the future is human / .

[alekgray]

A weak hand reached for the water as he brought it to his lips, completely parched, Alek swallowed a bit gluttonously until it dribbled down his chin. For a moment Alek just took stock, accounted for the rampant synapses that had been stitched back together by the woman in front of him. The Future as so many had called her, Alek had had a few names for her, none of them kind, but he could see it now. He used to think that changing the world meant burning it down and starting from scratch, but those were the thoughts of a deranged monster too strung out on power to know right from wrong. Alek didn't really know where he was going to go from here, what his future looked like, but Sanem had shown him that they could make mistakes and still find a way to come back from them.

Changing the world didn't start with a fire, sometimes it was just taking a look at what had been broken. Alek was just one person, one of many that Sanem would undoubtedly go on to help. Thanks to her, Alek had the rest of his life to figure out how he could live up to, or put to rest the moniker of Harbinger. "Better." Alek said simply, his thoughts were clear for the first time in almost a year. "A lot better, yeah."

[arastirmacii]

Alek had been another lost soul when he had been brought to her. Recently bitten with a lack of guidance to who or what he should be. He had hated himself, had lived within the shadow of another, and had wanted so desperately for something more. And Sanem had been reckless. She had wanted so badly to prove that she could push the Eye into a future where humans would find no fear. That they could be the orchestrators of the world. And what better way than to have a volatile on a leash. She'd had her leech, her chimera... Alek had simply been the last upon her checklist. She had not cared for anything beyond her own research, even if that meant the lycan was sent into a frenzy. Into what he had become when he'd escaped his leash.

"Good, I'm glad," she mused, before she moved to take up the chart that she had created for him. All the research that she had ever written down in relation to him was there, in a folder that Alek could keep. Or destroy. It was all of it, left for him to do as he pleased without the fear of another following in her footsteps. "You may experience some lingering effects, moments of what you were trying to fight their way back in. It's a product of the brain, but it won't change you." She explained, as she wrote more notes within his chart. Information for the next individual, should he need more supervision. Should another need to take up the place that she would vacate. "I won't be here for much longer," she soon stated, his chart closed before she set it aside. "But I will always be there if you need me. Day or night, whenever."

[alekgray]

@arastirmacii location: Lupercal, Recovery Center notes: in the weeks that followed idk

This wasn't the first time in the past year that he'd awoken after someone had cut into his head, at some point there was bound to be some kind of permanent damage. If there wasn't already. Alek though, he felt... Lighter, like the air that had previously been so noisy had gotten quiet. The former volatile had forgotten what it was like to hear the breeze against the window but not hear the murmurs in the buildings across the street, or smell the violence happening blocks away. As he'd been under he had dreamt, as he so often did, but the jarring rendition of bleeding hearts between his teeth and hollowed cries weren't there. Alek couldn't remember what he'd actually dreamt of now and that was fine, welcome. Maybe Kayce.

The events that had happened throughout the war had already begun to fade, but Alek remembered fire and mayhem. He remembered endless screaming and he remembered how the man he'd loved had stood by his side through the madness. The man and his oldest friend. Putting anyone through that didn't seem fair, Alek had always been a miscreant but he wasn't a killer. So when Sanem showed up at his door, he'd taken her up on the offer, because he'd saved her life once and if she offed him while he was under there was about a dozen wolves who'd have had something to say.

It was dark when Alek opened his eyes, a sleepy, groggy look on his face when he saw the good doctor stood there. They had a complicated history but all that hatred that had been burning inside of him for the last year was quiet now. Still. Not gone entirely but one look at what he'd done to Rome and it was obvious why someone like her could hate lycans as much as she had. "Bad news Doc," Alek said as he moved quivering arms to sit himself up a bit. "you didn't gork me."

[arastirmacii]

The memories replayed, over and over again in her head. So much destruction, so much chaos, and far too many lives lost in the name of battle. Many would not remember the events of what had taken place, of those that had been lost or even their own deaths. But to others, like herself, the memories would never fade away. She would carry them with her to wherever it was that she went next. The Eye had been ultimately changed for the better, and it would be her duty to ensure the other facilities followed them into the future.

It was on the tablet in her lap that her plans were written, of where she would go next. Of who she would help next. Those facilities, those that needed her experience and knowledge would have to wait. For her main priority was the lycan slumbering on the recovery bed, that had been dealt a heavy hand and had persevered. Even if he had left destruction in his wake. Even when he had threatened her, time and time again, along with countless innocent lives in Rome. She could still remember watching the Labyrinth fall, knowing that he and his pack were under its roof when it had.

The sound of stirring had her up onto her feet, a glass of water retrieved from a bedside table. "Mm, I thought this was the one," she played along with his words, though the soft smile on her lips was strained. Sanem had certainly been a genius before, but with the added years, along with what she had learned from Felandaris and those that had far exceeded her lifetime, had simply fermented that further. She had known that the surgery would be a success, that Alek would no longer be the volatile that she had created. But a part of her, a small part worried of the lycan that would come out the other side. "How are you feeling?" She asked, before she offered the glass to him.

[darioteixeira]

@senatusstarters Location: Pyramid Ruins Notes: Open to all

Everything had... Everything was... The tower had fallen, hit the ground as the drow's flying fucking city crashed into Rome. Dario stood amidst the ruins of what might have once been the Pyramid, but everything about the landscape had changed. A spark jolted at the side of his face and Dario roared as he wrenched the helmet that had been fashioned for him off of his head. His gear broken and ruined, a bit of reinforced metal gouged into the gorgon's shoulder before Dario reached and wrenched it free, tearing the armor that was fried from his body as he did. The metallic sleeve hit the ground as he winced and tried to take in his surroundings.

The Eye was- everything was- it was gone. It was all gone. Protecting Sanem had been his soul focus, he'd charged into battle with the notion that she was safe at the headquarters but that was a foolish nothing. Ash so thick that it choked his lungs, the sky itself might as well have been burning, that eerie glow of the black sun made monsters out of nothing. Whatever sky existed beyond was blanketed in the smoke that rose from Rome, the city that raised him, and the city he'd been sworn to from his childhood's hour.

Enhanced strength pushed over one of the rocks as he dug through the rubble and the wreckage, seven percent, that's what the Overseer had said. Seven percent. The Asphodel needed to be stopped still - maybe? It was difficult to tell, had the book been destroyed? Had they succeeded? Search and rescue. That's what he'd prioritise, Dario was a soldier first he needed someone to tell him what to do, he needed to find Sanem. Dario heard the telltale sound of footfalls behind him and the gun that he'd kept holstered was in his hand in a moment, drawn and ready to fire as whomever approached.

[arastirmacii]

Ephraim. The name repeated in her head, over and over again as she pushed through the rubble. Her hands hurt, lacerations that marred her palms from the sharp debris she had pushed and pulled. Her lungs ached with the dust that filled them, the smoke that lingered in the air around her. She knew that she needed to get out, to get to fresh air before irreversible damage was done. But she couldn't leave, not until she found the Overseer. Not until she had made sure that he was alright, that he wasn't gone. For the last thing that she had seen of him, he had fought to ensure her safety. And that of Sabina and Isla. So he couldn't be gone.

How she had gotten outside, Sanem wasn't certain. One minute she was scrambling through debris, the next she was standing just outside of what had once been the Pyramid. Voices all around her were shouting orders, were calling out names frantically, and she could only stand there. Ephraim was gone, the laboratory had been destroyed, and it felt like only a matter of minutes before the rest of it slipped through their fingers. Seven percent, that was what had been relayed, the last words from the Overseer.

Those were the new words that repeated within her thoughts, until her gaze landed upon another that was familiar. Dario. For a moment, she couldn't seem to move, as if she were frozen to her place within the debris. But she knew that she couldn't mourn Ephraim, couldn't stand and do nothing while others continued to fight for their survival. She had trained for this, had prepared for this. So she moved, slowly at first, before her footfalls became quicker. Perhaps she should have called out his name, for as she neared, he turned quickly, gun raised as he had always been trained to. "Dario," the name was out of her mouth quickly, as she came to a sudden halt. "It's me, it's just me. Are you alright, are you hurt?"

[arastirmacii]

sanem & kirigan —

( @hellfirekirigan )

[hellfirekirigan]

Kirigan had been...ecstatic about the change in their relationship. When they had first met, it had been nothing but disdain thrown his way and a smug smirk hers. But he'd been useful. She had seen him as someone to be trusted even though he was a demon. Maybe nothing should have happened between them. That would've been the logical thing to do. Hell, that was what she had tried to do after that one day in Mystery Ink. where everything had changed for them. She had wanted to pretend it hadn't happened and of course Kirigan hadn't wanted the same. Sanem was always throwing him off though. If he so much as rejected a comment made or any closeness between them, he would see the look in her eyes. It was just exhausting, the constant back and forth and push and pull that they kept doing. He hadn't expected her to come to his place before all of this though. Just as he was sure she hadn't expected him to come to hers when she was sick. But here they were. Sanem and Kirigan. And here she was clutching onto him as if he was going to go out there and die if she let go. His hands gripped her own in his, a smirk coming upon his lips. "Come on, Sanem, of course I promise. I've got something to come back to now." He pressed his forehead to hers. "You won't lose me. You just got me," he joked.

[arastirmacii]

Perhaps it had been the concept of war that had been the push that she had needed. Or, perhaps it was the idea that everything would be different, once the dust had settled. Maybe the Eye would no longer have a hold within Rome. Maybe she would be tried for her experiments against the supernatural community. Maybe she or he would die upon the battlefield. The possibilities were endless, and she had not wanted to allow the feelings that stirred within her to be left unsaid. To be buried down deep and never acted upon. Kirigan was a demon, as he would always be. And Sanem had spent months experimenting on those much the same as him. But to let this go, to not have him by her side, for however much time they got, was something that she couldn't handle. His promise slipped into her thoughts and allowed more of that tension to lift from her shoulders. He promised, and she would hold onto that when she next watched him return to the battlefield. Until then, however, she would take as much as she could of him. One hand slipped out of his to lift to his cheek, gentle, before she tilted her head so that she could press their lips together. It did not matter to her who could see, or who cared, for she no longer could. Not what the Eye thought, nor anyone else that had an opinion within it. "Good. Otherwise, I'd find a way to bring you back from the Inferno, then kill you myself."

[renxfields]

"We did our part to warn them," The senate had done so as well, they had all tried. The city either hated The Eye too much, the senate, or they hadn't taken the threat seriously. People had been evacuated, but many still remained behind. Renfield might have had some worry or regret, but he was able to shelve it somewhere that he didn't need to think about it on the surface level. Buried deep with the other moral implications of all the things that Renfield had already done, and all the things that the hollowborn was still yet to do. "what they chose to do with their own free will was of their own volition." Cold, sterilized words that felt objective in the moment. If he felt any guilt over the subject Renfield did nothing to indicate as much.

[arastirmacii]

There was a coldness to the words he spoke, and for a moment, Sanem wished that she could do the same as he. To bury all the worry and guilt, to shove it so far down inside of her that it would not remain ever present upon her thoughts. But lives had been lost, innocent lives that should have been spared. Yes, the Eye and the Senate had done what they could, advised others to get out while they still could. But perhaps they should have done more. They had the means, if only they had implemented it further. "If we make it through this, the Eye and the Senate, do you think we'll have to answer to what we've done?"

[hellfirekirigan]

They were basically married now in Kirigan's head. She had made a grand declaration to him and he could only stand there and hope that the both of them made it out of this alive. They would though. Sanem didn't go down easily and neither did he. Together, they could get through this. The problem was that she was here doing all this medical shit and he was out there on the field. Thankfully, she had given him some extra precautions, but that didn't stop him from hoping she was okay every single second. When he saw her standing there, it felt like the sigh of relief she'd breathed had entered his lungs and caused him to do the same. "Yeah, I'm alright." His arm wrapped around her shoulders, a kiss placed to her temple as he did. "You're alright?"

[arastirmacii]

For too long, Sanem had allowed her life to be dictated by too many factors. She had allowed her loss to propel her forward, to use it against the supernatural that had viewed humans as lesser, as prey. It had been these thoughts, these dedications that had kept her distanced from Kirigan. And it seemed to have taken a war to truly open her eyes. She only prayed that she wasn't too late. His words easily relieved some of the tension that rooted itself in her shoulders, even more so when his arm wrapped around them. There was a comfort in him, one that she hadn't realized how badly she needed. Her hands lifted, curled fingers into the fabric of his shirt, "I'm alright." In a sense of the word, that is. She couldn't yet tell him about what had been done, less she allow it too much space within her thoughts. "This is worse than I ever thought it could be," she relented, her gaze focused so acutely upon him. Kirigan was smart, but more importantly, his survival instinct was better than most that had found their way to the battlefield. "Death is not taking its victims, people are being turned into spore... things. I need you to promise me, really promise me, that you'll do everything you can to survive out there." Because she couldn't ask him to stay with her, even if she knew that he would. They needed everyone, even if she would spend every moment worrying about him.

[renxfields]

Naturally, Renfield's mind was elsewhere. To the failsafe, and what he would be forced to do. As the days bled into one another and less and less people returned from the field, their chances looked more and more slim. Renfield had wanted to believe that they could pull it through, but he was naturally pragmatic and their odds had been slim from the start. The Eye's current predictions were ambitiously optimistic, one had algorithm had spit out a twenty-seven percent chance of this having a positive outcome. An outcome that was determined on the weight of lives against those that were saved.

"You've been sleeping lately?" Renfield's attempt at humor delivered with the same dry cadence that was indicative of the researcher's disposition. He wasn't a warrior, in fact, his physiology made him vulnerable in the field. A severed limb hurt as bad as any other severed limb, and he happened to have many. The wolves had come to their door and now a crater was left behind. "Death won't stay gone for long," it couldn't, not without consequence. The great equalizer was acting in a way that Renfield couldn't understand, there was no precedent, but he understood how the God's function worked. Sabina was blessed by the deity, many of them were, but frozen was a more accurate term. Suspended in time, her fate and the fate of all those who kept coming back had not been cancelled, only temporarily suspended. Which was to say that once death began again there would be a lot of catching up. Renfield didn't need to explain this to Sanem of all people, but the common soldiers were inept, some had made a game of it. Fools. "When it does we won't have to worry about the lycans breathing down our necks anymore."

[arastirmacii]

Not a single soul would come out of this war unscathed. Even if they had chosen not to fight, had hunkered down somewhere within the city, they too would find themselves affected by this war. It was inevitable, and Sanem could only focus her mind on how it affected her now. How she could put all of her attention into her tasks, into her duties and responsibilities. They could count the dead once the dust settled, establish what the destroyed lab would mean for them once they were no longer surrounded. Because that is what they were, surrounded? They had the Asphodel and the drow on one side, while the lycans howled from seemingly every corner of the city.

"Oh, more than I should be, honestly." There was just a hint of teasing in her voice, before it slipped away just as quick as it had come. She could hardly think beyond what the Eye needed to do, and she could hardly feel. For if she stopped to do so, stopped to consider all that would be lost, she would not be able to recover. This was beyond anything that she had dealt with, which is why she needed to view it solely as a scientist. Solely as something else she could solve. "You're right," because it was the only logical answer that slipped into her thoughts. The lycans had been within the lab when it had been brought down, their lives should have been lost. Death had seemingly stepped away from this fight, and she worried over when it decided to come back. "We won't, but I worry over how many they will get to before it does decide to come back."

[mortalisla]

Isla hesitated for a moment. She was not a sociable woman, she had always been someone more prone to being as professional and aloof as possible. But she looked into Sanem's eyes and she could see the grief and the pain that the decision had cost her. Isla mourned what they'd lost too but the responsibility didn't lay so heavy on her shoulders. She swallowed hard and stood up, making her way over as though to say something. But then she changed her mind and shook her head - the newly awakened maternal side of her booting up the strong instinct to hug the woman that had become little less than a friend after all this time working at her side. "It had to be done," she murmured. "And it was the right choice." Was it? Isla didn't let herself think too hard about what she felt - not now. Besides, though the intelligence hadn't yet reached her, Isla suspected death hadn't reached the city either and all those they'd lost had returned to them.

[arastirmacii]

It was the right choice. The statement was spoken genuinely, but Sanem could not help the way her mind questioned it. Alek, Dominic, all those supernatural that had found themselves within the cages of the Eye. That had found themselves experimented on, transformed into something that they were not, would find that statement to be a lie. To be something that Sanem and Isla could tell themselves so that they did not carry the weight of what they had done. In all the years that she had watched her parents at work, she had not carried such a burden. Nor when that work had become hers, when she had thought up new ideas to implement within her laboratory. Perhaps Dominic was right, and perhaps she should answer to the crimes that she had inflicted for so many years. But those thoughts would have to wait, as Sanem returned the hug that had been suddenly given to her.

Hugs had not exactly been a form of affection within her family, both her mother and father more analytical than most. Which is perhaps why she had been shocked when the arms had wrapped around her, though her mind had settled less on the suddenness of that. And more so on the fact of what they had done, what she had done. It was of humanly instinct that she had returned the hug, and perhaps a small part of her that knew she needed it. Especially at a time like this. "We'll have to consider our losses later," or rather, count the dead once the dust had settled. If there were any, once the news reached her. "We have other matters to attend to. Such as these spores traces."

[arastirmacii]

where. base camp, in an intelligence tent or something who. @renxfields

Two cups were held within her hands as she walked into the tent, sights set upon Ren. There was a moment of reprieve from the fighting, as night settled upon the city. Though, it did not do wonders for her thoughts. The Labyrinth was gone, as was the Outpost, and Sanem couldn't quiet all the thoughts within her head. "I'm not certain I'll be able to get any sleep tonight," she mused, as she set down one of the cups for Ren, before she settled into a seat. There was still so much left in this battle, and Sanem couldn't help but think that she needed to take it on all at once. To ensure that all others were protected, that they would be ready for the next attack.

[arastirmacii]

where. outside the medical tent who. @hellfirekirigan

For the most part, Sanem's expertise had been required elsewhere. She had not been able to make it to the medical tents, to offer support in treating and dressing any wounds. At least, not until the fighting had ceased for the night. The base camp had been established, and those with wounds were brought into the various tents that had been set up. It was where she had gone to, when she couldn't handle simply sitting around, waiting for the next onslaught to begin. Blood had soaked into areas of her clothes, and exhaustion etched itself into her features when she finally stepped out from the tent. The cool night air was appreciated, though it hardly stopped her thoughts from running rampant, her head from spinning. That is, until she saw him, and the sigh of relief that left her was unlike what she had anticipated. "You're alright?" It was all that she could say, or do, for she seemed frozen to the spot.

[mortalisla]

Time: Day 2 Location: The Pyramid part of HQ Characters: @arastirmacii & @mortalisla Notes: Science girls are sad girls

Isla had been in the middle of finishing patching up one of their super soldiers when the explosion sounded from afar in the city. At almost the same time her phone beeped. Notifications on the scientist's private applications confirmed that all of of her ongoing experiments and data that was either processing or pending were either cancelled or now offline.

"It's gone isn't it?," Isla asked, looking up as her boss ran in. "It's all gone."

[arastirmacii]

The plans had been set, a failsafe in the event of attack. It seemed the right decision had been made, even if that destroyed so much of their current research. Along with the lives of those that had remained within the Labyrinth. Though many may not believe it of her, it was the latter part that seemed to strike home more acutely. Choices had been made, and as the overseer, it weighed most heavily upon her shoulders. Those lives would be on her hands. "It's gone," she affirmed, a softened gaze upon the other. "We wouldn't have had time to get everything out. It was a call that needed to be made."

[arastirmacii]

where. kirigan's messy home who. @hellfirekirigan notes. this is just a lil pre-battle blurb for them, kiss kiss

The preparations within the Eye had called the entirety of her attention, of her focus. Lives depended upon the technology that she and her team could produce and manufacture. And so, Sanem had practically been sleeping within the Labyrinth. Seemingly only leaving when she needed to make a visit to the Outpost, or when the coffee produced within the organization simply did not cut it. Her mind had primarily focused upon what she could construct for the soldiers, for those that had aligned themselves with the Senate, and with the Eye.

Yet, her conversation with Ephraim had circulated within her mind, beneath the seemingly constant worry. He had asked what she would do, if she had been given the command, once it was all over. She could have said they would go back to what they had always done, to hunt those that were not human. But a part of her had pushed through, had made itself known to herself. The part that wanted something different. For herself, for the life that had never truly been hers. And a part of that difference landed with an individual that she had not foreseen for herself.

For a moment, as she stood on the doorstep, before Kirigan had come to the door, Sanem had wondered if this were a bad idea. She did not have them often, or if at all. But perhaps that had become different, when it came to him. She had been foolish with their association. She had allowed him to see her in ways that he never should have. He was a demon, after all, an abomination that had taken over the body of some innocent human. And she was a scientist, a figure head for the humans to ensure their continued survival.

Yet, when the door finally opened, when Kirigan stood before her, she felt like nothing more than a woman who was in way over her head. That had allowed a simple infatuation to become something so much more. And perhaps she couldn't deny it any longer, especially with what was just upon the horizon. "I don't have much time," she stated immediately, a glimpse into how nervous she was. She had not done anything such as this in a long time, and the last time she had, it had not ended well.

"I brought you some things, from the Eye. I don't know what you will want to use, if any of it," she started, seemingly growing more nervous by the second. Kirigan had not been silent with his want, with his interest since the day they had started this partnership. Since he had begun to bring her creatures, and she had threatened him with experimentation. She had been the one to deny it, over and over again, even after the many times she had entangled herself with him. "I also ---," she stopped short, however, teeth worrying the inside of her cheek.

What if it were not as she believed it to be? What if Kirigan had only said those things to keep her from strapping him to her table? Perhaps it had all been fabricated within her own mind, strengthened by some small part of her that wanted him too. "I just ---," her words cut off again, currently a poor representation of how sure she had always been in her life. From the days she had spent at the Eye as a child, to the university halls as a teenager, to the career she had built for herself within the Labyrinth. But when it came to this moment, she was hardly sure of herself.

"I need you to be safe," she finally confessed, the truth laced upon each of her words. "I can't lose you either, alright?" That was what he had been trying to tell her, hadn't it? When he had come into her home, while she had been sick from the plague? He had turned it into a joke, but Sanem had been smart enough to figure it out. To know what he had wanted to say, but hadn't been able to. Now she could say it for the both of them. "I've spent too long pushing you away, but I don't want to anymore. However this bloodshed plays out, I want to be standing at the end with you." That is, if she made it through the bloodshed, if he made it through. And if she did not have to answer for the crimes that she committed, as Dominic had placed upon her.

"I want you to be by my side when this is all done, just as you are." And as the words slipped from her tongue, before the uncertainty could manifest itself any more, she stepped forward. Her fingers curled into his shirt, drew him closer until she could reach up to press her lips against his. It was not a kiss of hunger, nor of frivolous need or want. It was a kiss of promise, for what would come when the dust had settled over Rome.

END.

[domxbirchall]

"Much to your fucking chagrin', isn't it, love?" Dominic looked at Sanem for a few more moments, like he was imagining pulling her eyes from her head. That would be fun. He'd hang them on the wall eventually. "You and this bloody war, it would be a shame if something happened to you during it." He was on the side of the vampires, at least for now. It didn't include the Senate – it didn't include the Eye. He hated all of them. "Yet all your crimes are just exonerated? Better think twice. Loads of creatures on the Senate, allying with you out of necessity. Better hope that doesn't come back to bite you in the ass."

[arastirmacii]

Sanem would not apologize for any of the work she had done for the Eye. The research that she had completed in the hopes of making life just that much easier for humans. For those that had remained unaware of the supernatural. "Something could happen to either one of us in this war," she clipped back, aware of the threat that nestled itself within his words. Sanem would not be on the front lines, nor would she find herself in the meat of the battle. That did not mean that she would be out of harm's way. But she would be prepared, ready for any supernatural that wished to try. "I said no such thing. If the senate wishes for me to answer for my crimes, as you called them, then so be it." The Eye was an extensive organization, however, and Sanem was certain that an arrangement could be made. "Your continuous concern for me is touching, Dominic."

[ephraimbriggs]

"I wasn't trained to have doubts," Ephraim admitted, cold decisiveness was the clearest path to any victory. Minimal casualties, that was the ideal. "but I guess I'm coming to see both sides, working with them has made it impossible not to. The senate needs more oversight, but so do we." They'd crossed the line, Ephraim had done it, the hunters under his charge had done it, Sanem and her team had certainly done so as well. The programming was easy, these were violent creatures that only appeared human but were truthfully another species entirely. Different didn't equate to less, but neither Ephraim or Sanem could push the pendulum in any certain direction, they had their orders. They would always have their orders. "If it was up to you, what would you do?" She seemed more in touch than he was, she's worked one on one with these creatures for years, her entire team did. There was a supernatural on her staff, though there was also one in Ephraim's bed.

[arastirmacii]

More oversight, it was a simple statement. A simple solution. But it would mean so much more than that to the Eye. To the scientists in their labs, and the hunters out in the field. Her mind wandered to Alek, to Dominic, to all those that she had done what was necessary to. She had been cruel, in the simple name of research. With the excuses of making this world a better place for humans, for those that did not know of what went bump in the night. But she had also ruined lives, in the name of science. In the name of knowledge and understanding. "That's quite the loaded question," she stated, as an almost sad smile fitted upon her features. Her mind soon wandered to Ren, to Kadir, to Kirigan. Supernatural that had somehow found themselves in her life, embedded within it even after all she had done. "If it were up to me," she started, her gaze dropped away from him, "I think I would let the organization become more inclusive. To allow us to protect anyone or anything that may need it."

[ephraimbriggs]

There was a hope that the enhanced would be enough, soldiers would come from institutes and installments all over the world. The Eye would send out a call to its contacts among the hunters across the globe, open season on necromancers, ghouls, and demons. They had tech and production facilities working around the clock across the globe. Everyday more and more products arrived, weapons in the hands of mortals and supernaturals alike. Enhancements to those that Sanem brought into her lab, the warforged that had been gathered and given a sense of purpose and self. Maybe it would be enough, though the mounting threat of New Rome made him leery. The Eye couldn't discount that the lycans would likely take advantage of the war to make trouble of their own. They weren't without options, though none of which would make him popular. "What do you think the orders from above will be if we survive this?" She had more experience in her role than he, so naturally Ephraim was curious. His eyes drifted back to the monitor. "Do we just go back to hunting them? Killing them?" The Overseer had always been cold, but they'd been working to try and keep each other alive for months now.

[arastirmacii]

The question came as something of a shock, if only because Sanem had been mulling over the same concern. For seemingly too long now the Eye had been tracking down supernatural, either with the intention to kill them or to learn from them. Hundreds of years of information had been acquired, from what a vampire's blood could do to all the ways to bring down a lycan. There was nothing more that Sanem could gather from the typical species, for she knew everything there was to know of their strengths and weaknesses. Of how she could use them for her own gain, and that of the Eye. While there may be need for some of these other species, the ones that seemed so new and unknown to her, she couldn't rightfully say that the Eye would need such knowledge at the moment. Or once the war had been fought, and hopefully won. "The Senate was placed to reprimand their own species, to ensure the safety of all," she started, though a part of her wished that the orders would not come. Not in the way that she knew they likely would. "I do not doubt that we will continue on as we have. A war like this surely won't change things for most supernatural, and I do not think it will change things for us." Even if they had welcomed supernatural into their facilities, had become close with some. "Perhaps we will just step in where the Senate has failed, to be a police for the supernatural. Or perhaps we will hunt and kill them as if nothing has changed." There was almost an acidic taste in her mouth, but she didn't want to dwell on it too fully. "Is that not something you wish to do anymore?"

[appetizinggael]

who?: @arastirmacii where?: his hospital bed, but he's lookin real gross

✧₤✧

If Gael had his way, he wouldn't have been brought to the hospital in the first place. Unfortunately, his illness had gotten so bad that he pretty much only had medical treatment or door number two as his only options. But he was in no state to fight off the vampire intent on making the decision for him. By the time he'd been admitted, Gael was too weak to even blink, save for any time a doctor or nurse attempted to remove his collar. Hakan gave him a command and no amount of plague would prevent his body from seeing it through, compulsion moving his arms to keep the vial safe even when he had passed out. His demise was of no concern because of that vial. He would drink it when necessary. Gael was surprised when a bout of lucidity allowed him to peer through the haze of his fever dream. He couldn't tell if he was conscious or not, but something had definitely pricked his skin. And the figure he was starting up at was definitely glowing. Who was she? An angel? Was it his time? "It's okay, I will drink the vial if it's necessary. He wants me forever," Gael mutters with a weak smile, shakily reaching up to grasp his diamond collar. "I have more time to give. Please let me stay, I only need to see the gates. I can't cross yet..."

[arastirmacii]

The vaccine had been completed quickly, and offered to any of those that wished to receive it. Already they had handed out hundreds, to humans and supernatural alike. To those from Rome, and to those that were perhaps just visiting, or had only just arrived to town. The thought was alarming, but it was not at the forefront of her mind. Not right now, at least. For she had decided to come check on the human that had come in worse for wear, seemingly having not received the vaccine before the symptoms of the plague had gotten worse. She'd reviewed the notes that previous attendants had left, one of which mentioned the collar that he had come in wearing. And had refused to let anyone take off. For Sanem, she had known the strengths of compulsion. She also likely knew precisely what was in the vial that hung off the collar. It was why she made no attempt to remove it, or to do much of anything with it when she came to check in on him. The needle had just been pressed into his arm when he awoke, with delirium on his tongue. "You do not need to drink the vial," she assured, voice gentle as she placed an equally so hand on his arm. "I'm just taking some of your blood for a few more tests. But we've hooked you up to an IV, so you should start to feel better soon."