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(( Logged RP from Google Docs between myself and Kaori_Luv ))

Kathryn had been feeling more and more restless since Tallulah had moved out. She understood the reasoning behind it but without a stable second source of income she had been forced to move back in with her parents. It had been the only other option short of asking them to help her with the rent payment. The landlord had been understanding and allowed her out to move out without much fuss. Logically it should not have hurt her as much to leave as it did but she had started thinking about the place as home.

At least she still had some stability in her life. Her job at the Destiny City Library was going well. Tony had been understanding in letting her take some personal time off to move but she had shown back up days later for her shift. The library still held the ability to soothe the woman’s frazzled nerves.

Now though Kathryn was walking down one of Destiny City’s many streets. The young woman was feeling oddly desensitized to the possible danger that awaited many of the city’s residents. Was she being foolhardy? She wasn’t exactly sure but it just felt like something was calling her outside to roam more and more these days.

Kathryn grimaced in discomfort. Somewhere along her route she had picked up a stone in her shoe. The sensation of having the irritant rub against the bottom of her foot had gotten old, and fast. She scanned the street and found her target almost immediately. A bench was just asking to be sat upon and Kathryn took no exception to the silent demand that was being asked of her. Shuffling to the bench she placed her shoulder bag down and knelt over to pull off her shoe. Tipping the shoe upside down dislodged the stone without any further trouble. Replacing the shoe on her foot Kathryn glanced around before sighing.

Perhaps it was foolish to be in downtown Destiny City at this hour but she still carried an active deterrent to those that believed she would be an easy mark. Wrapping her fingers around the straps of her bag Kathryn frowned before letting her eyes scan up and down the street. It seemed as if for now she was not in any danger of being accosted; at least not for her possessions. The feeling of the past few days was puzzling her greatly and so Kathryn began to try and pinpoint why she was feeling this way. There was nothing important going on in her home life that would cause restlessness and her job was stable enough, so what was it that was causing her to feel like she was figuratively chasing after something she couldn’t see.

Kat’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden appearance of a young man in a militaristic uniform. Losing the slouched position she had held earlier Kathryn now found herself sitting up ramrod straight. Her fingers twitched as she tightened the grip on her bag. How he had slipped her radar was unknown as she had been positive that the street had been deserted before. Where had he come from?

Something about the uniform clicked in her mind and she gave the man a wary look before pushing herself off the bench. This type of uniform brought back a memory of a clear night on a hill in which she had seemingly lost time. It was strange but she pursed her lips before turning to walk away. Her hand slipped into her bag and closed around the small can of pepper spray. There was something in the way he had appeared so suddenly that hinted to Kathryn that she was in a precarious situation. She thought that maybe it was time to leave instead of engaging with the young man. A quick glance behind her told her that she was being followed. Uneasiness settled on her shoulders like a cloying cloak of fear. Her steps quickened as her pace increased as she tried to put distance between herself and the stranger.

What was it that compelled her to turn to face the stranger as he called out to her? What was it that kept her rooted in place until his diabolical threat was complete?

At first Kathryn wasn’t sure if the stranger was telling the truth about killing her. Why on earth would he make that threat though unless he was planning on following through with it. Feeling slightly apprehensive of even thinking about stopping to exchange dialogue Kathryn merely turned to put more distance between herself and the man. Her shoes pounded the pavement as she began to run away like he had suggested. “Just leave me alone!”

Kathryn began darting down side streets in an attempt to lose the other. Her directions were not quite random as she found herself running in the direction of the nearest, safest, place she could think of … the library.

Kathryn was out of breath by the time that she reached the library’s main entrance. She doubled over in an attempt to catch her second wind. Knowing that the library was probably closed did not stop her from coming here. Tony had often mentioned that he stayed later some nights. Perhaps tonight was such a night. Her hands grasped her shoulder bag and darted to the side of the building. She knew that there was a back and side entrance to the building and she was willing to bet that if she pounded on the doors hard enough that aid would come. As she darted into the darkness that the building provided she could still hear the taunting voice mocking her.

As she turned the corner Kathryn felt her foot catch on the rough pavement and she went crashing down to the ground. The grip she had on her bag loosened at impact and it slid from her immediate reach. Grasping her side Kathryn struggled to sit up as various parts of her body demanded she stay still. The pain was definitely not welcome. The words left her mouth before she even registered speaking, “******** ******** ******** reached out desperately seeking her bag with a flailing hand before she felt something else … something that was not what she was looking for. She pulled the item back towards her and strained her vision to pick out exactly what it was she had found. Her fingers twined around a golden string that was weighted down with ornaments. As she clutched her side she tried to make sense of the find. Perhaps old Christmas decorations? Why wouldn’t they be in the dumpster then? There was a sense of rightness though as she handled the string and for a moment peace enveloped her … chasing away the pain of her fall before reality reasserted itself. In that moment though something had indeed happened. For when Kathryn got to her feet she was no longer in the attire she had been in before. Now she wore a flowing white skirt with a colorful shawl. Her running shoes had been replaced with a pair of high heels. Oh, she had to be dreaming, right?

The newly awakened page of Cosmos stood with a blank look on her face. What the hell? A name came floating to the forefront of her mind as she stood silently. I am Irkalla.

The feeling that washed over Irkalla had her grimacing in discomfort. Somewhere nearby there was an unfamiliar aura that had her wishing that she could just wash herself down with a sanitized spray. The grunginess of the aura was coming from the direction that she had come running from. Did this mean that he was an enemy? Page Irkalla grasped the string that was now tangled tightly around her fingers. It was strange to have gone through this transformation and find herself still alone and fearing the unknown. Her eyes scanned the alley and finally she located her bag.

Springing forward she grabbed her bag and dug into the darkened interior before drawing out the item she most wanted. She dropped one end of the ornament string and palmed the pepper spray tightly in her free hand. Her gaze narrowed on the opening of the alley as she took a step forward. Another step followed and soon she stood in full view of the street once more. She was not going to hide now. The wind caressed her bare skin and the girl shivered with fear and the sudden cold. “You want to play. Fine then,” if only her voice wouldn’t shake so as she spoke. Butterflies danced in the girl’s stomach as she waited for her target to arrive.

The new page wasn’t exactly quivering in her stylish shoes but it was a damn near call. Underneath the transformation into a fancy new outfit and this weird string of ornaments the page was still just Kathryn. At least her suspicions were right on the mark about her attacker/stalker. Her facial expression changed into a small bit of relief as the stranger confirmed at least something to her. It seemed as if there was something magical at work and she’d been chosen to fight the good fight. Inwardly though she realized that she was at a complete disadvantage. This stranger knew what he was doing whereas she did not.

When the young man suddenly charged towards her with his fists raised Irkalla brought her free hand up that was hiding her version of a weapon. It was not the string of ornaments. She had never actually deployed pepper spray before but if this didn’t work it was going to be a long, painful lesson that she was going to endure. Fingers touched the top of the nozzle on the small cannister and they pressed down firmly sending a blast of solution towards the charging stranger.

Irkalla wasn’t sure if the buffer would work and she backed up a few steps as her fingers still kept the pressure on the nozzle sending out more of the pepper spray in an ever growing cloud of the irritant.

Kathryn had had enough of this weird drama for tonight. Seeing that the stranger was currently in no shape or form to continue the battle she was tempted to just leave the area. Of course she needed her bag though. As she stepped away from the temporarily disabled man she picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. She turned to walk further into the shadows but she couldn’t resist a parting shot after the verbal threat that had been leveled against her. “Merry Christmas a*****e. Hope you enjoyed your present.”

With those words the young woman started running. Although it seemed as if she had won that round the fear and adrenaline were starting to wear off. A quick glance back showed her that there was no sign of pursuit but she was still too freaked out by what had happened, or almost happened. The string of ornaments flapped around until she stopped and shoved the item into her bag. At that time she realized that she had run farther than she had expected. It didn’t seem possible but she was already in her neighborhood. The sudden wave of fear that washed over her was terrifying. She did not wish to lead that stranger right to her doorstep. The woman felt her anxiety level rise before she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Thinking about how she had looked when she had left home tonight brought a curious sensation to the forefront of her mind. Opening her eyes she found that she was once again in her clothes from earlier. Kathryn opened her bag and glanced at the contents before she sighed. The ornament string was still there. At least she had a bit of proof from the night’s events. Her feet carried her to her front door and she let herself in without a peep to her parents. There was someone else that she needed to talk with first.