the bubble. Tossed aside, the radiant anon manages to regain his balance, aura emitting a determined, visible glow. Nebula's eyes shine with intrigue and gives chase to absorb the marvel for himself. Then, at the last second, Sol whips his cape and leaps aside like a matador, shouting, "Cosmic Destiny Intervention!" The crooked poet tries to avoid it, but it's too late. He falls and lands himself inside a magic canvas sent from the stars. As soon as the two became one, a picture forms of an actual nebula in space, an amorphous cloud of all colors and hues. You appear by Sol's side as he picks it up and studies it. You gaze at it a long time before you notice the word Pictor signed in the bottom right corner. All is silent for a time, and then... "I think I know just the place for this."

The two of you arrive back where it all began, the local art studio, admiring the paintings of resident artists, and, the gallery's surprising new addition. "It's an interesting use of light and color, don't you think?" he asks you, smiling. You agree with a nod, and note it's almost as if the creator is trying to make a statement of some sort...how elements in nature, and events in life, all go full circle. Sol is quiet a moment. "I don't see it." You can't help but roll your eyes and shake your head. You don't even have to look, you know he's grinning. But then, you hear him sigh. You glance over, asking what's wrong. "It seems everything's back to normal..." he points out, "except for me." You blush a little. In all the commotion you hadn't really noticed...but Sol had. How could he not? He hangs his head and heaves a defeated breath. "...which way to the potion store...?"


<3 ,
Radiant Anon Sol si

Message: #12) Having a Ball


It's a busy night at the Sugar Rush CafÃ&, and Sammy's eyes keep trailing back to the clock on the wall. There's a ball in town tonight and she didn't want to miss it. Fate however, seemed to have another idea. The conversation she had with her boss that morning keeps playing in an anxious loop in her mind...

"I'm sorry I know we talked about this sir, but I requested time off a couple weeks ago, a-and you approved it at the time, so I was thinking about clocking out a little early today." The man just scoffed. "That's before your coworkers decided to get cute and play hooky." Sammy wrung her apron nervously in her fists. The man grabbed his coat and rushed to the door. "I know it's this, whatever it is tonight, but I want things to be business as usual around here. Don't clock out until closing, got it?" The waitress' heart sank a little as the door fell shut before she could even respond. "Y-yes...sir..."

As she does her best to tidy up the mess left by two oblivious patrons, she can't help but count down the minutes till freedom and, hopefully, the dance. If she changes clothes there and heads straight over after work, there was still a chance she could make it... "Wahh!" Sammy suddenly cries out. One of the girls gestured with a glass and spilled her drink down the front of her uniform. Her nose wrinkles slightly and laughs at her startled reaction. "Whoops. Clumsy me." she pardons insincerely. By their dress it's clear they are either on their way to or from the ball. "Well look at it this way, no harm done, right?" her friend chimes in cleverly. Sammy shoots them a disgusted sneer but they fail to notice, already back to their conversation and making a mess. "I'm just saying that's an Autumn color and she's a Winter, what was she thinking? Ew. This has almonds in it. I hate almonds!" One by one she picks the chopped nuts out of the muffin and tosses them on the floor. "Why did we come here?"

"Yeah why did you come here?" she felt like saying, but manages to refrain from doing so. Taking a deep breath she fetches a broom and begins to sweep up around the table. At the rate they were going she'd be there well past closing just cleaning up the place. When the hour was finally upon her and the tables were empty, it certainly seemed that way. Sammy sighs and starts cleaning the scuff marks off the floors, scrubbing on her hands and knees. "I better get overtime for this..." she mumbles, finally able to get a word out she actually meant. As she covers more ground in her chores, she stops suddenly and sits up. It appears she missed a piece of almond and a mouse found it. It looks at her for a second and scurries off a little. Sammy opens the door for it and it runs outside with the nut still in its mouth. "That's strange. Kind of cute though." She checks the clock again and jumps a little. Time was getting away from her. "Oh, oh jeez! Ehh, close enough!" Moving quickly she stashes the cleaning supplies back in the closet, changes in the backroom, and walks out onto the steps still adjusting a heel with her finger. "Come on, come on..." she says, hopping a little. "Good!" The shoe slips on and she takes off in a brisk pace down the walk toward the ball.

She can't believe her luck that it's finally happening. All that effort put in the cafe was about to go rewarded. As she fixes her hair from the wind she lets herself dream about what it might be like in the grand ballroom, dancing under the chandelier. Then, in the distance, a bird cries. Nothing too unusual, so her mind immediately discounts it. It cries again, then is answered. Sammy peers over her shoulder, but sees nothing and doesn't stall. Several more cries pierce the air, closer now, and seeming to echo. She swallows and picks up the pace a little. Her heart beats faster and faster, when suddenly a dark black bird dives around her. Sammy turns in a panic, and manages to dodge the most of it. Her dress, however, isn't so lucky. Its beak and claws cut through the lace beyond repair. She grips the wounded fabric in her hands but it comes back around, this time with friends. The birds inexplicably target her, circling and crying till there was nothing left of her to be seen, just a giant dense cloud of cackling black feathers...

"Love...light...activation!" she cries within the swarm. Suddenly a bright light pierces through the cracks and explodes outward, tossing the pests aside and revealing her magical form - Radiant Anon Solsi. "All right, no time to waste. Let's get the ball rolling." she remarks dutifully, following the creatures with her eyes. They don't appear to be just any kind of raven or crow... Each has four glowing red eyes and barbed beaks. They cry out to one another and take to the skies, morphing together to form one, large bird of prey - this one with eight eyes like a spider, and four wings. Solsi just cracks her knuckles. "I wonder if I can hit a birdie?" she thinks aloud. Feeling inspired, she forms an orb of light with her wand and lets it slowly sink down to the dewy pavement like a lightweight balloon. She swings back, holding her stance like a golfer and cries, "Fore!" She moves in and strikes it as hard as she can - watching the little ball whiz high into the air. It glows bright through the darkness, and though the creature tries to avoid it, gets impaled through the chest, cut straight through to the other side. The conflicting powers of good and evil cause the beast to collapse in on itself, swell, and silently detonate in a quick flash against the sky.

With the threat gone Solsi drops to her knees, slowly fading out of her magical form, her dress left in tatters. Sammy lifts the skirt, but it falls like ribbons between her fingers. "All the work...and now...this..." she says quietly in the deserted streets. "I just wanted to go to the ball." She sighs, closing her eyes. "I guess that was too much to ask." She couldn't see from her position, but out from the heavens drops a spherical light. It appears to grow in size as it nears, delivering not a tool, but a guide. "Is that a wish, young apprentice?" comes a sophisticated voice. Sammy looks up at the glowing figure, eyes wide and awestruck. "W-who are you?" she stammers. "You don't recognize me?" the woman asks haughtily, laying a shocked hand to her bosom. "Surely you jest - I am Cassiopeia, Queen of unrivaled beauty. I heard your heart cry out in a fashionable panic and I knew I had to come right away. Now then, let's see what the damage is..." She extends her hands and lifts the girl up by the fingertips, looking her up and down with a hint of repulsion. "It seems I've come just in time." she remarks, appalled by the sight of the distasteful rags. "Not to worry - I've just the thing. A goddess of refinement always comes prepared." Opening the air like the top of a purse, she reaches in and pulls a magical mirror, singing a song for Sammy's benefit. The girl does not look impressed though. Shocked, if anything. Her eye twitches a little, wondering if she took a blow to the head that she doesn't remember. "...I'm having a stroke, aren't I?" Cassiopeia just looks at her and pouts her glossy lips. "Not your style, I see. How about this...?"



A new song fills the air and the queen smiles. She spins the mirror to face Sammy and watches streams of magic encircle her from its glass. "Hohoho - this'll be my greatest challenge yet, but not to worry! You're in excellently manicured hands!" The insensitive statement goes completely over the girl's head as the ripped dress transforms before her eyes. The new gown fades between colors and shines like stardust, so beautiful it left her utterly speechless. Cassiopeia on the other hand appears nothing less than pleased seeing her vision manifest itself. As the moment drags out with Sammy still entranced, the queen clears her throat expectantly. "Don't you have a dance to get to?" She wakes with a start. "Er! Yes. I should go!" Holding her skirt so she won't trip on it, she runs off down the walk. "Arigato!" she calls back after her. The queen beams with pride and waves a handkerchief in farewell. "Have fun and remember now - it'll all disappear at the stroke of midnight!" Sammy stops in her tracks and spins around. "What? It will? Really?"

"Hohoho - of course not! You think I would do such shoddy work?" she boasts with a laugh. "Good luck getting it off at all!" smilies/icon_heart.gif

emotion_smilies/icon_sweatdrop.gif "Uh...yeah. Thanks. I'll deal with that later..."

That's when you see her. Halfway through the event, the doors swing open and reveal a glowing figure against the dark cityscape. There is a pause and she takes a step inside, her heels clicking faintly against the tile. Sammy runs a nervous hand over her braid, letting the doors fall slowly back into place. She nods her regards to the attendants as she moves through the crowd, fashionably late.


<3 ,
Radiant Anon Solsi


( Quote if you'd like a dance. ^_^ )

Message: #11) Unlikely CON-tender

Tue July 28, 2015 3:39 pm
It's finally here - the start of the first annual NPCon! You arrive at the convention center with your badge and itinerary, all ready to jump into the action. The list of games, tournaments, and events go on and on down the page. You can feel the excitement amongst your peers, the collective twinkle in their eyes looking just as eager if not moreso. You try to keep your composure while you figure out what to do first when the doors open. You run your eyes anxiously over the map, memorizing the rooms and hallways that divide up the different sections. Before you can decide two people with official looking t-shirts come and unlock the doors. Like a releasing the floodgates it frees the wave of people to come inside.

You try not to lose yourself in the powerful flow. You push your way through the narrow entrance and out into the halls where the crowd fans out and you can once again breathe. Cosplayers surround you every which way, dressed as their favorite people around Gaia. About half a dozen times you think you see Ian and Rufus come to find it's just two people in really convincing outfits. Focusing back on the task at hand you spot some numbers posted up in the hallway. You find you're in 3A and need to be in 5C for the costume contest. Word has it the contestants not only debut outfits they've worked months on, but also act out little skits to go along with them. You notice the majority of the crowd seems to be moving with you, the excited murmurs all focused around the same thing. It seems to be one of the main highlights of the convention this year.

You follow the collective intent and find your way to the designated area. You flash your badge, pay a ticket, and file in line to get a good seat. Getting as close as you can to the stage, you cross a leg over a knee and flip through the program again. In due time the music starts followed by a voice coming through a large speaker. "Hello and welcome to the first annual NPCon and costume contest!" the announcer dressed as Moira begins, "Brought to you exclusively by Durem Depot - home of the rad and righteous." The woman puts a hand on her hip, smirks, and winks at the crowd. "- Kidding! This user run event couldn't have happened without such a grand show of support. Give yourselves, as well as our contestants, a round of applause!" The crowd chuckles and quickly revs up, clapping at full power and whistling giddily. "We've got lots of Gaians ready to let their freak flags fly, so without further adieu..." She gestures widely to the center of the stage. In that moment the lights go out, and spotlight comes on. Two girls appear on stage dressed as Rina and Kanoko, reenacting the scene from Pie Hard. They are joined by the eaters and narrated by a voice not unlike that of Cindy Donovinh herself. "This is an Action 9 News special report! The Pie Hard finals are coming up soon - let's catch up with the contestants for a pre-game interview!" She makes her way through the group, and when the imposter newscaster gets run off the stage by a giant puppet Carl the energy of the room spikes with laughter. The cast locks arms and bow to the audience before exiting stage right.

"Well well, wasn't that something? Let's keep up the momentum! Coming up next in our crazy rotation is the - " Her sentence is cut short when a familiar face suddenly rushes the stage and looks out in a panic. People around you turn and whisper to one another as a befuddled Solsi looks them over breathlessly. Here and there a giggle permeates the room. "Look, someone's dressed as the radiant anon." a rogue voice snickers. "Not very well...someone should tell her the seams aren't straight!" The girl quirks a brow and lifts a pleat up with two fingers, forced to study it under a more scrutinizing eye. "It's not that bad is it...?" you barely hear her mumble. Though the general attitude is relaxed and playful, something about all this seems a little...off...here... You sit up a little straighter as she pulls herself out of the mental tailspin and points her wand at the stands. "You can't hide forever! Come out and show yourself!" A blast shoots through the room. She jumps back and it strikes the floor below her feet, the unexpected jolt causes the whole room to gasp. Suddenly, the culprit drops from the rafters above. A pair of hands claps mockingly. "Ohhh lookie here, you found me. Goody on you." She scowls at the mysterious fiend. "Gamma. You need to leave this place alone." The brat merely crosses his arms, his skin glowing a strange, eerie light... "Or you'll what? Shine on me? I don't think so. Come anywhere near me and this whole place is going down." Like trying to negotiate through a hostage situation the girl tries to inch closer without setting him off. "Come on, they haven't done anything to you..." He moves to slap her hand away but she quickly reels it in. He growls, purses his lips, and spits on the ground. The audience ooo's and aww's at the special effects when the stage seems to bubble and fester away where it hit. "I ain't goin' no where." he seethes. Solsi frowns. "So be it."



You grip the arm rests on your seat when he makes a lunge at her. The magical girl ducks to the floor and tumbles out of the way just in the nick of time. The man known only as Gamma falls back on a cardboard standee and grips it with both hands for support. The material starts to dissolve in his grasp until he lets go and pivots back toward the heroine. She fires a streak of light from her wand but its easily evaded. As he gears up to retaliate she times it just right, somersaulting and pulling the trapdoor up from the planks for cover. With a spare moment she holds her hands in a familiar prayer position and mumbles something inaudible... Almost like...she's making a wish... When the last of the barrier disintegrates she pops back up, a bright twinkling shield fastened to her arm. Gamma raises a brow condescendingly. "Feh! And just what is that?" "Scutum." she states defiantly, reading from the inscription on the back. He snorts, pointing at it like it's nothing. "And just what are you going to do with that? Haven't you heard the best defense is a good offense?"

There is a brief pause.

"...No. Never." Then she plows the blunt object